Vicious Circle (Hector Cross, #2) By Wilbur Smith

Wilbur Smith è 3 summary

Oh Wilbur...loved you once but really you should have given it away years ago. Literature Fiction, Mystery Thrillers, Historical Fiction Stephen King says on the cover of this book You can get lost in Wilbur Smith. In my opinion Wilbur Smith lost his way sometime in the last fifteen years. I have read one of his novels, Monsoon, published in 1999 and gave it five stars. This is his most recent effort and I very nearly put it down without finishing due to waves of nausea. The title Vicious Circle relates to a never ending blood feud between two families and the telling of the tale is graphically sordid, bloody and unrealistic. The dialog is ridiculously amateurish for so prolific a writer. Not much to like about this one.
Literature Fiction, Mystery Thrillers, Historical Fiction This book is like driving the scenic route to go watch a Robin Williams movie: The man is talented, you'll enjoy the ride, and when you get to the end he may surprise you with a rare piece of brilliance. But in all likelihood the end will be at best forgettable, probably disappointing. And you knew that before you set off.

If only I had not read all 34 of his novels, I'd skip the next one and the one after that. But I will probably be here next year, writing a similar review. And the following year, and the one after that, until one of us gives up breathing.

Three and half stars, Wilbur.

PS: This is the most thick-skinned, sloppiest, uncrafted, unashamedly self-serving of all your endings. I dock you half a star. Three it is.

PS2 - this post script follows about 10 months after the original review: I've just read an interview with Willie revealing he has signed a multi-miillion contract to release 5 more books -none of which he will personally write. That's correct: books written by ghost writers but released under the name of Wilbur Smith; like a Milli Vanilli but without the dreadlocks and the tight pants.
That's it then, I'm walking out, Wilbur. It was great knowing you for the most part but you cheated in the end. Literature Fiction, Mystery Thrillers, Historical Fiction I have read everyone of his books, starting back in the mid-1970s with When the Lion Feeds. This is possibly his worse book yet. Literature Fiction, Mystery Thrillers, Historical Fiction Definitely the worst of Wilbur Smith (if it was even written by Wilbur himself). The decline is sad and pitiful. Literature Fiction, Mystery Thrillers, Historical Fiction

The book lacked depth, the plots were too basic and Mr Smith glorifies the other side of sexuality that made it fairly repulsive. Literature Fiction, Mystery Thrillers, Historical Fiction Crap.

Smith has long been one of my favorite writers. His books, while certainly containing violence, always had historical and political significance. His Birds of Prey trilogy helped lift me out of a deep depression several years ago. This book has none of those redeeming factors. This is glitz mixed with shock violence.

I have run out of use for gratuitous sex and violence. Thus no use for this book.

Literature Fiction, Mystery Thrillers, Historical Fiction Wilbur Smith still can write extremely good. But the level of human cruelty in this book was too much for me to handle... Literature Fiction, Mystery Thrillers, Historical Fiction This is a completely disgusting book. A large part of it deals with a man repeatedly raping his own under-age ( and I mean less than 10 years old) step sisters in graphic detail, and then when he is in prison he arranges for them to be sent to an isolated island where they are forced to work in a brothel. There is even worse stuff that I can't bring myself to talk about. I really don't want to read about this kind of stuff. I couldn't even finish the book. Wilbur Smith should be ashamed of himself. I will never read another of his books. Literature Fiction, Mystery Thrillers, Historical Fiction One of his worst. Characters lack dimension, or on the other hand, are over blown. Plot is ridiculous, taking time out from your heat-of-the-moment, uncontrollable rage because there's no clues to follow. Or renting a ridiculously expensive apartment because of security concerns, only to go jogging on the beach with your baby daughter with two security men. Or meeting someone, then being ready for that next lifetime commitment on the next date. And don't get me started about the sexual exploits, either so perverted (and overly described) as to be laughable, or from a page of a naughty romance with his larger than life male organ. Give me a break. More like a first novel in the cartoon genre than one from an experienced writer. Literature Fiction, Mystery Thrillers, Historical Fiction

Internationally bestselling author Wilbur Smith returns with Vicious Circle--a heart-racing story of family secrets, greed, and revenge.

Hector Cross left behind a career of high risks and warfare when he married his beloved Hazel Bannock. But after his new life is tragically upended, he recognizes the ruthless hand of an old enemy behind the attack.

Determined to fight back, Hector draws together a team of his most loyal friends and fellow warriors to hunt down those who pursue him and his loved ones. For he and Hazel have a child, a precious daughter, whom he will go to the ends of the earth to protect.

Soon, however, Hector learns that the threat comes not just from his old enemies, but also Hazel's. Brutal figures from her family's past—thought long gone—are returning, with an agenda so sinister that Hector realizes he is facing a new type of adversary. One whose deadly methods and dark secrets will lead Hector to a series of crimes so shocking that he has no choice but to settle the score.

Vicious Circle (Hector Cross, #2)