This is the first book that Smith wrote (published in 1964) about the Courtney family in Africa. Although it is the first book written, it is not chronologically first. Smith wrote several prequels to this one including BIRDS OF PREY, MONSOON, and BLUE HORIZON. These novels take place starting in the 1600s and tell of the origins of the family. I have read all of these and enjoyed them a lot.
WHEN THE LION FEEDS is set in South Africa from the 1860s-1890s and introduces Sean and Garrick Courtney, the twin sons of Waite Courtney, a wealthy ranch owner outside of the port of Natal. During a hunting excursion, Sean accidentally shoots Garrick in the leg resulting in it being amputated. Sean becomes guilt-ridden and tries to be Garrick's protector but Garrick uses Sean and manipulates him because of the injury. Then comes their participation in the Zulu war which results in Waite's death and Sean's presumed death. While Sean is missing, Garrick marries Sean's girlfriend and the fallout then drives Sean north to find riches in the gold mines near Johannesburg. He later loses his fortune and goes hunting for ivory where he meets his future wife, a Boer farm girl. And then tragedy ensues...
This book as usual was full of adventure and also provided some history of South Africa including the Anglo-Zulu war and the lead-in to the Boer War. The book was also full of violence and death with some of the main characters meeting brutal ends. It also included the brutality of ivory hunting and the needless killing of magnificent elephants. Although this could be very triggering for some, it was also a way of life during that time because of the value of ivory. Overall, I did enjoy this one and will probably be reading more in the series but I didn't really care for the tragic ending to this novel. I thought it was somewhat contrived and hard to believe.
WHEN THE LION FEEDS is set in South Africa from the 1860s-1890s and introduces Sean and Garrick Courtney, the twin sons of Waite Courtney, a wealthy ranch owner outside of the port of Natal. During a hunting excursion, Sean accidentally shoots Garrick in the leg resulting in it being amputated. Sean becomes guilt-ridden and tries to be Garrick's protector but Garrick uses Sean and manipulates him because of the injury. Then comes their participation in the Zulu war which results in Waite's death and Sean's presumed death. While Sean is missing, Garrick marries Sean's girlfriend and the fallout then drives Sean north to find riches in the gold mines near Johannesburg. He later loses his fortune and goes hunting for ivory where he meets his future wife, a Boer farm girl. And then tragedy ensues...
This book as usual was full of adventure and also provided some history of South Africa including the Anglo-Zulu war and the lead-in to the Boer War. The book was also full of violence and death with some of the main characters meeting brutal ends. It also included the brutality of ivory hunting and the needless killing of magnificent elephants. Although this could be very triggering for some, it was also a way of life during that time because of the value of ivory. Overall, I did enjoy this one and will probably be reading more in the series but I didn't really care for the tragic ending to this novel. I thought it was somewhat contrived and hard to believe.
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