Reviews

City of Gold by Carolyn Arnold

eeclayton's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

It's an entertaining adventure story if you're willing to ignore the clichéd characters and questionable motivations. For me, after all the heavy and depressing stuff I've been reading lately, this light read was a welcome change, but I don't think I'll continue with the series.

ireadwhatuwrite's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I am new to this author, but won’t be a stranger for long, this is easily one oft he best books I will read all year. The first paragraph sucks you in and then hang on for a non stop, pulse pounding ride. Matthew Connor is an archaeologist. He and his closest friends Robyn, the curator of a major metropolitan museum and Cal, a travel photographer, make up a treasure hunting team, the likes of which would make Indiana Jones proud. Like Indy, Matt has a nemesis who doesn’t mind playing dirty to get the goods. When Cal’s girlfriend Sophie is kidnapped in order to retrieve an artifact the team had found, the team must make a trek into the South American Jungle to find the fabled Incan lost City of Gold to use as leverage to get her back.

The first thing that struck me about this story was how it appeals to the five senses. I could feel bullets whipping by and hear the splintering of the trees. I could smell the perfumed guests at the party. I was trapped in underground tunnels and felt my heart bursting for air while under feet of water. This was an interactive reading experience. The characters are brought to a life-like status. Each carries his or his her own emotional attachment for the readers and none are unimportant. One would expect Matt and his team to carry the story with their adventures, with tagalong bad guys, into the jungle and underground caves with all the inherent dangers and traps along away the way, and they do. However, just as much is taking place back in Toronto where police and Matt’s team are closing in on their investigation of Sophie’s disappearance. There wasn’t a dull moment in this book. I highly recommend this high octane thriller.

5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

nadenetotallyaddictedtoreading's review

Go to review page

4.0

When it comes to FBI/Police procedurals, Carolyn Arnold is the bomb. I enjoy her writing style and she knows how to hook her readers and keep them entertained. I never knew she wrote adventure stories until I came across The City of Gold. When I realised she was the author, I was excited and the blurb confirmed my decision to read this book.

The prologue, which set the pace for the rest of the story, was suspenseful, adrenaline pumping and nail biting. From that moment I knew this would be a page-turner, Ms. Arnold did not disappoint. The story took a few turns, which I never saw coming.

City of Gold tells the story of Matthew Conner, an archaeologist, and his treasure hunting team, which is made of his friend Robyn, and Cal. Robyn, is the curator of one of the largest museums in Canada and Cal is a travel photographer. They recently returned from India where they barely escaped with their lives when retrieving the priceless Pandu. However, someone else also has their eyes on the Pandu. This person was ruthless and desperate, which was demonstrated when they kidnapped Cal’s girlfriend. Providing the Pandu was out of the question, so to secure her release, the legendary City of Gold was used as leverage.

Their journey in search of the legendary city was filled with danger at every turn. Not only did they have to deal with the dangers from the jungle, they also had to contend with the human kind. What made this adventure nail-biting was a life depended on them finding this city. While reading I had so many questions. Would they find the city? Did it really exist and will they make it out of the jungle alive?

I enjoyed history about the Incan civilization. The history of the South American Indians have always fascinated me so the information provided in this story fed my fascination. A lot of research went into this aspect of the story, which is one of the things I expect from the author. Her attention to detail was impressive. Her descriptions were vivid, which made me feel as if I were a part of the adventure.

I loved the execution of the secondary story, which involved the kidnapping. Sophie, in spite of her fears, demonstrated bravery throughout the whole ordeal. I loved how both stories came together to create an exciting tale.

The characters came alive in this story of adventure. Some I found likable, some I tolerated, and some I disliked. The relationships portrayed were complicated, which added to the realism of the story. Matthew and his father had unresolved issues, which made their relationship complex. This complexity spilled over into his relationship with the women in his life. The secondary characters played their part in making the story exciting, riveting and adventurous.

Conclusion/Recommendation
Reasons you should read this book:
1. You are a fan of Indiana Jones.
2. You enjoy stories filled with adventure and suspense.

This was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to Matthew Connor’s next adventure

nadenetotallyaddictedtoreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

When it comes to FBI/Police procedurals, Carolyn Arnold is the bomb. I enjoy her writing style and she knows how to hook her readers and keep them entertained. I never knew she wrote adventure stories until I came across The City of Gold. When I realised she was the author, I was excited and the blurb confirmed my decision to read this book.

The prologue, which set the pace for the rest of the story, was suspenseful, adrenaline pumping and nail biting. From that moment I knew this would be a page-turner, Ms. Arnold did not disappoint. The story took a few turns, which I never saw coming.

City of Gold tells the story of Matthew Conner, an archaeologist, and his treasure hunting team, which is made of his friend Robyn, and Cal. Robyn, is the curator of one of the largest museums in Canada and Cal is a travel photographer. They recently returned from India where they barely escaped with their lives when retrieving the priceless Pandu. However, someone else also has their eyes on the Pandu. This person was ruthless and desperate, which was demonstrated when they kidnapped Cal’s girlfriend. Providing the Pandu was out of the question, so to secure her release, the legendary City of Gold was used as leverage.

Their journey in search of the legendary city was filled with danger at every turn. Not only did they have to deal with the dangers from the jungle, they also had to contend with the human kind. What made this adventure nail-biting was a life depended on them finding this city. While reading I had so many questions. Would they find the city? Did it really exist and will they make it out of the jungle alive?

I enjoyed history about the Incan civilization. The history of the South American Indians have always fascinated me so the information provided in this story fed my fascination. A lot of research went into this aspect of the story, which is one of the things I expect from the author. Her attention to detail was impressive. Her descriptions were vivid, which made me feel as if I were a part of the adventure.

I loved the execution of the secondary story, which involved the kidnapping. Sophie, in spite of her fears, demonstrated bravery throughout the whole ordeal. I loved how both stories came together to create an exciting tale.

The characters came alive in this story of adventure. Some I found likable, some I tolerated, and some I disliked. The relationships portrayed were complicated, which added to the realism of the story. Matthew and his father had unresolved issues, which made their relationship complex. This complexity spilled over into his relationship with the women in his life. The secondary characters played their part in making the story exciting, riveting and adventurous.

Conclusion/Recommendation
Reasons you should read this book:
1. You are a fan of Indiana Jones.
2. You enjoy stories filled with adventure and suspense.

This was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to Matthew Connor’s next adventure

rachelpotter97's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Enjoyed it enough when I was reading it, but unfortunately I don't think it'll be one I remember within a few months. 3*

nadenetotallyaddictedtoreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

When it comes to FBI/Police procedurals, Carolyn Arnold is the bomb. I enjoy her writing style and she knows how to hook her readers and keep them entertained. I never knew she wrote adventure stories until I came across The City of Gold. When I realised she was the author, I was excited and the blurb confirmed my decision to read this book.

The prologue, which set the pace for the rest of the story, was suspenseful, adrenaline pumping and nail biting. From that moment I knew this would be a page-turner, Ms. Arnold did not disappoint. The story took a few turns, which I never saw coming.

City of Gold tells the story of Matthew Conner, an archaeologist, and his treasure hunting team, which is made of his friend Robyn, and Cal. Robyn, is the curator of one of the largest museums in Canada and Cal is a travel photographer. They recently returned from India where they barely escaped with their lives when retrieving the priceless Pandu. However, someone else also has their eyes on the Pandu. This person was ruthless and desperate, which was demonstrated when they kidnapped Cal’s girlfriend. Providing the Pandu was out of the question, so to secure her release, the legendary City of Gold was used as leverage.

Their journey in search of the legendary city was filled with danger at every turn. Not only did they have to deal with the dangers from the jungle, they also had to contend with the human kind. What made this adventure nail-biting was a life depended on them finding this city. While reading I had so many questions. Would they find the city? Did it really exist and will they make it out of the jungle alive?

I enjoyed history about the Incan civilization. The history of the South American Indians have always fascinated me so the information provided in this story fed my fascination. A lot of research went into this aspect of the story, which is one of the things I expect from the author. Her attention to detail was impressive. Her descriptions were vivid, which made me feel as if I were a part of the adventure.

I loved the execution of the secondary story, which involved the kidnapping. Sophie, in spite of her fears, demonstrated bravery throughout the whole ordeal. I loved how both stories came together to create an exciting tale.

The characters came alive in this story of adventure. Some I found likable, some I tolerated, and some I disliked. The relationships portrayed were complicated, which added to the realism of the story. Matthew and his father had unresolved issues, which made their relationship complex. This complexity spilled over into his relationship with the women in his life. The secondary characters played their part in making the story exciting, riveting and adventurous.

Conclusion/Recommendation
Reasons you should read this book:
1. You are a fan of Indiana Jones.
2. You enjoy stories filled with adventure and suspense.

This was an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to Matthew Connor’s next adventure
More...