I enjoyed this book, as I love historical fiction, especially about World War 2. The story about Saffron and Gerhard is full of twists and turns and keeps you guessing. I love their love for each other and how strong Saffrons character is, she fights bravely for her family and those she loves and is a kind and honorable person. The fighting in Kenya was quite terrible but she did a good thing for the Kikuyu people.

If you've ever read a Wilbur Smith book, you know the intensity it contains - and this one DID NOT disappoint!
I was in awe to see a Wilbur Smith book available on NetGalley and would've snatched ANY of them up at the opportunity.

I know this one's late, but I had to catch up on the series to truly enjoy it!
The flow of Smith's storytelling over all the era's is just mindblowingly amazing. Truly how he captures the land, the feelings and a reader's attention is simply like no other author.

Thank you Mr Wilbur Smith, to the publisher and of course to NetGalley for my complimentary eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Please excuse my tardiness in posting this. My TBR list is continuously growing and I keep finding so many amazing books being requested + added to my pile! I have so much gratitude for this copy that has been shared with me.

This was my first Courtney book but I can honestly say that I don't feel like I missed any backstory. Although this book was multi-layered, two stories in one! - I feel like both storylines were written beautifully and both mostly came together well. The main characters - Saffron and Gerhard are wonderful and I want to be Saffron when I grow up. The book isn't what I expected - although the war was over 5 years ago, there is so much awful and vileness that had come from it - I had to skim over a couple of parts because of the horrors in the book. Although I knew what happened during WWII, I think there is so much more that happened after it - not just in Europe but Africa too that was shocking to me. Although this book is very long and there is a lot happening - it is worth every single page. Wilbur Smith, even after so many years is still a masterful storyteller and I absolutely loved this book

Long a Wilbur Smith's Courteney family saga, I was elated to receive a copy of this book for review.

Mr. Smith continues to explore the exciting life of Saffron Courtney and her German husband, Gerhard, after the Nazi defeat in WWII. Unfortunately, this novel struck me as not being up to his usual expertise, not sure if I will read any more. Only my opinion.

Unfortunately Wilbur Smith just isn’t the author for me. I was so excited to get into this because it sounded so interesting and I love the cover so much!!

However, this story just felt really flat and underwhelming in my opinion. Surely others will absolutely enjoy this, but I’m just not the intended audience for it.

I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My sincerest thanks to the publisher and author. :)

Action packed is not how I would describe this book. Plodding is a more apt description.

I fully admit that I have zero knowledge of the previous Courtney books (18 of them at time of review) and have zero interest in digging into them. The review site assured me I did not need any previous knowledge to enjoy this novel. And I think I agree with that disclaimer with the caveat that I had no emotional attachment to the characters previously. This book did not cause me to have any newfound fictional loves unfortunately.

The book itself tries to take a look at the world after WWII and Hitler. There are those who still follow his way of thinking and are working to try and bring about the Reich again. This is coupled with the movement in Kenya for freedom of the people against the British. In between that we have the unlikely pairing of a former SOE agent and Luftwaffe fighter ace.

Mr. Smith unfortunately falls into the historically inaccurate trope of 'All Germans not in the SS were good, all Germans in the SS were bad' as a broad stroke way of painting things. This is not said in defense of the SS quite the contrary there were plenty of Germans in the <i>Heer, Kriegsmarine, Luftwaffe,</i> etc that were card carrying Nazi party members and believed fully in the anti-Semite drivel that the majority of the SS made into a religion. As the book goes if the character was not in the SS you know they are good, if they were in the SS then they are bad, and by doing so it removes any potential build up of suspense.

This is not said as a bragging point, but I think too much knowledge of post war Europe and history here was a detriment. I knew the ending before the book began and unfortunately the plodding delivery didn't cause me to become lost in the journey despite knowing the destination.

This is the first book I’ve read in this series, but I felt like there was decent summarizations so I didn’t feel lost. I did feel like this book tackled too much and yet somehow moved too slowly for me. I found my attention wandering especially through the first third of the book. The action did pick up nearer towards the end. The concept was fascinating and I liked that it looked at what happened after Hitler died especially with his supporters. While this type of story isn’t necessarily my first go to I did think the author created good characters and did a good job with making it a story that did suck me in, just much further in than I would have hoped. I liked the main female character Saffron a lot. She is the type of hero everyone woman needs. And I commend the story on tackling huge important issues from both sides. This book is violent at times and trigger warning for torture.

Wilbur Smith is simply a genius! His storytelling is mesmerizing, I find myself just turning page after page. Legacy of War takes place in Kenya after WWII, following Saffron Courtney and her husband, Gerhard Meerbach. We learn about their experiences; Saffron a spy for England; Gerhard an ace pilot for Germany, later a POW in Russia. While flashing to past, we find Kenya straining for freedom. Mau Mau tensions grow as pages fall.
I highly recommend Wilbur Smith and Legacy of War. I seldom find myself emotionally moved from what I've read...this story had me chuckling gently, tears dripping from the ending, and I urge you to into Legacy of War, beginning your journey.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of Legacy of War by Wilbur Smith. I am a huge fan of Wilbur Smith, particularly his Egyptian series of novels. Full disclosure though, I have not read one of his novels for many years which made me very eager to read and review his newest one.

This book is the latest in the Courtney series. Set in 1951, Saffron Courtney, the daughter of Leon Courtney, has settled down with her German husband Gerhard in South Africa. They are both from influential, wealthy families and it seems as if they have overcome their war wounds enough to be able to make a life for themselves and their children. Essentially this novel comprises two separate battles which Saffron and her husband must face, one against Gerhard’s evil brother and the other against the Mau Mau in Kenya.

I really wanted to like this novel. I truly did, but I cannot give it more than two stars. Although Smith endeavours to provided enough background information about characters, past relationships, and historical events I felt as though these bits and pieces staunched the flow of his work and character development. Saffron and Gerhard’s characters really felt ‘flat’ and underdeveloped. I wanted to know more about them but Smith only gave glimpses of what they had survived and conquered together. While reading this novel, I could not help but think that the previous novel is the one which I should be enjoying since there were just too many references to what had already occurred between these characters,

I also found that the plot was quite disjointed. In his attempt to ‘tie up loose ends’ from his previous novel, Smith includes a manhunt for Gerhard’s evil brother. However, once his brother is found and dealt with the plot then shifts to the Mau Mau in Kenya (whom the reader is introduced to at the very beginning of the book). In my opinion, it would have been a much more interesting book if Smith fully developed one of these plot lines rather than try to jam in both into one novel.

As a stand alone novel, it does not do Wilbur Smith justice. It felt as though he needed to hurriedly complete another novel in this series by throwing in two plots, an evil Nazi, with some Mau Mau sprinkled on top... oh and let’s not forget President Kenyatta who makes a cameo appearance. Smith can do much better.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley,Wilbur Smith, David Churchill, and Bonnier Zaffre USA for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Having followed the Courtney saga for many years, I was overjoyed at the release of another novel. While Wilbur Smith has been using the assistance of other authors over the past while, the books are usually still of high caliber. With the Second World War ended, the most everyone is breathing a collective sigh of relief. However, it is still a time of and for change. Not everyone in Germany is happy with the new divided country. Additionally, there are rumblings of independence along the African continent. Smith and David Churchill bring readers another great piece in this long saga, providing much for the reader to enjoy throughout.

As the world is still coming to terms with the end of the Second World War, there are a number of truths that cannot be ignored. The largest of which is that German dictator Adolf Hitler is finally dead and Europe can relax, to a degree. While the Nazis are no longer a threat, Europe has been taken over, in a sense, by the conflicting ideologies of American capitalism and Soviet communism. Saffron Courtney surveys things from London and is relatively pleased. Her husband, Gerhard, is free from a concentration camp, and they can focus on their connection once more. However, Konrad von Meerbach, Gerhard's brother with strong affinity for the Nazis, seeks to regain power and bring a new wave of national socialism to his native land.

While all this envelops Europe, the African continent is becoming more boisterous. The colonial empire has developed cracks, particularly in Kenya. There, the locals have begun trying to drum up support for a complete overthrow. Their current target are those who are sympathetic to the British. Blood will flow and that is sure to cause issues for the Courtney family, all the way up to the patriarch, Leon. As Kenya balances on the precipice, the Courtneys must wonder what the future holds for them in the country of their forbearers.

When Konrad arrives in Kenya to pay a visit to Gerhard and Saffron, it is anything but cordial. He has a plan and wants nothing other than to instil fear. Could a simple visit begin a chain of events that leads to Gerhard’s demise once again? With Kenya less than stable, there are many factors that could easily cause issues for all involved. The Courtney family is in serious trouble and Saffron may be the only means by which things do not completely unravel. A nice addition to the series that proves there is still something left to explore in this series, which has entertained for over a generation.

While I was quite late to the party when it came to the Courtney series, I loved the early novels that spun wonderful tales of mystery across the African continent. However, as Wilbur Smith aged, he chose to partner up with others, sometimes lessening the impact of the novels and diluting what has been a strong Courtney saga. David Churchill appears to do well in complementing Smith’s work, keeping the 20th century series alive and well. At least that’s something series fan can look forward to with this piece.

Saffron Courtney does well as a protagonist in this piece, offering the reader some great insights into how to handle living in both Europe and Africa. The story uses her experiences on both continents, as well as some historical events that developed in the background. Saffron reminds readers of the richness of the Courtney family over the decades, as well as her own personal growth. There is some wonderful character development to be had and series fans will likely enjoy how all the pieces have come together.

Smith and Churchill have used a strong collection of supporting characters as well, all of whom enrich the story in their own way. Be it the rise of independence in Kenya or the residue of Nazi support in Germany, those who grace the pages of the book prove highly entertaining for the reader. There is a lot to cover in the book and these secondary characters do well to keep the reader on point throughout.

As it relates to the overall story, I found myself enjoying parts of the book and seeking to skip over others. There is a definite richness in the narrative, particularly as it relates to historical events, pulling the reader in and keeping the story on a strong pathway. However, there are other times when things appear to drag and left me wanting to hit the ‘turbo’ button to get back to the action. The character development and richness of the Courtney saga cannot be ignored here, as those who have followed the collection have come to know. All that being said, this is not a book (or a series) that can be started at any point. There is too much backstory that emerges to ‘catch up’ in a single book. With short to mid-length chapters, the authors keep the book moving and the action growing. There’s much to discover for the curious reader, even if the writing style and delivery can sometimes not match the traditional Wilbur Smith approach.

Kudos, Messrs. Smith and Churchill, for another instalment of this strong series. While I may not like all of them, I have come to enjoy the ongoing drama!

The Plot
Legacy of War is set in Kenya in Africa where British White landowners and the native tribes live. It is the time when India has just won its freedom from the British and the Kenyan natives want their freedom as well. They dislike the British landowners and would want to no longer be subject as their slaves. The Kikuyu tribe here is at the forefront of the agitation feared by both black and white. Amidst this set up is Leon Courtney who owns the most land in the region. He lives with his daughter Saffron and her husband Gerhard. The family finds themselves caught in the aggression ans danger emanating from the agitating tribe. The conflict becomes real and dangerous when Courtney’s home is attacked. The Legacy of war takes this tussle and struggle in an action packed narrative.

The Review
An easy to read writing style that packs in history, action and thrills. A couple of descriptions do get elaborate, beyond requirement, which I managed to skip easily. Nevertheless a fairly average plot and the characters don’t entirely disappoint you.

Once a soldier....always a soldier

I love reading books by Wilbur Smith. They take me to exotic places where I would never visit except in books. The story is so real I feel like I am there. I love the story, I love the history and the descriptions of the people and the locations.

This story is set in Kenya in Africa. It is a story of the British white landowners and the native tribes. India has just declared their freedom and many of the Kenyan natives want Kenya to be free and to have a say in their government. They detest the rich white landowners who treat them as slaves for the most part.

The Mau Mau branch of the Kikuyu Tribe is the most restless and causing the rest of the Kikuyu tribe to be restless as well. Since they are causing so much trouble the white people in Kenya think all blacks are part of the Mau Mau and are arresting them and sending them to an internment camp for any small infraction. The Mau Mau threaten the members of the tribe to take an oath to the Mau Mau or they will harm their families. They are feared by both black and white as many of them served in The King's African Rifles troop in the Army in WWII.

Leon Courtney owns the most land of anyone in the area. His daughter Saffron and her husband Gerhard both served during the War. They are threatened by Gerhard's Nazi brother Konrad and must find him and have him sent to war tribunals. They find themselves between this danger and the danger of the Mau Mau. The conflict becomes real when the Mau Mau attack the Courtney home.

It is a good book and I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend this book.

Thanks to Wilbur Smith, Bonnier Zaffre, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy for an honest review. The opinions and the review are my own.

This book has Wilbur Smith as author, but the ebook clearly shows it was written with someone else. Based on that, I will not continue to read, as it is not a true Wilbur Smith book. His books have never been as good as they were when he had his first wife Danielle to edit for him. I wonder if she was the real writer behind all the good ones!

I’d never read any Wilbur Smith before and was interested to give him a try.

Unfortunately, I’ve had to stop roughly half-way through because the book contains graphic scenes of violence against children.

That aside, based on the half that I read, I found “Legacy of War” to be a mixed bag. While I thought the plot (conflict between two high-powered German brothers in the aftermath of WWII), the settings (post-war Germany, Kenya, and South Africa), and some of the characters interesting, I wasn’t crazy about the writing. In many places it seemed forced, unnatural, and way too revealing of the author’s hand. This was especially true of the dialogue which I thought very unrealistic and which prevented me from becoming absorbed in the story..

Based on this outing, I don’t think I’ll be giving Mr. Smith another try.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this ARC in exchange for this independent review.

The saga continues with well-developed characters in a story that makes you want to go back if you missed earlier episodes, and anxiously await the next installment.

Legacy of War continues the story of Saffron Courtney and Gerhard Meerbach. I believe this is the third book on their storyline, so you need to go back to at least Courtney's War to their beginning. However, you really should go all the way back to the beginning of the Courtney Series for the best reading. This book is set in Kenya at the time of the Mau Mau uprising. I enjoyed most of the plot, I love his descriptions of Africa the relationships between the characters, and the action. However, I didn't enjoy the depiction of Jomo Kenyatta in this book. There is controversy over whether Kenyatta was one of the leaders in the Mau Mau uprising, even though he was convicted of it, and it is very questionable if he would have come to power, if he hadn't been. It is however, indisputable that Kenyatta's presidency was rife with corruption and sometimes a cruel one to some races. Thank you #NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to give my voluntary and honest opinion on #LegacyofWar.

Wilbur Smith has long since established himself as one the foremost authors of our time. His huge legacy of novels has been built around excellent research as well as the gift of being a true wordsmith. Reading his books is always a fascinating adventure with journeys into history of his beloved Africa where he was born. He has used the device of featuring several families to populate his novels which move from ancient Egypt to modern times. His technique is to make all of his heroes and also his bad guys larger than life. The good guys usually experience all that befalls them with an attitude that prohibits doing the "wrong" thing regardless of what is done to do them harm. The bad guys are what you would expect - no principled scoundrels hell bent on doing evil to gain their own nefarious ends.
Legacy of war utilizes Saffron Courtney and her husband Gerhard. The two were featured in "Courtney's War" the book prior to this one set during the second World War. Saffron bravely traveled behind enemy lines for England to get information about enemy activity while Gerhard was a pilot in the German air force fighting in the invasion of Russia and the bloodbath that took place at Stalingrad. They are now married with two children and living in what is now Kenya working a huge farm area that is part of the Courtney holdings.
Gerhard's brother also lives in south Africa but has a background during the war which makes him a criminal and sought after by the Israeli Mossad to stand trial for his crimes. The first portion of the novel describes Gerhard participating in the chase after his brother with the need for justice outweighing family ties. There is another section devoted to descriptions of the Mau Mau, a native group that is looking, through violent rebellion, to correct their perceived inequities that allow whites to own land while native groups cannot. The violence of this group does take a strong stomach but the descriptions are taken from real life during the time they were active.
Mr. Smith moves into a meeting by Saffron with Jomo Kenyatta a native who became the first black president of Kenya showcasing the entrance of equality between the two races living in the country with the Coartneys accepting the situation as both a desired and natural occurrence in African history

Very well developed characters and an extremely engaging story. Well thought out and very suspenseful story line that keeps the reader guessing until the final twist! This is the book to read this year! Highly recommended!

I have read many of Wilbur Smith's books and have loved all. This book is about a Nazi war hero ace, who stands up to the horror of Hitler and becomes disgraced.. He marries a decorated female behind the enemy lines operator for the British side. Both grew up in Kenya. I have read many books by Wilbur Smith and have enjoyed all of them. This book is no exception. It's a well thought out plot that reaches a great conclusion. Once you finish the book, your first thought is "Bravo!" The characters are all well developed and stay within their roles. There's plenty of action to keep you glued to your seat. I enjoyed the inside look at the struggles of post WWI Kenya. The book is well worth the read.

Another wonderful book from Wilbur Smith. The book has strong well-defined character. The character know who they are and do not change during the book. You know who the bad guys are and who the good guys are. The story builds to an action packed ending. One of things I love about his books is the way Smith builds his settings in Africa. He does a wonderful job of setting the location. You can really "see" the landscape of Africa. The story builds as you read and has a number of nice twist that fit. His writing is always great, building a smooth story line that is easy and enjoyable to follow.