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professorfate's review against another edition
3.0
I am a fan of Preston and Child’s Agent Pendergast series (although I will admit that I am a few books behind and will try to catch up someday). In a way, they are like the Repairman Jack series: action mysteries, usually with a slight supernatural flavor to them. So when I saw that they were starting a new series, I was eager to try it out.
Gideon Crew, as a young boy, sees his father, a brilliant mathematician, accused of treason and gunned down. Later, when his mother is dying, he learns from her that his father was actually framed for a treasonous act by a military leader and is deliberately killed. Gideon spends the next years going to school and concocting a plan to get back at the official who got his father slaughtered. His plan is eventually successful.
He is then brought to a group who claim to be a subcontractor for the Department of Homeland Security and given a mission to help a Chinese scientist who appears to be trying to defect to the United States. The head of this group also shows him xrays showing that he has a rare disease and has only a year or so to live. Gideon takes the mission and adventure ensues.
This series is not as “cerebral”—in the words of Preston/Child—as the Pendergast series; it is straight-up action/adventure ala Gabriel Hunt or The Destroyer. In that, it succeeds—it is a quick, fun read that you are drawn into and compelled to complete.
My problem is the setup. This boy has no formal training, concocts a plan of vengeance, carries it out and suddenly he is qualified to be a spy? Really? I can accept the disease portion, since it basically takes away the fear of dying on the mission, but I would think it would be impossible for somebody with no training to be a master spy. For me, it was a HUGE suspension of disbelief.
If you can buy (or at least rent) the setup, you’ll enjoy the book. If that is going to stop you, don’t try.
Gideon Crew, as a young boy, sees his father, a brilliant mathematician, accused of treason and gunned down. Later, when his mother is dying, he learns from her that his father was actually framed for a treasonous act by a military leader and is deliberately killed. Gideon spends the next years going to school and concocting a plan to get back at the official who got his father slaughtered. His plan is eventually successful.
He is then brought to a group who claim to be a subcontractor for the Department of Homeland Security and given a mission to help a Chinese scientist who appears to be trying to defect to the United States. The head of this group also shows him xrays showing that he has a rare disease and has only a year or so to live. Gideon takes the mission and adventure ensues.
This series is not as “cerebral”—in the words of Preston/Child—as the Pendergast series; it is straight-up action/adventure ala Gabriel Hunt or The Destroyer. In that, it succeeds—it is a quick, fun read that you are drawn into and compelled to complete.
My problem is the setup. This boy has no formal training, concocts a plan of vengeance, carries it out and suddenly he is qualified to be a spy? Really? I can accept the disease portion, since it basically takes away the fear of dying on the mission, but I would think it would be impossible for somebody with no training to be a master spy. For me, it was a HUGE suspension of disbelief.
If you can buy (or at least rent) the setup, you’ll enjoy the book. If that is going to stop you, don’t try.
johnbreeden's review against another edition
3.0
I feel a little bad trying to compare this story with the Pendergast stories. Gideon seems to be an attempt to go with the polar opposite of the detective. Brash and unpredictable, he's a wild card on the last all in. Any attempt to compare these two characters because they share creators is unfair, and unavoidable. It is unavoidable because Pendergast's fan base is the most obvious pool of readers for these works.
Other works by our authors also have similar protagonists, the introduction of Eli Glynn, The Ice Limit for example. McFarlane was somewhat roguish, but has a few threads grounding him. Gideon does not have such a lifeline. For me, he was a missed opportunity. I also felt like he didn't really change during the story. It was a fun adventure in ways, but could have been more.
There were other aspects that I didn't quite enjoy as much as I hoped. Some things I did get into, but I kept hoping for more in areas that didn't pan out.
Other works by our authors also have similar protagonists, the introduction of Eli Glynn, The Ice Limit for example. McFarlane was somewhat roguish, but has a few threads grounding him. Gideon does not have such a lifeline. For me, he was a missed opportunity. I also felt like he didn't really change during the story. It was a fun adventure in ways, but could have been more.
There were other aspects that I didn't quite enjoy as much as I hoped. Some things I did get into, but I kept hoping for more in areas that didn't pan out.
lyrareadsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Much lighter in tone and more farcical than the Pendergast. A fun one off, but not a character I'd spend 12+ books with. More cinematic than their other series, less depth.
popcorndiva's review against another edition
3.0
3 Stars
Disclaimer: the back cover of this book is slightly misleading. From the synopsis and being the first book in the series, you would expect that this book would explore some of Gideon's childhood and past and focus on the story of him avenging his father's death, as mentioned on the back cover. However, there is no background exploration here and the tale of retribution for his father is finished in the first 50 pages. That's when things take an unexpected turn. The story then turns to Gideon working as a rogue agent on a top secret mission that he is highly unqualified for. I didn't mind the turn of events, it's just not what I expected from the cover flap.
Overall, this was a decent book that focused on fast paced action, but lacked significant character development. The chapters were very short, roughly 3-5 pages per chapter, which helped keep the pace moving quickly. The story was simple despite the number of twists that the authors used. However, the simple story line and the constant action made it incredibly hard to put this book down. I was engrossed in what would happen next and how everything would tie together.
My two biggest critiques of this book were the complete suspension of belief that you needed to believe what was happening and the lack of character development. As many other reviewers have mentioned, this book was a little bit preposterous. Gideon seems to have no flaws that prevent him from accomplishing his mission and even when it seems like he is about to fail, something magically falls into place that saves him. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally fine with a certain degree of implausibility, however nothing about this book was believable. Also, most of the characters were just there - no one stood out as particularly special or interesting. Every character was basic and essentially was just included to serve a purpose (usually saving Gideon's ass out of nowhere or showing how irresistible he is to the only two woman main/side characters he encounters in the book), but no character had a true arc.
But! That won't stop me from reading more in the series at some point. I have also read Tyrannosaur Canyon by these authors and I really do like the stories they have to tell, even if they aren't the most well crafted or believable. I'd also like to check out the Pendergast series. I have seen many other reviews highly recommended it.
If you like other works by these authors, if you want a quick and easy read, or even if you're just considering reading this I would say to go for it. What this book lacks in depth, it makes up for in action. I'll definitely be checking out the next book in the series from the library at some point soon.
Disclaimer: the back cover of this book is slightly misleading. From the synopsis and being the first book in the series, you would expect that this book would explore some of Gideon's childhood and past and focus on the story of him avenging his father's death, as mentioned on the back cover. However, there is no background exploration here and the tale of retribution for his father is finished in the first 50 pages. That's when things take an unexpected turn. The story then turns to Gideon working as a rogue agent on a top secret mission that he is highly unqualified for. I didn't mind the turn of events, it's just not what I expected from the cover flap.
Overall, this was a decent book that focused on fast paced action, but lacked significant character development. The chapters were very short, roughly 3-5 pages per chapter, which helped keep the pace moving quickly. The story was simple despite the number of twists that the authors used. However, the simple story line and the constant action made it incredibly hard to put this book down. I was engrossed in what would happen next and how everything would tie together.
My two biggest critiques of this book were the complete suspension of belief that you needed to believe what was happening and the lack of character development. As many other reviewers have mentioned, this book was a little bit preposterous. Gideon seems to have no flaws that prevent him from accomplishing his mission and even when it seems like he is about to fail, something magically falls into place that saves him. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally fine with a certain degree of implausibility, however nothing about this book was believable. Also, most of the characters were just there - no one stood out as particularly special or interesting. Every character was basic and essentially was just included to serve a purpose (usually saving Gideon's ass out of nowhere or showing how irresistible he is to the only two woman main/side characters he encounters in the book), but no character had a true arc.
But! That won't stop me from reading more in the series at some point. I have also read Tyrannosaur Canyon by these authors and I really do like the stories they have to tell, even if they aren't the most well crafted or believable. I'd also like to check out the Pendergast series. I have seen many other reviews highly recommended it.
If you like other works by these authors, if you want a quick and easy read, or even if you're just considering reading this I would say to go for it. What this book lacks in depth, it makes up for in action. I'll definitely be checking out the next book in the series from the library at some point soon.
books4biana's review against another edition
Tyrannosaur Canyon, Gideon's Sword, and the Lost City of the Monkey God are all Preston/Childs books that I could not finish. But I'll tell you why.
Preston and Childs have a number of series, each with a different lead character. I read Beyond the Ice Limit which was the intro to Gideon Crew for me. I wanted to read this book because I read Ice Limit and enjoyed it. Then I followed the journey to Gideon #1.
I was prepared to the like the heck out of Gideon. He was a great force in BTIL and I was ready for that to open up into a fabulously interesting persona. But not so much. He is strong armed into the mystery, by a character that I have decided to avoid at all cost. And he starts out his mission with lies and deceit. Turns out, his background is art thief, with a moral compromise. Yeah, possible Thomas Crown vibes, or Neal Caffrey ("White Collar") good looks, maybe even some John "The Cat" Robie (Cary Grant "To Catch a Thief")
No such luck.
One of the problems with several of the P/C books is that the ingenuity and brilliance of these adventurers is kept private. We see the plan unfold along with everyone else. And that's great, because giving away too much will null the actual event. Buuuuut, keeping everything a secret is like watching black and white when you could have techno-color.
Preston and Childs have a number of series, each with a different lead character. I read Beyond the Ice Limit which was the intro to Gideon Crew for me. I wanted to read this book because I read Ice Limit and enjoyed it. Then I followed the journey to Gideon #1.
I was prepared to the like the heck out of Gideon. He was a great force in BTIL and I was ready for that to open up into a fabulously interesting persona. But not so much. He is strong armed into the mystery, by a character that I have decided to avoid at all cost. And he starts out his mission with lies and deceit. Turns out, his background is art thief, with a moral compromise. Yeah, possible Thomas Crown vibes, or Neal Caffrey ("White Collar") good looks, maybe even some John "The Cat" Robie (Cary Grant "To Catch a Thief")
No such luck.
One of the problems with several of the P/C books is that the ingenuity and brilliance of these adventurers is kept private. We see the plan unfold along with everyone else. And that's great, because giving away too much will null the actual event. Buuuuut, keeping everything a secret is like watching black and white when you could have techno-color.
lckrgr's review against another edition
3.0
Reading the reviews of this book made me laugh. People were upset by the absurdity of the plot-- it's a Preston and Childs novel, all of their plots are absurd! And while of course they vary in quality (I had a hard time with The Ice Limit, but Thunderhead and some of the Pendergast books are great) their plots are generally impossible. I mean their first book was about a monster eating people in the Natural History Museum-- yes it was "science-y" but it was no less absurd than this book
So anyway, the long and short of my review-- this should definitely not be the first Preston and Childs book a person reads. Start with one of their better one's (i.e. Still Life with Crows or Cabinet of Curiosity)and learn their writing template: murder related to a vaguely-scientific or spiritual issue + lots of gruesome and silly deaths (think Final Destination) of tangential characters + inexhaustible funds + flawed but earnest protagonist = fun! Then once you are a semi-convert to the writing style and character building they do, you'll find this book fits right into the bunch. It may not be as weighty or serious as the others, but it was still pretty fun.
I liked the character of Gideon he was like a fusion of Pendergast and Smithback.
So anyway, the long and short of my review-- this should definitely not be the first Preston and Childs book a person reads. Start with one of their better one's (i.e. Still Life with Crows or Cabinet of Curiosity)and learn their writing template: murder related to a vaguely-scientific or spiritual issue + lots of gruesome and silly deaths (think Final Destination) of tangential characters + inexhaustible funds + flawed but earnest protagonist = fun! Then once you are a semi-convert to the writing style and character building they do, you'll find this book fits right into the bunch. It may not be as weighty or serious as the others, but it was still pretty fun.
I liked the character of Gideon he was like a fusion of Pendergast and Smithback.
machadofam8's review against another edition
3.0
Love the new character, Gideon Crew! Started out a little slow but really picked up. Looking forward to #2 in the series.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps the best thing to say about Gideon's Sword is that I'm glad Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child used it for a new character, rather than sullying the legacy of Aloysius Pendergast. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun, quick read, but it's one that doesn't bear thinking about in the meantime, or it all begins to fall apart.
Gideon has a simple backstory, laid out over two quick chapters, that opens the book with far too many embarrassing questions. One, given the sheer number of witnesses, how has nobody ever made an issue of the fact that Gideon's dad was unarmed, with his hands in the air, when he was shot? Two, what about that experience led to Gideon becoming a con artist and a professional thief? Three, why did his mother wait until she was on her deathbed to tell him everything she knew about the day his father died? Four, with his dad violently and publicly executed for treason, how the hell is it that Gideon ends up landing a job in a nuclear freakin' laboratory?
The questions don't stop there, of course. For instance, all talk of failure analysis aside, who in their right mind tasks a relatively unproven novice to play secret agent when the stakes are so high? Also, when you're given a direct line to the Director of Homeland Security to verify a shadowy organization, why don't you use that to confirm the random CIA operative who oh-so-conveniently appears? Oh, and when you're tracking what you think is a Chinese superweapon, while evading a Chinese super assassin, why do you pick a chain-smoking hooker to be your accomplice, especially when you have a real covert agent who owes you his life?
I could go on, but you get the point. So long as you don't think, and don't ask questions, there's actually a fun sort of summer blockbuster here, with a great car chase at the beginning, a nice game of cat-and-mouse in the middle, and a suitably entertaining climax at the end. In fact, given my fondness for weird history and abandoned ruins, the final set-piece of Hart Island was worth the read alone. We're talking a restricted island in the Bronx, once home to a Civil War prison camp, a psychiatric institution, a tuberculosis sanatorium, and a boys' reformatory - all of which lie abandoned, as if the inhabitants just walked away - with a potter's field cemetery that's home to over a million bodies. Holy freakin' crap, consequences be damned, I want to go exploring!
Despite it's flaws, Gideon's Sword was a fun bit of mindless entertainment. I can't say I'm intrigued enough to run right out and read Gideon's Corpse next, but I may skip the second volume of watered down Mission Impossible heroism and give the Indiana Jones homage of The Lost Island a read.
http://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.com/2018/07/thriller-review-gideons-sword-by.html
Gideon has a simple backstory, laid out over two quick chapters, that opens the book with far too many embarrassing questions. One, given the sheer number of witnesses, how has nobody ever made an issue of the fact that Gideon's dad was unarmed, with his hands in the air, when he was shot? Two, what about that experience led to Gideon becoming a con artist and a professional thief? Three, why did his mother wait until she was on her deathbed to tell him everything she knew about the day his father died? Four, with his dad violently and publicly executed for treason, how the hell is it that Gideon ends up landing a job in a nuclear freakin' laboratory?
The questions don't stop there, of course. For instance, all talk of failure analysis aside, who in their right mind tasks a relatively unproven novice to play secret agent when the stakes are so high? Also, when you're given a direct line to the Director of Homeland Security to verify a shadowy organization, why don't you use that to confirm the random CIA operative who oh-so-conveniently appears? Oh, and when you're tracking what you think is a Chinese superweapon, while evading a Chinese super assassin, why do you pick a chain-smoking hooker to be your accomplice, especially when you have a real covert agent who owes you his life?
I could go on, but you get the point. So long as you don't think, and don't ask questions, there's actually a fun sort of summer blockbuster here, with a great car chase at the beginning, a nice game of cat-and-mouse in the middle, and a suitably entertaining climax at the end. In fact, given my fondness for weird history and abandoned ruins, the final set-piece of Hart Island was worth the read alone. We're talking a restricted island in the Bronx, once home to a Civil War prison camp, a psychiatric institution, a tuberculosis sanatorium, and a boys' reformatory - all of which lie abandoned, as if the inhabitants just walked away - with a potter's field cemetery that's home to over a million bodies. Holy freakin' crap, consequences be damned, I want to go exploring!
Despite it's flaws, Gideon's Sword was a fun bit of mindless entertainment. I can't say I'm intrigued enough to run right out and read Gideon's Corpse next, but I may skip the second volume of watered down Mission Impossible heroism and give the Indiana Jones homage of The Lost Island a read.
http://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.com/2018/07/thriller-review-gideons-sword-by.html
pickleballlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
A new series from my favorite suspense authors. Too good to put down!