3.0 out of 5 stars A thriller that takes you deep into the history of China, December 20, 2010
This review is from: The Emperor's Tomb (Cotton Malone) (Hardcover)
I have read most all of Steve Berry's previous novels -- my favorite was The Third Secret: A Novel -- and I like the way that the author blends history, archeology, and adventure into a mystery thriller. The typical Berry novel is a cross between Clive Cussler and Dan Brown, and they are fast paced, quick reads.
In this novel, Cotton Malone and Casssiopeia Vitt (these characters most recently appeared in the previous novel The Paris Vendetta: A Novel) are reunited in a mission that focuses on China and a conspiracy that may prove deadly as there are those who want to keep an incredible discovery a secret. Malone and Vitt are brought into the inner workings of the post Mao government where there is a showdown between the two leading contenders (Tang and Ni) for that country's leadership role. Add in traitorous eunuchs, Russian spies, and trigger happy soldiers and you have a somewhat confusing story of cross and double cross. At stake is China's leadership yes, but also a race to verify that oil -- not fossil fuel as long believed was scarce -- but abiotic oil that is self replenishing and would never run out. What a find for China if true -- China that needs massive quantities of imported oil to run its industry and shelter its people. A Russian geologist has what he believes is proof that abiotic oil exists and was actually discovered in Gansu over 2200 years ago!! He is wanted by both the Russians and the Chinese and they will stop at nothing to get the verification they need. For if China doesn't need to import oil, it will no longer have to follow the dictates of the other nations and won't be held in check by threats of embargo. How powerful the leader of the nation that possesses unlimited oil would be. But no other country will find out! Is the verification they need hidden in the Emperor Qin Shi's tomb? The only problem is that the tomb has been off limits and sealed for over 2000 years!
Although the historical parts of the book were quite interesting (dynastic succession, eunuchs, important discoveries made centuries ago in China but kept from the western world) the narrative was somewhat disconnected. The point of view and the scene would switch back and forth quite frequently. I found the dialog more like an anthropology lecture sometimes and something that irritated me was the way the author wrote the way the Russians talked. The Chinese spoke English smoothly, but the Russians said things like "I not know" and "She gives to Tang who returns boy" i.e., skipped words, etc. Annoying -- I'm certain that any Russian secret agent would speak English quite fluently.
In short -- this book was OK but seemed more like a lecture in between unbelievable scenes of escapes and near death experiences. The fight scenes seemed to go on far too long and some of the transitions dragged on between bursts of action. Read it if you like to read about Chinese history and if you like spy stories and adventures. The conclusion was quite predictable.
This review is from: The Emperor's Tomb (Cotton Malone) (Hardcover)
I have read most all of Steve Berry's previous novels -- my favorite was The Third Secret: A Novel -- and I like the way that the author blends history, archeology, and adventure into a mystery thriller. The typical Berry novel is a cross between Clive Cussler and Dan Brown, and they are fast paced, quick reads.
In this novel, Cotton Malone and Casssiopeia Vitt (these characters most recently appeared in the previous novel The Paris Vendetta: A Novel) are reunited in a mission that focuses on China and a conspiracy that may prove deadly as there are those who want to keep an incredible discovery a secret. Malone and Vitt are brought into the inner workings of the post Mao government where there is a showdown between the two leading contenders (Tang and Ni) for that country's leadership role. Add in traitorous eunuchs, Russian spies, and trigger happy soldiers and you have a somewhat confusing story of cross and double cross. At stake is China's leadership yes, but also a race to verify that oil -- not fossil fuel as long believed was scarce -- but abiotic oil that is self replenishing and would never run out. What a find for China if true -- China that needs massive quantities of imported oil to run its industry and shelter its people. A Russian geologist has what he believes is proof that abiotic oil exists and was actually discovered in Gansu over 2200 years ago!! He is wanted by both the Russians and the Chinese and they will stop at nothing to get the verification they need. For if China doesn't need to import oil, it will no longer have to follow the dictates of the other nations and won't be held in check by threats of embargo. How powerful the leader of the nation that possesses unlimited oil would be. But no other country will find out! Is the verification they need hidden in the Emperor Qin Shi's tomb? The only problem is that the tomb has been off limits and sealed for over 2000 years!
Although the historical parts of the book were quite interesting (dynastic succession, eunuchs, important discoveries made centuries ago in China but kept from the western world) the narrative was somewhat disconnected. The point of view and the scene would switch back and forth quite frequently. I found the dialog more like an anthropology lecture sometimes and something that irritated me was the way the author wrote the way the Russians talked. The Chinese spoke English smoothly, but the Russians said things like "I not know" and "She gives to Tang who returns boy" i.e., skipped words, etc. Annoying -- I'm certain that any Russian secret agent would speak English quite fluently.
In short -- this book was OK but seemed more like a lecture in between unbelievable scenes of escapes and near death experiences. The fight scenes seemed to go on far too long and some of the transitions dragged on between bursts of action. Read it if you like to read about Chinese history and if you like spy stories and adventures. The conclusion was quite predictable.
I am a huge Steve Berry fan and look forward to his new novels. This is the first one I felt a little disheartened in reading.
First of all, the story does keep you wanting to know what the twist is going to be and what they are going to find. The let down comes at the point in the story when you believe the action will hit full-pace (as it has in Berry's prior novels) and will keep you turning the pages more rapidly than before. Unfortunately, the climax of this novel is more "Ho-Hum" for me.
The main gist of this book is the political ramifications behind whether or not oil is finite or not. The premise of this is based in some reality as to whether oil is biotic (due to organics being compressed over time and creating oil as a by-product - a.k.a. Fossil Fuels) or if it is abiotic (the earth replinishes oil continuously). With the dependency of oil by China helping keep that country "in-check" the finding that oil is finite could lead to a shift in world power from the U.S. (as well as Russia's attempt to be a world-power) to China leading the way.
The pursuit of confirming oil as being finite and proving this to the world as well as the political, in-house struggles betweeen a Confucious-based party leader and a Legalist-based party leader (the novel helps define this power struggle well) is core to this novel. While the politics is interesting, the pacing of this novel is slower than normal for a Cotton Malone story.
I rated this as a "Like It" in comparison to Berry's prior works. It is middle of the road for me, but still a decent read overall.
First of all, the story does keep you wanting to know what the twist is going to be and what they are going to find. The let down comes at the point in the story when you believe the action will hit full-pace (as it has in Berry's prior novels) and will keep you turning the pages more rapidly than before. Unfortunately, the climax of this novel is more "Ho-Hum" for me.
The main gist of this book is the political ramifications behind whether or not oil is finite or not. The premise of this is based in some reality as to whether oil is biotic (due to organics being compressed over time and creating oil as a by-product - a.k.a. Fossil Fuels) or if it is abiotic (the earth replinishes oil continuously). With the dependency of oil by China helping keep that country "in-check" the finding that oil is finite could lead to a shift in world power from the U.S. (as well as Russia's attempt to be a world-power) to China leading the way.
The pursuit of confirming oil as being finite and proving this to the world as well as the political, in-house struggles betweeen a Confucious-based party leader and a Legalist-based party leader (the novel helps define this power struggle well) is core to this novel. While the politics is interesting, the pacing of this novel is slower than normal for a Cotton Malone story.
I rated this as a "Like It" in comparison to Berry's prior works. It is middle of the road for me, but still a decent read overall.
If there is one lesson to be learned from the Chinese culture it is that things are not what they seem and a polite countenance and soft words can mask a country in major turmoil and upheaval beneath a placid surface. The frozen faced terra cotta warriors of China's First Emperor Qui Shi are just part of the adventure in this rollicking, suspenseful and history laden book by author Steve Berry. This story centers on an age old mystery with world wide implications - are the Chinese hiding a secret that may be within the walls of the off-limits tomb of the Emperor - a secret that could profoundly change what the world believes about oil? Hmmmmm. Ever wonder why one of the most fascinating sites in all of archeology was never revealed - akin to finding Cleopatra's resting place intact and never opening it. Just what is the reason? Berry spins another late night reading story that will keep you riveted.
Cotton Malone, an American bookseller living and working in Copenhagen is back in another adventure as he battles to discover secrets from the past that will have implications impacting the political balance as well as the worldwide economy. Along with a fascinating assortment of new characters, favorites (or at least familiar ones) lend a hand including Casseioppeia Vitt and Malone's former boss Stephanie Nelle from the Magellen Billet, a secretive U.S. government organization that cannot seem to let him stay retired.
This book is one of my best picks for the year - it will keep you entertained and fascinate you with historical details and provide you with insights into China.
Cotton Malone, an American bookseller living and working in Copenhagen is back in another adventure as he battles to discover secrets from the past that will have implications impacting the political balance as well as the worldwide economy. Along with a fascinating assortment of new characters, favorites (or at least familiar ones) lend a hand including Casseioppeia Vitt and Malone's former boss Stephanie Nelle from the Magellen Billet, a secretive U.S. government organization that cannot seem to let him stay retired.
This book is one of my best picks for the year - it will keep you entertained and fascinate you with historical details and provide you with insights into China.
The Cotton Malone series started out with much promise and while still quite good, Berry's stories have become somewhat formulaic. Still recommended for thriller fans.
Grabs you and keeps you guessing about who are really the"bad" guys. Definitely on par with other books in this series. Hard to put down, always need to read a little more before quitting.
Has as many twists and turns as a bag of pretzels...my favorite type of book! The chase is on...all over Europe and China. Excellent insights into Chinese politics and history woven into the action. Featuring Cotton and Cassiopeia trying to stay alive whilst saving the good guys.
