Blue Horizon (The Courtney Series: The Birds of Prey Trilogy Book 3) Kindle Edition

After reading his superb River God, I was motivated to try his other books. But by now, after 5 or 6 of them, I have to say I'm thoroughly burned out on Smith's bizarre weirdo inclination to incessantly talk about filth and every manner of disgusting garbage you can imagine. Whatever his problem is, I have absolutely no clue, but I'm tired of being constantly grossed out. There's no excuse for it, no other author in the known universe does this.He seems to have some weird pathological obsession to describe in unrelenting detail things like pus, putrefaction, corpses, feces, urine, rot, blood, wounds, amputations, torture, disease, pestilence, and on and on and on. His talent is unmistakable, his ability to create vivid imagery and interesting adventures is top-class. But I no longer find it worth it to have to wade through so many depressing and despairing plot turns, and to be repeatedly grossed out. This is my last book of his, I'm done. Who needs it??

A terrific set of stories. Great characters who pull you along for a great ride.I recommend this to any one who loves to learn about far-off places and times gone by.Wilbur Smith is a-heck-of-an-author telling a story that covers a lot of territory and time using well developed characters with depth and breadth.All of his books that I have read (and there ares many) have been well done, informative, and deeply enjoyable. This latest trilogy is Smith at his unparalleled best.

He really is a great writer! This is a a stand-alone book with references to previous tales. Good character portrayals. Lots of action. Much building tension. I didn’t get much done while I was “in the book”. I seldom give 5 stars but this one needs 6.

My only problem is with the Arthur. He always has such a big build up of the villian's through out his book, then they are easily dispatched in most cases. I would also like to find out the chronological order of his books because the following book takes place in the late 1800's, which leads quite a gap in time. The fact is when I start reading I have a hard time putting the his book down. Great author. I intend to finish the Courtney series before going on to other authors.CL

There's not much more about Wilbur Smith that I can say. I can only repeat previous comments about his other books. I am a fan... a hug fan. The man can keep me engaged in a story for 700 (+ or -) pages and that's not an easy thing to do. Blue Horizons takes me a couple more generations in the Courtney family saga and I'm going to keep right on following the tale as long as Smith cares to write about it. -Daniel Lance Wright, author of "Phobia", "Paradise Flawed", "Annie's World: Jake's Legacy", "One Day in Lubbock"

I have read most of the Wilbur Smith books and have yet to be disappointed. The development of characters is always interesting, and this book is certainly a pleasure to read. Go for it!!!

If Wilbur Smith had been a painter, he would have been Michaelangelo rather than Monet. He is incapable of doing anything that is muted, but writes in bold dashing narrative about one of his favorite subjects the Courtney clan of South Africa and the peoples of the region as well.I have lost count of the number of novels he has written, but I could go check because I have them all. I think his best writing has been about the Courtneys and he has done it in a most interesting way in that the latest three books about them, Birds of Prey, Monsoon and Blue Horizons are about the origins of the clan. These have been written long after he has written about the progeny of the Courtneys in numerous books whech describe their exploits to the present time.Others have told the story line of this book in the reviews that appear here and my recounting it once again will not add or detract from your decision to obtain the book. What I will say is that reading a Wilbur Smith novel is the closest thing to reliving the history of the times as you are likely to find. He mixes all of the elements, action, intrigue, and passion into a delectable concoction and delivers it with the master's touch.

In it's 800 pages you get several stories, or maybe more with everything from swashbuckling action/adventure, ZULU battles, betrayal, sea battles, Arabian desert battles and intrigue, several romance sidelines, and even a lesson or two in reading sign and tracking. Smith doesn't skimp on storyline and even when it begins to drag you find that he's setting you up for another broadside. The Courtneys are alive and for the time being, well but that all changes in an instant. If you're a Wilbur Smith fan then he's back with a classic epic adventure. Few writers today can master what he does, whether its history, setting, cultural references, or sheer adventure. Saying that, let me add that if you can, then read the series of books from the beginning. Then, you'll find where and how this fits into the overall picture.

Having started with 'When the Lion Feeds' back in the 70's my journey with Wilbur Smith has been on the whole most enjoyable. I couldn't get on with The Egyptian Series but apart from that I have read everything he has written. As with a lot of prolific writers, it is easy to miss something along the way and I didn't find this latest trilogy until a year or so ago but am glad I did.....better late than never! Birds of Prey set the scene, Monsoon carried the reader on another brilliant 'Courtney' journey and then Blue Horizen. Seven hundred and eighty pages of gripping and entertaining adventures that is hard to put down. A great 'page turner' with action on land and sea in and around Africa in the 1700's..........Five stars, what else! If you enjoy adventure stories then this is for you but read the three books in order. If you are new to Wilbur Smith......I envy you!

A ripping story following the Courtney’s of Africa. Once I picked it up, difficult to put down.This is Wilbur Smith at his best doing what he does so well. Not to be confused with his later novels that are ‘written’ By others and are pretty dire.

Blue Horizon is, I think, the third in the Courtney series and again it is the next generation to the fore.So enter the fearless, rugged Jim and Mansur with their respective gorgeous wives following in the footsteps (or oceans) of the fearless, rugged Tom and Dorian with their respective gorgeous wives.As in previous books the "Star Man" has his own faithful native side kick, Zama in this case. A bit like Tonto but a different nationality which in my opinion not only carries on this particular thread from the first 2 books but the whole story line seems to be the same. The Courtney's et al, all good chaps, fighting anybody that wrongs them with similar outcomes. The places may change and the enemy my change but the story is much the same.As well as similar story lines the wordiness of the novel is much the same as before. This one is about 784 pages and is full of repetition and deviation. In the first novels I could just about stand it but now I am becoming very irritated at page after page of overly descriptive passages.A five star story reduced to a three star book by the excessive wordiness. I think I would give up on Wilbur now but I did buy the complete series so now it is on to book 4 "When The Lion Feeds"

This is the 5th in this Courtney series I.have read plus 2 others further down the line. I really enjoyed this one as we had plots going on.at the same time. They intermingled well and all joined up at the end. I have enjoyed all the books I have read in this series and will read another soon. Highly recommended.

Gave up half way through!Used to love Wilbur Smith books & have read most of the earlier ones.This one I found annoying, the characters are unrealistic, the plots frustratingly ridiculous, it became boring.Won’t bother reading anymore as I’ve found other authors who are more enjoyable