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A review by markyon
The Sign by Raymond Khoury
3.0
As you might expect from the plot summary, The Sign is a fast-paced tale of life-changing prophecy and global events. Therefore with such a premise, the plot is not exactly un-ambitious, but it is competently written to satisfy most thriller readers. So we have here many of the aspects expected from such a novel: a fast pace from the start, broad global range, a large range of typical characters (hot female reporter, concerned innocents unwittingly dragged into increasingly significant events, nasty military hit-men, corporate innovators and entrepreneurial power-players) but without great depth or emotional intensity. Whilst unravelling the plot, the book zips the reader around from Boston to the Antarctic, from Houston to Egypt, and also from (short) chapter to chapter, as events unfold.
On the positive side of things, this is a good, solid blockbuster that will be liked by fans of Tom Clancy or Michael Crichton, and one which stands up very well to the inevitable comparison with Dan Brown. There’s some nice contemporary touches here, with topical mentions of the credit crunch, iphones and global climate change that create a credible plot environment. There’s also some tangential musings on society, environmental change and some possible consequences for the future. But really, that’s not the point. What readers really want (and get) here is lots of fast-moving action and a steadily increasing dead body count, whilst silently cheering on the heroes and booing the baddies.
In summary, this is a great big widescreen read, which will satisfy many a reader. Fans of his earlier books will like, though it is probably something that’ll not remain in the brain too long. Nevertheless, it is very entertaining, nicely surprising in places and by the end, a real page turner. It would be a great holiday read, or perhaps one for being engrossed in, whilst in those airport queues.
Mark Yon
On the positive side of things, this is a good, solid blockbuster that will be liked by fans of Tom Clancy or Michael Crichton, and one which stands up very well to the inevitable comparison with Dan Brown. There’s some nice contemporary touches here, with topical mentions of the credit crunch, iphones and global climate change that create a credible plot environment. There’s also some tangential musings on society, environmental change and some possible consequences for the future. But really, that’s not the point. What readers really want (and get) here is lots of fast-moving action and a steadily increasing dead body count, whilst silently cheering on the heroes and booing the baddies.
In summary, this is a great big widescreen read, which will satisfy many a reader. Fans of his earlier books will like, though it is probably something that’ll not remain in the brain too long. Nevertheless, it is very entertaining, nicely surprising in places and by the end, a real page turner. It would be a great holiday read, or perhaps one for being engrossed in, whilst in those airport queues.
Mark Yon