Fire on the Horizon

Fire on the Horizon by Wilbur Smith and Imogen Robertson is an epic historical adventure set against the tumultuous backdrop of South Africa in 1899. The simmering tension between the Boers of the Transvaal and Orange Free State and the British colonies of the Cape and Natal threatens to ignite into full-scale war. As the conflict looms, the lives of two families are set to be indelibly transformed.

Colonel Penrod Ballantyne, a celebrated hero of Abu Klea and Omdurman, has been dispatched to Mafeking – aptly known as 'the place of stones'. His mission: to recruit and prepare men for the imminent battles. Accompanying him is his wife, Amber, a successful novelist keen to witness the land for which her husband is risking everything. As war erupts, Amber is forced to flee with their infant son, her prayers anchored on Penrod's survival amidst overwhelming odds.

Far to the south in Cape Town, Ryder Courtney, an audacious adventurer and prosperous industrialist, channels his resources and influence in support of the British war endeavour. His wife, Saffron, an artist stifled by the conservative milieu of Cairo society, joins Ryder along with their three children. Believing in the sanctuary of their home, Saffron's world is upended when their eldest son, Leon, clandestinely boards a train to the frontline. His ambition to stand alongside his distinguished uncle, Penrod, compels his parents to abandon their secure life and follow. Unbeknownst to Leon, his quest for honour will lead him straight into the paths of the parents he underestimates.

Fire on the Horizon intricately weaves the destinies of the Courtneys and the Ballantynes, portraying their struggle for survival and honour in a land torn by internal strife. These two families are caught in a dramatic struggle over the heart of a nation at war with itself, vividly bringing to life the fraught and fiery spirit of the era.

For fans of Wilbur Smith’s gripping historical narratives, this novel stands as the compelling sequel to the global bestsellers The Triumph of the Sun and King of Kings. Journey once again into the heart of Africa with the timeless lore of family, courage, and the unforgiving reality of war.