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quietlyrewritingmylife's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
johnbreeden's review against another edition
5.0
This was much more of a Constance Greene novel, which is not a bad thing. I don't want to go into to much, because almost everything in this book becomes a bit of a spoiler, especially following the last book in the series.
Spoiler
I will only say one thing about the book: the authors have done a good job providing reasons to like their penultimate nemesis for Pendergast - his brother Diogenes. I was honestly a bit sad that his story ended the way it did, but there is always the possibility of future appearances.wonder_kinder's review against another edition
5.0
another fantastic installment of the Pendergast series. plot was well told through complex characters with amazing pacing and creative twists. I would highly recommend to anyone who likes adventure novels.
queenholly's review against another edition
1.0
Good lord, this thing has devolved into nothing more than a soap opera, and I hate romance novels with a passion. Another pet peeve of mine is writers who aren't willing to kill off characters, and then just let them be dead. Stick a fork in me.
pachypedia's review
3.0
Tengo sentimientos encontrados con este libro. Aunque no me ha parecido un mal libro en general, tampoco me parece a la altura de los otros libros de esta saga. El tema de Pendergast está desaparecido/muerto ya lo habíamos visto antes, y aunque la persecución de Proctor está bien hecha y es interesante, no te parece estar leyendo un libro de Pendergast, sino otro thriller cualquiera. Pero lo peor de este libro, además de que cada ve me cae peor Constance, cuyas intenciones en este libro se ven a la legua, es el trato que se hace de ese gran villano que fue Diógenes Pendergast. Para hacerle esto, mejor hacerlo dejado muerto en ese volcán.
books4biana's review against another edition
3.0
Eh, it was okay.
Pendergast is one of those super-rich, has all the paintings and antiques and fine tastes that one can imagine. Endless throw-away money. His personal driver is one of those super-secret spy guys, experienced military dudes who happens to have a cool million bucks in his go-bag.
In fact, everyone is just dream perfect.
Meh.
Pendergast is one of those super-rich, has all the paintings and antiques and fine tastes that one can imagine. Endless throw-away money. His personal driver is one of those super-secret spy guys, experienced military dudes who happens to have a cool million bucks in his go-bag.
In fact, everyone is just dream perfect.
Meh.
tiffml's review against another edition
2.0
This was my least favorite of the Pendergast novels. The story felt forced and really one-dimensional.
machadofam8's review against another edition
4.0
So good - glad this series is continuing on so well, and love that this one focused on Diogenes and Constance.
scottwcoleman's review against another edition
4.0
Wish there were a 3.5 score. Love the Pendergast books, but it seems as though the series is looking for a new source of inspiration. Looking forward to the next with hopes it will be a bit more engaging.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
4.0
To fully understand and appreciate the Agent Pendergast novels, you have to look at them in terms of thematic story arcs. The first four novels, ending with Still Life With Crows, were largely standalone supernatural thrillers, distinguished by their magnificently eccentric protagonist. The Diogenes trilogy began a thematic shift towards a gothic sort of family drama, and that shift became the dominant thematic arc of The Helen trilogy.
The three novels that followed were something of a throwback, returning to the series' standalone roots, but there was another significant thematic shift involved. Not only did those books drop much of the supernatural element, but they largely shifted Pendergast to the sidelines, allowing characters like Corrie Swanson and Constance Greene to take the lead.
With The Obsidian Chamber, there's less of a thematic shift and more of a thematic blending. Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child once again pick up the threads of that gothic family drama, while still keeping Agent Pendergast on the sidelines for much of the story, creating a story that's still fresh after sixteen outings.
This is a hard story to talk about without getting into spoilers, so I'll keep my observations high level. While we've seen Constance take the spotlight before, it was a nice change of pace to see Proctor play the action hero here, forced into action following the disappearance of Agent Pendergast at the end of Crimson Shore. Similarly, the role of the FBI here is interesting, especially in how they acknowledge Pendergast's reputation and deal with his rather colorful history. It's a nice mix of bureaucratic scorn, hero worship, and comradeship that adds a new dimension to the tale.
As for the gothic family drama, while I thought that was largely exhausted, there are some interesting twists on the theme here, taking the story in some surprising directions. It focus does make for a slower story than we're used to, placing the emphasis on character-driven drama and mysteries of motive, but it kept me guessing. I had to really think about the ending, but as much as I felt it was clichéd to leave it so open ended, I quite appreciate the difficult sort of self-reflection that made it necessary.
The Obsidian Chamber is one of those books written for fans who already have an appreciation for the characters and the drama that's come before. It's not that it's not accessible to new readers, it's more that you need to understand the significance of events - otherwise, I'm not so sure the story stands on its own. While it's not as good as Blue Labyrinth, my favorite of the recent novels, it does serve as a nice companion piece that pulls the themes of the series together.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
The three novels that followed were something of a throwback, returning to the series' standalone roots, but there was another significant thematic shift involved. Not only did those books drop much of the supernatural element, but they largely shifted Pendergast to the sidelines, allowing characters like Corrie Swanson and Constance Greene to take the lead.
With The Obsidian Chamber, there's less of a thematic shift and more of a thematic blending. Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child once again pick up the threads of that gothic family drama, while still keeping Agent Pendergast on the sidelines for much of the story, creating a story that's still fresh after sixteen outings.
This is a hard story to talk about without getting into spoilers, so I'll keep my observations high level. While we've seen Constance take the spotlight before, it was a nice change of pace to see Proctor play the action hero here, forced into action following the disappearance of Agent Pendergast at the end of Crimson Shore. Similarly, the role of the FBI here is interesting, especially in how they acknowledge Pendergast's reputation and deal with his rather colorful history. It's a nice mix of bureaucratic scorn, hero worship, and comradeship that adds a new dimension to the tale.
As for the gothic family drama, while I thought that was largely exhausted, there are some interesting twists on the theme here, taking the story in some surprising directions. It focus does make for a slower story than we're used to, placing the emphasis on character-driven drama and mysteries of motive, but it kept me guessing. I had to really think about the ending, but as much as I felt it was clichéd to leave it so open ended, I quite appreciate the difficult sort of self-reflection that made it necessary.
The Obsidian Chamber is one of those books written for fans who already have an appreciation for the characters and the drama that's come before. It's not that it's not accessible to new readers, it's more that you need to understand the significance of events - otherwise, I'm not so sure the story stands on its own. While it's not as good as Blue Labyrinth, my favorite of the recent novels, it does serve as a nice companion piece that pulls the themes of the series together.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for review consideration. This does not in any way affect the honesty or sincerity of my review.