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ciaraw8787's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
markyon's review
3.0
As you might expect from the plot summary, The Sign is a fast-paced tale of life-changing prophecy and global events. Therefore with such a premise, the plot is not exactly un-ambitious, but it is competently written to satisfy most thriller readers. So we have here many of the aspects expected from such a novel: a fast pace from the start, broad global range, a large range of typical characters (hot female reporter, concerned innocents unwittingly dragged into increasingly significant events, nasty military hit-men, corporate innovators and entrepreneurial power-players) but without great depth or emotional intensity. Whilst unravelling the plot, the book zips the reader around from Boston to the Antarctic, from Houston to Egypt, and also from (short) chapter to chapter, as events unfold.
On the positive side of things, this is a good, solid blockbuster that will be liked by fans of Tom Clancy or Michael Crichton, and one which stands up very well to the inevitable comparison with Dan Brown. There’s some nice contemporary touches here, with topical mentions of the credit crunch, iphones and global climate change that create a credible plot environment. There’s also some tangential musings on society, environmental change and some possible consequences for the future. But really, that’s not the point. What readers really want (and get) here is lots of fast-moving action and a steadily increasing dead body count, whilst silently cheering on the heroes and booing the baddies.
In summary, this is a great big widescreen read, which will satisfy many a reader. Fans of his earlier books will like, though it is probably something that’ll not remain in the brain too long. Nevertheless, it is very entertaining, nicely surprising in places and by the end, a real page turner. It would be a great holiday read, or perhaps one for being engrossed in, whilst in those airport queues.
Mark Yon
On the positive side of things, this is a good, solid blockbuster that will be liked by fans of Tom Clancy or Michael Crichton, and one which stands up very well to the inevitable comparison with Dan Brown. There’s some nice contemporary touches here, with topical mentions of the credit crunch, iphones and global climate change that create a credible plot environment. There’s also some tangential musings on society, environmental change and some possible consequences for the future. But really, that’s not the point. What readers really want (and get) here is lots of fast-moving action and a steadily increasing dead body count, whilst silently cheering on the heroes and booing the baddies.
In summary, this is a great big widescreen read, which will satisfy many a reader. Fans of his earlier books will like, though it is probably something that’ll not remain in the brain too long. Nevertheless, it is very entertaining, nicely surprising in places and by the end, a real page turner. It would be a great holiday read, or perhaps one for being engrossed in, whilst in those airport queues.
Mark Yon
beththebookdragon's review
1.0
Run-of-the-mill suspense. Didn't build up excitement or interest the way it was apparently trying to. Writing style is boring.
not finishing this one.
not finishing this one.
dietzan's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bartendm's review
3.0
Was interesting thriller for the car. Probably would not have liked so much sitting down to read in the comfort of my home.
caribbean_skye's review against another edition
4.0
What happens when a few well placed powerful people decide that religion and politics don't mix? Here's a novel that takes one look at such a scenario. Face paced, well thought out and just when you think you're following the story and can see what is coming up ahead the story veers in a different direction. I wish there were more men of the cloth like Father Jerome out there then the evangelists that we currently have. My one complaint with the story, without giving anything away is that I find that Rydell's character while well fleshed out, seemed inconsistent when it comes to his environmental leanings and his living arrangements.
claudiaswisher's review
2.0
Finally...I finally just got irritated with this story that I was determined to be done with it. I appreciate how passionate Khoury is about his contention that religion is tearing us apart more than it's bringing us together, and in some ways I can agree...too much hate is preached by leaders of many religions now, leaders who must know they're subverting the Word.
I appreciated the pacing of the book...breakneck action with characters who never show up on the same stage until very late in the book. I didn't believe Matt's character could be as knowledgeable about as many subjects as he was: guns, hand-to-hand fighting, crashing cars; stealing cars I DID believe...the rest, not so much.
Gracie...I was supposed to identify with her, but we never connected. Father Jerome? Another near-hit.
My stubbornness is the only reason I finished..that, and how much I liked his other book, The Last Templar. Kept hoping...
I appreciated the pacing of the book...breakneck action with characters who never show up on the same stage until very late in the book. I didn't believe Matt's character could be as knowledgeable about as many subjects as he was: guns, hand-to-hand fighting, crashing cars; stealing cars I DID believe...the rest, not so much.
Gracie...I was supposed to identify with her, but we never connected. Father Jerome? Another near-hit.
My stubbornness is the only reason I finished..that, and how much I liked his other book, The Last Templar. Kept hoping...
bookhookgeek's review
2.0
This was a mediocre thriller in which everything was easy to figure out. This character will be killed, that one will be gravely injured but will pull through, etc. That's OK if all you want is a quick read, but it leaves a lot to be desired.
Also, this book was very poorly edited and proofread. I found many typos throughout the text, such as "We have to leave know!" In addition, although it is never stated outright, this story obviously takes place in December 2009 (indicated by references to recent events). Yet, one character states, "We put a man on the moon fifty years ago." According to my calculations, that would be forty years ago in 1969. I get the feeling that this book was rushed into publication without much attention to editing and proofreading.
Also, this book was very poorly edited and proofread. I found many typos throughout the text, such as "We have to leave know!" In addition, although it is never stated outright, this story obviously takes place in December 2009 (indicated by references to recent events). Yet, one character states, "We put a man on the moon fifty years ago." According to my calculations, that would be forty years ago in 1969. I get the feeling that this book was rushed into publication without much attention to editing and proofreading.
miajmu's review
3.0
I liked the Last Templar and Sanctuary a lot more than this one. The Sign jumped between too many different characters points of view. And it took a long time for me to be really interested in what was even going on, towards the end I thought the story picked up quite a bit and was more focused, but it took a while to get to that point.