Rating: 
Summary: Enchanting!
Review: Set in the land of ancient Egypt (before the New Age, I guess), this book tells the touching story of a pair of star-crossed lovers from a slave's point of view. During the time of the story, Egypt is split in half - the Upper and Lower Egypt. Upper Egpyt is suffering from a weak pharaoh (whom historical records don't mention), an ambitious politican, and an unruly pack of brigands, which threaten to overturn the order of civilization. Only one man stands out to defend Egypt from the eminent danger - Tanus, Lord Harrab. Told in first-person narrative by his friend Taita the slave (whose intelligence seems quite a bit unbelievable), the story tells how Tanus falls in love with Lady Lostris (daughter of his father's deadliest enemy - who will also become the queen of Egypt) and saves the kingdom from destruction of the unruly bandits. However, the story isn't over yet. Just when Upper Egypt is rejoicing at the downfall of the brigands, a new danger descends upon Egypt - the Hyksos - with advanced weaponry and horse-drawn chariots. The entire history of Egypt is thus changed forever... (for more information - read the book!) Moving, action-packed, and filled with romance and intrigue, "River God" is worth the time reading. Although I must admit sometimes the situations seem unrealistic (the history is quite off-balanced too), the plot is breathtaking and full of surprises.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing epic
Review: River God centres around three characters. Taita, a eunuch slave and the storyteller, Tanus, the warrior hero, and Lostris the Princess. Tanus and Lostris share a forbidden love which Taita helps them to fulfill. Taita narrates the story, taking the reader through his life, how he serves his master and, subsequently, his mistress. The book is a combination of historical fact and 20th century invention, but the result is a superb account of the rise and fall (and rise) of an Egyptian kingdom.I don't think it's stretching a point to call River God a stylish masterpiece. It is a powerful, awe-inspiring epic that narrates historical facts whilst eliciting the full range of human emotions. The characters are BIG. The battle scenes are monumental and epic, even on the scale of a Cecil B. de Mille. The descriptions are breathtaking. The narrative (though there is little of this) is credible. River God has the ability to amuse, engross and entertain us throughout. Wilbur Smith succeeds as never before in transporting the reader into ancient Egypt with his amazing imagery and action packed plot. River God is a book to which I am happy to give five stars (more if they were available).
Rating:
Summary: An extraordinarily masterful story
Review: Simply, this is the best Wilbur Smith story out there. Masterfully told with excellent detail of the era. Smith brings ancient Egypt alive for the reader in this story on a level that everyone can identify with, the common man's level - but with a twist - Tiata the slave is NOT a common man. A slave becomes the savior of the empire and forever wins your heart. While the story is somewhat gruesome at times, it reflects the trecherous and barbaric era accurately, and reminds us that civilization has not advanced mankind's basic nature in many, many ways.
Rating: 
Summary: please stop
Review: I can't stand arrogant people, this is why the arrogant first person writing stile made me give up on this book before finishing it. The historical background of this book is as thin as air in the stratosphere. If mr Smith had taken even the slightest interest in ancient Egypt he would have written a better book. Pyramids by Terry Pratchett is more serious on ancient Egypt than this book.
Rating:
Summary: Wow what a surprise
Review: My sister bought me this book and to tell you the truth, I would have never picked it up for myself. I must say this is probably one of my favorite books. A fictional book about ancient Egypt, I thought I would never enjoy, but the characters are so intriguing I couldn't put it down. Even though the lead character is a slave, this book has a very romantic quality to it. But what really caught my attention is the way Wilbur Smith transports you into ancient Egypt with his wonderful imagery and action packed plot lines. I found myself very caught up in his amazing characters he brings to life in this book. It was not the same old predictable story that you see in so many other books. If you are looking for and adventure story and like to be drawn in by the plot, I highly recommend River God. Just be warned, it's not for the faint of heart.
Rating:
Summary: The Taita connection
Review: "River god" is one of those books that you will remember long after finishing it. It is set during the beginning of the Second Intermediate Period of Ancient Egypt, when the Hyksos dominated the region for some centuries. The plot of the book is the struggle of the Upper Egypt Dinasty against the usurper of the Lower Egypt, and then against the foreign invaders, all seen through the actions and thoughts of the members of the ruling clan. The main character is Taita, an eunuch slave to the important family of the Pharaos' dinasty. I've read and heard some people complain about Taita's cleverness, wisdom and resourcefulness. I don't think so. I like to think of Taita as the Leonardo da Vinci of his age. From time to time such people are born, illuminating their epochs, and legating their achievements to humanity. Taita is obviously a fictional character, but he could have existed. Taita is a good friend, teacher, physician, general, and he knows it. And yet, the reader can't help but liking him, even admirign him, and wonder wht he'll accomplish next. Wilbur Smith's book may not be the most historically accurate, but this time I didn't care. Aside from Taita, his other characters (the Queen Lostris, the Prince Memnon, Tanus, among others), the descriptions of the Nile and its surroundings, and the incredible fast pace of the book, all of that added to make this reading a great pleasure. It is, in fact, better than its sequel, "The seventh scroll". Grade 8.9/10
Rating: 
Summary: An unforgettable love story of epic proportions......
Review: A tantalizing novel that transports the reader back across
the sands of time to the age of pharaohs. It is a salute to the undying , desperate and immortal love and devotion of an extraordinary slave for his royal mistress.
The story is a first person account by the eunuch slave TAITA
who is caught between devotion to his friend-the indomitable TANUS and love for his beautiful queen -LOSTRIS. A spellbinding account of life in the savage age when super-
stitious beliefs and fears held sway over people and the divine trinity of Isis , Osiris and Horus was revered through the length and breadth of "this very Egypt".
Although historic in its setting, the author manages to
realistically portray the day-to-day happenings in the lives of the protagonists and infuses the characters with the life-blood of imagination so that they cease to be mere
characters. The language is eloquent , and with easy nonchalance the author appears to paint the vivid grandeur of the landscape
in our mind. The plot twists and turns , races and meanders
akin to the flow of mysterious Nile whose sinister beauty
forms the backdrop to this unforgettable love story....
Rating:
Summary: Taita is the King!
Review: Taita the eunach is the slave and protector of the daughter of the Grand Vizier. When Lostross falls for a soldier her father hates, Taita must scheme and plot to get them together. Over time, Taita comes to acknowledge his own love feelings for Lostross. I really LOVED this audiobook. The narrator did an excellent job of Taita, Lostross, and the various other characters. At times his narration was so vivid I felt like I was really in ancient Egypt. I particularly enjoyed Taita's inventions, and his hopes and dreams (and his vanity, greed, and ambitions as well!) Peeves: I would've liked Taita to have some love interest aside from Lostross. I found it difficult to believe (even though a Eunach), that he'd developed no other relationships since his castration. I also found the ending somewhat sad. I prefer happier endings. Still, a wonderful book Deserving of the hall of fame!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book!
Review: This great book was first recommended to me by a friend, and has since become my favorite novel. River God is an exciting tale of action, and romance that will keep you entertained with every turn of the book's pages. As for those "historical inaccuracies" mentioned by some reviewers, they should be reminded of the many movies set in New York City for example, which feature a mayor that historically never held office,and situations that historically, never took place. But then, isn't that the nature of fiction folks? It is after all, a NOVEL of ancient Egypt, right? My advice is to ignore each and every one of them, and enjoy this wonderful story!
Rating:
Summary: River Guru !
Review: River Guru! Taita the super slave as one reviewer put it, is so correct. His one failing-no equipment but no mind he can do anything else. This Guru invents everything from microbiological warfare to military strategy to complex engineering marvels. But wait! he is a doctor too and an adviser and a lawyer and a prophet. Perfect Taita. By the way, he doesn't want to be free! He likes being a slave!
Hmmm... This one person shaped the destiny of an entire country. Really now! The only thing more off putting was the constant adulterous relationships. If you like soap operas or slavery then this will certainly impress you. For others it will be a waste of time.
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