The Seventh Scroll (The Egyptian Series Book 2) by Wilbur Smith.

Book Blurb
AN ANCIENT SCROLL
A 4,000 YEAR OLD LEGACY
A BATTLE FOR THE TRUTH

It is 4,000 years since the battle for the Egyptian Kingdom, and Duraid and Royan al Simma have just uncovered the tomb of the ancient Egyptian Queen, Lostris, alongside the secret scrolls of the most trusted servant of the Pharaoh, Taita. When the couple are the victims of a vicious attack that leaves Duraid dead, Royan realises that she must continue their joint work: to use the secrets of the seventh scroll to find the hidden tomb of Pharaoh Mamose, and its untold trove of lost Egyptian riches.

To do so, she must bury her grief and partner with the eccentric aristocrat Nicholas Quenton-Harper, a man who shares her passion for the ancient world. But the men who killed her husband are not yet finished. As Royan and Nicholas draw closer to the Pharaoh’s tomb, enemies are gathering – people who will stop at nothing to ensure the scroll’s promised treasures are kept from Royan’s hands . . .

My Review

The Seventh Scroll is the only book in Wilbur Smith’s Egyptian Series that is set in the present day. I did worry that after falling in love with the first book, River God, that I wouldn’t enjoy this book as much, but I was so wrong. The premis of this book is that after finding the tomb of Queen Lostris and the scrolls of her beloved Taita the hunt is on to find the lost tomb of Pharoh Mamose and the treasures contained in it. Dr Royan al Simma and her husband Duraid are working on translating the scrolls when they are violently attacked resulting in the murder of Duraid, and the theft of their work. Not willing to give up her dream, Royan joins forces with English aristocrat Nicholas Quenton Harper, to find the Pharoh’s tomb, even if it puts their lives at risk.

Any qualms I had about The Seventh Scroll being set in the presesnt day disappeared after the first few pages; the book opens with a bang and they keep on coming throughout the book. What I have found fascinating about reading Wilbur Smith’s books is minute attention to detail, especially in his description of the natural world and setting of the book. It was like he painted a picture with his words, I could see every nuance of the landscape, the lay of the land, every branch and every leaf and petal, every rock and stone. My favourite descriptions were of the tomb of the Pharaoh, I have a life long obsession of Egyptology and I hung on every word, every detail feeling that I was there with Royan and Nicholas, solving the clues and seeing it for myself. I will say that this attention to detail meant that it took me longer to read the book, as I was hanging on every word, drinking it in. The plotting was masterful, always keeping my attention, the clues set were fascinating and intelligent, and the thrills just kept on coming. I also like the way Wilbur Smith referenced the first book, River God, several times, as the reason people are interested in finding the Pharaoh’s tomb.

I really liked the characters of Royan and Nicholas, the beautiful Egyptian archaeologist, and the dashing aristocrat. Both have quite a few things in common, both are recently widowed, both have a love of ancient antiquities and both are willing to put their lives in danger to find the tomb. They compliment each other, Royan is the brains behind the mission, working as at the Egyptian Department of Antiquities and being her husbands assistant when opening the tomb of Queen Lostris. Nicholas has the money and the contacts. He is an adventurer who has traveled around the world collecting ancient artefacts, even if it means breaking the law. I enjoyed their relationship, how well they worked together, took chances, and yes of course there was sexual tension between the two, how could there not be. There is a fabulous cast of suporting characters including a treacherus colleague, an Ethiopian mercenary and an evil American American who works at the bequest of an egotistical employer.

To say I enjoyed The Seventh Scroll is a massive understatement, it is an amazing read. I was caught up in the excitement and thrill of the book, the clues left by Taita from the River God, the adventure and race against against time. This is a heady mix of adventure, romance, thrills, betrayal and murder that make for an edge of your seat, exciting read. I can’t rate these books highly enough and I can’t wait to read the third book in this series Warlock.

I’d like to thank Zaffre Books and Tracy Fenton from Compulsive Readers for sending me these books in return for my honest review.