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3.09 AVERAGE
3.09 AVERAGE
I picked this up at the library the other day, having just finished [b:The Heretic Queen|2897258|The Heretic Queen|Michelle Moran|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267353890s/2897258.jpg|2923667] and about to read [b:Nefertiti|481446|Nefertiti|Michelle Moran|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175116839s/481446.jpg|2897082]. This was an impulse selection. I read the reviews on Goodreads and almost decided not to read the book. I'm almost finished it and all of the reviews are correct - it's not worth your time.
DNF - too self-aggrandizing and "lookit what I can do" to really be interesting and suck me in. Oh well.
This is a time where I wish we could give ratings by the half star...I would give it 2.5 stars. The story was good up until he gave his conclusion as to the people behind the murder of Tut. It seemed too contrived and hurried, and in my opinion part of it was forced and not supported by what he had presented in the book. If this is a typical book for James Patterson, I think I am ok with not ever reading one by him again.
So, I wrote a review for this when I read it but accidentally deleted a whole bunch of reviews when I was reorganizing my shelves... So I guess I just have to read them all again so I can give accurate reviews :D
Very easy to read, like all of Patterson's books. I'm not sure I trust his conclusions as no evidence was given. He should have had an appendix in the book, or at least a list of references. It's an enjoyable book but I would definitely categorize it as historical fiction. The book jumps from 1350 BC with Tut, Nefertiti and others in the 3rd person, to 1900's with Harold Carter in 3rd person to present day first person perspective of Patterson. The characters are likeable and the book has a decent amount of action. It's not hard to keep track even with the jumping.
My one star may be a little misleading.
On listening to the audio version I thought this book was really bad. The author seemed terribly condescending, treating his readers as if they had the education of fifth-graders. At the time, I'd not made the connection between James Patterson, big-time best-selling author, and James Patterson, juvenile fiction author. I had never read anything by him.
So, after dismissing this book as just plain bad, now I suspect that it was actually written for those fifth-graders, but the publisher chose to present it as non-fiction for adults. That's the only way I can excuse it, anyway.
Still haven't read anything else by the author, and still not eager to do so.
On listening to the audio version I thought this book was really bad. The author seemed terribly condescending, treating his readers as if they had the education of fifth-graders. At the time, I'd not made the connection between James Patterson, big-time best-selling author, and James Patterson, juvenile fiction author. I had never read anything by him.
So, after dismissing this book as just plain bad, now I suspect that it was actually written for those fifth-graders, but the publisher chose to present it as non-fiction for adults. That's the only way I can excuse it, anyway.
Still haven't read anything else by the author, and still not eager to do so.
I have always loved King Tut. This is an interesting way to read about his life...although it is a non fiction work, James Patterson uses creative license to portray it as a story. So, it never feels like you are reading a piece of non fiction. It is definitely worth the read.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Although I'm not a fan of Patterson, or his extremely short chapters, I did like his historical retelling of ancient Egyptian life. I understand he did extensive research before forming his theory, and it makes a lot of sense. Also noteworthy was the blending of King Tut's life and Carter's early and later career in events leading up to eventually making his famous discovery. I had no idea Carter had been exiled or was viewed as a "washed up, aged ex-champion(Better Off Dead fans betta recognize)..." Stimulating read!
Laughably historically inaccurate. Most useful for me as a strong reminder of the link between European treasure-hunting adventures into the exotic Orient and colonialism, and that clearly wasn't even the authors' intent here.