m_bbooks's review
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
jlynnelseauthor's review
1.0
I am so sick of books being carelessly compared to "DaVinci Code." Just because its a search to uncover mysteries in history does not mean its "DaVinci Code." This book does not have a feel of urgency to it. The history is not that interesting to override character flaws. And the characters are poor. Half the time is spent on characters sitting at the beach or walking around foreign cities. This does not compare to "DaVinci Code" on so many levels.
I just cannot finish this book. I'm too turned off by the main character. So the main character is a professor with a wife and daughter with Down syndrome. This has caused a substantial financial and relational strain on their marriage. So of course the husband finds it okay to "give in to lust" and CHEAT with one of his blond, well endowed students (who is obviously working for someone trying to stop his research). What a jerk of a character. You read his thoughts as he selectively leaves out he's married with child! Is a minor, "oh I know this is wrong, why didn't I mention them?" supposed to help us sympathize with him? "Oh, but I'm earning the money for them." Right. Your wife and daughter want your money.
I did read the first couple paragraphs of the next chapter, and Cheater-Cheater-Pumpkin-Eater was back to doing some research. Not a concern.
How interesting would this character have been if he actually was involved in his daughter's life and that relationship was highlighted? Instead you hear how he misses appointments with doctors and school reps. Nice... so he cannot handle reality and does not work to fix his marriage. Nope, to sum up, instead we read: "that girl has nice boobs, and she invited me over for lunch. I'm going that route! I'm going to tell myself its to study, even though I know that its not. But if I don't think about it, perhaps the readers will overlook it. They'll think I'm innocent and naive." Nope. He's trash.
The historical fact finding is very interesting, but the main character is a sleaze, and I just can't get past that. And beside said student, any other female is a very minor character. This is clearly a boys game when it comes to the meat of the story and discoveries.
The author clearly is not a big fan of Americans either. They're described as, basically, stupid and fat. Plus his female characters are either so minor they're non-existent or they're willing adulterers.
Hey, author, women are interested in history too. And we'd prefer NOT to read about men observing a woman's bra size. How about we stick to the historical stuff? Its what you are advertising your book as! Historical discovery!
I just cannot finish this book. I'm too turned off by the main character. So the main character is a professor with a wife and daughter with Down syndrome. This has caused a substantial financial and relational strain on their marriage. So of course the husband finds it okay to "give in to lust" and CHEAT with one of his blond, well endowed students (who is obviously working for someone trying to stop his research). What a jerk of a character. You read his thoughts as he selectively leaves out he's married with child! Is a minor, "oh I know this is wrong, why didn't I mention them?" supposed to help us sympathize with him? "Oh, but I'm earning the money for them." Right. Your wife and daughter want your money.
I did read the first couple paragraphs of the next chapter, and Cheater-Cheater-Pumpkin-Eater was back to doing some research. Not a concern.
How interesting would this character have been if he actually was involved in his daughter's life and that relationship was highlighted? Instead you hear how he misses appointments with doctors and school reps. Nice... so he cannot handle reality and does not work to fix his marriage. Nope, to sum up, instead we read: "that girl has nice boobs, and she invited me over for lunch. I'm going that route! I'm going to tell myself its to study, even though I know that its not. But if I don't think about it, perhaps the readers will overlook it. They'll think I'm innocent and naive." Nope. He's trash.
The historical fact finding is very interesting, but the main character is a sleaze, and I just can't get past that. And beside said student, any other female is a very minor character. This is clearly a boys game when it comes to the meat of the story and discoveries.
The author clearly is not a big fan of Americans either. They're described as, basically, stupid and fat. Plus his female characters are either so minor they're non-existent or they're willing adulterers.
Hey, author, women are interested in history too. And we'd prefer NOT to read about men observing a woman's bra size. How about we stick to the historical stuff? Its what you are advertising your book as! Historical discovery!
iancamessina's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
bookhookgeek's review
1.0
Reading this book was a waste of time. I kept expecting it to get more exciting, but it didn't. Instead of a "DaVinci Code"-style thriller, it was more of a boring scholarly hunt through old documents. And when the "secret identity of Christopher Columbus" is revealed, I thought "who cares?"
cvetucii's review
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
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