This compelling series plunges readers into the harsh realities of 19th-century life, tracing the intertwined fates of thieves, lovers, and bitter rivals. Follow characters on a perilous journey from London's underbelly to the distant shores of Van Diemen's Land, where an unexpected empire is forged. The narratives weave tales of ambition, survival, and the desperate pursuit of a new beginning, as past grievances ignite present conflicts. It's a saga that explores the resilience of the human spirit against formidable odds.
Ikey Solomon is the King Rat of the dark backstreets of 19th-century Stepney. A notorious criminal, his only fear is that Hannah, his resentful and ambitious wife, will force him to reveal his half of the combination to the safe in which their joint wealth is hidden.
Brutally kidnapped and separated in childhood, Tommo and Hawk are reunited at the age of fifteen in Hobart. Together they escape their troubled pasts and set off on a journey into manhood. From whale hunting in the Pacific to the Maori wars of New Zealand, from the Rocks in Sydney to the miners' riots at the goldfields, Tommo and Hawk must learn each other's strengths and weaknesses in order to survive. Especially in their last, worst confrontation between good and evil. Brilliantly evoking a time of struggle and triumph in the young colonies, Bryce Courtenay has created an unforgettable tale of the enduring bond between two brothers.
The story revolves around the Solomon family as they navigate the aftermath of Mary Abacus's death, which leaves her vast business empire in their hands. Hawk Solomon is focused on uniting the divided factions of the tribe, but it is the younger generation that must confront challenges and strive to reshape their future. Themes of family conflict, legacy, and the struggle for unity are central to this narrative.