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richardwells's review against another edition
2.0
Just about every tale of Vatican skullduggery is the same. Good Pope in danger (or dead,) slightly compromised but devout and ethical priest, evil Cardinals, a well funded and dangerous secret society, a hidden gospel, an outside investigator, and a conclave that will decide the moral fate of Catholicism well into the future. Who gets the keys, and what do they have to do to make it happen. That's it. You can pack a lot of clichés in there, and Daniel Silva unleashes his evergreen superhero, Gabriel Allon, one time assassin, current director of the Israeli secret service with a huge suitcase. Now, I'm not completely sure but there also seems to be a deus ex machina operating here with the appearance of the actual Deus. but it's a little murky.
This is the 20th book in a series. I've read 18 or 19, and I think the series jumped the shark at number 16, when the "terrorists" scored huge hits on the western capitols, but I persist in following Allon because he so darn likable.
The best thing about this book is Mr. Silva's dive into the history of anti-Semitism (the longest hatred) as bound up with the history of Christianity and Catholicism, and his clear eyed accounting of how Pius XII aided and abetted the Nazi party before and after WW II. Lots of reviewers are complaining, but Mr. Silva gets his facts right, and he relies on the best published sources. Of course, the apologists for Catholicism's anti-Semitic sins don't think much of the sources, either.
I'm not recommending this to anyone but hardened fans of Gabriel Allon, or of Vatican thriller-dillers, and even at that we've not only jumped, but pole-vaulted over that shark.
This is the 20th book in a series. I've read 18 or 19, and I think the series jumped the shark at number 16, when the "terrorists" scored huge hits on the western capitols, but I persist in following Allon because he so darn likable.
The best thing about this book is Mr. Silva's dive into the history of anti-Semitism (the longest hatred) as bound up with the history of Christianity and Catholicism, and his clear eyed accounting of how Pius XII aided and abetted the Nazi party before and after WW II. Lots of reviewers are complaining, but Mr. Silva gets his facts right, and he relies on the best published sources. Of course, the apologists for Catholicism's anti-Semitic sins don't think much of the sources, either.
I'm not recommending this to anyone but hardened fans of Gabriel Allon, or of Vatican thriller-dillers, and even at that we've not only jumped, but pole-vaulted over that shark.
fotoshopguy52's review against another edition
2.0
Without a doubt the weakest (and most offensive) entry in the Gabriel Allon series. While there were glimpses of past glory in brief passages in this book, there were literally whole sections of extremely questionable historical "facts" regarding Judaism and Christianity, especially those regarding Pontius Pilate, which were downright laughable! I was brought up Catholic and now consider myself Christian (although not truly practicing), and I found these "facts" very offensive and incredibly out of place in an espionage type novel!
Mr. Silva certainly has every right to believe what he wants, but to attempt to conceal it within the context of a fictional story is cowardly and totally inappropriate. If I want to read an opinion of this sort I will seek out a treatise on the subject that fully expounds on facts from both sides, not a one-sided diatribe that was unnecessary and insulting!
Mr. Silva you are better than this! I have been a dedicated fan for many many years and have read every novel that you have written, so I am saddened that a great author such as yourself would resort to this type of unnecessary attack on an established religion. There are certainly many problems within the Catholic church as we well know, but to make such a broad blanket statement about Catholicism is simply untrue and indefensible. Every faith has it's good and bad points (and good and bad people), and it would be quite easy to attack any one of them with alternate "facts". However, I just don't see any intrinsic value in doing so - how is it in any way beneficial!
If there is another chapter to the Gabriel Allon series I will certainly still consider it in light of all the great previous stories, but I find it absurd that I will have to vet the book first to ensure I will not be bombarded again with vitriolic prose that has no place in a fictional espionage novel!
Mr. Silva certainly has every right to believe what he wants, but to attempt to conceal it within the context of a fictional story is cowardly and totally inappropriate. If I want to read an opinion of this sort I will seek out a treatise on the subject that fully expounds on facts from both sides, not a one-sided diatribe that was unnecessary and insulting!
Mr. Silva you are better than this! I have been a dedicated fan for many many years and have read every novel that you have written, so I am saddened that a great author such as yourself would resort to this type of unnecessary attack on an established religion. There are certainly many problems within the Catholic church as we well know, but to make such a broad blanket statement about Catholicism is simply untrue and indefensible. Every faith has it's good and bad points (and good and bad people), and it would be quite easy to attack any one of them with alternate "facts". However, I just don't see any intrinsic value in doing so - how is it in any way beneficial!
If there is another chapter to the Gabriel Allon series I will certainly still consider it in light of all the great previous stories, but I find it absurd that I will have to vet the book first to ensure I will not be bombarded again with vitriolic prose that has no place in a fictional espionage novel!
400mom's review against another edition
5.0
I have read this entire series and look forward to a new book each summer. They are always urgent and topical but yet wear well a few years later. I think this was one of my favorites. Not as much “action” but very thought-provoking.
jedster247's review against another edition
1.0
Huge disappointment. I’ve read most of this series and recommended it to many friends for its intriguing plots and excellent character development. Throughout most of the series, Silva’s grasp of history and geopolitics serve him well. Unfortunately this time it completely fails him. His attempt to manufacture conflict and a grand conspiracy from nine peripheral words in the Gospels not only falls flat, but fails to even pass the most basic logical, theological, and historical knowledge. The result ends up being a non-sensical, faux-Da Vinci Code.
kstumpf's review against another edition
4.0
Mr. Silva is one of my favorite authors. I read, Patterson, Lee Child, DeMille, Reilly, Berry, Haig, Coes, Thor, Flynn, Brad Taylor, Sergeant, Ludlum, Clancy, er al., all of whom have at some point disappointed me with at least one novel. Mr Silva has never disappointed.
Was this one of my favorites in the Gabriel Allon series.....no. But Mr. Silva still writes a tight, well researched, well presented novel. Those saying “this book is too religious!”, have you read other books in the series? The fact that the main character is the leader of the Israeli Secret Service should probably be a small hint for you that religion may play a small role.
Was this one of my favorites in the Gabriel Allon series.....no. But Mr. Silva still writes a tight, well researched, well presented novel. Those saying “this book is too religious!”, have you read other books in the series? The fact that the main character is the leader of the Israeli Secret Service should probably be a small hint for you that religion may play a small role.
anniemccormick1025's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoy always enjoy a Gabriel Allon novel but TBH it's probably time to find a new leading man. He seems a bit old to be doing all of what he's doing.
sara_va's review against another edition
5.0
Another great Gabriel Allon novel! Return to the Vatican, so it ties to several earlier books, but can be read alone. Interesting evolution of Gabriel and his team with some of the typical traits. Fun elements you don't see coming, but great story. One of my favorite in the series.
dhsnyder's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.0
Could not finish. Story development excruciatingly slow.