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3.21 AVERAGE
3.21 AVERAGE
The concept and ideas are probably closer to 3 or 4 stars, its the execution that brings down the rating. While not a bad book per se, the prose is awkward at points and the plot line in England feels like it adds one to many coincidences to the list. The ending wraps up the story, but it does so with a rather long winded exposition that is a bit of a let down after what could have been a solid educated man's action story.
Epically awesome. I loved this, though it was gorier than my usual choices. Made me buzz with sudden eagerness to read piles of archaeological literature and info on the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Black Book and all that stuff. It inspired me. It isn't for the faint hearted, but by god it's good.
Also: If you possibly can, secure the audiobook done by Gideon Emery. He's a fantastic voice actor and really brought this one to life for me.
Also: If you possibly can, secure the audiobook done by Gideon Emery. He's a fantastic voice actor and really brought this one to life for me.
A journalist finds himself chasing a story in the Middle East that would lead him to be searching for some of the lost histories of humanity and ultimately putting his daughter and girlfriend in grave danger. A Scotland Yard investigator is trying to find a sadistic killer in the UK. A wonderfully woven tale on the origins of the major monotheistic religions, the link between homo sapiens and other hominids, it gives pause for thought (at least for those who aren't actively studying anthropology or the branch of archeology). Even the ending, which I won't spoil wasn't the typical toil of hurry up and get it over with - it was more explanatory and intriguing. I would rate it a page turner, but because I haven't read much in a long time and set this book to the side after a while, I can't be the authority on that. The book was probably harder to get into in the beginning because of the chopping and changing between the two main characters (the journalist and the investigator), but ultimately, they intersect. Relatively good pop fiction. I would be interested in reading more by Tom Knox. And no, he's not Dan Brown. Probably not quite as well crafted, but still a good read. But if you're into mysteries, secret societies, ancient religions, archeological hunts, mysterious objects, investigative (crime) novels, then I'd encourage you to read it. Caution: there are some graphic descriptions of torture - so if you have a weak stomach for such things, skip this book.
Quite like a Dan Brown book... which is both a good and bad thing. It's okay though - an entertaining thriller with some interesting ideas. Some of the descriptions of torture and murder are a little on the unpleasant side - probably not a book for someone who is queasy about that sort of thing.
The repeated references to Google are a bit annoying... I half-expected to see "Sponsored by Google" on the cover, as the book is constantly making references to the characters using Google. Every time there is a new plot point to uncover, it's normally by one of the main characters using Google. :-)
The repeated references to Google are a bit annoying... I half-expected to see "Sponsored by Google" on the cover, as the book is constantly making references to the characters using Google. Every time there is a new plot point to uncover, it's normally by one of the main characters using Google. :-)