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mvp815's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
elbierly's review against another edition
3.0
Reminded me a little of the DaVinci code - a little less gripping/fascinating, but still well-written and researched. The ending was a bit anti-climactic, but definitely a decent read.
dontpanic42's review against another edition
3.0
Did you enjoy the Indiana Jones trilogy*? Did you enjoy the Da Vinci Code**? Then you will probably enjoy Ben Mezrich's Seven Wonders. I was lucky enough to win a copy of the book through First Reads, and I zipped right through a story that is already set for (and should make a wonderful transition to) the big screen. In fact, that's probably the best adjective for the book: cinematic.
The story primarily follows the adventures of Jack Grady, an anthropologist (NOT an archaeologist--back off, copyright lawyers), who is tracing a mysterious connection between the seven wonders of the world (both the ancient and the modern sets). As the mystery unravels, we get to watch Jack get himself into and out of a variety of sticky situations set at some of the grandest and most famous sites in the world. Of course, there are also shady bad guys trying to unravel the mystery before Jack (and battling Jack in the process), and there is a female love interest, because hey, why mess with a winning formula?
In the end, the book basically provides what it promises: a fun adventure story with cool locations. It is far more thrilling adventure than it is mystery, but Mezrich does get credit for doing some research and providing lots of interesting factual foundation for the developing mystery (which I don't want to discuss here lest I give something away). For those of you have read them, it reminded me a bit of a modern version of the Ethan Gage books--secret societies and ancient mysteries in famous locations, all informed (but not limited) by actual research. There are a couple of details of some of the Seven Wonders sites that are a little off, and some slightly unbelievable plot points, but nothing so major that it ruins the fun of the read, even for the nitpicky among us.
So, then, if it delivered on the fun, why only three stars? Well, first, because I'm not sure I can ever give a true five-star, I-loved-it rating to a beach read. My apologies for snobbiness. Second, and more important, is that I still would have liked better character development. I'm all for plot-driven books, but I don't like to see the characters get sacrificed in the process. In this case, the main female character, Sloane Costa, is given limited development from the get-go, and then seems to act in contradiction to the few things we've actually been given about her character. Jack also has two grad student assistants whose main purpose is to buoy the plot, so despite their consistent presence, we know little about them. Jack is given a decent backstory, as is his nemesis (to a lesser extent), but that's about it. All of this means that when the action starts and people are putting themselves in danger and making bad decisions, part of me was simply enjoying the action, but another (smaller, thankfully) part of me was wondering why on earth these people were risking their necks.
In the end, though, my complaints were outweighed by the thrill ride of it all. Yes, it's a beach read, but it's a fun one, and a great choice for when you're in the mood for adventure. And I can't wait to see the movie.
*Yes, I meant to say trilogy.
**Maybe even Angels & Demons, but forget about the other ones.
The story primarily follows the adventures of Jack Grady, an anthropologist (NOT an archaeologist--back off, copyright lawyers), who is tracing a mysterious connection between the seven wonders of the world (both the ancient and the modern sets). As the mystery unravels, we get to watch Jack get himself into and out of a variety of sticky situations set at some of the grandest and most famous sites in the world. Of course, there are also shady bad guys trying to unravel the mystery before Jack (and battling Jack in the process), and there is a female love interest, because hey, why mess with a winning formula?
In the end, the book basically provides what it promises: a fun adventure story with cool locations. It is far more thrilling adventure than it is mystery, but Mezrich does get credit for doing some research and providing lots of interesting factual foundation for the developing mystery (which I don't want to discuss here lest I give something away). For those of you have read them, it reminded me a bit of a modern version of the Ethan Gage books--secret societies and ancient mysteries in famous locations, all informed (but not limited) by actual research. There are a couple of details of some of the Seven Wonders sites that are a little off, and some slightly unbelievable plot points, but nothing so major that it ruins the fun of the read, even for the nitpicky among us.
So, then, if it delivered on the fun, why only three stars? Well, first, because I'm not sure I can ever give a true five-star, I-loved-it rating to a beach read. My apologies for snobbiness. Second, and more important, is that I still would have liked better character development. I'm all for plot-driven books, but I don't like to see the characters get sacrificed in the process. In this case, the main female character, Sloane Costa, is given limited development from the get-go, and then seems to act in contradiction to the few things we've actually been given about her character. Jack also has two grad student assistants whose main purpose is to buoy the plot, so despite their consistent presence, we know little about them. Jack is given a decent backstory, as is his nemesis (to a lesser extent), but that's about it. All of this means that when the action starts and people are putting themselves in danger and making bad decisions, part of me was simply enjoying the action, but another (smaller, thankfully) part of me was wondering why on earth these people were risking their necks.
In the end, though, my complaints were outweighed by the thrill ride of it all. Yes, it's a beach read, but it's a fun one, and a great choice for when you're in the mood for adventure. And I can't wait to see the movie.
*Yes, I meant to say trilogy.
**Maybe even Angels & Demons, but forget about the other ones.
canadianbookaddict's review against another edition
5.0
Seems like I have been reading quite a bit of thrillers these days but I am not complaining since I needed a little change in genre.
Seven Wonders is a fast-paces and action filled book that I just didn't want to put down. This book will be one I will be reading again in the future and it is on my list of favourite thrillers. It will be the first book in a trilogy and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
I highly recommend Seven Wonders
I give this 5 out of 5
Seven Wonders is a fast-paces and action filled book that I just didn't want to put down. This book will be one I will be reading again in the future and it is on my list of favourite thrillers. It will be the first book in a trilogy and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
I highly recommend Seven Wonders
I give this 5 out of 5
hock3599's review against another edition
3.0
Good Indiana Jones type adventure- Good, quick, easy to read writing. A little repeititive towards in the back half as each part of the adventure eventually got a little predictable and somewhat surface-level. A bit of a disappointing ending similar to a lot of ancient mystery hunt stories.
ellerue's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the mystery and adventure of Seven Wonders.. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and hope Ben Mezrich has more adventures with Jack and Sloane for us in the future.
** received a copy from Goodreads Giveaways
** received a copy from Goodreads Giveaways
susieq17's review against another edition
3.0
An exciting archeological adventure! Jack and Sloane travel to the Seven Wonders of the modern world, following clues and being chased by Amazon women with guns. Not a perfect book but well-researched and great fun.
dougharris's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing.
In [b:Bringing Down the House|514313|Bringing Down the House The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions|Ben Mezrich|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348387571s/514313.jpg|502278], Mezrich told a fascinating tale of the MIT blackjack club. I was hoping that his fiction would be equally compelling. That was not the case.
It's an interesting plot structure, but it never spends too much time in any one place nor develops the characters too much.
In [b:Bringing Down the House|514313|Bringing Down the House The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions|Ben Mezrich|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348387571s/514313.jpg|502278], Mezrich told a fascinating tale of the MIT blackjack club. I was hoping that his fiction would be equally compelling. That was not the case.
It's an interesting plot structure, but it never spends too much time in any one place nor develops the characters too much.
12140holmes's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointing! Indiana Jones meets The DaVinci Code in a not very good way. After the first couple of Wonders the book got bogged down and stayed too unbelievable.