Constance and Theo Courtney live privileged lives in mid-eighteenth century India. Their selfish choice results in the deaths of their loving parents and the eventual separation from one another. Finding themselves in the midst of battle they fight to survive, each feeling abandoned by the other. Their lives continue across Europe and North America and through the obstacles and events presented they both prove resourceful and strong. Connie is victimized and abused, sexually and emotionally, at each stage in her life; she learns her looks and charm are valuable weapons. Theo is “drafted” into ship-work, the military and the Abenaki tribe. Through the wife he is forced to marry he learns about love and the ghost fires that haunt grieving persons, demanding revenge and redemption. Brother and sister face death time and time again but somehow through skill or luck, they survive. Wilbur Smith provides rich descriptions and historical settings, as well as graphic details of war. The descriptions of hand to hand combat as well as those of torture were scenes I would rather forget. The historical facts of these conflicts, however, will remain.