A review by leener33
Map of Bones by James Rollins

3.0

If I could do 2.5, I would. This book was...fine. It seemed decently-researched but just cannot escape the now-rampant DaVinci Code cliches. Crisis at the Vatican hidden among its arcane secrets seems overdone at this point. The character development was lacking, and, as a result, I felt detached from them all even at the end of the book. Also, the same pattern repeated itself throughout the book: the heroes arrive at the next setting, they are clearly outsmarted and out-maneuvered by the bad guys, but then they find some miraculous way to escape. I could sense there was one big double-cross plot twist left for the end of the book, but by the time it was revealed, instead of thinking, "NO!," I just thought, "Who??" That said, it was a fun romp through various important sacred sites. I don't think I'll be hurrying to read any more of this type, though. If I want Dan Brown cliches, I'll read Dan Brown.