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Ancient Egypt #2
The Seventh Scroll
The discovery of the Seventh Scroll, an ancient Egyptian papyrus containing the secret to a pharaoh's hidden tomb and its wealth, unleashes a deadly race to find the secret treasure
486 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
1204 people are currently reading
8046 people want to read
About the author
Wilbur Smith
679books4,285followersWilbur Smith was a prolific and bestselling South African novelist renowned for his sweeping adventure stories set against the backdrop of Africa’s dramatic landscapes and turbulent history. Born in 1933 in what was then Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), he grew up in South Africa, where his love for storytelling was nurtured by the rich environment and tales of African history. His early years were shaped by his experiences in the wilderness, which later became a defining element in his fiction.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 824 reviews
August 3, 2024
A few years ago a little more or less than 4,000, a ruler the pharaoh Mamose (fictitious) of ancient Egypt flees for his life, invaders the ruthless Hyksos from the north drive him from his throne, so he travels south. This was from the book River God by Wilbur Smith, the sequel set in the modern (1995) as archaeologists a very loose term maybe a better one is grave robbers trying to find his lost tomb hidden in a remote section of Ethiopia. The unbelievable riches is quite staggering... Countless millions of dollars however who owns it? Ethiopia or Egypt or finders keepers as the thieves from the past are reincarnated but not for the best. Sir Nicholas Quenton-Harper a British aristocrat of minor heritage that makes Indiana Jones seem like an amateur which he is technically having no degree except avarice and this is a common vice which sadly is the majority in the world, he has cash flow problems like many. It would overflow both banks of the mighty Nile River in volume, to ad interest an Egyptologist half English the other part Egyptian, Dr. Rogan Al Summa don't have to state a beauty with divided loyalty working for the government in Cairo. The seventh scroll she and her late husband discovered written by the genius Taita ( self described) a slave and eunuch but has ambitions. Clues are on the papyrus yet the amused writer is fun loving his cryptic words hard to understand, deciphering quiet a challenge. And is determined to stop thieves by ingenious traps that kill the dishonorable who desecrate the sacred resting place of his master. A German billionaire Herr von Schiller is also after the prize and murder not important as the circle tightens, his hand nears ...butchering can be profitable. A motley group for good or evil are involved in the actions. While intense scenes of carnage spills the pages red the author is fearless in perpetuating the abnormal and offending everyone, to be honest. Nevertheless interest remains high as the inevitable lovers near their goal in a labyrinth under the Blue Nile...will the waters crush them? How easily this can occur. Hazards around every corner the dark brings the nightmares, the dangers can strike at anytime, there is something about being underground, giving the imagination the full throttle, an unlit scream you can never forget, feel very apprehensive , weak and claustrophobic. The second in the series, so far six, the ancient Egyptian civilization the most intriguing of all. An imaginative story which gives the reader a picture , a piece, a peak in the land of the Nile, always flowing by in her perpetual wanderings , may it never cease. And archaeology be viewed as an art for knowledge not a treasure hunt...
January 31, 2021
Six-Word Review : Murderous attack, Revenge planned, Plans successful.
I think this book is similar to ''The Vinci Code'' in some form. But has a lot more historical details, an even tighter plot, and much more adventure and drama. The character are brilliantly colored, and invite us into their story.
I think this book is similar to ''The Vinci Code'' in some form. But has a lot more historical details, an even tighter plot, and much more adventure and drama. The character are brilliantly colored, and invite us into their story.
February 19, 2022
There are moments that I feel like reading something light and entertaining. What could be better than an adventure-treasure hunting suspense? That is exactly what , a masterful writer of such stories, created in . It is about the archaeological quest and discovery of the lost Pharaohs Mamose's tomb. The action sets off swiftly in Egypt moves to England to end up in Ethiopia. There are very believable and engaging characters, good and honorable or totally evil. For those looking for a good thriller, read it and enjoy.
June 29, 2016
In the 1994 opening novel of his Ancient Egypt series, , (which I haven't read) veteran South African novelist Wilbur Smith depicts the fictional Pharaoh Mamose finding a temporary refuge, with some of his people, from the invading Hyskos in the valley of Ethiopia's Blue Nile --a region that's wild and largely unexplored even in modern times. This novel presupposes the events of the earlier one; but although it's billed as the second book of the series, it takes place nearly 4,000 years later, in the author's present, and can be read as a stand-alone (any information about the earlier events that the reader needs is supplied in the text of this book).
While excavating the tomb of Mamose's queen Lostris, archaeologists Duraid al-Simma and his beautiful (and much younger) Anglo-Egyptian wife Royan have unearthed ten scrolls written by the queen's scribe Taita. The seventh scroll provides clues to Mamose's Ethiopian resting place, with its treasures. But knowledge of these clues has fallen into the hands of a ruthless, wealthy and powerful antiquities collector who's not about to let minor things like laws against murder and theft keep him from adding this loot to his private collection. When Duraid is killed early on, and the scroll stolen, Royan must follow his dying instructions by joining forces with another wealthy collector, widowed adventurer Sir Nicholas Quentin-Harper (who's much closer to her age) to find the tomb before her husband's killers do. There's a complication, though. Royan wants to turn the treasure over to the proper authorities. But while Nicholas, like Royan, wants himself and her to be first at the tomb, and is ethical enough (unlike their competition) to not hurt any innocents --and chivalrous enough to protect Royan as gallantly as she could wish-- he has ambitions to add the find to HIS collection. So our heroine and hero here are working partly as allies --but partly at cross purposes, too, which makes for an interesting battle of wits. (And Cupid may complicate things, too....)
Smith's reputation is as a popular novelist of action-adventure fiction, much of it set in his native Africa, delivering excitement and suspense. I've never read any of his other work, except for a Reader's Digest condensed version of , but this (his 25th novel) would suggest that his reputation is deserved. He also provides convincing characters, a well-constructed plot, and realistic (sometimes wryly humorous) dialogue. Where appropriate, his descriptions are vivid, and he has an obviously considerable knowledge of African history, culture and geography, which he draws on to enrich the book. In the best tradition of action-adventure fiction, he views his characters' actions in terms of a moral code that accurately distinguishes between good and evil. (While religion isn't a major theme here, Royan and some other characters are Coptic Christians who take their faith seriously, and Smith treats it respectfully.)
As Smith depicts him, Nicholas had (before his marriage) a womanizing past, which he appears to be furnished with in order to establish his virility credentials, in the misguided assumption that this will make him more swoon-worthy to female readers. (If they have much sense, it won't!) But despite what movie raters would describe as "some sensuality," the central romantic plot here is clean, and the only explicit sexual content involves the villain. (This is disgusting, but it's intended to be.) There's some profanity in the book, but not a lot, and no obscenity that I can recall. Some of the violence is extensive and gruesome (and my oldest daughter, who's read more of Smith's work than I have, reports that this is characteristic), but it was nothing I couldn't handle.
Most fans of action-adventure, IMO, would find this right up their alley! It also has the advantage of essentially being a stand-alone, and not sucking the reader into a potentially long series.
While excavating the tomb of Mamose's queen Lostris, archaeologists Duraid al-Simma and his beautiful (and much younger) Anglo-Egyptian wife Royan have unearthed ten scrolls written by the queen's scribe Taita. The seventh scroll provides clues to Mamose's Ethiopian resting place, with its treasures. But knowledge of these clues has fallen into the hands of a ruthless, wealthy and powerful antiquities collector who's not about to let minor things like laws against murder and theft keep him from adding this loot to his private collection. When Duraid is killed early on, and the scroll stolen, Royan must follow his dying instructions by joining forces with another wealthy collector, widowed adventurer Sir Nicholas Quentin-Harper (who's much closer to her age) to find the tomb before her husband's killers do. There's a complication, though. Royan wants to turn the treasure over to the proper authorities. But while Nicholas, like Royan, wants himself and her to be first at the tomb, and is ethical enough (unlike their competition) to not hurt any innocents --and chivalrous enough to protect Royan as gallantly as she could wish-- he has ambitions to add the find to HIS collection. So our heroine and hero here are working partly as allies --but partly at cross purposes, too, which makes for an interesting battle of wits. (And Cupid may complicate things, too....)
Smith's reputation is as a popular novelist of action-adventure fiction, much of it set in his native Africa, delivering excitement and suspense. I've never read any of his other work, except for a Reader's Digest condensed version of , but this (his 25th novel) would suggest that his reputation is deserved. He also provides convincing characters, a well-constructed plot, and realistic (sometimes wryly humorous) dialogue. Where appropriate, his descriptions are vivid, and he has an obviously considerable knowledge of African history, culture and geography, which he draws on to enrich the book. In the best tradition of action-adventure fiction, he views his characters' actions in terms of a moral code that accurately distinguishes between good and evil. (While religion isn't a major theme here, Royan and some other characters are Coptic Christians who take their faith seriously, and Smith treats it respectfully.)
As Smith depicts him, Nicholas had (before his marriage) a womanizing past, which he appears to be furnished with in order to establish his virility credentials, in the misguided assumption that this will make him more swoon-worthy to female readers. (If they have much sense, it won't!) But despite what movie raters would describe as "some sensuality," the central romantic plot here is clean, and the only explicit sexual content involves the villain. (This is disgusting, but it's intended to be.) There's some profanity in the book, but not a lot, and no obscenity that I can recall. Some of the violence is extensive and gruesome (and my oldest daughter, who's read more of Smith's work than I have, reports that this is characteristic), but it was nothing I couldn't handle.
Most fans of action-adventure, IMO, would find this right up their alley! It also has the advantage of essentially being a stand-alone, and not sucking the reader into a potentially long series.
May 6, 2023
Η συνέχεια της σειράς στη χώρα των Φαραώ κρατάει το ενδιαφέρον με έντονο το στοιχείο της περιπέτειας και της δράσης. Η ιστορία διαδραματίζεται στη σύγχρονη εποχή και εξελίσεται γύρω από το τάφο που έφτιαξε ο Τάιτα. Με έξυπνο τρόπο γίνονται αναφορές στο πρώτο βιβλίο όπου δένουν με την ιστορία.
Ποτείνεται.
Ποτείνεται.
September 21, 2015
Abandoned at page 313. I made the mistake of taking a break and after picking the book up again I simply could not care less about what happens. It's not badly written and I'm sure the clues to the pharao's untouched grave might be more fun if I had read "River Gods". As it is, there is just so much repetition I just can't take anymore. In fact, this book has put me entirely off reading, which rarely happens. I hardly know what to do with myself! I don't expect this feeling to last longer than maybe 20 minutes - which is how long I need to cook dinner - but it's quite horrific nonetheless.
February 11, 2023
"The Seventh Scroll", by Wilbur Smith is the follow-up to "River God", one of the best historical novels I have read in a very long time. "The Seventh Scroll" was meant to be read after "River God" but it is not exactly a sequel. It actually takes place in the present day with a couple of archeologist types who are out to discover the hidden tombs that were depicted in the first book. What an intriguing concept! What we got to live through before is now seen through the eyes of history, including all the distortions of history that are bound to happen. Afterall, what we assume to be true through archeological research isn't necessarily the way it really happened.
The author does another intriguing thing in this book. He inserts himself into his own fiction, having a main character refer to Wilbur Smith as having authored the fictional "River God" from information uncovered in the first 6 scrolls found in the tomb. Of course it is the 7th scroll that the characters are after in this second book. This leads to some funny moments as the two main protagonists argue about just how accurate Wilbur Smith was in the first book; one of them goes so far as to dismiss Mr Smith as a hack writer who changes the historical record in order to include more sex and violence. It's a twisted loop whereby an author actually negatively critques his own work...I guess you have to be pretty secure in your own writing career to do that. Regardless, it works wonderfully here.
The book itself was only slightly less enjoyable than the first. When you get right down to it, this is a pretty straight forward adventure/treasure hunting story along the likes of "Romancing the Stone". But Wilbur Smith is an outstanding writer who has a knack for making you read just a little more and then still more despite any deadlines you may have to deal with. You know the two main characters will hook up by the end but it's not predictable how that happens. The dangerous scenes in the book are really dangerous and the suspense is spot on. As for historical accuracy...everything sure seemed to be accurate based on my limited knowledge of ancient Egypt and my trip to that country a few years ago. I hadn't planned on reading this series this year but now I am already looking forward to the third book, "Warlock", where we get to return to the ancient times and see what happens next!
The author does another intriguing thing in this book. He inserts himself into his own fiction, having a main character refer to Wilbur Smith as having authored the fictional "River God" from information uncovered in the first 6 scrolls found in the tomb. Of course it is the 7th scroll that the characters are after in this second book. This leads to some funny moments as the two main protagonists argue about just how accurate Wilbur Smith was in the first book; one of them goes so far as to dismiss Mr Smith as a hack writer who changes the historical record in order to include more sex and violence. It's a twisted loop whereby an author actually negatively critques his own work...I guess you have to be pretty secure in your own writing career to do that. Regardless, it works wonderfully here.
The book itself was only slightly less enjoyable than the first. When you get right down to it, this is a pretty straight forward adventure/treasure hunting story along the likes of "Romancing the Stone". But Wilbur Smith is an outstanding writer who has a knack for making you read just a little more and then still more despite any deadlines you may have to deal with. You know the two main characters will hook up by the end but it's not predictable how that happens. The dangerous scenes in the book are really dangerous and the suspense is spot on. As for historical accuracy...everything sure seemed to be accurate based on my limited knowledge of ancient Egypt and my trip to that country a few years ago. I hadn't planned on reading this series this year but now I am already looking forward to the third book, "Warlock", where we get to return to the ancient times and see what happens next!
April 16, 2020
Oh good grief, but this is simply awful! Here in week 6 of the Covid-19 pandemic, I thought a treasure hunt for lost Egyptian tombs would be just the thing, but after 253 pages (a little under halfway) I'm out. The writing is awkward, the dialog ridiculous, the characters paper thin, the plot inane, and the author inserts references to himself and River Gods into the story.
I really enjoyed River Gods, but alas this second book in the Ancient Egypt series is not worth the time. That these two idiots are the ones following clues left by Taita must have him rolling his eyes too. Unlike the previous book, this is set in current times, and there really isn't any need for the sexist and racist stuff here. Ugh.
I blame the shock of hearing that the quarantine might be extended to mid May as the only reason I got as far into the book as I did. Do not bother!
I really enjoyed River Gods, but alas this second book in the Ancient Egypt series is not worth the time. That these two idiots are the ones following clues left by Taita must have him rolling his eyes too. Unlike the previous book, this is set in current times, and there really isn't any need for the sexist and racist stuff here. Ugh.
I blame the shock of hearing that the quarantine might be extended to mid May as the only reason I got as far into the book as I did. Do not bother!
November 23, 2021
Dit boek is het tweede deel in de reeks. Vierduizend jaar na de dood van de hoofdpersonen in het vorige verhaal, is de tombe van koningin Lostris ontdekt, en ook de tien papyrusrollen van haar slaaf Taita. De zevende rol is de belangrijkste, want daarin vertelt hij in cryptische bewoordingen waar zich de tombe van farao Mamose, met al zijn schatten bevindt. Het echtpaar Duraid en Royan al Simma zijn deze rol aan het bestuderen, maar andere schattenjagers hebben hiervan lucht gekregen en Duraid wordt vermoord, de rol en al hun aantekeningen worden gestolen, alsook alles wat op de computer van Royan stond. Het is nu aan Royan deze taak verder te zetten, en iemand te zoeken die haar daarbij kan helpen. Uit het lijstje dat haar man voor haar achtergelaten had, kiest ze Nicholas Quenton-Harper, een rijke liefhebber en verzamelaar van antieke artefacten.
En zo begint hun avontuur. Niet alleen moeten ze de tombe zien te vinden, ze moeten ook andere belangstellenden proberen van zich af te houden en voor te zijn. Een spannend maar ook gewelddadig avontuur.
Ik vond dit een goed boek, maar soms wel wat langdradig. Er zijn vele geografische en technische beschrijvingen die ik niet goed kon volgen, wat het lezen voor mij bemoeilijkte en ik het soms minder interessant vond. Maar al bij al, eens je dit boek aan het lezen bent, wil je wel weten hoe het afloopt!
En zo begint hun avontuur. Niet alleen moeten ze de tombe zien te vinden, ze moeten ook andere belangstellenden proberen van zich af te houden en voor te zijn. Een spannend maar ook gewelddadig avontuur.
Ik vond dit een goed boek, maar soms wel wat langdradig. Er zijn vele geografische en technische beschrijvingen die ik niet goed kon volgen, wat het lezen voor mij bemoeilijkte en ik het soms minder interessant vond. Maar al bij al, eens je dit boek aan het lezen bent, wil je wel weten hoe het afloopt!
March 6, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2021
Hala gr'ye eklemeyi unuttuğum kitaplar çıkıyor şaşırıyorum.
May 15, 2010
By now, I have read this book about 4 times which tells you how much I loved it. Smith has written a beautiful, adventerous story about love, greed, death and courage. It takes place in a few different places, starting in Egypt, moving its way to England and then to Ethiopia. Wilbur Smith created wonderful characters, both lovable and detestable. The basic plot of the story is that a tomb found in Egypt reveals seven scrolls, the last scroll containing cryptic clues to the burial site of an ancient king. Two people come together, one a woman from Egypt and a man from England, and struggle against the power and corruption of a lunatic multi-millionare to find the burial site and the treasures that lie within. After reading most of Smiths books to date, I have to say that this is one of my favourite. I really enjoyed this book. Read it; you will not be sorry.
February 2, 2012
Smith inserted himself and his book River God throughout the story - as though archaeologists and Egyptologists look to him as an authority on ancient Egypt (refers to photos of himself and the characters, how all the Egyptologists of the world were excited to find this missing tomb after reading River God � strange to me that such highly educated people would think he has this knowledge that no one else does simply because he wrote a work of fiction) every time I read one of these references it was like tripping over a stone while out for a walk. Also, Smith gets bogged down with minute details of an engineering feat � I skipped over pages and pages. Not my favourite of his books
September 10, 2021
The second book in Smith's Egyptian series. A fabulous read. Using the historical fiction of Egypt circa 1500BC: Smith continues with the theme character of the Magi eunuch Taita. This time there is a different pharoah - Tamos then Nefer Seti his son. After Pharoah Tamos is mudered. His son with Taita the warlord fight to return Egypt to the true ruling family.
Intriguing, cunning plotting, masterful planning for victory - phrases the describe this unputdownable book.
Now I am on to book 3 - WARLORD.
Intriguing, cunning plotting, masterful planning for victory - phrases the describe this unputdownable book.
Now I am on to book 3 - WARLORD.
January 30, 2022
This follow up to River God happens in modern times, thousands of years after the original book. One of the original scrolls was not included in the first tale as it was very cryptic, that being the description and exact location of Pharaoh Mamose's tomb. Now a couple of archeologists think they have unraveled the secret, but there are a couple of rival factions in the final hunt for the location. Of course, one of them will stop at nothing to get their hands on the treasure.
Not as good as the first book, but then it's completely different story, being modern rather than historical. This could probably be read as a stand alone but best to have read River God first.
Not as good as the first book, but then it's completely different story, being modern rather than historical. This could probably be read as a stand alone but best to have read River God first.
October 2, 2023
Il settimo papiro, del 1995, è idealmente la prosecuzione naturale del libro
(il primo capitolo della saga degli egizi nata dalla fantasia dello scrittore sudafricano Wilbur Smith) ma può anche essere letto a parte, visto che le vicende narrate in questo nuovo libro si svolgono a distanza di ben tremila anni da quanto narrato nel primo lavoro: ne
, infatti, sappiamo solo che lo schiavo Taita si è incaricato di seppellire il faraone Mamose VIII in una misteriosa tomba realizzata da lui stesso e di cui solo lui ne conosce l'esatta ubicazione (si capisce solo che non si trova entro i confini dell'allora Egitto dei faraoni); in Il settimo papiro, invece, due archeologi moderni che, forse scopiazzando un po' troppo le avventure di Indiana Jones, si danno letteralmente battaglia per scoprire quel sepolcro.
Libro bellissimo e straordinario, anche se leggermente inferiore al precedente, in cui il lettore è chiamato, nella seconda parte del romanzo, a risolvere enigmi ed indovinelli (ma facendo attenzione alle false piste) architettati dal genio di Taita. Anche qui, per concludere, veniamo coinvolti e rapiti dalle calde atmosfere africane ma � comunque, il tutto ha il sapore del già letto da qualche parte!
Chiudo con una nota di colore: di questo romanzo, nel 1999, venne realizzato l'omonimo e spettacolare film per la televisione (interpretato dal grande Roy Scheider nella parte dell'archeologo cattivo e senza scrupoli) ma caratterizzato, soprattutto, dalla pessima interpretazione della nostra Valeria Marini.
[]
Libro bellissimo e straordinario, anche se leggermente inferiore al precedente, in cui il lettore è chiamato, nella seconda parte del romanzo, a risolvere enigmi ed indovinelli (ma facendo attenzione alle false piste) architettati dal genio di Taita. Anche qui, per concludere, veniamo coinvolti e rapiti dalle calde atmosfere africane ma � comunque, il tutto ha il sapore del già letto da qualche parte!
Chiudo con una nota di colore: di questo romanzo, nel 1999, venne realizzato l'omonimo e spettacolare film per la televisione (interpretato dal grande Roy Scheider nella parte dell'archeologo cattivo e senza scrupoli) ma caratterizzato, soprattutto, dalla pessima interpretazione della nostra Valeria Marini.
[]
May 24, 2008
A sequel that takes place 4000 years later! It drags a little in the middle and has some violent sex scenes that detract from the book, but is an overall good read. I like the way this man does his research.
December 3, 2021
Il romanzo quasi perfetto. L'ho preferito anche a "Il dio del fiume" per adrenalina, coinvolgimento, emozione. Avventura allo stato puro.
October 24, 2019
A fascinating read.
January 5, 2024
3.5 Rounded up.
This was fun.
It certainly wasn’t what I expected after book 1.
This is more Indiana Jones, treasury adventure type story than an historical fiction
The highlights were the reference of the previous book and then using Wilbur Smith as a character.
This made me laugh multiple times, and really worked well.
I adored the setting and descriptions of everything they faced. Wilbur is fantastic at creating that visualisation
I struggled a little bit with the lack of morally grey characters, it to me, became a bit “good� vs “bad�
Fun book though. Will continue the series
This was fun.
It certainly wasn’t what I expected after book 1.
This is more Indiana Jones, treasury adventure type story than an historical fiction
The highlights were the reference of the previous book and then using Wilbur Smith as a character.
This made me laugh multiple times, and really worked well.
I adored the setting and descriptions of everything they faced. Wilbur is fantastic at creating that visualisation
I struggled a little bit with the lack of morally grey characters, it to me, became a bit “good� vs “bad�
Fun book though. Will continue the series
January 18, 2017
I'm not even sure where I got this book from - I think it might have been out of a bag of books that my mom gave me. I'd never heard of the author before, and didn't even realize it was part of a series until I looked it up on ŷ when I was about halfway through the novel. But even though The Seventh Scroll is actually the second book in a series, it works as a stand alone novel.
Mostly, I enjoyed The Seventh Scroll. The character of Royan was entertaining to read and easy to relate to, for the most part. Overall it's a decent story, and parts of it were fascinating. Many other parts were boring, dull, poorly written, overly descriptive, super predictable, and a few were actually cringe-worthy. And something that bothered me immensely, the POV changes randomly, sometimes even in the middle of a paragraph. I love multiple Points of View, but I'm of the opinion that the POV change needs to happen at a chapter break, or at least a section break within a chapter. But in The Seventh Scroll, the POV seems to change completely randomly, and didn't always makes sense to me.
As I read through the many reviews from other people, though, I almost wonder if I'm missing something. Many others seem to love the author and this series, and rave on and on about how good it is. I didn't hate The Seventh Scroll, but I didn't love it either. It's a good read, and starts well, but the middle part of the novel loses momentum and never quite picks it back up again. By the time I muddled through to the end I just wanted them to find the treasure and be done already.
I'm giving The Seventh Scroll two stars. I feel vaguely bad about doing so, but I'm also not quite willing to go to three stars and say I liked it. It was ok. I probably won't try any of the rest of the series, even though the first book in the series, River God, seems to get rave reviews. But I think I'll pass, for now at least.
Have you read The Seventh Scroll by Wilbur Smith? What did you think - am I way off base?
Mostly, I enjoyed The Seventh Scroll. The character of Royan was entertaining to read and easy to relate to, for the most part. Overall it's a decent story, and parts of it were fascinating. Many other parts were boring, dull, poorly written, overly descriptive, super predictable, and a few were actually cringe-worthy. And something that bothered me immensely, the POV changes randomly, sometimes even in the middle of a paragraph. I love multiple Points of View, but I'm of the opinion that the POV change needs to happen at a chapter break, or at least a section break within a chapter. But in The Seventh Scroll, the POV seems to change completely randomly, and didn't always makes sense to me.
As I read through the many reviews from other people, though, I almost wonder if I'm missing something. Many others seem to love the author and this series, and rave on and on about how good it is. I didn't hate The Seventh Scroll, but I didn't love it either. It's a good read, and starts well, but the middle part of the novel loses momentum and never quite picks it back up again. By the time I muddled through to the end I just wanted them to find the treasure and be done already.
I'm giving The Seventh Scroll two stars. I feel vaguely bad about doing so, but I'm also not quite willing to go to three stars and say I liked it. It was ok. I probably won't try any of the rest of the series, even though the first book in the series, River God, seems to get rave reviews. But I think I'll pass, for now at least.
Have you read The Seventh Scroll by Wilbur Smith? What did you think - am I way off base?
April 17, 2017
ভেবেছিলা� ফারা� মেমননে� জীবন� টাইটার ভূমিকা নিয়� লেখা হব� বইটা � কিন্তু তা নয�, মামো� � ট্যানাসে� সমাধিত� লুকিয়� রাখা বিপু� সম্প� খুঁজ� বে� করার কাহিনী এট� � কাহিনী হিসেবে ‘রিভার গড� এর পর্যায়ে ফেলা যাবে না এটাক� � গুপ্তধ� খুঁজ� বে� করার সাধারণ কাহিনী� মত� এট� �
বইটা শুরু করার পর প্রথমে� যেটা চোখে পড়ে সেটা হল� লেখক হিসেবে উইলবার স্মিথে� অবস্থা� � তিনি এখান� নিজেকে সম্পূর্ণ অন্যভাবে উপস্থাপন করেছেন � রিভা� গড এর লেখক ‘উইলবা� স্মিথ� কে তিনি যে� সম্পূর্�� অন্য সত্ব� হিসেবে গন্য করেছেন এব� সেখানে কর� ভুলগুলোর কড়া সমালোচনা করেছেন �
এছাড়া পুরো সিরিজটার সত্যতা নিয়� এখান� বে� জল ঘোলা কর� হয়েছে � আমার মত� এখান� অল্প কিছু সত্যের সাথে বিপু� পরিমাণ মিথ্যা� ( সাহিত্যে� ভাষায় যাকে বল� হয� ‘লেখকে� স্বাধীনতা� ) মিশ্রণ ঘটেছ� � এব� বে� গুরুত্বপূর্ণ পয়েন্টগুলোত� এই ‘মিথ্যার� প্রয়ো� কর� হয়েছে, ফল� বইটা পড়া� সময় বারবার মন� হচ্ছিল� এইটা কি আদ� ঘটেছ� নাকি ঘটেন� �
সব মিলিয়� আম� বইটাকে খারা� বলবো না, তব� রিভা� গড এর সিক্যুয়াল হিসেবে এই বইটা পর্যাপ্ত ছি� না �
বইটা শুরু করার পর প্রথমে� যেটা চোখে পড়ে সেটা হল� লেখক হিসেবে উইলবার স্মিথে� অবস্থা� � তিনি এখান� নিজেকে সম্পূর্ণ অন্যভাবে উপস্থাপন করেছেন � রিভা� গড এর লেখক ‘উইলবা� স্মিথ� কে তিনি যে� সম্পূর্�� অন্য সত্ব� হিসেবে গন্য করেছেন এব� সেখানে কর� ভুলগুলোর কড়া সমালোচনা করেছেন �
এছাড়া পুরো সিরিজটার সত্যতা নিয়� এখান� বে� জল ঘোলা কর� হয়েছে � আমার মত� এখান� অল্প কিছু সত্যের সাথে বিপু� পরিমাণ মিথ্যা� ( সাহিত্যে� ভাষায় যাকে বল� হয� ‘লেখকে� স্বাধীনতা� ) মিশ্রণ ঘটেছ� � এব� বে� গুরুত্বপূর্ণ পয়েন্টগুলোত� এই ‘মিথ্যার� প্রয়ো� কর� হয়েছে, ফল� বইটা পড়া� সময় বারবার মন� হচ্ছিল� এইটা কি আদ� ঘটেছ� নাকি ঘটেন� �
সব মিলিয়� আম� বইটাকে খারা� বলবো না, তব� রিভা� গড এর সিক্যুয়াল হিসেবে এই বইটা পর্যাপ্ত ছি� না �
October 5, 2015
BOOK FAIL -
OK. I don't have a LOT of quirks when it comes to my reading habits. If it's interesting and holds my attention I'm pretty forgiving about a lot of things that might annoy another reader.
But my ONE unforgivable, throw the book across the room, stomp on it, then vow (out loud and with MUCH vehemence) to NEVER NEVER NEVER read that author again is when an author references themselves and/or one of their other books within the context of the plot of the book I'm reading.
Which this jackass did THREE TIMES in the first 20 pages of the book. The first two I was almost ready to let it go, but the third time he actually made it seem as if the characters in his NOVEL had interacted with him on the writing of the previous book, and they were then TALKING about him as if HE were a character and using his first novel as a REFERENCE.
Now look, I am HAPPY to read about continuous worlds. Hell, Louise Erdrich is one of my absolutely favorite authors and her books stalk entire lineages, reference previous plots, and often require a flow chart.
But seriously - AUTHORS DO NOT ENTER YOUR FICTIONAL WORLD. You are DESTROYING the fiction when you do this! And it's arrogant! And it's just a JERK FUCKING MOVE. DON'T DO IT DON'T DO IT DON'T DO IT.
I feel strongly about this.
Just. Don't.
So yeah. This book has been duly thrown, stomped, and cursed. And Wilbur Smith can bite me.
OK. I don't have a LOT of quirks when it comes to my reading habits. If it's interesting and holds my attention I'm pretty forgiving about a lot of things that might annoy another reader.
But my ONE unforgivable, throw the book across the room, stomp on it, then vow (out loud and with MUCH vehemence) to NEVER NEVER NEVER read that author again is when an author references themselves and/or one of their other books within the context of the plot of the book I'm reading.
Which this jackass did THREE TIMES in the first 20 pages of the book. The first two I was almost ready to let it go, but the third time he actually made it seem as if the characters in his NOVEL had interacted with him on the writing of the previous book, and they were then TALKING about him as if HE were a character and using his first novel as a REFERENCE.
Now look, I am HAPPY to read about continuous worlds. Hell, Louise Erdrich is one of my absolutely favorite authors and her books stalk entire lineages, reference previous plots, and often require a flow chart.
But seriously - AUTHORS DO NOT ENTER YOUR FICTIONAL WORLD. You are DESTROYING the fiction when you do this! And it's arrogant! And it's just a JERK FUCKING MOVE. DON'T DO IT DON'T DO IT DON'T DO IT.
I feel strongly about this.
Just. Don't.
So yeah. This book has been duly thrown, stomped, and cursed. And Wilbur Smith can bite me.
June 29, 2021
Terrible. I read River God years ago and liked it. Thought this would be even better because it takes that story into present day with the search for the tomb of one of the main characters. A good concept that just completely missed the mark in every way. I can’t understand how so many people loved this book. The sexism and racism are enough to turn me off but the gratuitous violence and one dimensional characters plus mind numbingly boring passages had me inching towards giving up despite the time I’ve put into it. What made me throw it across the room was on top of that the hunting scene of a rare species. (And the dog dying at the beginning didn’t help. Why? How does that advance the plot at all?!). So a rare species, harmless creature and the “hero� wants to kill it for family pride?? Sick. Reading the negative reviews I’m feeling better that I am not alone. A couple mentioned a violent sex scene which I am thankfully spared because I’m done with it. Plenty of good books out there. No need to waste my time with crap like this.
May 10, 2022
Μια υπέροχη ιστορική περιπέτεια με κινηματογραφικές σκηνές και αξιόλογους χαρακτήρες. Εξαιρετική γραφή και εκπληκτική τροπή.
June 12, 2024
I was an absolute idiot and bought all 9 books in the series. Book 1 was a bit 'meh' and I didn't really like the MC or the writing. While I'm at it I should mention that the storytelling was just too much waffle. Oh well, nevermind. I got 9 books so I need to keep going... On to book 2. Yeah,no . Rocky start but a little bit interesting so I thought I'd be good to go - Nope, I just can't. I'm out. I know Wilbur has/had a huge following so it must be a "it's not you, it's me" thing but I'm over it. Don't like the story, the characters, the storytelling. It has basically nothing I like besides the cover. I'm out. Charity shop just got 9 books today, 7 of them brand new.
March 20, 2022
La trama è avvincente: mescola avventura, storia, violenza e amore.
Mi sono stupita nel ricordare come negli anni '90, fosse normale scrivere di battute di caccia, anche di animali protetti, abbattere intere foreste e alberi secolari per interessi personali, o usare delle granate per uccidere anguille di fiume.
Simpatico il passaggio in cui lo scrittore cita se stesso, criticando un suo libro.
Lo consiglio per una lettura di completa evasione.
Mi sono stupita nel ricordare come negli anni '90, fosse normale scrivere di battute di caccia, anche di animali protetti, abbattere intere foreste e alberi secolari per interessi personali, o usare delle granate per uccidere anguille di fiume.
Simpatico il passaggio in cui lo scrittore cita se stesso, criticando un suo libro.
Lo consiglio per una lettura di completa evasione.
March 1, 2018
Avontuurlijke queeste op zoek naarhet graf van farao Mamose uit deel 1 (Vallei der koningen). Dit verhaal speelt een paar duizend jaar later, in het heden van pakweg 25 jaar geleden. Leest gemakkelijk weg ookal is het best een dik boek. Sommige stukken hadden wat korter en minder gedetaillerd gemogen, toch is het niet storend of stagneert het verhaal niet. Leuk is dat de schrijver zijn eigen persoon en het verhaal van Vallei der koningen een rol geeft in het verhaal. Net geen vier sterren.
February 15, 2025
A great adventure book to read. If you like Indian Jones style adventures, you’ll love this book.
April 18, 2025
Affascinante l'atmosfera in Egitto alla ricerca di antichi reperti, ma ci sono sezioni troppo lente e ripetitive. Non uno dei migliori romanzi di Smith
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