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willrefuge's review against another edition
4.0
The best one in ages--despite being mostly populated with characters I hate. But there are Proctor chapters and a special appearance by D'Agosta to tide things over.
It was surprising, really. But this was really "consistently exciting" as described. Huh.
5/5 stars
It was surprising, really. But this was really "consistently exciting" as described. Huh.
5/5 stars
vixen13's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good. Not much to it, but a good entry to the world building of these characters.
eswaller's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Animal death
kendall_reads8's review against another edition
5.0
See that roller coaster? Well when you open up this book you are getting on it so buckle up, hold on tight and enjoy every second of the ride!
The Obsidian Chamber takes off at top speed and barely slows down. Our adventure takes us out in the middle of the ocean, to beautiful islands, back inside a familiar mysterious mansion, makes us witnesses in an execution chamber and so much more.
We revisit old friends and old enemies. We question if we can forgive, if we should forgive, can people really change that much? If you are like me as with all books in this series I am left with wanting more. Not the authors' fault. It's because these characters are like family that we don't get to see often enough. When finally we are together I don't want to have to say see ya later!
I love this series. The first book [b:Relic|67035|Relic (Pendergast, #1)|Douglas Preston|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1389576748s/67035.jpg|23046] introduces us to Agent Pendergast and in the other 15 books of the series we learn just a little more about him. I think he will always be somewhat of a mystery, that for me is what makes him so attractive! Yes, he is my book crush.
It's hard to not let spoilers out of the bag so my lips are sealed. The only thing I will say is in my opinion, this book should not be read if you have not read the others. Yes, it can be stand alone BUT you will not enjoy the ride nearly as much as if you have at least some of the back story that comes in the other books.
IF you have read the others....WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? GET YOUR TICKET AND RIDE THIS ROLLER COASTER NOW!!!!!
~This book was provided free of charge via Netgalley for an honest review~
lizardmcscience's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ithilwen22's review against another edition
3.0
Well that was...interesting? I mean, it's a Pendergast book. It's going to be a bit odd. But I'm not sure it quite met my expectations. I'm also not sure how much of this I can summarize without completely spoiling the book. With Pendergast presumed dead, Constance is at risk thanks to an old enemy, and Proctor faffs about the globe looking for her.
Definitely read it if you want the complete Pendergast experience, but I feel like this book was a bit weaker than the others.
Spoiler
So, let me summarize it here. Diogenes has decided he is in love with Constance, and is trying to woo her. He sends Proctor off on a wild goose chase, and we don't even get to see Proctor fight off two lions by himself, which is a shame. I just want to see Pendergast beat up the drug runners that are clearly begging for him to hurt them. I don't think the main plot of the story was that interesting. It felt, well, like they were pandering to the Diogenes fangirls by kind of sort of redeeming him slightly, but that didn't feel like a Diogenes thing to do.Definitely read it if you want the complete Pendergast experience, but I feel like this book was a bit weaker than the others.
posies23's review against another edition
3.0
This novel was disappointing. It felt like it was just treading water and lacked a real narrative drive -- like the characters were just going through the motions. There's a few good action scenes, but there's very little here that hasn't been done better in the previous fifteen (15!) books in the series.
I hope this is just a misstep, since some of the books in the series have been quite compelling.
I hope this is just a misstep, since some of the books in the series have been quite compelling.
moveslikewind's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
3.75
This one moves more quickly than others in the Pendergast series.
ti_leo's review against another edition
1.0
Ähm. Das war nicht, was ich erwartet hatte. Früher waren die Pendergast-Bücher Thriller mit übernatürlichen Elementen (Relic). Sowas mag ich gelegentlich gern. Obsidian fehlt allerdings jede Spannung. Offenbar hat Pendergast mittlerweile soviel (trashige) Familien-Backstory, dass sie ein ganzes Buch füllen kann. Das muss jedenfalls Preston (Child taucht auf dem Original-Cover gar nicht als Autor auf) glauben. Seh ich anders. Obsidian ist komplett belanglos. Am Ende ist eigentlich nix passiert. Schade, wie sich die Reihe entwickelt hat.
vorpalblad's review against another edition
4.0
Warning: Minor Plot Spoilers:
After 2015's Crimson Shore, I believe most readers were ready to see the reappearance of Diogenese Prendergast, based on some of AXL Prendergast's comments before his disappearance. How and why Diogenese reappears is the real plot twist here, and while this series has always required suspension of disbelief, I believe coming out of an active volcano with a minor scar, may have broken mine.
Good Points: 1. Terrific opener, with the usually silent butler, and factotum, Proctor, getting to pull out all the stops. 2. Constance gets main screen for a good majority of this novel, and unlike Blue Labyrinth, it isn't just her physical prowess that we get to see. Constance is often played as a cipher. We can't understand her motives or her actions (time in the nuthouse anyone?) until long after we learn of them. This novel gives us a chance to see her in action, to question and understand her motives, as well as see her kick some more rear end. 3. Another thing I choose to put in the positive category is no one goes into a Chongg Ran trance and is suddenly able to clearly see event to which they were not a party.
The Not So Good Points: 1. Corrie Swanson, love her or hate her. I happen to love her and would love to see her incorporated into the series more, especially as she seems intent on following in Prendergast's footsteps. 2. The fact that it feels like we're going in a circle. I'd rather go back to some of their crazy days of the Museum than return to a potential feud with Diogenes.
It seems no matter if one of these novels is or isn't your favorite, the team of Preston and Child write in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, no matter what. And this novel certainly kept that streak going for me. Unlike some of the others, I do believe it would be helpful to have read most of the series for this one to make sense.
After 2015's Crimson Shore, I believe most readers were ready to see the reappearance of Diogenese Prendergast, based on some of AXL Prendergast's comments before his disappearance. How and why Diogenese reappears is the real plot twist here, and while this series has always required suspension of disbelief, I believe coming out of an active volcano with a minor scar, may have broken mine.
Good Points: 1. Terrific opener, with the usually silent butler, and factotum, Proctor, getting to pull out all the stops. 2. Constance gets main screen for a good majority of this novel, and unlike Blue Labyrinth, it isn't just her physical prowess that we get to see. Constance is often played as a cipher. We can't understand her motives or her actions (time in the nuthouse anyone?) until long after we learn of them. This novel gives us a chance to see her in action, to question and understand her motives, as well as see her kick some more rear end. 3. Another thing I choose to put in the positive category is no one goes into a Chongg Ran trance and is suddenly able to clearly see event to which they were not a party.
The Not So Good Points: 1. Corrie Swanson, love her or hate her. I happen to love her and would love to see her incorporated into the series more, especially as she seems intent on following in Prendergast's footsteps. 2. The fact that it feels like we're going in a circle. I'd rather go back to some of their crazy days of the Museum than return to a potential feud with Diogenes.
It seems no matter if one of these novels is or isn't your favorite, the team of Preston and Child write in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, no matter what. And this novel certainly kept that streak going for me. Unlike some of the others, I do believe it would be helpful to have read most of the series for this one to make sense.