Scan barcode
weardan's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jacki_f's review against another edition
3.0
Howard Gordon is a former executive producer and writer for the TV series "24". This is his first novel, but it bears many similarities in structure and pace to that programme, including such hallmarks as the brother gone rogue, the trusted family friend who's not what he seems and the red herring plot which stretches out the wait for the main action.
Gideon Davis is a Special Presidential Envoy who negotiates peace agreements on behalf of the US Government. He is called upon to bring in a rogue agent operating in the small but oil rich Muslim nation of Mohan. The rogue agent is his brother. Almost immediately upon arrival it becomes evident that he is being directly targeted. Meanwhile a terrorist plot to take control of a new state of the art oil rig (The Obelisk) is unfolding.
If all you're after is non-stop action with cliffhanger endings to every chapter, this book will deliver in spades. But if you also want believable characters, a plausible storyline and genuine suspense, you'll need to look elsewhere. There is a big twist towards the end of the book but it's so obvious that I find it impossible to believe that it could surprise anybody. Again and again, the villains make silly decisions merely to create opportunities for Gideon to do something heroic. Gideon is supposedly anti-violence and has not held a gun since he was 14, but somehow he can still fire a gun with pin point accuracy and without a shred of remorse. Then there is the rig manager, Kate Murphy. In her early 30s, very attractive and hasn't been with a man since her beloved Ben died. No points for guessing how that's going to turn out.
If you liked the series 24, this is worth a go, but it seldom rises above average for the genre.
Gideon Davis is a Special Presidential Envoy who negotiates peace agreements on behalf of the US Government. He is called upon to bring in a rogue agent operating in the small but oil rich Muslim nation of Mohan. The rogue agent is his brother. Almost immediately upon arrival it becomes evident that he is being directly targeted. Meanwhile a terrorist plot to take control of a new state of the art oil rig (The Obelisk) is unfolding.
If all you're after is non-stop action with cliffhanger endings to every chapter, this book will deliver in spades. But if you also want believable characters, a plausible storyline and genuine suspense, you'll need to look elsewhere. There is a big twist towards the end of the book but it's so obvious that I find it impossible to believe that it could surprise anybody. Again and again, the villains make silly decisions merely to create opportunities for Gideon to do something heroic. Gideon is supposedly anti-violence and has not held a gun since he was 14, but somehow he can still fire a gun with pin point accuracy and without a shred of remorse. Then there is the rig manager, Kate Murphy. In her early 30s, very attractive and hasn't been with a man since her beloved Ben died. No points for guessing how that's going to turn out.
If you liked the series 24, this is worth a go, but it seldom rises above average for the genre.
chyneyee's review against another edition
2.0
I feel the story is more suitable and interesting if it is made into a movie or a computer game than a book. I'm not a fan of stories in politics and terrorism. Thus, this book is not one of my favourites. I feel some of the descriptions in the story are overly detailed and irrelevant. It would be easier to understand if can be expressed in a movie.
https://chyneyee.com/2014/06/29/the-obelisk-gideon-davis-1-howard-gordon/
https://chyneyee.com/2014/06/29/the-obelisk-gideon-davis-1-howard-gordon/
More...