Meh...This one just missed. I can suspend disbelief for a lot, but this one was so far out there I couldn't. The villains are wildly powerful and straMeh...This one just missed. I can suspend disbelief for a lot, but this one was so far out there I couldn't. The villains are wildly powerful and strangely vulnerable. The title clue - that was just a little too wild. (view spoiler)[ A ship beached for decades that not only survives but manages to launch itself with the aid of a typhoon. Then it sails around for weeks, even surviving a torpedo attack. (hide spoiler)]. Then there were numerous flings mentioned or alluded to. Definitely, not his best work. ...more
I absolutely love the crazy improbable twists that help the heroes out in the direst of spots. It’s just what makes a thriller worth reading for me. I absolutely love the crazy improbable twists that help the heroes out in the direst of spots. It’s just what makes a thriller worth reading for me. That, and the delightful mixing of ancient and modern. The deepest mysteries of Ancient Egypt and the intrigue of modern politics are all threatening to upend the world as we know it. The dauntless courage, knowledge, and friendship of an unparalleled band of archeologists are all that stand between an unsuspecting world and chaos. It was really a very fun adventure. It was quite clean. ...more
The plot was a fun mix of historical conspiracy theories and modern techno-terrorism, the action was not stop, and the settings spanned the globe. It The plot was a fun mix of historical conspiracy theories and modern techno-terrorism, the action was not stop, and the settings spanned the globe. Its characters are wildly successful whether they are stopping terrorists or storming castles. All of that was very fun. This one though does allude to scenes of a sexual nature. It was completely unnecessary to the plot and could easily have been skipped. ...more
You shouldn’t start a series with book number 11. But if you do, may I recommend this one? It was fantastic. More action, happy endings (well not for You shouldn’t start a series with book number 11. But if you do, may I recommend this one? It was fantastic. More action, happy endings (well not for all the bad guys, but they got their just deserts so…), and twists than you would ever guess at. Maybe the villains are a little too all-knowing, and the hero and heroine a little too powerful, and the ‘archeological’ tie-in a little too superstitious, but taken together they make for a rip-roaring adventure. There were also parts of the book that seemed a little too real. It reminds the reader of the danger faced by so many people in this hard, hard world. Then in the tradition of good thrillers, the good guys win. I really enjoyed this one. It was also really clean. ...more
The world is under attack– an ancient warlord strikes at the modern world – the hero is never more than a step away from death - and an ancient volca The world is under attack– an ancient warlord strikes at the modern world – the hero is never more than a step away from death - and an ancient volcano hides the answers to it all. What an adventure! Really, there is more action in this book than plot. But they are mixed so thoroughly that every time I was getting frustrated with another gun battle or fistfight he would drop another clue to the mystery and have me enthralled all over again. I enjoyed every minute of this book! It was one of those adventure stories that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but never has you fearing the ultimate heartbreak. If you are in the mood for a rollicking good time, this is the perfect book for you. It was very clean. ...more
I read this book and its companion, the Archon Conspiracy over and over as a young teen. Together they build a thrilling speculative tale of the beginI read this book and its companion, the Archon Conspiracy over and over as a young teen. Together they build a thrilling speculative tale of the beginning of the end. They are spooky, almost chilling, yet throughout each was the sure authority of God displayed in the words and actions of various believers. Some of the political conflicts are a little dated, but still thrilling and interesting. Unfortunately, I was still so familiar with the story lines of both books, that, while I thoroughly enjoyed it, the long discussions contrasting a New Age or atheistic worldview with a Biblical one were a little repetitive. They are very good, and, from what I remember about the first time I read them, timely to the story. For a young believer unfamiliar with Biblical answers to various conflicts raised in this book they are an exciting way to cement those answers in your mind and heart. I would heartily recommend both books....more
What a surprising hero! And what an imaginative romp! From African jungles to New York gangsters, there are more villains and natural obstacles to be What a surprising hero! And what an imaginative romp! From African jungles to New York gangsters, there are more villains and natural obstacles to be overcome than you would expect from such a short story. I went in expecting a rather slow-paced thriller of some sort. Instead, I got a very well-paced adventure, full of twist and turns all along the way. As with any adventure novel, the characters don’t always act thoughtfully or logically, but Burrows manages to make those actions into his character’s enduring qualities. Fun trivia… Wakanda, of the Marvel universe, may have been named after the fictitious African tribe in the opening chapter of this book. There were a couple ‘mild’ curse words. It was also written in 1915 about a wealthy southern family. There are terms that are considered very offensive now. It is a product of its time. ...more
A fine Victorian thriller, complete with arch villain bent on destroying the hero by any and all means, a rich dashing hero, and a damsel in distress A fine Victorian thriller, complete with arch villain bent on destroying the hero by any and all means, a rich dashing hero, and a damsel in distress. It’s a thriller so just accept the premise and enjoy the wild chase. There will be bombs, treasure, masked balls, assassins, master detectives, blackmailers, and true friends. The identity of the villain might just surprise you. I also enjoyed the setting. I’m not sure I’ve read a novel mostly set in Portugal. It’s a very Victorian view of Portugal, but still interesting. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to everyone. ...more
I found it to be full of suspense; maybe not for the reasons the author intended, but suspenseful none the less. I wanted this story to go in another I found it to be full of suspense; maybe not for the reasons the author intended, but suspenseful none the less. I wanted this story to go in another direction, so the actual solution, though better than what I feared really wasn’t satisfying either. Looking back, I can say I enjoyed the story until the end and was then thoroughly disappointed. Only if you really want the plot spoiled should you read the rest of my review. (view spoiler)[ I don’t agree with the basic political philosophies of the hero and heroine. Both of them are ardent socialists. The whole book revolves around that theme. I think socialism is fundamentally flawed. It wouldn’t bring the utopia they desire. So I kept waiting for someone to step up and show/tell how naïve these people’s actions are. While their role, through most of this story, as useful idiots is fully demonstrated, the basic idea is left un-discussed. One character does point out the disastrous results of the Russian revolution, but that’s as far as it goes. I would really have like to see a strong voice for the other side. Was this book written to bring the pacifists, communists, and socialists on board for the finish of WW1? Was he trying to point out the possibilities of their ideology being used dupe them into aiding the enemy? Was it really just a piece of propaganda to get one political segment on-board for the war effort? If it was, he certainly made the leaders either sufficiently grasping or completely naïve enough to demonstrate that. Is it just an adventure story that I’m over thinking? If I am, why is there so much focus on the ‘righteousness’ of their cause? Why is their success, at rallying support for the war, lauded as the beginning of a great future? Was he just trying to motivate them to support the war effort? I don’t know. Like I said I wished it had gone in another direction. I was really hoping Julian would have turned out to be a spy or a government agent instead of an anonymous socialist duped like the rest of them. Maybe I just like my heroes a little more far-sighted than he was. (hide spoiler)] ...more
Loading...
