fudgeelizabeth9's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
tuomosuominen's review
5.0
An excellent action thriller, quite on par with The Da Vinci Code! A fantastic collection of pre-historic, mediaeval and current plots, involving a number of historical mysteries, such as the Piri Reis map, the Voynich manuscript, the Nazi's search for Aryan origins, Civilization One and Cold War Pentagon cover-ups and conspirators. Easily the best Steve Berry I've read to date.
The only detail I have a problem with is the naming of the character "Admiral David Sylvian". I've been a fan of the musician David Sylvian (http://davidsylvian.com) since the late 1970's when he was a member of the group Japan. Even though Sylvian is a British artist, it seems impossible that Berry (or his editor) failed to spot him when fact-checking and still decided on using the same name. Or is this some kind of inside joke I'm not getting?
The only detail I have a problem with is the naming of the character "Admiral David Sylvian". I've been a fan of the musician David Sylvian (http://davidsylvian.com) since the late 1970's when he was a member of the group Japan. Even though Sylvian is a British artist, it seems impossible that Berry (or his editor) failed to spot him when fact-checking and still decided on using the same name. Or is this some kind of inside joke I'm not getting?
talucas24's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
taffy_sea's review against another edition
2.0
The history & the level of research that went into this novel is breathtaking. Fans of Steve Barry will love it. After reading this, I'm not interested in reading any more of Barry's works. I disliked the writing style and the characters. That being said, the plot was intriguing, the plot fast-paced, and again, the historical what-ifs incredible. I'm just not a fan.
especiallybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Cotton Malone's story continues in this interesting book involving a lost submarine and twisted armed forces officer. Berry's books are thoroughly researched, plotted, and crafted. Give this one a try.
taylorhousebooks's review against another edition
2.0
This one took forever to finish. It wasn't that exciting.
drsdon's review against another edition
2.0
The second book that I have read by Steve Berry. I will probably read some of this others, in part because I like the mystery mixed with historical myth and legend. While this book was entertaining, I did not enjoy as much as his other that I have read, "The Last Templar," although that was probably primarily because of the different history involved. This book deals with King Charlemagne, at least tangentially, and more directly with the concept of Civilization One, the idea that there was an ancient civilization that predated the Egyptians that were more advanced but most traces to them have been lost. The myth and the chase to discover the truth encompasses the story and a multitude of characters in different ways, the type of book that compels you to the end to see how it finishes and how everything relates and resolves. Not a great book by any stretch, but worth a read if looking for some quick entertainment without thinking too much.
doctorjo5's review against another edition
4.0
It showed improvement over previous Cotton Malone books, which is what I'd hoped for. I'm not sure if the ebook copy I had was bad or what, but the ending ended with Malone hearing someone in his house at 2 am and him creeping to see who it is. But nothing more came of that. I was confused.