Finished

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Finished

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set against the historical backdrop of the Zulu War of 1879, this adventure follows the legendary Allan Quatermain as he becomes entangled in the fatal tensions between the Zulu kingdom and the British Empire. Blending real events with supernatural intrigue, the story explores the rise of the vengeful wizard Zikali, the tragic death of King Cetewayo, and the ultimate fall of the Zulu nation.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1917 as the conclusion to H. Rider Haggard's Zulu trilogy, *Finished* serves as the tragic finale to the saga begun in *Marie* and *Child of Storm*. Narrated by the seasoned hunter and trader Allan Quatermain, the story unfolds in 1877 Pretoria amidst rising tensions between the British and the Zulu kingdom under King Cetewayo. Following the British annexation of the Transvaal, Quatermain encounters the volatile political atmosphere before the conflict escalates into war. The narrative shifts to Zululand, where Quatermain is captured and brought before King Cetewayo at Ulundi. Here, the atmosphere is thick with impending doom as the king suffers from a mysterious illness rumored to be poison. The supernatural element intensifies with the appearance of Zikali, the 'Opener of Roads,' a dwarf wizard born of high blood but cursed as a 'Thing-that-should-never-have-been-born.' Zikali reveals his centuries-long vendetta against the House of Senzangacona, detailing how he manipulated history to bring down Chaka, Dingaan, and finally Cetewayo. The story details the Great Council at Ulundi, the mobilization of a massive Zulu army, and the tragic events leading to the Battle of Isandhlwana. Quatermain witnesses the king's decline and the haunting presence of Zikali, who claims the spirits have called the king to death. The narrative culminates in the death of King Cetewayo, poisoned by Zikali's machinations. In a final act of vengeance, the wizard retreats to a waterfall, where he performs a ritual chant before plunging into the foaming pool, ending his reign of terror and the Zulu monarchy. The book serves as both a historical account of the war's origins and a supernatural thriller about fate, vengeance, and the inevitable end of an empire.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/h-rider-haggard_finished.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-652d8fe9367a97dc.epub

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2026-06-30 01:31 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Fiction