The New Kingdom by Wilbur Smith

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08ZNTFPBW

As a fan of stories based in mythology, I was delighted to receive an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) of "The New Kingdom" by Wilbur Smith. This was my first encounter with Smith's writings and I can honestly say I will likely at least pick up the original 6 novels in his Egyptian series and have already shoved "The New Kingdom" at my husband and told him it was a must read.  It kind of made me think of Rick Riordan for adults, though I do love his books as well.

I was entranced from the get go as we are thrown right into the action, as Hui, the main character, his friend, and his brother attempt to steal the Ka Stone. This event set everything in motion and is an event that will be important throughout the story. Every little detail has meaning and Smith neatly wraps up those details in the end.  Without giving to much spoilers, each small detail has a purpose that is well woven throughout the story.  It is a story of betrayal, vengeance, struggle, coming of age, and love as Hui navigates his destiny. Normally a slow reader, I devoured the 400 page book in a matter of days once I found time to read. 

As a teacher, I can see this book appealing to students of a high reading level, especially ones who are interested in Egypt or mythology. It is clear that Smith spent a lot of of time researching and coming to an understanding of what Ancient Egypt was really like and created a faithful rendition in his wonderfully written works of fiction.  Despite the differences in culture, I can see students finding ways to relate to Hui as he struggles to survive in a world that offers him no advantages.  The thoughts and emotions that come into play with every choice he has to make.

As a cosplayer, well who wouldn't was to pull off an awesome Egyptian cosplay?  There are so many interesting characters to choose from besides Hui, such as the sorceress Isetnofret, the mystical eunuch Taita, the seductive Ahura, the barbarian Khyan, the desert scout Fareed, or the great general Tanus.  With some research, I'm sure many cosplayers could pull off some amazing renditions of the vast selection of characters mentioned in "The New Kingdom."

As you can probably tell, I'd definitely recommend giving this story a chance, as it is also nicely standalone from the main series.  I will definitely be checking out the main series and have found another author to add to my favorites' list.

#bookreview #review #wilbursmith #thenewkingdom #egypt #mythology