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Books Related to The Crystal Skull Manda Scott - ISBN: 0553817663
Underwhelmed - Rated
I'm a bit perplexed about my feelings for this book. I really want to be able to write a positive review but it really doesn't deserve it. I won't bother to rehash the story other then to say that the cover is slightly misleading in the sense that it stated that 'the implacable enemy is a threat.' As far as the story goes, it is well written and the premise is extremely good but the content is rather bland. I can safely say that I remained underwhelmed throughout the whole experience. The story threatened to pick up the pace and crank up the excitement factor but this always failed to materialise. The characters didn't do anything for me and the threat was almost none existent, in fact I can't for the life of me (with the exception of the odd scuffle) think of a single occasion when our heroes were in any danger. It was alluded to but quite often skipped over and you then had to endure a short paragraph as to how our heroes escaped, which sometimes made for annoying reading. Say what you like about the content and style of Rollins and Reilly but they know how to write exciting set pieces. The 16th Century storyline that runs parallel to the present day storyline is the better of the two but you get the overall sense at the end of the book of 'what was the point of all that?' I don't wish to spoil anything but nothing much happens. I don't think this will put me off the author but this book was simply not what I was expecting.
Rubbish. - Rated
This is the worst book I have ever read. The cover blurb made it sound good, but was the only good bit about it. I managed to finish it but only because I hate not finishing books. It went straight in the recyling bin when I had so at least it can go towards something better.
I'm sure Indiana Jones does it better.... - Rated
At face value this book should be a good adventure/thriller. Along the lines of find treasure, avoid killers, use treasure to save the world (a little bit Indiana Jones). It does start out like this. Husband and wife team Kit and Stella are searching Yorkshire caves for the legend that is the crystal skull - after finding the secret clues in Cedric Owens' diaries. All good so far, Stella finds the skull but shock horror there is someone with them in the cave who will stop at nothing to steal the treasure.
Interweaved with Stella's story is that of Cedric, keeper of the skull during the 1600s. His role is to protect the skull and find where its world saving end will be based. I have to admit that Cedric's adventures in Spain and the New World wore more gripping than Stella's self absorbed tale. However it is the armageddon averting ending that ended the book which was probably the main let down, if you blinked while reading the end you'll miss it - in fact I probably did because by then I'd just lost all interest in what was going on.
This book had all the potential and the writing style wasn't that bad so I just don't know what went wrong. Perhaps its the fact that there are 12 skulls and you just expect more things to happen. Obviously read it if you're a fan of the author as you probably will like it, but if you're looking for a good thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat reading into the darkness then I'm afraid this isn't it.
Weak and disappointing - Rated
I read all four books of the Boudica series twice and was looking forward to thsi book coming out. I have to say that i am glad that this is not a series, It was pale in comparison to Boudicca. The only parts where characters came alive was in the medieval timeline. The characters there came alive but the modern characters were utterly lifeless, and the storyline their was poor. In my view if the book had concentrated on the ealrier period and only hinted at the future, it would have been a far better story.
The story topic looked as if it would be a rival to the Da Vinci Code and when written by an experienced author I expected more than was produced. I think it is a case of authors having to produce books to satisfy the publishers and catch sales, thus they are not able to give their hearts to the subjects.
Classic Scott - Rated
A highly addictive thriller from the author of the Boudicca series that had many readers, including myself enthralled. With such a change in genre I was worried that Manda may not be able to cross with her writing technique but the skills that made her historical fiction so strong were present within the pages. Then throw into the mix the subject matter and you were worried that it could end up too Arthur C Clarke. That's the key thing with Manda though, she always finds a new niche to explore to make the subject matter her own and then when you throw into the mix her trademarks characters that were so real you could walk past them on the street and you have a tale that not only spans centuries but moves of a pace all of its own creating a piece that was a real pleasure to read. No wonder she is becoming one of the authors to watch in today forthcoming releases.
