Labyrinth
3 journalers for this copy...
bought from the UK -- looks REALLY good! I'll decide to keep/let go after I've finished
I'm keeping this one; maybe after I move I'll do a bookring, but for now it's going with me.
First of all, let me say that even though the cover and the reviews all mention Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, get that idea out of your head right now. There is absolutely nothing in this book to even compare or contrast with the other. So don't expect another Da Vinci Code. This one is completely different. I HATE when people do this just to get your attention!
What I liked about this book is the structure and the way the story is revealed little by little. The book is told in alternate timelines -- from 2005, the reader is acquainted with Alice Tanner, who as the story opens is working at an archaeological dig where she is not part of a team, but is just there at the invitation of a friend who is an archaeologist. Alice stumbles into a cave where she finds two skeletons and a carving of a labyrinth. Then a switch is made to France in the 13th century, and tells the story of Alais du Mas, whose father is just one of three people who guard an ages-old secret that is now in danger of being exposed. The stories of both women progress as their lives fall into turmoil and find that they are the keepers of an awesome responsibility; in each woman's time there are those who will stop at nothing to gain the secrets these women keep.
Very interesting look at a bit of the history of the Cathars; if you don't know who these people are, you may want to do a bit of research because the story may not make sense to you if you don't.
I wasn't wowed by the give away of the secret, but the getting there was the fun part. Good reading; beware, it's 500+ pages long. Would I recommend it? Yes...but not if you're looking a mainstream read. Fun novel and I'll probably read it again at some point.
First of all, let me say that even though the cover and the reviews all mention Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, get that idea out of your head right now. There is absolutely nothing in this book to even compare or contrast with the other. So don't expect another Da Vinci Code. This one is completely different. I HATE when people do this just to get your attention!
What I liked about this book is the structure and the way the story is revealed little by little. The book is told in alternate timelines -- from 2005, the reader is acquainted with Alice Tanner, who as the story opens is working at an archaeological dig where she is not part of a team, but is just there at the invitation of a friend who is an archaeologist. Alice stumbles into a cave where she finds two skeletons and a carving of a labyrinth. Then a switch is made to France in the 13th century, and tells the story of Alais du Mas, whose father is just one of three people who guard an ages-old secret that is now in danger of being exposed. The stories of both women progress as their lives fall into turmoil and find that they are the keepers of an awesome responsibility; in each woman's time there are those who will stop at nothing to gain the secrets these women keep.
Very interesting look at a bit of the history of the Cathars; if you don't know who these people are, you may want to do a bit of research because the story may not make sense to you if you don't.
I wasn't wowed by the give away of the secret, but the getting there was the fun part. Good reading; beware, it's 500+ pages long. Would I recommend it? Yes...but not if you're looking a mainstream read. Fun novel and I'll probably read it again at some point.
Woo-hoo! Yippee!! Labyrinth is here!!! For some reason I'm really excited about this one. I hope it doesn't disappoint me! Thanks SO much for the RABCK's, quinnsmom! I hope I can repay you someday....
Hmmm....after all is said & done, I think I was disappointed in this one. I loved the first chapter -- it was very effective in sucking me in at the start. But I just didn't feel like it kept my interest the rest of the way through. Indeed it is a long book, and I think that's part of its downfall -- it's TOO long. The premise of the story is good. In fact, I think if the book had been cut down to about 1/3 of its size, it would've been more effective. I did enjoy the format, but I found some of the detail excessive & unnecessary. And now I have to admit something: I read the audiobook version, since it was available at the library & I knew I'd get to it quicker that way. And honestly I do think, had I read the actual written book, I would've gotten more out of it. I apparently must've missed some important details in my listening, because I kept finding myself thinking, "Wait...what just happened there? Did I just miss something?!" And I had a lot of trouble keeping track of names & who was who, and I think had I been actually looking at the written pages, that wouldn't have been as much of an issue for me. The actual book also has some nice symbols & a glossary at the back, which my audio version obviously did not. Plus, I just love the cover of this book for some reason. Very intriguing-looking.
Thanks again, quinnsmom, for the RABCK. This is now preparing to go to another BC'er, via a book relay.
Thanks again, quinnsmom, for the RABCK. This is now preparing to go to another BC'er, via a book relay.
Wrapping up now to be shipped off tomorrow to Bibliocrates, via relay. Enjoy it! :')
I caught this book in the mail several days ago via BookObsessed.com. Thank you very much for sending it to me indygo88!
This book is going into storage... Bookbox #1
