“There will be danger, no doubt, and adventure and mystery and wonders of which we can only dream.”
Not knowing this was part of a much larger series by Wilbur Smith, “River Gods”, I felt it was quite readable as a standalone. Where some detail is missing out in the case of world building, it is still great for someone coming into the books late.
The New Kingdom is a piece of historical fiction following one young man, Hui, and his lust for vengeance and escape across the plains, sands, mountains and waterways of ancient Egypt. There is a bit of mysticism thrown in every now and again but it truthfully feels at odds with the rest of the novel and it’s very straight forward quest. Overall it turned out to be much more than I expected. Love for those that depend on you, love for a nation, love for family and the lengths some will go to see their kinfolk prevail.
The story starts off on the precipice of action and only advances from there. It is an entrancing, fast paced novel, moving from one event to the next with ease. It’s very story driven. Not a lot of character development is established. It turns from one group of citizens to bandits, warriors, wanderers, and merchants to the next. The only character we follow and see grow is Hui. It is very much his quest. His voyage from meek and witless to eager, hungry for vengeance and full of revenge. Hui is very childish, turns away from what he clearly sees happening right in front of his eyes, and has no thought to the scheming that is going on right next to him. It’s beyond frustrating. But it also gives him a chance to grow into the man, the warrior, he is destined to become. Shoes which he fills rather remarkably by the closing of the story.
*Trigger warning for sexual abuse and violence*
** Thank you to Bookish First for the pleasure of receiving an ARC of this novel. All statements made herein are solely my opinion and have been left voluntarily. **
Not knowing this was part of a much larger series by Wilbur Smith, “River Gods”, I felt it was quite readable as a standalone. Where some detail is missing out in the case of world building, it is still great for someone coming into the books late.
The New Kingdom is a piece of historical fiction following one young man, Hui, and his lust for vengeance and escape across the plains, sands, mountains and waterways of ancient Egypt. There is a bit of mysticism thrown in every now and again but it truthfully feels at odds with the rest of the novel and it’s very straight forward quest. Overall it turned out to be much more than I expected. Love for those that depend on you, love for a nation, love for family and the lengths some will go to see their kinfolk prevail.
The story starts off on the precipice of action and only advances from there. It is an entrancing, fast paced novel, moving from one event to the next with ease. It’s very story driven. Not a lot of character development is established. It turns from one group of citizens to bandits, warriors, wanderers, and merchants to the next. The only character we follow and see grow is Hui. It is very much his quest. His voyage from meek and witless to eager, hungry for vengeance and full of revenge. Hui is very childish, turns away from what he clearly sees happening right in front of his eyes, and has no thought to the scheming that is going on right next to him. It’s beyond frustrating. But it also gives him a chance to grow into the man, the warrior, he is destined to become. Shoes which he fills rather remarkably by the closing of the story.
*Trigger warning for sexual abuse and violence*
** Thank you to Bookish First for the pleasure of receiving an ARC of this novel. All statements made herein are solely my opinion and have been left voluntarily. **