by Johanna Richardson

Created on: November 15, 2009

I had never read a Wilbur Smith book before, but this got me hooked, I will be reading more, since I could not put it down until I had read it.

It is a book that a lot of research has been done, to make it completely believable.

It is an interesting story with a lot of exciting searching for an Archaeological treasure that I am sure many real-life Archaeologists would kill for.

It is split into two parts, where the first part is set in the 1970's in Southern Africa.

It is a story based around a hunchback archaeologist, Dr Ben Kazin, who has a wealthy friend, Louren, who is backing his lifetime dream; also we are introduced to his pretty assistant

Ben and Louren share a passion for lost civilisations and ancient architecture, so they both feel that the red cliffs of Botswana land show potential of being able to uncover the secrets of an ancient civilisation and culture of the lost city of Carthaginian. Ben feels that this will be his only once in a lifetime chance of realising his dreams, and sets off to uncover any leads.

Like any book of adventure, suspense and thrilling action, the efforts of achieving their goal is disrupted by many obstacles like terrorists, violence, greed and even love.

Ben is magically brought to life, as the book progresses and you begin to feel his passions, his moments of happiness, downfalls and want to complete all his ambitions with him.

In the second part, we are taken back 2000 years, where the book introduces you to the civilisation of Opet.

We are introduced to a new hero, who is very courageous, he is a priest, and who is a war veteran called Huy Ben-Amon. He is the close friend of King Lannon of Opet and how they confide in each other.

Their civilisation has ruled the southern continent, but a potential hostile enemy has arisen in the north, and becomes under attack from this unstoppable and relentless enemy.

It seems strange at first going back in time for the second part, but you soon start to realise that it i8s written that way to bring the complete book together.

As you read the conclusions to the second part, you suddenly realise you are getting the answers to the many questions that were plaguing you earlier, it has its horror and really gruesome bits, and you feel some heartache on the way.

It shows how good a writer and storyteller Wilbur Smith is, he manages to weave the past and the present together and you feel like the adventurer sweeping back in time to relive its history.

This book must certainly end up as an all time classic.

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