I received this Advance Reader's copy (ARC) through the Reading Room Early Review Program. I really enjoyed this book. Even though it was book 5 of the River God series, it felt like a stand-alone.First time reading this author, Wilbur Smith, according to Stephen King, is the best Historical novelist. The book is about Ancient Egypt and I thought I was standing next to the characters as the story unfolded; I have never read anything quite like this, and the last 50 pages or so, I was riveted until the last page was read.I highly recommend this book (or better yet, "The River god" series) to any fan of historical fiction. It kept my interest, and I'm sure you would enjoy this series as well. 4 stars Smith is a master story teller. I enjoyed reading “River God” so much that when I saw this new book about ancient Egypt “Desert God” I grabbed it.Our protagonist Taita is the former slave, eunuch and fixer-to Pharaoh. He has appeared in his other Egypt books. I heard an interview with Smith and he said that Taita’s vanity is played for laughs. He stated he had lots of fun making Taita conceited and ostentatious to the extreme.From Thebes, young Pharaoh Tamose rules a divided Egypt. Hykos invaders control the lower Nile. Tamose sends Taita to reclaim the lost land. Taita must from an alliance with King Nimrod of Babylon and Supreme Minos of Crete. He loots a treasure of silver ingots and sends it to pharaoh. He treks across desert to Babylon then goes to Crete. Taita has diplomatic complications, lots of action, sea battles, land battles and the author provides sufficient particulars of landscape and people, food and drink to satisfy history buffs. Smith tends to write characters as formally good or bad. At times the narrative seems rushed and toward the end of the book key elements are covered by quick exposition to accelerate the plot. Overall Smith blended intrigue, action, and suspense on a solid foundation of history to make a great historical novel. I read this as an audio book downloaded from Audible. Mike Grady narrated the book.
What do You think about Desert God (2014)?
Lighter reading than his other books, but I couldn't put it down until I finished it.
—sycodiz
Smith at his best in his continuing saga of ancient Egypt.
—Arooba
