Synopses & Reviews
Deemed "one of the world's most popular and prolific adventure writers" by
The Washington Post, bestselling author Wilbur Smith is at the height of his storytelling powers in
Birds of Prey, a swashbuckling epic of adventure, intrigue and passion on the dangerous high seas of 1667--a thrilling installment in the Courtney Family Adventures.
As the choppy sea lanes of the African coast are rife with bloody battles over trade booty, Sir Francis Courteney and his 17-year-old son Hal embark on a seafaring quest for the treasure-laden galleons of the Dutch East India Company. But soon the horrific torture and execution of the elder Courteney catapults Hal into the role of captain. And the heavy burden of avenging his father's death-- along with the lusty pleasures he shares with three beautiful women-- will swiftly, irrevocably transform Hal from boy to man...
Richly detailed, breathlessly plotted, and rich with the color of the time and place, Birds of Prey is an unforgettable saga that will transport you to one of the most fascinating, action-packed eras in world history.
Review
"Constant excitement...[A] fast-moving tale. What could be better for the beach or backyard?"--
The Washington Post Book World"[A] rousing adventure story...Smith is a captivating storyteller."--Orlando Sentinel
"Birds of Prey is a wonderful novel filled with excitement, pirates and vivid sea battles. The heroes are handsome and memorable and overcome tremendous odds to defeat unscrupulous enemies, to remain honorable and wise and always win the fair maiden in the end...In short, it is vintage Wilbur Smith."--Times Record News (Wichita Falls, TX)
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Review
"Constant excitement...[A] fast-moving tale. What could be better for the beach or backyard?"--
The Washington Post Book World"[A] rousing adventure story...Smith is a captivating storyteller."--Orlando Sentinel
"Birds of Prey is a wonderful novel filled with excitement, pirates and vivid sea battles. The heroes are handsome and memorable and overcome tremendous odds to defeat unscrupulous enemies, to remain honorable and wise and always win the fair maiden in the end...In short, it is vintage Wilbur Smith."--Times Record News (Wichita Falls, TX)
Review
Praise for Birds of Prey "Constant excitement...[A] fast-moving tale. What could be better for the beach or backyard?"--
The Washington Post Book World"Birds of Prey is a wonderful novel filled with excitement, pirates and vivid sea battles. The heroes are handsome and memorable and overcome tremendous odds to defeat unscrupulous enemies, to remain honorable and wise and always win the fair maiden in the end...In short, it is vintage Wilbur Smith."--Times Record News (Wichita Falls, TX)
"Smith's novel is far more than your typical pirate script ... A fascinating account ... Smith deftly evokes not only the horrific but also the beautiful, particularly the lush landscape of Africa." -- The Washington Post Book World
‘A rousing adventure story ... Smith is a captivating storyteller. His writing is fast-paces yet richly textured. His characters are unique and intriguing ... As with Smith's previous two bestsellers, River God and The Seventh Scroll, this latest epic transcends the average action-adventure yarn. -- The Orlando Sentinel
"Smith knows what his readers want, and once again he delivers the goods." - Publishers Weekly
'Wilbur Smith carries all the powerful drama and rich emotions of a bygone time into his action packed tale of the sea. BiIrds Of Prey is magnificent story of adventure, he enthralled the world of readers once again.' - The Daily Mail
'The scope is magnificent and the epic scale breathtaking ... Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared' - The Times
'A gripping tale, relentless in its flow, that evokes a more colourful age - one of passion and a majesty of spirit that is seldom illustrated with such nerve' - Express
'Meticulous research support constant excitement in a fast-moving tale' - Washington Post
"Smith knows what his readers want, and once again he delivers the goods." - Publishers Weekly
“Colorful historical snippets amid the swash and buckle of 17th century buccaneers.”—People
“Swashbuckling adventures at sea and on land highlight Smiths latest. Smith knows what his readers want, and once again he delivers the goods.”—Publishers Weekly
“Will be relished by those who enjoy swashbuckling tales with nonstop action.”—Booklist
“Swashbuckling and sensuous. Wilbur Smiths gallant, highly sexed heroes and gorgeous, highly sexed heroines are once again rampaging across Africa.”—Ft. Worth Star Telegram
“A breathlessly plotted…swashbuckler of English pirates harrying Dutch traders off the Cape of Good Hope in 1667. Well-researched, fast paced.”—Kirkus
‘A wonderful novel filled with excitement, pirates, and vivid sea battles...vintage Wilbur Smith.”—Times Record News (Wichita Falls, TX)
Praise for Wilbur Smith
“Smith is a master.” —Publishers Weekly
“One of the worlds most popular adventure writers.” —The Washington Post Book World
“A rare author who wields a razor-sharp sword of craftsmanship.” —Tulsa World
“Wilbur Smith is one of those benchmarks against whom others are compared.” —The Times (UK)
"Best Historical Novelist--I say Wilbur Smith, with his swashbuckling novels of Africa. The bodices of rip and the blood flows. You can get lost in Wilbur Smith and misplace all of August."--Stephen King
"Action is Wilur Smith's game, and he is a master."--The Washington Post Book World
“The worlds leading adventure writer.” —Daily Express (UK)
"Wilbur Smith rarely misses a trick."--Sunday Times
“Smith is a captivating storyteller.” —The Orlando Sentinel
“No one does adventure quite like Smith.” —Daily Mirror (UK)
"A thundering good read is virtually the only way of describing Wilbur Smiths books.” —The Irish Times
Synopsis
It is 1667 and the Dutch and the English are at war. Sir Francis Courtney and his son Henry 'Hal' Courtney, in their fighting caravel Lady Edwina, are on patrol off the Agulhas Cape of Southern Africa: lying in wait for one of the galleons of the Dutch East India Company returning from the Orient laden with treasure to fall into their net.
It is the beginning of the quest that will sweep them from the new settlement of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa to the Great Horn of Ethiopia far to the north. The bloody capture of the Dutch merchantman, and three valuable hostages, launches Hal into a perilous adventure which only the bravest will survive...
Along the way Hal will encounter many enemies. A dangerous mutineer, sworn to extract to revenge. A fellow Knight Templar, now his father's betrayer. And the most dangerous adversary on the African continent, the Dutch swordsman Schreuder.
His spirit will also be tested by love. For the rich and pampered Dutch heiress, Katinka. For the beautiful slave girl, Sukeena. And for a woman whose unstinting courage will outshine them all...
From the dungeons of Good Hope to the uncharted wilderness of the Dark Continent and then to the fatal narrows of the Red Sea, Hal's faith will lead him to his destiny. To the defense of the final Christian stronghold in Africa. The kingdom of Prester John, historic guardian of the priceless Holy Grail...
Birds of Prey is a Courtney Family Adventure from bestselling author Wilbur Smith.
Synopsis
Deemed "one of the world's most popular and prolific adventure writers" by
The Washington Post, bestselling author Wilbur Smith is at the height of his storytelling powers in
Birds of Prey, a swashbuckling epic of adventure, intrigue and passion on the dangerous high seas of 1667--a thrilling installment in the Courtney Family Adventures.
As the choppy sea lanes of the African coast are rife with bloody battles over trade booty, Sir Francis Courteney and his 17-year-old son Hal embark on a seafaring quest for the treasure-laden galleons of the Dutch East India Company. But soon the horrific torture and execution of the elder Courteney catapults Hal into the role of captain. And the heavy burden of avenging his father's death-- along with the lusty pleasures he shares with three beautiful women-- will swiftly, irrevocably transform Hal from boy to man...
Richly detailed, breathlessly plotted, and rich with the color of the time and place, Birds of Prey is an unforgettable saga that will transport you to one of the most fascinating, action-packed eras in world history.
About the Author
Wilbur Smith is the bestselling author of many novels, each meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His bestselling Courtney series includes Assegai, The Sound of Thunder, Monsoon, and Blue Horizon. His other books include Those in Peril, River God, Warlock, The Seventh Scroll, and The Sunbird. His books are now translated into twenty-six languages and have sold over 120 million copies. Smith was born to a British family in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, in Central Africa, and attended Rhodes University in South Africa. He has homes in Cape Town, London, Switzerland and Malta.