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cemoses's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the main character and found the bad guys intriguing. For me the beginning was enjoyable, and I liked the Boston location(where I live). When I picked up the book, I did not realize that it would be about King Arthur. So when I got to the middle, I thought this is going to be a stupid book about King Arthur. However, the book ended with a twist.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
kleonard's review against another edition
1.0
I thought I would like this book-it's got lots of elements I usually enjoy: archives, antiquarian books, manuscripts, lost documents, secret places and things related to history. But alas. It's got too many problems for me to enjoy, starting with the use of the term "Dark Ages," which historians and literature scholars and everyone in the know stopped using years ago because of its problematic assumptions. Right there the book's offended or come across as so poorly researched and written that no one with interests in history would read it. Then there was the claim that Welsh was "incomprehensible." That just turned off all of the language nerds. Then there were the characters, who were right out of central casting and notably lacking in depth. In fact, the main character's complaint that her relationships go nowhere--and/or that she can't maintain relationships--is because she's so flat as a character that there's nothing for anyone to be attracted to. Add to these things a bevy of minor irritations because of lack of research and understanding of the scholarly fields the author is trying to tap into, and the book is a mess.
sunshine169's review against another edition
1.0
So I was really enjoying this book up until the end. I love a good manuscript mystery hunt and all was going well until the big reveal at the end.
Spoiler
A Native American tribe is actually descended by white Europeans and if word gets out of their connection to the King Arthur burial their culture will be null and voided.... what in the actual fuck?? Just no.jvar's review against another edition
1.0
It’s been a while since I’ve read a truly bad story. I’ve plodded through some marginal stories, but nothing that prepared me to actively dislike a story this much. I’m really kinda angry that I didn’t just give up on it halfway through, because the ending was worse than the TV endings of both True Blood and Game of Thrones together.
Just saying, find something other to read than The Ghost Manuscript.
Two stars because the writing was decent, it’s the ending (beginning with the visit to the tribal grounds, a horrible decision on the author’s part ) that ruined the experience.
After letting it sink in, I’m taking my rating down to 1 star for the horrid decision on the treatment of sacred burial sites
Just saying, find something other to read than The Ghost Manuscript.
Two stars because the writing was decent, it’s the ending (beginning with the visit to the tribal grounds, a horrible decision on the author’s part ) that ruined the experience.
After letting it sink in, I’m taking my rating down to 1 star for the horrid decision on the treatment of sacred burial sites
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Ghost Manuscript is a new thriller/mystery adventure with a somewhat mystical element by Kris Frieswick. Released 2nd April 2019 by Post Hill press, it's 432 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
I am a big time bibliophile. I will read pretty much anything that features books or librarians (cats optional). I also love mysteries. This book ticked all the boxes for me, but I still found something lacking. Possibly the addition of an Arthurian legend to the mix was a little too far toward the 'National Treasure'/'Indiana Jones'/'Da Vinci Code'. For readers looking for rollicking yarns along those lines, this could potentially be a winner.
The book is fairly well written, but there were several times I found myself yanked out of the story by 'gotcha' moments that were so over the top unbelievable (and telegraphed beforehand) that it was a while before I re-engaged with the story. For readers who dislike strong language, this book has a fair bit. There are also some mentions of sex.
The ending implies a follow up book. It does have a resolution, but the epilogue clearly indicates that it's not a full stop.
Three and a half stars. Rounded up because there are millions of people who are Dan Brown fans, and this book read (to me) very much in the same vein.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Ghost Manuscript is a new thriller/mystery adventure with a somewhat mystical element by Kris Frieswick. Released 2nd April 2019 by Post Hill press, it's 432 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
I am a big time bibliophile. I will read pretty much anything that features books or librarians (cats optional). I also love mysteries. This book ticked all the boxes for me, but I still found something lacking. Possibly the addition of an Arthurian legend to the mix was a little too far toward the 'National Treasure'/'Indiana Jones'/'Da Vinci Code'. For readers looking for rollicking yarns along those lines, this could potentially be a winner.
The book is fairly well written, but there were several times I found myself yanked out of the story by 'gotcha' moments that were so over the top unbelievable (and telegraphed beforehand) that it was a while before I re-engaged with the story. For readers who dislike strong language, this book has a fair bit. There are also some mentions of sex.
The ending implies a follow up book. It does have a resolution, but the epilogue clearly indicates that it's not a full stop.
Three and a half stars. Rounded up because there are millions of people who are Dan Brown fans, and this book read (to me) very much in the same vein.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
suzannalundale's review against another edition
4.0
Good story, plenty of sexy historian stuff, characters with good depth, etc etc. Brava.
That having been said...
ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW? DAFYDD?? YOU HAD TO TAKE LOVELY, SEXY, LIFE-AFFIRMING DAFYDD??? Maybe I've had too much sorrow, loss, and wine this week, but Dafydd's death just feels like one between the eyes just now, and with Nicola and John having departed to the proverbial sunset together, wholly unnecessary.
I *suppose* it's the mark of a good storyteller that I care this much. [And my railing against an author's choices are purely tongue in cheek, because they are, of course, your choices to make.] Nonetheless, you, my good woman, owe me a bottle of vinho verde. Or two. Poor, lovely Dafydd...
That having been said...
ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW? DAFYDD?? YOU HAD TO TAKE LOVELY, SEXY, LIFE-AFFIRMING DAFYDD??? Maybe I've had too much sorrow, loss, and wine this week, but Dafydd's death just feels like one between the eyes just now, and with Nicola and John having departed to the proverbial sunset together, wholly unnecessary.
I *suppose* it's the mark of a good storyteller that I care this much. [And my railing against an author's choices are purely tongue in cheek, because they are, of course, your choices to make.] Nonetheless, you, my good woman, owe me a bottle of vinho verde. Or two. Poor, lovely Dafydd...
lagadema's review against another edition
3.0
I was interested in the book from the blurb and when I got to read it I was happy. I really enjoyed in the first part of the book where I had a feeling I read about new Indiana Jones. All that old books, twists and turns with danger were interesting, some parts connected with Native Americans were confusing, but this is fiction not a scientific research. This is my first book by by Kris Frieswick and I will look for other ones written by him too.
the_paigemaster's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you so much to Netgalley for letting me review this book. Spoilers ahead! This book started out GOOD. Solid. Fun. Interesting. Definitely a new take on a fascinating legend. But the end was extremely disappointing. I definitely prefer things to be wrapped up in a neat little bow, but I can enjoy them even when they aren’t. This ending however was very upsetting. I read a whole book for very little reward at the end. Almost important and likeable characters die and the bad guy basically gets away with it. It just felt like a giant let down. For me Carys deserves more. Even finding the burial site wasn’t exciting because of everything that happened right after. Up until the twist at the end, I loved the book. But the ending was too disappointing to me.
muddypuddle's review against another edition
3.0
What an unrewarding ending. All that buildup and then...blah. Not enough resolution. Lots of improbabilities. The most disappointing for me was the reader - she read flawlessly, it wasn't that. Her voice iss what put me off, it was too old and mannish, not suited for the character. And of all the Bostonians depicted in the story, she only gave one a (BAD!!!) New England accent. The two men from Wales had not even the slightest Welsh accent. I've heard so many readers that can pull off accents,, whoever chose this reader didn't choose the right one, not even close. That can make or break storytelling, and it certainly didn't make it for me. So many thwarted possibilities,, what a bummer.
mleung12's review against another edition
2.5
Overall concept is good, but very unsatisfactory ending as well as some not-so-subtle racism issues.