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ellie705's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
louloureadsbooks's review against another edition
Dnf. I listened to this.
I got quite a long way through but in the end I left them arsing around in Norway. It wasn't baaaad, it just hasn't captured me that much either.
In fairness I'm not the target age range. There's lots of good stuff here. Stuff I normally like and I do like it, but only a little bit. It's just not quite enough to see me through to the end.
The narrator isn't terrible but I think he'd be much better suited voicing older more mature main characters. That's not to say the MCs are immature but they are young, high school teenagers and narrator man sounds much, much older. I'm finding it hard to get behind them and I think this isn't helping.
Perhaps reading this might be better. Hmmm. Probably won't. But you never know.
I got quite a long way through but in the end I left them arsing around in Norway. It wasn't baaaad, it just hasn't captured me that much either.
In fairness I'm not the target age range. There's lots of good stuff here. Stuff I normally like and I do like it, but only a little bit. It's just not quite enough to see me through to the end.
The narrator isn't terrible but I think he'd be much better suited voicing older more mature main characters. That's not to say the MCs are immature but they are young, high school teenagers and narrator man sounds much, much older. I'm finding it hard to get behind them and I think this isn't helping.
Perhaps reading this might be better. Hmmm. Probably won't. But you never know.
ryanpfw's review against another edition
3.0
Part 1 of what is essentially a YA Da Vinci Code. My major complaint is Logan and Emma are assigned to write a school paper together and end up solving the world’s most important mystery, while making major leaps of logic, technology and luck years after everyone else tried first. The ending of this book offers what could be a glimpse into why this was possible, but it’s also possible that didn’t happen and they’re just outstanding kids. The suspension of disbelief required is massive, and the omniscient third person narration was really tough to swallow.
I’ll give the author credit that there are no scene dissolves. He needs to walk us from A to Z and explain the journey, and we do get that, despite how appear thin it might appear at times.
Curious to see where it goes from here!
I’ll give the author credit that there are no scene dissolves. He needs to walk us from A to Z and explain the journey, and we do get that, despite how appear thin it might appear at times.
Curious to see where it goes from here!
kartikk's review against another edition
4.0
A pretty good book with almost Dan Brown feel. It was 5 stars until the the part about computers and security. Rant start. It was so horrible to read that I had to speed run that part to not drop reading the book. It could have been anything else, its a fiction, make something completely new up instead of using buzzwords just to sound nice and it doesn’t even affect the main plot so it could have just been generalised or better yet to just ask any technically sane person. Sorry, rant over.
I am dropping the star just because of that as it really put me off. Other than that its a typical YA novel so expect some super amazing high school students that seem to be better than all the scientists etc etc but with some really interesting main plot but I think I might read the other novels in the series as the main plot sounds really fun.
I am dropping the star just because of that as it really put me off. Other than that its a typical YA novel so expect some super amazing high school students that seem to be better than all the scientists etc etc but with some really interesting main plot but I think I might read the other novels in the series as the main plot sounds really fun.
lakajira's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
nclcaitlin's review against another edition
2.0
A school history project between two old friends turns into a competition spanning the globe as Logan and Emma work out an ancient mystery that has baffled scientists and archeologists for years.
Maybe like a Da Vinci Code for younger readers?
This was not for me.
I cannot believe two teenagers managed to solve this issue that the smartest geniuses, services, intelligences have been trying to crack for years haven’t? I know ‘suspension of belief’ and all that, but this took that a little too far.
I think Jacobs just wanted to show off how he excelled at Excel (yep I did that). And his knowledge of other languages where Emma just kept spouting Italian with no actual translation most of the time.
Sadly, there were just too many numbers and coordinates and letters for my attention not to wander when listening to the audiobook.
At least it was free.
Maybe like a Da Vinci Code for younger readers?
This was not for me.
I cannot believe two teenagers managed to solve this issue that the smartest geniuses, services, intelligences have been trying to crack for years haven’t? I know ‘suspension of belief’ and all that, but this took that a little too far.
I think Jacobs just wanted to show off how he excelled at Excel (yep I did that). And his knowledge of other languages where Emma just kept spouting Italian with no actual translation most of the time.
Sadly, there were just too many numbers and coordinates and letters for my attention not to wander when listening to the audiobook.
At least it was free.
billiejay111's review against another edition
4.0
It's a slow start but the pace picks up well and it ends with you wanting to continue on. Looking forward to the next one.
bookdrag0n's review against another edition
3.0
I was gifted a free copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
In this novel, branded a sci-fi by the author, but which I think of more as a YA Adventure/Da Vinci Code, two high schoolers–former best friends who sadly grew apart–are tasked with the history project of researching the Secret Chamber of the White-Eyed Star God in the Copan Temple. As they navigate past missing webpages, a trip to Europe, time traveling, the President of the United States, and aliens, Emma and Logan find themselves unraveling the mystery of the stars. What will they find? And will they even survive their discovery?
This is a a novel catering to teenagers and young adults. I found it extremely easy to read, with many unrealistic expectations. Emma and Logan are able to run off to Europe together without their parents knowing in the blink of an eye. They also unraveled the clues to the mystery much too easily, especially considering much more educated people have worked on it for years. Additionally, at one point, one of the main characters gets shot in the leg, and simply brushes it off. What teenager could do that? And then, after receiving medical care at a hospital, the doctor simply asks the patient if they want crutches, and they wave him off and are walking on that same leg within 12 hours of just getting shot. Not to mention that that person is then sprinting, ducking, and dodging around a day later. If the audience can suspend their beliefs for the entire book, that would be ideal. Unfortunately for me, I was unable to reach that point of unreality, and it definitely hindered my reading experience.
There is a bit of romance nestled in the story, but again, it is unbelievable and somewhat shoved in. The two protagonists just happen to be ex best friends, the girl’s “boyfriend” proves to be no obstacle, and without any sort of bonding or tangible moments, the two fall in love. Conveniently. It’s almost too much to swallow. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed both of the characters, but there was no reason for them to have a romantic streak other than to check a box for another overdone trope. Again, this is why I highly suggest that this book be read by YA fans only. Me, I tend to stay away from YA, and I bet you can see why! But really, this book would be much better suited to teenagers.
As for the plot itself, I did find myself enjoying the novel once I got about halfway through and things started picking up. I liked learning about history–or at least feeling like I was learning about history. I have absolutely no idea if the facts from the book were fictionalized to create the mystery, or if they are actually right. Perhaps someone more dedicated than I can fact check! But anyway, the plot was extremely fast-paced, with the kids unraveling one clue after another, taking them across the world. There was practically no waiting to see what would happen next, because it would just happen. I will say that this novel did reignite within me my yearning to travel… As well as my desire to discover things! It was fun. I liked feeling like I was on the verge of a great discovery and that I could do practically anything. I will admit that I was living vicariously through the characters… Just a little bit.
There were also many plot twists, that even though the book is YA (in my not-so-humble opinion) and very easy to read (style-wise), I had no idea what would happen next. The first half of the book gave me absolutely no insight into what would happen in the last half. It took a completely unexpected turn and transformed itself into something entirely different from what I was expecting. For this, I applaud Marc Jacobs, because I find YA books to be very lacking in their surprise factors. The book also becomes much more sci-fi the further into it you read… If that gives you any hints.
I also did like the fact that Jacobs includes pictures for us in the novel. It really helps the readers to visualize exactly what Emma and Logan are dealing with, making us feel like we are figuring out the mystery along with them. Now if only they would share some of their credit with me!
Overall, this novel would be a great fast-paced adventure/mystery-solving story for YA readers. It has a dash of romance and a helping of sci-fi, and it is only the first book in a series! I may not pick up the sequel, but I am not quite the fan of the YA genre as I used to be. If you are, consider this for your next read!
In this novel, branded a sci-fi by the author, but which I think of more as a YA Adventure/Da Vinci Code, two high schoolers–former best friends who sadly grew apart–are tasked with the history project of researching the Secret Chamber of the White-Eyed Star God in the Copan Temple. As they navigate past missing webpages, a trip to Europe, time traveling, the President of the United States, and aliens, Emma and Logan find themselves unraveling the mystery of the stars. What will they find? And will they even survive their discovery?
This is a a novel catering to teenagers and young adults. I found it extremely easy to read, with many unrealistic expectations. Emma and Logan are able to run off to Europe together without their parents knowing in the blink of an eye. They also unraveled the clues to the mystery much too easily, especially considering much more educated people have worked on it for years. Additionally, at one point, one of the main characters gets shot in the leg, and simply brushes it off. What teenager could do that? And then, after receiving medical care at a hospital, the doctor simply asks the patient if they want crutches, and they wave him off and are walking on that same leg within 12 hours of just getting shot. Not to mention that that person is then sprinting, ducking, and dodging around a day later. If the audience can suspend their beliefs for the entire book, that would be ideal. Unfortunately for me, I was unable to reach that point of unreality, and it definitely hindered my reading experience.
There is a bit of romance nestled in the story, but again, it is unbelievable and somewhat shoved in. The two protagonists just happen to be ex best friends, the girl’s “boyfriend” proves to be no obstacle, and without any sort of bonding or tangible moments, the two fall in love. Conveniently. It’s almost too much to swallow. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed both of the characters, but there was no reason for them to have a romantic streak other than to check a box for another overdone trope. Again, this is why I highly suggest that this book be read by YA fans only. Me, I tend to stay away from YA, and I bet you can see why! But really, this book would be much better suited to teenagers.
As for the plot itself, I did find myself enjoying the novel once I got about halfway through and things started picking up. I liked learning about history–or at least feeling like I was learning about history. I have absolutely no idea if the facts from the book were fictionalized to create the mystery, or if they are actually right. Perhaps someone more dedicated than I can fact check! But anyway, the plot was extremely fast-paced, with the kids unraveling one clue after another, taking them across the world. There was practically no waiting to see what would happen next, because it would just happen. I will say that this novel did reignite within me my yearning to travel… As well as my desire to discover things! It was fun. I liked feeling like I was on the verge of a great discovery and that I could do practically anything. I will admit that I was living vicariously through the characters… Just a little bit.
There were also many plot twists, that even though the book is YA (in my not-so-humble opinion) and very easy to read (style-wise), I had no idea what would happen next. The first half of the book gave me absolutely no insight into what would happen in the last half. It took a completely unexpected turn and transformed itself into something entirely different from what I was expecting. For this, I applaud Marc Jacobs, because I find YA books to be very lacking in their surprise factors. The book also becomes much more sci-fi the further into it you read… If that gives you any hints.
I also did like the fact that Jacobs includes pictures for us in the novel. It really helps the readers to visualize exactly what Emma and Logan are dealing with, making us feel like we are figuring out the mystery along with them. Now if only they would share some of their credit with me!
Overall, this novel would be a great fast-paced adventure/mystery-solving story for YA readers. It has a dash of romance and a helping of sci-fi, and it is only the first book in a series! I may not pick up the sequel, but I am not quite the fan of the YA genre as I used to be. If you are, consider this for your next read!
michael_gallipo's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0