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pawpawmrp's review against another edition
5.0
Totally awesome read. One of those you just can't put down.
kshatrya's review against another edition
2.0
This was a fun book to read, definitely a beach book. The Kennedy assassination, the KGB, evil corporate leaders, a youth serum, Siberian shamans and a sexy contract killer.
amybett's review against another edition
3.0
Reading this book is like watching an average action movie, so of course I read the entire thing. Gunfire in every chapter, mystery, intrigue, far-fetched yet predictable conspiracy theories abound. Cheesy yet entertaining. Maybe the funniest thing are the reviews on the jacket NOT from the NYT but from "NYT bestselling authors"... and it's all written under a pseudonym.
jc3smama's review against another edition
3.0
Normally the type of book I enjoy, but it was all just a bit too much. Too many stretches of suspended belief. I think if 1/2 of the action and links to history had happened, it would be easier to believe.
kimcheel's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
rebelmouse's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book very much, including the characters, plot and writing.
It moved along at a good pace and it was a lovely bit of escapism for me.
It moved along at a good pace and it was a lovely bit of escapism for me.
sianw1992's review against another edition
2.0
Lately I've been tearing through books like they're going out of fashion. This book was promised to be an adventure thriller, full of Russian spies, conspiracies and family history.
There are several prologues setting up the story, which I won't dwell on too much. They're interesting and insightful and they tie nicely into the story later on down the line. The two stories we should focus on are those of Ry O'Malley and Zoe Dmitroff who are brought together unwittingly in search of the altar of bones.
Zoe is a strong, likeable heroine, unless it comes to confined spaces and Ry is charismatic and handsome exactly what you'd expect from an action thriller like this one. Although it annoyed me that he was called Ry and not referred to by his full name.
Another reviewer said that this reads like a film script and I have to agree. There is cliché after cliché, and so many gun fights I found myself skimming the action to get onto the next part of the actual plot.
I enjoyed the historical references and the section that involved Ry's step-dad and Marilyn Monroe. In fact, that could have been a story all of it's own. This book was hefty and I think that was an issue, cut out some car chases and make this book two, or even book three. There was so much scope and it had been crammed all into one novel.
I gave this book two stars, because although I enjoyed it and found myself addicted to turning it's pages, I also was glad when it was over. I found it quite predictive and like many thriller books I've read before.
The only thing that wound me up, was that while Zoe was on the run, the first (and possibly last) chance she got to eat and she ordered a salad. That's an insane woman, right there.
There are several prologues setting up the story, which I won't dwell on too much. They're interesting and insightful and they tie nicely into the story later on down the line. The two stories we should focus on are those of Ry O'Malley and Zoe Dmitroff who are brought together unwittingly in search of the altar of bones.
Zoe is a strong, likeable heroine, unless it comes to confined spaces and Ry is charismatic and handsome exactly what you'd expect from an action thriller like this one. Although it annoyed me that he was called Ry and not referred to by his full name.
Another reviewer said that this reads like a film script and I have to agree. There is cliché after cliché, and so many gun fights I found myself skimming the action to get onto the next part of the actual plot.
I enjoyed the historical references and the section that involved Ry's step-dad and Marilyn Monroe. In fact, that could have been a story all of it's own. This book was hefty and I think that was an issue, cut out some car chases and make this book two, or even book three. There was so much scope and it had been crammed all into one novel.
I gave this book two stars, because although I enjoyed it and found myself addicted to turning it's pages, I also was glad when it was over. I found it quite predictive and like many thriller books I've read before.
The only thing that wound me up, was that while Zoe was on the run, the first (and possibly last) chance she got to eat and she ordered a salad. That's an insane woman, right there.
topdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Reading "Altar of Bones" by Philip Carter was like reading a two-hour movie of the week. It's got everything you could want in a fast-paced action-oriented novel, including car chases, assassination attempts, exposed conspiracy theories, riddles, potentially supernatural elements, sexual tension, good guys, bad guys, (and sometimes you aren't sure which is which)...you get the idea. Everything but the kitchen sink is thrown at you leading to a page-turning read.
"Philip Carter" is a pseudonym for an internationally renowned author. I'm not sure who it is yet but this book is obviously not a first attempt by a new author. The two main characters, while not showing National Book Award level characterization, (who would want that in a thriller book anyway?) are well drawn and for the most part, I cared what happened to them. I did have some issues with the secondary characters. There are quite a few of them and they tended to be a bit one-dimensional. Perhaps a little more characterization with fewer supporting characters might be preferable. My favorite thriller novels always have fantastic bad guys and I felt this novel fell a little short in that regard, thus knocking it down one star but still, I enjoyed this one a lot.
"Philip Carter" is a pseudonym for an internationally renowned author. I'm not sure who it is yet but this book is obviously not a first attempt by a new author. The two main characters, while not showing National Book Award level characterization, (who would want that in a thriller book anyway?) are well drawn and for the most part, I cared what happened to them. I did have some issues with the secondary characters. There are quite a few of them and they tended to be a bit one-dimensional. Perhaps a little more characterization with fewer supporting characters might be preferable. My favorite thriller novels always have fantastic bad guys and I felt this novel fell a little short in that regard, thus knocking it down one star but still, I enjoyed this one a lot.