Helpful Score: 12
This took me forever to get through! I'm not sure why, since I enjoyed it, but it just seemed to get longer and longer as I went along. Well, up to page 400 or so, when things really started to take off!
Now, what to say about the story without giving too much away.... For most of the book, I found myself enjoying the modern storyline a bit more than the one in 18th century, although every now and again that would switch around. I think that was mainly because I enjoyed Catherine Velis's sense of humor, and you didn't see much like that in the earlier time period. The book is rich with details and appearances by famous figures, which, along with the plot, make it both fun and a bit overblown. The bits about the beginning of OPEC were very interesting to read, especially with the way fuel prices are once again a major issue. And all the little bits and pieces of information about the many locations in the story were fabulous! Perhaps that's why the book took me so long to read -- I didn't want to miss any of the nifty little details, and there's hardly a page without them!
Overall, a very good book. Not quite as great as I had heard -- and I figured out several of the twists in advance -- but a book that holds my attention for 600 pages with a plot based around a board game (blah!) has to be pretty great!
Now, what to say about the story without giving too much away.... For most of the book, I found myself enjoying the modern storyline a bit more than the one in 18th century, although every now and again that would switch around. I think that was mainly because I enjoyed Catherine Velis's sense of humor, and you didn't see much like that in the earlier time period. The book is rich with details and appearances by famous figures, which, along with the plot, make it both fun and a bit overblown. The bits about the beginning of OPEC were very interesting to read, especially with the way fuel prices are once again a major issue. And all the little bits and pieces of information about the many locations in the story were fabulous! Perhaps that's why the book took me so long to read -- I didn't want to miss any of the nifty little details, and there's hardly a page without them!
Overall, a very good book. Not quite as great as I had heard -- and I figured out several of the twists in advance -- but a book that holds my attention for 600 pages with a plot based around a board game (blah!) has to be pretty great!
Helpful Score: 7
If you liked the DaVinci Code, than think of The Eight as a better written, better researched novel of the same genre, with a more complex plot. I couldn't put it down. I really liked the way Neville brought the past to life, and tied it to the modern narrative. Some parts are so jarringly real they are hard to read, but they drive the intensity of the book.
A great adventure / mystery read!
A great adventure / mystery read!
Helpful Score: 5
I've read this book twice, something I rarely do - and this book was equally satisfying both times. Katherine Neville does a great job of immersing the reader into both the 18th century and 20th century plotlines. There are rich characters, wonderful exotic locations, international intrigue and romance...what more could you ask for in a novel? A must-read in my opinion.
Helpful Score: 3
This is in my top five favorite books. Fascinating, engrossing mystery, hard to put down. Past and present events, puzzles, codes, chess and more.
Helpful Score: 2
Awesome book - fast paced action, definetely a page-turner!
Helpful Score: 2
Similar to Da Vinci Code (although it came first), it centers around the mystical chess set of King Charlamagne. The story follows two storylines in different time periods. Although somewhat slow in the middle, it's a very good read.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a very good book. The twists and turns and the element of a treasure hunt was well done. That being said, this book took..me...forever!...to read. I don't know why. The story was compelling, and while it was extremely detailed, you could tell the amount of research that went into this book was huge.
There were a few too many historical figures thrown in, and at one point I actually laughed out loud when one recent historical figure barges into a room and makes a scene. It wasn't necessary but it was humorous.
The characters were well developed, and well liked, and even though there were quite a few players in the Game, it wasn't that hard to keep them straight. I did like the historical half of the book a bit better than the more modern, but it was also nice to remember what 1973 was like, with no cell phones, computers were just coming into play and the Cold War was ramping up.
Definitely worth a read.
There were a few too many historical figures thrown in, and at one point I actually laughed out loud when one recent historical figure barges into a room and makes a scene. It wasn't necessary but it was humorous.
The characters were well developed, and well liked, and even though there were quite a few players in the Game, it wasn't that hard to keep them straight. I did like the historical half of the book a bit better than the more modern, but it was also nice to remember what 1973 was like, with no cell phones, computers were just coming into play and the Cold War was ramping up.
Definitely worth a read.
Helpful Score: 1
I liked this book a lot. It switches from the present to the 1790's and back. Learned a lot about the French revolution. It's a thriller!
Helpful Score: 1
Fascinating story! This book was very hard to come by - maybe some kind of cult favorite?
Helpful Score: 1
This has to be one of my all time favorite books. Even before the DaVinci Code, this book was very thought provoking. I think I've read it at least five times!
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. It does jump time periods which is confusing at first. Once you get lost in the story it doesn't bother you at all.
Helpful Score: 1
Thoroughly fascinating! This is a great suspense book, and brings something fresh to the genre. Highly recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a very good book, especially if you are familiar with the game of chess or like math. I'm neither interested nor knowledgeable in either, but I still enjoyed it. There are several places within the book where it drags or gets too wrapped up in details, but these instances are short lived. The pace always picks right back up and gets you hooked again. Feel free to email if you have any questions. ~LeAnn
Helpful Score: 1
The search is on for a missing chess set with powers men are dying for. It's a very good book with great twists and turns. Excellent book...highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 1
A well-told story that grips you from the beginning. It is filled with intrigue. While it reminds one of the DaVinci Code, it is not the same. Author Neville does an excellent job of taking one from the 1700s to modern times as she flips back and forth in time in telling the tale. Great development of characters, never a dull moment. Katherine Neville has done an excellent job of weaving in her characters with the story. This was a great read right to the last words. I look forward to reading the sequel "The Fire."
Helpful Score: 1
Katherine Neville is the female Dan Brown.
Helpful Score: 1
A great historical fiction thriller, filled with mystery, secrets, and mayhem! A great read!
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite books of all time.
Helpful Score: 1
The Eight is a fairy tale, romance, historical fiction and suspense story all rolled up into one novel. It's a little over the top and a little long at 500+ pages. However, it is a fast, entertaining read. And it helps, if you know anything at all about playing chess!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great book for intellectual, mystical reading!
The author Katherine Neville, apparently has an insatiable appetite for research because this novel is full of very complicated and varied information from chess to mathematics to science
This was a fast moving story, or I should say 2 stories. One takes place in the 1700's and the other in the 1970's. The author did a great job of melding the 2 stories to a common goal - to figure out the magic formula of the eight. The heroines reminded me of female Indiana Jones's. It was a fun ride, although it was quite a long book.
Ron K. (WhidbeyIslander) -
Couldn't finish it. Too wordy and I didn't feel like spending 600 pages on it. Only wasted 60 pages worth.
This book as a pretty interesting fast paced story. Personally I felt the ending was a bit of a let down, but overall it was a fun read.
3 out of 10
Well it was okay at best. I think if you are a chess player you will enjoy this book better than I did. The historical part set in early 1800s was quite interesting, but modern day story I found quite boring.
One of my top 5 books ever.
Stephanie S. (punkinema) -
The book takes place in two times - present day (1970's) and the 18th century during the French Revolution. Those interested in the occult will love this book - I didn't because it was too far out there for me.
I got a little lost with this book. A little too much intrigue for me.
Excellent!
New York City, 1972Catherine Velis is a computer expert for a Big Eight accounting firm. Before heading off to an assignment in Algeria, Cat is approached by an antiques dealer with a mysterious offer: His anonymous client is trying to collect the pieces of an ancient chess service, purported to be in Algeria. If Cat can bring them back, there will be a generous reward.
The South of France, 1790France is aflame with revolution, and two young novices- Mireille de Remy and her cousin Valentine- burn to rebel against their constricted convent life at Montglane Abbey. Now their means of escape is at hand. Buried deep within the abbey are the pieces of a chess service once owned by Charlemagne. Whoever has all the pieces can play a game of unlimited power. But to keep the Game a secret from those who would abuse it, the pieces must be scattered throughout the world.
The South of France, 1790France is aflame with revolution, and two young novices- Mireille de Remy and her cousin Valentine- burn to rebel against their constricted convent life at Montglane Abbey. Now their means of escape is at hand. Buried deep within the abbey are the pieces of a chess service once owned by Charlemagne. Whoever has all the pieces can play a game of unlimited power. But to keep the Game a secret from those who would abuse it, the pieces must be scattered throughout the world.
I read this book because I heard,
"...if you liked The Da Vinci Code, you'll like this book"
Turned out to be very true. I liked it every bit as much. So...
--------If you liked The Da Vinci Code, you'll like this book.----------
"...if you liked The Da Vinci Code, you'll like this book"
Turned out to be very true. I liked it every bit as much. So...
--------If you liked The Da Vinci Code, you'll like this book.----------
Not bad - a little dated but overall good.
From the Boston Herald --
"The female counterpart to Unberto Eco's 'The Name of the Rose' ... Impossible to put down."
"The female counterpart to Unberto Eco's 'The Name of the Rose' ... Impossible to put down."
