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: 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: 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: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Good read
Review: I have read several of Wilber Smiths works now. Really a great writer. This is one of his best.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: This is a review of the cassette version and I must say I was rivetted to this story. I sat in my car long after I arrived at my destination listening in fastination. However, the hero Tanus, is just a little too outrageously perfect for me to give this a full 5 stars. You know, never tires during combat, never loses his cool, never makes a fatal mistake. I would have enjoyed a less god-like hero.
Rating: 
Summary: Really a 3.5 star rating
Review: Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others STORY: The rise and fall of Egypt and the forbidden love caught in the middle of the conflict. But more importantly how one man (slave) can change the face of a nation. MY FEEDBACK:
1) SETTING: There is always something magical about ancient Egypt and Smith crafts a story utilizing the full effect of this setting. Got to love it. 2) CHARACTERS: Heroism and valor generate instant liking to a couple of the characters. Clever solutions to impossible tasks make us totally love the character of Taita. 3) PLOT: This was really two shorter stories in one. The first is a novelette on how Tanus falls in love with Lady Lostris and with Taita's help they cleverly overcome many obstacles. Much of this story was telegraphed and not surprising. But Smith takes the story on a whole different direction as we go (very quickly) through the fall of Egypt to the Hyksos. This was full of unexpected twists and was a nice storyline. 4) CONTENT: Unlike his sequel, The Seventh Scroll, this was a "clean" story. There wasn't a need for overt sex in this story and I think it paid off that the author chose to leave things to the imagination instead. Some gruesome violence but otherwise a PG-13 rated story. 5) READER: The reader of the audio-book did a fine job of voices and acting. Some of the voices made me feel like I was watching the movie The Prince of Egypt. A fine job. OVERALL: I enjoyed this story and thought it was more than just "good". It was a story that leaves something to be desired at first but then pulls it all together later on. I gave it a 3.5 rating because it was just a bit above good, but not great.
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