‘The New Kingdom’ by Wilbur Smith with Mark Chadbourn is the seventh book in his Egyptian Series which brings us the story of Hui, the younger son of Khawy, the Governor of Lahun. I have read some of Wilbur Smiths work, who hasn’t and was looking forward to be transported to Ancient Egypt. History has always been my favourite subject and Ancient Egypt has always fascinated me. I was plunged into Hui’s world straight away and didn’t surface until I had read the final page…well unless I had to do something else anyway!
Hui is the son of Kwahy, he lives with his father, his stepmother Ipsetnofret, his brother Qen and sister Ipwet. Although he is the younger brother he is favoured to be given the Governorship after his father. This angers Ipsetnofret as she feels her son Qen should have the position. Ipsetnofret is a sorceress and she orchestrates Khawys death to make it seem like Hui is the killer of his own father, culminating in Qen taking Hui’s place. With Ipwets help he escapes and vows vengeance on both his brother and his stepmother.
We follow his journey among the many warriors, bandits and armies he is either captured by or lives among. He ends up being caught by the Egyptian army with the bandits he is part of. When Hui tells his life story he is spared the usual execution and placed in a squad within the army. He rises to be a leader of men. Fighting a war that separated Egypt into two kingdoms, he becomes a man, but will he ever wreak his vengeance on the two people who brought him to this life? The only way to find out is to read the book.
A historical fiction novel, based on true events in Ancient Egypt that is a fast-paced read. An adventure complete with treachery, sorcery and many escapes from death also. Being Egypt there is a bit of incest as well. The characters are intriguing and along with Hui’s journey, they do make for an interesting read.
Every character is unique to their part in the plot. I really was swept away with Hui and his life. Wilbur Smith is synonymous with Ancient Egypt and this is yet another thrilling and captivating read from the master of storytelling.
Thanks to Tracy Fenton of Compulsive Readers Tours and Zaffre Books for this thrilling Egyptian adventure book.
A sad announcement to bring you after my stop on his blog tour, Wilbur Smith has passed away at the age of 88. https://wilbursmithbooks.com/latest-news/legendary-novelist-wilbur-smith-passes-away-at-the-age-of-eighty-eight
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