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the_gothic_nerd's review against another edition
5.0
Exceptional story! Had me hooked from the beginning to end. Cannot recommend it enough!
lmmountford's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book from start to finish, it's a tad predictible if you've read Smith's works before with his usual style and rythum, but a thrilling story with all the feel of colonial africa that only Smith brings to the table.
drangie95's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED IT! Another amazing piece of storytelling by the master of storytelling!
Recommended.
Recommended.
angiesm's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
becksterhope's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
canada_matt's review against another edition
5.0
Smith ups the ante in this Courtney novel, lucky number thirteen, which has very fluid ties to its predecessor. Set in British East Africa (subsequently Kenya), the story centres around the life of Leon Courtney, son of Ryder Courtney. After a court-martial finds Leon removed from the British military, he becomes a professional hunter, taking many important men on big game safaris through the tribal lands. Approached by his uncle, Penrod Ballantyne, Leon agrees to help keep his eyes and ears open as it relates to news regarding German East Africa, after rumblings in the European theatre indicate that military build-ups have commenced. After leading former US President Teddy Roosevelt and his son on a large safari, Leon's reputation grows and he is visited by two distinct visitors, Otto von Meerbach and his beautiful mistress, Eva von Wellberg. Meerbach is a businessman, whose company builds aircraft and vehicles for the Kaiser's ever-expanding military. Tasked with learning all about Meerbach's plans, Leon finds himself distracted by von Wellberg, who tries to keep her distance, but is equally enthralled. When von Wellberg admits a dark secret to Leon, he must process the news as he continues 'befriending' von Meerbach. A rash decision finds Leon chastised by his uncle and von Wellberg sent back to Europe with an injured von Meerbach. As the Great War begins, Leon learns an important piece of information that could save British territories in Africa, but when Eva Von Wellberg returns to Africa, all bets are off. With his typical highly-detailed narrative of the African way of life, Smith does not disappoint while placing everything in context of historical goings-on within the region and around the world.
Smith has created another wonderful piece of fiction, which works well as a continuation of the Courtney saga or as a standalone novel. Smith provides the reader with some excellent storytelling as the Courtney saga returns to its roots, at least where the second series began. With the intricacies of the Courtney backstory, Smith has a great deal on which to build and does so effective, which still injecting a newness to the story and unique angles to build on the rich foundation. This tale moves effortlessly between history, geography, and character development, while staying true to the formula for literary success. The series reader will enjoy the dusting of returning characters who make their own cameos throughout the story while new readers are sure to be sucked in and scramble to read as much of Smith' work as they can, which one can hope includes the entire Courtney/Ballantyne sagas, as I have done.
Kudos, Mr. Smith on another successful novel. I can only hope the last (to date) novel in the Courtney series, which awaits me, is as detailed and enjoyable as this.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Smith has created another wonderful piece of fiction, which works well as a continuation of the Courtney saga or as a standalone novel. Smith provides the reader with some excellent storytelling as the Courtney saga returns to its roots, at least where the second series began. With the intricacies of the Courtney backstory, Smith has a great deal on which to build and does so effective, which still injecting a newness to the story and unique angles to build on the rich foundation. This tale moves effortlessly between history, geography, and character development, while staying true to the formula for literary success. The series reader will enjoy the dusting of returning characters who make their own cameos throughout the story while new readers are sure to be sucked in and scramble to read as much of Smith' work as they can, which one can hope includes the entire Courtney/Ballantyne sagas, as I have done.
Kudos, Mr. Smith on another successful novel. I can only hope the last (to date) novel in the Courtney series, which awaits me, is as detailed and enjoyable as this.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
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