Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I've been a big fan of the Pendergast series since a friend introduced it to me. I can't really say when this was - at least the fourth book ([b:Still Life With Crows|39033|Still Life With Crows (Pendergast, #4)|Douglas Preston|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1169235780s/39033.jpg|38754]) was out, but there may have been a couple more. Regardless, this has been a series that I've purchased or pre-ordered, sight-unseen (without even reading a description) for over a decade now. I think that's going to change, but it's been a good, long run.
I'm glad that Proctor finally got some "screen time." It's often the background characters that I've enjoyed the most. Catching glimpses of them from book-to-book has been the source of several smiles. It's even better when one gets the spotlight for a bit.
The Obsidian Chamber is a story of revenge/vengeance. If I wasn't so sick of the villain at this point, I might have enjoyed it more. At the end of book #15, there's a hint that a shadowy figure from the past might be back. Oh, and
The set-up for this is a long one, going back to - at least - the fifth book in the series, [b:Brimstone|136637|Brimstone (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1)|Douglas Preston|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1369943498s/136637.jpg|1369951], the first of the "Diogenes trilogy." Diogenes, if you don't know, is AXL Pendergast's younger brother. D hates his brother - a lot - for a childhood prank/mishap that affected him permanently. He was a good villain, because, like a lot of villains, his rage was seeded in a legit complaint. What happened to him was not fair and he's spent his entire life and a good chunk of his fortune to make his big brother, and anyone near him, pay. Even though the stories went to a fairly comic book-type place, I kept reading, enjoying them as guilty pleasures. I appreciated that, while they may have been fantastical, the authors always managed to somehow keep away from supernatural/magic explanations. However, my suspension of disbelief has worn thin. Sherlock Holmes, Encyclopedia Brown, move over. There's a whole crew of people here who almost preternaturally can predict the movements of people based on the thinnest evidence. It was fun for a while, but I think I'll have to have run out of things to read to take on book #17. Even if D'Agosta's back.
I'm glad that Proctor finally got some "screen time." It's often the background characters that I've enjoyed the most. Catching glimpses of them from book-to-book has been the source of several smiles. It's even better when one gets the spotlight for a bit.
The Obsidian Chamber is a story of revenge/vengeance. If I wasn't so sick of the villain at this point, I might have enjoyed it more. At the end of book #15, there's a hint that a shadowy figure from the past might be back. Oh, and
Spoiler
Pendergast is dead. Of course he's not. This isn't going to be the Proctor/Constance show.The set-up for this is a long one, going back to - at least - the fifth book in the series, [b:Brimstone|136637|Brimstone (Pendergast, #5; Diogenes, #1)|Douglas Preston|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1369943498s/136637.jpg|1369951], the first of the "Diogenes trilogy." Diogenes, if you don't know, is AXL Pendergast's younger brother. D hates his brother - a lot - for a childhood prank/mishap that affected him permanently. He was a good villain, because, like a lot of villains, his rage was seeded in a legit complaint. What happened to him was not fair and he's spent his entire life and a good chunk of his fortune to make his big brother, and anyone near him, pay.
Spoiler
At the end of the 7th book, Diogenes is pushed into a...volcano by a woman he seduced and scorned. A woman who spent something like 100 years in seclusion, out of the world, but managers to keep a step ahead of him and make him think he's lured her into a trap.
Oh how I wish this had been a five star read. This should have involved all the fangirling over my two favorite secondary characters, Proctor and Constance. But that sadly didn't happen. I understood why certain characters made the decisions they did, I really do... but I was just so disappointed in them for it. It was still an enjoyable read, but the family- and relationship-based drama has gone on for too long in a boring direction. I miss the legitimately disturbing earlier installments in the series... fortunately those are some of my favorites, so I won't mind rereading them.
I love the Pendergast novels, don't get me wrong. There are some who believe you should grade these on a curve, because they are outrageous at times and you should suspend nearly all your belief. I agree with this to a point. But while some would give this four or even five stars for its action sequences and backstory-filling, I just can't do it.
For me, this was a middling Pendergast book for a few reasons.
1) Pendergast is hardly in it. While Proctor is a minor character I'd like to know more about, you really don't get much more than he's great at tracking when he's got a half million dollars in a bag.
2) The reveals are given too early. I was all in on the chase with Proctor into Africa, but learning when I did that he was chasing a... what, body double?... sucked the life out of that part of the story. Almost as bad as learning that "it was all a dream" but not that bad.
3) Diogenes' flip-flops. I'm not even mad that he survived the volcano, because of course he did. But evil-turned good-maybe still evil-but no he's good thing was disappointing. I think Constance is a poor judge of character all around, and for Pendergast to go with her decision to keep Diogenes alive is beyond suspension-of-disbelief. I'm pretty psyched that she could be out of the picture for the next few books.
You don't make it this deep into the series without a few clunkers, but it's not going to keep me from becoming a completist. Happy reading, all.
For me, this was a middling Pendergast book for a few reasons.
1) Pendergast is hardly in it. While Proctor is a minor character I'd like to know more about, you really don't get much more than he's great at tracking when he's got a half million dollars in a bag.
2) The reveals are given too early. I was all in on the chase with Proctor into Africa, but learning when I did that he was chasing a... what, body double?... sucked the life out of that part of the story. Almost as bad as learning that "it was all a dream" but not that bad.
3) Diogenes' flip-flops. I'm not even mad that he survived the volcano, because of course he did. But evil-turned good-maybe still evil-but no he's good thing was disappointing. I think Constance is a poor judge of character all around, and for Pendergast to go with her decision to keep Diogenes alive is beyond suspension-of-disbelief. I'm pretty psyched that she could be out of the picture for the next few books.
You don't make it this deep into the series without a few clunkers, but it's not going to keep me from becoming a completist. Happy reading, all.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
When I’m a slump a good old Pendergast story to the rescue and it always wins.
This is book 16 in the series and I still love it.
Agent Pendergast is always in a sticky mess and his brother Diogenes is almost behind it or something to do with his past/ancestors. This time is no different.
I have read almost the entire Pendergast series and I found this one quite good. Plot is very interesting, holding my interest throughout and the twists and turns were unexpected, at least to me. I respect these authors for being able to maintain such complex characters over such an extended period.
First half couldn't be duller. But it improves a bit after that. Nonetheless this book and its predecesor are proof that the series is down in the dumps.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This series reminds me of what I would imagine of radio programs used to be like. Some of it might be because I'm listening to it on audible, but it feels like an old fashioned detective mystery.
I can't wait to get to the next part of the next book.
I can't wait to get to the next part of the next book.
The past few Pendergast novels have been a bit hit or miss, but this was enjoyable. I do enjoy the Diogenes storylines, although everything circling around Constance lately is kind of tiresome. Still, I finished this in one day, so it was entertaining and kept my interest!