Scan barcode
kourtneydavis94's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
johnbreeden's review against another edition
3.0
This book definitely has its weaknesses. I was getting a bit tired of weeding through the setup of characters still going on around page 100. The second half, however, picked up a bit and was more energetic. Not the greatest of historical fiction...but a potential start from which the novelist could grow -- an interesting premise that seems both unique and familiar.
lisawreading's review against another edition
2.0
"The Arcanum" was clearly written by a screenwriter. No character development, no sublety. Yes, there's a cute gimmick -- the main characters are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Harry Houdini, H. P. Lovecraft, and Marie Laveau, with drop-by appearances by William Hearst and Alastair Crowley. Together, our heroes fight evil and save the world. By using these well-known personae, the author avoids any need to flesh out his characters into actual people. Reading this, I felt like I was reading a comic book but without the pictures. I will give the author credit for bringing 1919 New York to life, full of tastes, sounds, and sights of the era. In some ways, I suppose you could say that the city itself is the most interesting character in this book. I really wouldn't recommend it, although I suppose it would make an entertaining summer action movie. Cinematic it may be, but literature, it's not.
trudecal's review against another edition
3.0
Obviously did his historical research, but tended to slip into some big cliche ditches. Overall an interesting read though!
christina_34's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very interesting read. I really liked Lovecraft and Houdini.
It was written like a movie. Would recommend.
It was written like a movie. Would recommend.
jeregenest's review against another edition
1.0
I got this cheap at the bookstore at the airport. Not a lot of choice. And it waasn't that good. First of all, the depicitions of Laveau, Houdini, Lovecraft and Doyle seemed wrong. Tim Powers has a quote somewhere that when writing historical fantasy its important to fill in the gaps. This one just uses names and doesn't care about the characters. It read like a poor screenplay turned into a book. Blah
claudia_is_reading's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, but soon it become evident that that wouldn't be the case.
So many real persons here, and really? Marie Laveau? In New York? With Lovecraft? I'm sorry, but I don't buy it *laughs* Conan Doyle and Houdini? Yeah, they were friends for a time, so I could see them teaming to solve a mystery. But bringing Lovecraft and Laveau to the mix makes it look like the only point of the story was to bring all these people together and that will be all.
And the story itself, although had potential, it never took flight. It was slow and, at times, downright boring. I don't think I'll be reading more by this author.
Ralph Lister's narration was good.
So many real persons here, and really? Marie Laveau? In New York? With Lovecraft? I'm sorry, but I don't buy it *laughs* Conan Doyle and Houdini? Yeah, they were friends for a time, so I could see them teaming to solve a mystery. But bringing Lovecraft and Laveau to the mix makes it look like the only point of the story was to bring all these people together and that will be all.
And the story itself, although had potential, it never took flight. It was slow and, at times, downright boring. I don't think I'll be reading more by this author.
Ralph Lister's narration was good.
csmoore13's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book but it will irritate history sticklers. While reading I kept thinking what a wonderful RPG adventure this would be.
writertomg's review against another edition
3.0
Nice first-time book. Quite a good story, well written, and kept me in suspense. I liked the authors decision to make the real-life characters actually be like their notorious images. In the book, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle IS a nimble-minded sleuth. Harry Houdini IS magical. And H.P. Lovecraft IS a master of the dark arts and ancient taboos.
A nice book to kill some time with.
A nice book to kill some time with.
mackle13's review against another edition
2.0
Really 2 1/2...
It wasn't bad - but it just didn't ever get great. Someone mentioned that the portrayals of the historical characters seemed off, and I have to agree - with the caveat that I don't actually know much about the historical figures portrayed in this story. They just seemed sort of like charicatures.
The mystery element was ok, but didn't really have the suspense that I like in these sorts of books. I wasn't on the proverbial edge of my seat... and I didn't HAVE to finish it to find out who was behind what... It was an entertaining enough read, but it wasn't really gripping... *shrugs*
It wasn't bad - but it just didn't ever get great. Someone mentioned that the portrayals of the historical characters seemed off, and I have to agree - with the caveat that I don't actually know much about the historical figures portrayed in this story. They just seemed sort of like charicatures.
The mystery element was ok, but didn't really have the suspense that I like in these sorts of books. I wasn't on the proverbial edge of my seat... and I didn't HAVE to finish it to find out who was behind what... It was an entertaining enough read, but it wasn't really gripping... *shrugs*