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Desert God

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Desert God

By: Wilbur Smith
Narrated by: Mike Grady
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About this listen

A novel of Ancient Egypt from the bestselling author of River God. Wilbur Smith is a master at the helm of one of the greatest stories of all time.

On the banks of the Nile, a hero will rise.

Across the lush plains of Egypt, Taita, a freed eunuch slave, wears his authority lightly. Not only is he the close advisor to the Pharaoh, but he is guardian to Pharaoh Tamose’s two teenage sisters, the young beauties Tehuti and Bekatha.

But the kingdom is not at peace. They have been fighting Southern Egypt’s constant and historic enemy, the Hyksos people in the north, since time began. To finally crush them, Pharaoh must turn to his most trusted friend.

Taita, philosopher, poet and expert strategist, has a plan that will see Egypt destroy the Hyksos army and form a coveted alliance with Crete in one move. This plan will take him, his expedition commander Zaras, and their mighty warriors on a perilous journey up the Nile, through Arabia to the magical city of Babylon, then across the open seas to Crete.

The many dangers will cost lives and time, and they will meet battle and betrayal head on. But Taita must not forget his two charges, the spirited young princesses, whose attraction to the very warriors who lead the fight threatens Taita’s meticulous plan and the future of Egypt itself.

Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Thriller & Suspense War & Military Middle East Royalty Ancient Egypt Military Africa Pharaoh Ancient History

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Critic reviews

Praise for RIVER GOD:

'Superlatively evocative…Smith’s descriptions hardly falter over 500 pages and [River God] has relentless momentum’
Observer

'Big, brave and blockbusting … brilliantly detailed descriptions of life on the Nile’ Mail On Sunday

'Grand mythical material…. the set pieces are fabulous’ Times Literary Supplement

'High adventure … there is never a lull in his majestic novel overflowing with passion, rage, treachery, barbarism, prolonged excitement and endless passages of sheer, exquisite colour’ The Washington Post

‘A rich, compelling look back in time [to] when history and myth intermingled’ San Francisco Chronicle

‘A grand tale of intrigue, deception, true love and exile’ Denver Post

'An epic of sex, death and intrigue in the Valley of the Kings … richly written … packs in the action … excellent’ Weekend Telegraph

All stars
Most relevant
Well read great story.
As always Wilbur is a fabulous story writer
Always gripping and gripping.

Great story

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5th book in the series & they've gone & changed the story teller 😳. I didn't think it would make any difference, but for me, I'm so sorry, Mike Grady but you're not Taita, you're just not. You don't have that timbre to your voice that Mark Meadows has. I'm going to listen to you reading the 6th book, Pharaoh, but honestly if the folk in Audible were to re-issue books 5 & 6, with Mark Meadows as the story teller, & therefore as Taita, I, for one, would certainly buy the books again, honestly I really would. In my opinion, & it is only my opinion, this is a terrific series ruined. 😥 😢

Change.....

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Another story of our friend Taita. Entertaining as usual, yet I was a bit diappointed in that this story did not take off where the last one ended, yet rather takes you to another story just between the first and second, or so it seems. A good story, nonetheless, and can't wait for the next one.

Always loved Taita!

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Having listened to the previous books in the series, I had a hard time becoming accustomed to Mike Gradys narrative style. No discredit to Mike but I think I have been previously spoiled by the talent of Mark Meadows.

With regards to the story, I'd have preferred this series of books to be chronological and experienced the full extent of Taitas development over his long life, diving back and essentially filling a gap in which Taita has been stripped of his full potential seemed somewhat anticlimactic.

Would recommend, as its not the longest of Smith novels, but I don't think I'll be visiting it again.

Seemed like a 90% effort

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I have always loved Wilbur Smith but one of his most endearing characters is doubtless Taita, the slave who ascended to the Egyptian nobility. He is a Leonardo de Vinci of Ancient Egypt whose genius extends from warfare to music. This adventure takes Taita to the mysterious civilisation of Minoans with supernatural undertones. Wilbur Smith is the next best thing to time travel as he gives you a delicious taste of ancient life with all the excitement, drama, evil and triumphs you could wish for. It is written with a lot of humour although Taita comes across as being arrogant at times. Desert God follows on from River God as Taita cares for the two daughters of Queen Lostris and I recommend you listen to it after River God. After this listen to Warlock and finally The Quest. I do not recommend Seventh Scroll which I viewed as an amusing interlude.

Historical Adventure From Ancient Egypt To Minoans

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