Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Relic by Douglas Preston

2 reviews

bethancy's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Would have been a 5 star, because it achieved what it set out to do. I never would have picked this up if not for my book club, but I enjoyed it. Good storytelling, interesting plot, well executed. However, ignorance of a foreign, native culture is a central theme, and I'm not sure the book would have been published today, e.g
stereotypes of dark magic. Also I had to suspend all belief for the scientific explanations, but that's fiction! My favourite thing about the book was the museum setting, and the writing was very atmospheric. Warning, its also very gory from the start!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

andmingmingtoo's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I love that it's a mystery rooted in science (or "science"). As a biologist, it's fun to read a mystery book with terms you saw in your genetics classes used as integral clues. 
I also love a good ensemble cast, and this book got me attached to several main characters with the narrative switches and different mystery-solving niches.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings