Third in a series of Courtney novels, after Birds of Prey and Monsoon, this is yet another rollicking adventure tale from Wilbur Smith. Set in the 1600's, action takes place in Africa and on the high seas. When I got to a stopping point, it was sometimes hard to pick the book back up as I knew it would likely be at least a couple of hours before I could put it down again.
I thought this was a marvelous adventure. This is what Amazon said about the book and I agree:
Synopsis:
At the close of Wilbur Smith's bestselling "Monsoon", Tom Courtney and his brother Dorian battled on the high seas and finally reached the Cape of Good Hope to start life afresh. In this spellbinding new novel, the next generation of Courtneys are out to stake their claim in Southern Africa, traveling along the infamous 'Robber's Road'. It is a journey both exciting and hazardous, that takes them through the untouched wilderness of a beautiful land filled with warring tribes and wild animals. At heart a story of love and hatred, vengeance and greed, "Blue Horizon" is an utterly compelling adventure from one of the world's most celebrated novelists.
Synopsis:
At the close of Wilbur Smith's bestselling "Monsoon", Tom Courtney and his brother Dorian battled on the high seas and finally reached the Cape of Good Hope to start life afresh. In this spellbinding new novel, the next generation of Courtneys are out to stake their claim in Southern Africa, traveling along the infamous 'Robber's Road'. It is a journey both exciting and hazardous, that takes them through the untouched wilderness of a beautiful land filled with warring tribes and wild animals. At heart a story of love and hatred, vengeance and greed, "Blue Horizon" is an utterly compelling adventure from one of the world's most celebrated novelists.
With adventure in their blood, Jim and Mansur Courtney seek to carve out a life for themselves and their families in the unexplored splendor of Africa. But laying claim to a land devastated by war yields unexpected risks. No sooner does their journey unfold than their destiny changes with the daring rescue of a woman imprisoned on a doomed convict ship. Blazing a thousand-mile trail, they escape across a savage world of warring native tribes, bounty hunters, and predators driven by greed and lust.
Wilbur Smith is a talented author and I love his novels. This is one of many stories about the Courtney family who lived in South Africa in the early 1800s. This one begins with a slave ship anchored in the harbor where it fled from a storm. Jim Courtney brings produce to the ship to sell where he sees a beautiful young woman whom he cannot forget. When he rescues her, he finds himself on the run and his family persecuted by the authorities. The rest of the book focuses on their adventures as they flee the authorities.
Some readers felt the book was rambling but I enjoyed the many adventures and experiences that they have including those of his parents. Life changes dramatically for them all and perhaps what happens to the family can only happen in fiction but I enjoyed every page. This novel spurs the reader to search for the next one, When the Lion Feeds. The series begins with Birds of Prey, progresses to Monsoon, than to Blue Horizon. There are thirteen novels in the series spanning a period from 1660 to 1987 so one can follow the family for a long time!
Some readers felt the book was rambling but I enjoyed the many adventures and experiences that they have including those of his parents. Life changes dramatically for them all and perhaps what happens to the family can only happen in fiction but I enjoyed every page. This novel spurs the reader to search for the next one, When the Lion Feeds. The series begins with Birds of Prey, progresses to Monsoon, than to Blue Horizon. There are thirteen novels in the series spanning a period from 1660 to 1987 so one can follow the family for a long time!
