Helpful Score: 6
The book started off a bit slow, taking its time to really build up the story - then it became really intense right near the end but ended rather quickly. The very last chapter was satisfying (and left a bit of a lump in my throat), but it did feel a bit rushed right before then especially with the slow lead-up prior to that. But I liked the story and the history so it was definitely worth reading.
Helpful Score: 5
Loved it! Floats between present time and the 1200's. Crusades and the Holy Grail. Less "blood and guts" than the DaVinci Code, but I put it right up their in enjoyment level!
Helpful Score: 5
The best Historical Fiction I have read in 15 years, possibly ever.
Helpful Score: 3
I read this book for our Book Club. I liked it; however, everyone else did not like it. The average rating was about a 2.5 out of 5. Most were excited about the subject matter and looked forward to reading it, based on the Professional Reviews. They were greatly disappointed. Women felt it dragged in the beginning and didn't take off until chapter 52 - about 3/5s of the way in. The end was filled with too many details and got confusing. Another note was the author gave way too many scenic details. Also those who did not have a French language background lost a lot in the French and Occitane phrases Mosse used throughout the book. We were left with many ?s, as well. There were many more facets people did not like. All of us - 9 - felt we would not read anymore books by Mosse.
Helpful Score: 3
This historical fantasy book is reminiscent of "The Historian" more than "The Da Vinci Code," which is a good thing in my book. The quick-paced thriller plot is well-balanced with surprising elegant and evocative prose, particularly in describing the landscapes of historical and modern France.
Helpful Score: 3
This was very difficult for me to read. The writer includes liberal (and annoying) doses of French and Occitan words. There is a glossary at the back of the novel, so you find yourself constantly interrupting your reading (sometimes several times a page) to flick to the glossary. I got about 1/3 of the way through and stopped. Just couldn't take anymore. I say don't waste your time.
Helpful Score: 2
The book started off a bit slow, taking its time to really build up the story - then it became really intense right near the end but ended rather quickly. The very last chapter was satisfying (and left a bit of a lump in my throat), but it did feel a bit rushed right before then especially with the slow lead-up prior to that. But I liked the story and the history so it was definitely worth reading.
Helpful Score: 2
This book really surprised me. I thought it would be a dry read making it a slow one as well. Instead I found the story line really seemed to flow steadily and my interest was definitely kept. I loved how the two stories of two women really intertwined even with a couple hundred years between them. It was out my usual reading realm and a very pleasurable journey. Would really recommend.
Helpful Score: 2
Starts out slow, but picks up at the end. If you don't mind spoilers, there is a discussion of the book in the September Hot Topics forum. Overall a bit pedantic in style, some French phrases (for me not a big deal as they fit in the character but others found annoying). OK for historical fiction, but mostly a laborious read.
Helpful Score: 2
What a terrific book! Well thought out, well written, suspenseful, exciting, tender, brutal.....I was sad to have it end. Great book.
Helpful Score: 2
This book isnt what the author says on the back. It is well written, beautifully descriptive, but a bit confusing. There were times when I just couldnt figure out where things came from. A character seduses another for information, I dont know where he got the info, because the other characters swore not to tell him! We trip back and forth between the past/future. I would have liked a straight story, it would have made more sense, and I could have gotten attached to the characters more. I think the author was suggesting reincarnation, holy grail quest, and crusade history. I am assuming her details are correct. I havent heard things this way before.
AND everyone knows that mosquitos bite more during dawn/evening hours than in the the heat of the day....still "bugs" me!
AND everyone knows that mosquitos bite more during dawn/evening hours than in the the heat of the day....still "bugs" me!
Helpful Score: 2
Interesting, though not as symbolic as it could have been. The historic flashbacks were a bit confusing and the whole "mystery" of the labyrinth was a bit disappointing.
Helpful Score: 2
The book started off a bit slow, taking its time to really build up the story - then it became really intense right near the end but ended rather quickly. The very last chapter was satisfying (and left a bit of a lump in my throat), but it did feel a bit rushed right before then especially with the slow lead-up prior to that. But I liked the story and the history so it was definitely worth reading.
Helpful Score: 2
An NYT bestseller, this is both a modern murder mystery and a medieval exploration of the Albigensian Crusade, since our lead character is descended from a woman of those days. I thought I knew enough about this hideous case of Christians "crusading" against other Christians in southwestern France, but it was still powerful and wrenching to read.
Helpful Score: 1
Terrific Book!! Transported me back in time...
From Publishers Weekly=
Mosse's page-turner takes readers on another quest for the Holy Grail, this time with two closely linked female protagonists born 800 years apart. In 2005, Alice Tanner stumbles into a hidden cave while on an archeological dig in southwest France. Her discovery—two skeletons and a labyrinth pattern engraved on the wall and on a ring—triggers visions of the past and propels her into a dangerous race against those who want the mystery of the cave for themselves. Alaïs, in the year 1209, is a plucky 17-year-old living in the French city of Carcassone, an outpost of the tolerant Cathar Christian sect that has been declared heretical by the Catholic Church. As Carcassonne comes under siege by the Crusaders, Alaïs's father, Bertrand Pelletier,entrusts her with a book that is part of a sacred trilogy connected to the Holy Grail. Guardians of the trilogy are operating against evil forces—including Alaïs's sister, Oriane, a traitorous, sexed-up villainess who wants the books for her own purposes. Sitting securely in the historical religious quest genre, Mosse's fluently written third novel (after Crucifix Lane) may tantalize (if not satisfy) the legions of Da VinciCode devotees with its promise of revelation about Christianity's truths. 8-city author tour. (Mar.)
From Publishers Weekly=
Mosse's page-turner takes readers on another quest for the Holy Grail, this time with two closely linked female protagonists born 800 years apart. In 2005, Alice Tanner stumbles into a hidden cave while on an archeological dig in southwest France. Her discovery—two skeletons and a labyrinth pattern engraved on the wall and on a ring—triggers visions of the past and propels her into a dangerous race against those who want the mystery of the cave for themselves. Alaïs, in the year 1209, is a plucky 17-year-old living in the French city of Carcassone, an outpost of the tolerant Cathar Christian sect that has been declared heretical by the Catholic Church. As Carcassonne comes under siege by the Crusaders, Alaïs's father, Bertrand Pelletier,entrusts her with a book that is part of a sacred trilogy connected to the Holy Grail. Guardians of the trilogy are operating against evil forces—including Alaïs's sister, Oriane, a traitorous, sexed-up villainess who wants the books for her own purposes. Sitting securely in the historical religious quest genre, Mosse's fluently written third novel (after Crucifix Lane) may tantalize (if not satisfy) the legions of Da VinciCode devotees with its promise of revelation about Christianity's truths. 8-city author tour. (Mar.)
Helpful Score: 1
A very interesting book weaving the past and the present. The lives of a Middle Ages woman and her family have ramifications to the present. All in the name of a secret society meant to protect the Grail.
Couldn't put this book down. Great historical fiction.
This historical fiction was one of the best I have read. The amount of research was evident and the intertwining of story lines was really well done. I could barely put this book down!
Kate Mosse's bestseller is a well-imagined grail tale, blending the past and present into a smooth story heading for one conclusion. The story sheds light on a lesser-known group of Christians in today's southern France, the Cathars, whose story in history is largely forgotten. I enjoyed the back-and-forth chapter style, superimposing a present day amateur archaeologist's life events with those of her ancestress, finding the detail in each to be appropriate and well done.
This was a good fictional account of the 13th century Albigensian Crusade (also known as the Cathar Crusade) in which the French Catholics in the northern part of France attacked the Cathars, a Christian sect, in the Languedoc in the south. I liked how these events were portrayed in the lives of Alais, her sister Orianne, her husband Guilhelm, and her father, Bertrand.
The 21st century scenes were not as good as the 13th century ones. I wanted to know more about how various characters were counterparts to the 13th century ones and many characters had similar names which added to the confusion. Still, I liked how Alice discovers the truth about her ancestor, Alais.
The 21st century scenes were not as good as the 13th century ones. I wanted to know more about how various characters were counterparts to the 13th century ones and many characters had similar names which added to the confusion. Still, I liked how Alice discovers the truth about her ancestor, Alais.
This book has been compared to the DaVinci Code, but it reminds me more of The Eight and Katharine Kerr's Deverry series, both of which I like a lot better. This has too much betrayal and torture for me.
Really enjoyed this book. Once I started, I was hooked.
I will always be skeptical of a book when the premise is reincarnation/being thrust through time, and apparently rightly so. Mosse is a capable writer, so the prose is not the problem here. Instead, it is the awkward setup and not-quite-compelling characters that bog down this book.
A good novel on the grail.
I was extremely excited to begin reading this book. I like fiction books that attribute non-fiction into them as well. I honestly could not get into this book, I tried several times. It was too boring, the plot did not move along for me. The details were well documents and displayed, but the writing seriously lacked for me.
I just could not get into this book, I read the first 50 pages and put it down.
Two women. Two lives. Two centuries. And, it's all focused on the labyrinth and its meaning to the Cathars. Alais lives in the 12th century when Catholics were determined to eradicate the Cathars. Alice is Alais' reincarnation eight hundred years later who finds the meaning of her dreams when she discovers the labyrinth symbol during an architectural dig. The story is based on the symbol and three religious books basic to the Cathar beliefs. The three were separated and guarded by individuals during Alais' life. Those seeking to destroy the religion search for the books. Some believe that the books bring immortal life to those who learn how to use them.
Moving from medieval France to contemporary France, the author links the experiences of the women in a positive, moving manner. The stories are similar in relation to the books and the labyrinth symbol but the outcomes are different. It's a clever story which exposes the reader to another time and another culture. I think it well done! Yes, the read is long but so worth it. I particularly like the work of this author who researches her work so well and explains that aspect. 4+ stars for me.
Moving from medieval France to contemporary France, the author links the experiences of the women in a positive, moving manner. The stories are similar in relation to the books and the labyrinth symbol but the outcomes are different. It's a clever story which exposes the reader to another time and another culture. I think it well done! Yes, the read is long but so worth it. I particularly like the work of this author who researches her work so well and explains that aspect. 4+ stars for me.
I read this book shortly after returning from the south of France and thought it would be fun to place a story there. Though I finished it (and it is long) I am not keeping it. The narrative was placed in two different centuries and with two different heroines and they were supposed to be related somehow. But all was revealed too late for me to care. And too many setups were wrapped up in sloppy manner (someone came very early to stake out a site and didn't see someone come in to blow it up - kind of important). And too many characters introduced with nothing to contribute.
Incredible story. Great. Keeps you wanting to read more about all the characters. Loved it!
Took me a while to get in to it, but enjoyed it. good plot
A lot of characters and French names to keep track of, but worth the read.
I wish I knew more about this time in history. This book dragged for me and I pretty much figured out the ending by page 350. I guess I have read too many books where one of the characters has lived forever. It did grab me in parts, but most of the history was lost on me.
This book was interesting to me, but quite slow in the reading with the switching to different languages (Occitan and French are littered throughout the book). Sometimes the is no clear translation for what the characters are saying, atleast it was not obvious enough for me. Most times the author clearly translates in English at the end of the phrase and she does it in style, not in a boring way. I think this is a good story and I would recommend for others to read it who are interested in historical fiction which I have come to love.
Excellent book. I loved the intrigue and the story line. It was an easy book to follow considering you are following the lives of two women who lived centuries apart. Look forward to the future books.
Really enjoyable. Comparisons to The Davinci Code do it injustice; this is definately not an imitator and is worth reading in it's own right.
I enjoyed the story but found the ending a bit disappointing.
Well-researched but a bit dry for my taste. The parallel, dual-time plots add interest, but the characters are not as fleshed out as they could be.
I was very disappointed in this book. I picked it up several times and just could not get into it.
This is a wonderful book about 2 women who live parallel lives in separate centuries. (I know we've read about this type of thing before). BUT--this novel includes the discovery of mysterious religious relics, French noblemen, the Catholic Inquisition as well as a couple of romances and a French chateau. What more could a reader possibly want?? Mosse manages to pull it all together to give us a satisfying ending. Bravo!! Don't miss it!
Alice finds herself looking down into a cave, containing ancient stones arranged in the form of a labyrinth, finds treasure, and enters into a chase for the truth with memories of another woman, Alais, from 800 years prior, thickly present in her mind. An engrossing story filled with historical fact.
This is a very good story, lots of twits and turns. Kept me on my toes.
I liked this book -- I found it to hard to put down at times. I liked the two connecting story lines too. One from present day, one from the 1200s, set in France. I also found the female protagonists refreshing.
Slow moving, boring, and containing a wishy washy plot tied up very quickly and almost as an after-thought at the end. The mix between the two viewpoints was cheesy and hard to follow at times.
GREAT READ!!!!!!!!!!!
As I'm sure you know, this was the winner of the "Richard and Judy's British Book Club" award for 2006.
I enjoyed the book and learned a lot about a culture that I had known nothing about. It was a very interesting story, although I didn't think the writing was particularly great.
Cathars, Carcassonne, the Grail, and 2 historians.
Very interesting read, especially for DaVinci Code fans!! Really enjoyed this one...
It's being compared to The DaVinci Code
Fantasy story a la Da Vinci Code, only not as good, and the actions of the heroines are not that believable. If you turn off most of your brain, it's an easy and moderately suspenseful book.
NOTE: This book has slight (only the first few pages) water damage - overall it's in good condition.
NOTE: This book has slight (only the first few pages) water damage - overall it's in good condition.
