maddox22's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
pranjallives's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
cnorbury's review against another edition
3.0
Remindful of The DaVinci Code and books of that sort, with secret societies, hidden treasures and secrets, etc. For me, The Book of Spies fell short.
The premise was interesting, but not compelling. Pace was lethargic at times, and in a few places I felt more like I was getting a history lesson than reading a thriller. Characters were nothing special,just good, solid male and female protagonists and supporting cast.
If you haven't read Dan Brown's books, it might be instructive to read this first, then Brown's books, and see how the two authors compare in that order.
The premise was interesting, but not compelling. Pace was lethargic at times, and in a few places I felt more like I was getting a history lesson than reading a thriller. Characters were nothing special,just good, solid male and female protagonists and supporting cast.
If you haven't read Dan Brown's books, it might be instructive to read this first, then Brown's books, and see how the two authors compare in that order.
nae1226's review against another edition
4.0
So far different characters are being introduced and their lives are complicated and full of mystery. The characters converged and the plot was action packed. I like it. Similar to Matthew Riley, but more sophisticated characters.
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
3.0
Dear characters in spy novels,
Have we learned nothing by now? Have countless movies and other adventures taught us nothing? If you don't make sure he's dead, the person trying to kill you will inevitably come back in an effort to finish the job. After all, he was trying to kill you before. Not killing him when you have the chance (TWICE!!) is unlikely to change his mind. At least you had the dignity not to act surprised when he showed back up.
Secondly, it's 2010. You should know that you can be tracked by a cell phone. Five years ago, I would have let you slide on a lack of tech knowledge, but not now. Have you never watched Law and Order?
In this case, I commend you for not quite falling into being Mary Sues. Yes, you're attractive, fit, and alarmingly skilled, but you managed to toe the line without crossing it, even with your respective tragic histories.
I enjoyed your adventures. I really did. They were well told and unexpected. But come one. Ditch those cell phones. Neutralize the people trying to kill you. I'll like you better for it.
Have we learned nothing by now? Have countless movies and other adventures taught us nothing? If you don't make sure he's dead, the person trying to kill you will inevitably come back in an effort to finish the job. After all, he was trying to kill you before. Not killing him when you have the chance (TWICE!!) is unlikely to change his mind. At least you had the dignity not to act surprised when he showed back up.
Secondly, it's 2010. You should know that you can be tracked by a cell phone. Five years ago, I would have let you slide on a lack of tech knowledge, but not now. Have you never watched Law and Order?
In this case, I commend you for not quite falling into being Mary Sues. Yes, you're attractive, fit, and alarmingly skilled, but you managed to toe the line without crossing it, even with your respective tragic histories.
I enjoyed your adventures. I really did. They were well told and unexpected. But come one. Ditch those cell phones. Neutralize the people trying to kill you. I'll like you better for it.
libkatem's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting read.
Lynds dispenses with her characters quickly and bluntly. Seriously, the death toll in this book... crazy.
I just wish we could have spent more time in the actual library.
Lynds dispenses with her characters quickly and bluntly. Seriously, the death toll in this book... crazy.
I just wish we could have spent more time in the actual library.
canderson's review against another edition
3.0
The Book of Spies was an interesting first novel in a series. It felt almost as if the book picks up in the middle of another series, but in reality it is starting off on its own. Eva Blake has been wrongly imprisoned for the murder of her husband. Judd Ryder has buried his father, who was assassinated over some questionable documents and foreign information. Brought together by powers that be in the CIA, Judd and Eva embark on an adventure surrounding the mythological Library of Gold. This secret society has existed for centuries, holding powerful positions across governments and big business, and Eva Blake has found herself smack-dab in conspiracy, murder, espionage, and even comes face-to-face with ghosts from her past.
The novel was a bit slow moving for me. I thought the pacing could have been a bit more plucky; especially since this novel was full of action — it didn’t actually feel like actionable events though. The way Lynds writes feels methodical, purposeful, and overly planned.
The story also felt a bit jumbled, like even though Lynds was very precise in the details she shared, it felt like the focus of why the book was being written was still shadowy even up to the end of the book.
I will say, I appreciated the ending — I didn’t feel like it was a cliff-hanger, and I could decide whether or not to go on another adventure with the two characters, who clearly have some kind of forced romance kindling by the end. I did enjoy the historical facts and information. It felt like a DaVinci Code wannabe, without having history filling every page.
Overall, the book was interesting, dealt with a secret book society, and was a nice story to take your time reading in the park. Not sure I’ll be back to check in on Eva Blake or Judd Ryder in the rest of the series, but the possibility is there!
Happy Reading!
The novel was a bit slow moving for me. I thought the pacing could have been a bit more plucky; especially since this novel was full of action — it didn’t actually feel like actionable events though. The way Lynds writes feels methodical, purposeful, and overly planned.
The story also felt a bit jumbled, like even though Lynds was very precise in the details she shared, it felt like the focus of why the book was being written was still shadowy even up to the end of the book.
I will say, I appreciated the ending — I didn’t feel like it was a cliff-hanger, and I could decide whether or not to go on another adventure with the two characters, who clearly have some kind of forced romance kindling by the end. I did enjoy the historical facts and information. It felt like a DaVinci Code wannabe, without having history filling every page.
Overall, the book was interesting, dealt with a secret book society, and was a nice story to take your time reading in the park. Not sure I’ll be back to check in on Eva Blake or Judd Ryder in the rest of the series, but the possibility is there!
Happy Reading!
katejones's review against another edition
3.0
Audiobook.
Good story.
Although the narrator had some good qualities, her lisp and hard pronunciation of d and t didn't exactly grow on me..
Good story.
Although the narrator had some good qualities, her lisp and hard pronunciation of d and t didn't exactly grow on me..
therealbookaholic's review against another edition
4.0
I like anything by Gayle Lynds, even if she becomes overly specific about certain Karate moves )