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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I love the books in the Agent Pendergast series...they never disappoint! This series never runs short of twists and turns, mystery, action and suspense. And the characters are so unique, an eccentric FBI agent, a woman who never ages, a painfully loyal bodyguard, an evil brother, and the list goes on. After 16 books in the series, you would think I would be tired of it by now, but I am anxiously awaiting the next one. I would recommend this book and series to fans of mystery and suspense. Give it a try if you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary. My thanks to the publisher via NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have been reading the Pendergast books for a few years now and am always excited to read the latest installment. I quite enjoyed this last book, more so than the few that came before it. I am looking forward to the next adventure of Agent Pendergast, as I am sure there will be another new one sooner rather than later!
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
See that roller coaster? Well when you open up this book you are getting on it so buckle up, hold on tight and enjoy every second of the ride!
The Obsidian Chamber takes off at top speed and barely slows down. Our adventure takes us out in the middle of the ocean, to beautiful islands, back inside a familiar mysterious mansion, makes us witnesses in an execution chamber and so much more.
We revisit old friends and old enemies. We question if we can forgive, if we should forgive, can people really change that much? If you are like me as with all books in this series I am left with wanting more. Not the authors' fault. It's because these characters are like family that we don't get to see often enough. When finally we are together I don't want to have to say see ya later!
I love this series. The first book [b:Relic|67035|Relic (Pendergast, #1)|Douglas Preston|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1389576748s/67035.jpg|23046] introduces us to Agent Pendergast and in the other 15 books of the series we learn just a little more about him. I think he will always be somewhat of a mystery, that for me is what makes him so attractive! Yes, he is my book crush.
It's hard to not let spoilers out of the bag so my lips are sealed. The only thing I will say is in my opinion, this book should not be read if you have not read the others. Yes, it can be stand alone BUT you will not enjoy the ride nearly as much as if you have at least some of the back story that comes in the other books.
IF you have read the others....WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? GET YOUR TICKET AND RIDE THIS ROLLER COASTER NOW!!!!!
~This book was provided free of charge via Netgalley for an honest review~
Not a fan of the Diogenes/Constance thread. Gotta admit I was disappointed but not surprised at how things were wound up.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Probably the least enjoyable of the series.
To fully understand and appreciate the Agent Pendergast novels, you have to look at them in terms of thematic story arcs. The first four novels, ending with Still Life With Crows, were largely standalone supernatural thrillers, distinguished by their magnificently eccentric protagonist. The Diogenes trilogy began a thematic shift towards a gothic sort of family drama, and that shift became the dominant thematic arc of The Helen trilogy.
The three novels that followed were something of a throwback, returning to the series' standalone roots, but there was another significant thematic shift involved. Not only did those books drop much of the supernatural element, but they largely shifted Pendergast to the sidelines, allowing characters like Corrie Swanson and Constance Greene to take the lead.
With The Obsidian Chamber, there's less of a thematic shift and more of a thematic blending. Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child once again pick up the threads of that gothic family drama, while still keeping Agent Pendergast on the sidelines for much of the story, creating a story that's still fresh after sixteen outings.
This is a hard story to talk about without getting into spoilers, so I'll keep my observations high level. While we've seen Constance take the spotlight before, it was a nice change of pace to see Proctor play the action hero here, forced into action following the disappearance of Agent Pendergast at the end of Crimson Shore. Similarly, the role of the FBI here is interesting, especially in how they acknowledge Pendergast's reputation and deal with his rather colorful history. It's a nice mix of bureaucratic scorn, hero worship, and comradeship that adds a new dimension to the tale.
As for the gothic family drama, while I thought that was largely exhausted, there are some interesting twists on the theme here, taking the story in some surprising directions. It focus does make for a slower story than we're used to, placing the emphasis on character-driven drama and mysteries of motive, but it kept me guessing. I had to really think about the ending, but as much as I felt it was clichéd to leave it so open ended, I quite appreciate the difficult sort of self-reflection that made it necessary.
The Obsidian Chamber is one of those books written for fans who already have an appreciation for the characters and the drama that's come before. It's not that it's not accessible to new readers, it's more that you need to understand the significance of events - otherwise, I'm not so sure the story stands on its own. While it's not as good as Blue Labyrinth, my favorite of the recent novels, it does serve as a nice companion piece that pulls the themes of the series together.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
The three novels that followed were something of a throwback, returning to the series' standalone roots, but there was another significant thematic shift involved. Not only did those books drop much of the supernatural element, but they largely shifted Pendergast to the sidelines, allowing characters like Corrie Swanson and Constance Greene to take the lead.
With The Obsidian Chamber, there's less of a thematic shift and more of a thematic blending. Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child once again pick up the threads of that gothic family drama, while still keeping Agent Pendergast on the sidelines for much of the story, creating a story that's still fresh after sixteen outings.
This is a hard story to talk about without getting into spoilers, so I'll keep my observations high level. While we've seen Constance take the spotlight before, it was a nice change of pace to see Proctor play the action hero here, forced into action following the disappearance of Agent Pendergast at the end of Crimson Shore. Similarly, the role of the FBI here is interesting, especially in how they acknowledge Pendergast's reputation and deal with his rather colorful history. It's a nice mix of bureaucratic scorn, hero worship, and comradeship that adds a new dimension to the tale.
As for the gothic family drama, while I thought that was largely exhausted, there are some interesting twists on the theme here, taking the story in some surprising directions. It focus does make for a slower story than we're used to, placing the emphasis on character-driven drama and mysteries of motive, but it kept me guessing. I had to really think about the ending, but as much as I felt it was clichéd to leave it so open ended, I quite appreciate the difficult sort of self-reflection that made it necessary.
The Obsidian Chamber is one of those books written for fans who already have an appreciation for the characters and the drama that's come before. It's not that it's not accessible to new readers, it's more that you need to understand the significance of events - otherwise, I'm not so sure the story stands on its own. While it's not as good as Blue Labyrinth, my favorite of the recent novels, it does serve as a nice companion piece that pulls the themes of the series together.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for review consideration. This does not in any way affect the honesty or sincerity of my review.
This was... pretty good.
It's strange, this book is kind of exactly what I wanted, but it's... not great, it's just good.
This is definitely one that you have to have read the other books to understand or appreciate. It makes little to no sense if you're not familiar with where the characters have been up to this point. Hell, even as a reader of the series I was a little underwater at times.
This has a lot of really intersting things happen, but it's... oddly paced.
It might be because I knew that the "twist" that's kind of central to the book was one that I knew had to happen in order to keep the book at all interesting.
There just aren't enough dead bodies. This series treats characters like comic books do. If you don't see a dead body, there's a good chance that character will be back eventually. Even if it's two or three books later.
Like there'll be a big interesting sequence and then it'll just focus on a romance for a few chapters.
It ultimately makes sense, but I felt that the titular chamber is... not quite as stand-out as other titular things from the series. It's ultimately important, but it's not quite as central as some of the other "things" that have had the book named after them.
Ultimately I think that this could be a really good book for the series. A number of storylines are wrapped up and it helps simplify others.
It's a good book, but it's just not quite as thrilling as I was hoping for. Still very good.
I'm looking forward to the next book and want to see where it's going.
There was a great point where Pendergast hears about an impossible crime and goes "Oh, OK, let's go check that out." and that's what I want. I want Pendergast investigating crimes and solving the impossible.
It's strange, this book is kind of exactly what I wanted, but it's... not great, it's just good.
This is definitely one that you have to have read the other books to understand or appreciate. It makes little to no sense if you're not familiar with where the characters have been up to this point. Hell, even as a reader of the series I was a little underwater at times.
This has a lot of really intersting things happen, but it's... oddly paced.
It might be because I knew that the "twist" that's kind of central to the book was one that I knew had to happen in order to keep the book at all interesting.
There just aren't enough dead bodies. This series treats characters like comic books do. If you don't see a dead body, there's a good chance that character will be back eventually. Even if it's two or three books later.
Like there'll be a big interesting sequence and then it'll just focus on a romance for a few chapters.
It ultimately makes sense, but I felt that the titular chamber is... not quite as stand-out as other titular things from the series. It's ultimately important, but it's not quite as central as some of the other "things" that have had the book named after them.
Ultimately I think that this could be a really good book for the series. A number of storylines are wrapped up and it helps simplify others.
It's a good book, but it's just not quite as thrilling as I was hoping for. Still very good.
I'm looking forward to the next book and want to see where it's going.
There was a great point where Pendergast hears about an impossible crime and goes "Oh, OK, let's go check that out." and that's what I want. I want Pendergast investigating crimes and solving the impossible.