I have been a Wilbur Smith fan for many years and still love to go back and revisit some of his early books. They are part of the reason I have visited and explored Africa and the Indian Ocean. More recently, some of Smith's books have left me feeling a little cheated. They haven't had the magnificence of his earlier work. They have lacked the depth that made me feel [art of the story. Well, Courtney's War really felt like a return to form. Once I started this book I couldn't put it down. There were a few times when I had to continue reading as I had to know what happened next. This book fits in nicely with others in the series. There were pages that made me smile, and others that made me feel very sad about the cruelty of war. It really did provide an emotional rollercoaster experience. I thoroughly recommend this book.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I read this book as a standalone as have not read anything from Wilbur Smith for years. I must be honest absolutely loved it, brilliant read.

I've been an avid reader of Wilbur Smith and in particular the Courtney series, from When The Lion Feeds and The Sound of Thunder right up to this latest one and he's certainly kept up the standard of research he carries out. Although The Courtney Series spans centuries, it is easy to read each one separately and still get engrossed in the epic saga.
Highly recommended and another 5/5
I

Wilbur Smith is one of the best living epic saga novelists and has yet again written another 5/5 book. Although he is now in his mid 80s and has a co-writer (I understand so he can produce books to keep up with the demand from his loyal readers) his books continue to keep up the same standard and I cannot differentiate between those written by Wilbur himself and these later books.
This book follows Saffron Courtney and her love, Gerhard von Meerbach. Happily together before the outbreak of WWII they are soon torn apart. Will they ever see each other again?
Saffron shows she is a true Courtney and quickly proves her worth. Gerhard has to go against everything he believes in and fight alongside the Nazis.
Although this is a work of fiction the events of WWII are portrayed accurately and it makes for heart wrenching read at times. Gerhard faces some dreadful scenes, and as usual Wilbur evokes a very graphic picture of what it must have been like.
The journey takes us across Europe via Wilbur’s favourite South Africa.
A great read which I could not put down. Highly recommend to all fans and also suitable for those new to Wilbur’s works.
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Torn apart by war, Saffron Courtney and Gerhard von Meerbach are thousands of miles apart, both struggling for their lives. Gerhard despite his objections to the Nazi regime is fighting for the Fatherland, hoping to one day have the opportunity to rid Germany of Hitler and his cronies. But as his unit is thrown into the hellish attrition of the Battle of Stalingrad, he knows his chances of survival are dwindling by the day. Meanwhile Saffron - recruited by the Special Operations Executive and sent to occupied Belgium to discover how the Nazis have infiltrated SOE's network - soon finds herself being hunted.
I’ve loved the author’s books ever since I read When the Lion Feeds & I eagerly awaited his next book each year or so. However recently his books have lost their way but I’m glad to say this is back to his best. We first met Saffy & Gerhard in War Cry & the story of their fathers was in Assegai, I’m so glad they are now centre stage. This is a harrowing book at times & really brings home the horrors of the Second World War, I cringed, I gasped, I felt sick, I cried & I couldn't put it down. There are quite a few things that are left unresolved so desperately need the next book in the series.

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Saffron Courtney and Gerhard von Meerbach are split apart due to the Second World War and find themselves on different sides.

Courtney's War is the first book that I have read by Wilbur Smith but it won't be the last one.

The book deals with the challenges both Saffron and Gerhard as they try to survive the conflict and still maintain who they really are

The author has clearly researched well and this comes across in the book without distracting from the story which moves along at a good pace.

This isn't the first book in the series but that is not an issue as the author cleverly weaves enough of the backstory into the narrative again without it feeling like overload.

Overall thoroughly recommended

I read the first chapter on another website and I was intrigued, it had got my attention, even at 1am.
The book is in a huge series of books by Wilbur Smith, but it wasn't an issue. In fact it's made me want to go backwards and read the rest.
It's one of those books where you have to research what you have read, because you just can't believe it to be true. That men could do that to other men.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Zafre and of course Wilbur Smith for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I recently had the privilege of reading Wilbur's autobiography - Leopard on a Rock. This book really gave me an insight into the amount of research he does for each and every book he writes. It shows in the extensive details and descriptions of each and every book.
His latest book - Courtney's war, is another example of the dedication he puts into his books.
In Courtney's war we are again introduced to Saffron Courtney, a strong, independent woman who vows to fight against Hitler and all he stands for, for the bottom up. She is still involved with Gerhard, and their love stands the test of time, in all ways possible. The descriptions by Wilbur regarding the toll the Nazis took during the World war were harrowing, and made me feel ashamed as a human being.
The book was really fantastic, I couldn't wait to finish it, and without spoiling it, just loved the ending. It put a nice spin on the ending of the book. Highly, and I mean it, highly recommended.