pro libertate net

Ice Limit is one of the few non-Pendergast novel by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. They seem to have specialized in mystery novel that allude often to the supernatural. Ice Limit is, however, more closely linked to science fiction. First, its all about a meteorite; more specifically a possibly interstellar meteorite. Something that is extremely unlikely. In the end, the object of interest is even considered a proof of Panspermia, establishing a strong link to science fiction. Also the feats of ingenious engineering, a lot of the story is about moving an extremely heavy object (the meteorite), is more typical of a science fiction novel than a thriller.

Nevertheless, there is murder, mayhem, corruption, secrecy, a kind of villain – though he is actually an honest citizen with a lot of conviction and loyalty to his country and family – and a kind of good guy. The novel breaks with some stereotypes rendering it slightly more interesting.

On the other hand, the novel does not really deliver what is advertised on its back. The mysterious meteorite is much less mysterious. The flawless expedition is far from flawless. And the frightening truth is not about the meteorite, as implicated, but about human tragedy. Yet, thanks to the well honed skills of Preston & Child the novel is still entertaining; good material for the nightstand.

Here is one that is not part of a series. Not given how the book ends. Wrong.

As a rule I collect some information about the author before I buy a book. Usually to make sure that I buy and read the first book of a series first – if the book I want to to read happens to belong to a series. OK, this time I obviously did not do my homework. Will Adams’ The Lost Labyrinth is the third and most recent novel in a series of three books that share the same protagonist. I have to admit I did not notice nor did I suspect that The Lost Labyrinth is part of a series. This speaks in favor of the book and Adams.

The Lost Labyrinth is one of those – here nice and well written – mystery thrillers where the protagonists belong to a certain academic circle; here it is archaeologists. The story is embedded in some well known historical myths and facts. Adams may be a little too ambitious in trying to link several historical myths and facts at the same time: Atlantis, the Golden Fleece, and Minos’ Labyrinth. On the upside, realism in fictional works like this one is often sacrificed in order to increase the suspense and make the protagonist more hero-like, not here. All the fights and villainous acts feel rather real and befitting.

Even though I rather enjoyed the book I am not quite sure yet whether I will read the first two installments of Adams’ heroic archaeologist…

Hinting once or twice at things still to come to increase the suspense of one’s narrative can be a good move. The reader becomes engrossed in the story and feels slightly ahead of the protagonists. Continuously hinting at things still to come becomes very fast an annoying quirk. Chris Kuzneski has this quirk and Sign of the Cross suffers to some extend under it.

Otherwise it’s a good religious themed thriller. The heroes are quite likeable and not too serious. Indeed, I felt a bit reminded of Clive Cussler’s work. The protagonists still need some depth – though it is only the second novel in a series that I suspect to get rather voluminous…

Dual (or multiple) interwoven time lines seem pretty popular in current successful novels. The Sanctuary, for instance, connects one story plot playing in the early 1700 with one in the early 2000. Raymond Khoury mixes quite a bit of action – shoot outs, kidnappings, hot pursuits – a string of coincidences with an appealing scientific motive. Though the general level of violence and the number of shady characters is rather high the novel also brings up an interesting mix of moral attitudes and scientific ethics.

How far should you go, how far can you go to achieve your goal? Here, questionable scientific experiments, torture, and murder are obviously accepted means to reach the end. On top of that, even the goal is “ethically challenged.” Should one strive to find the cure for death, to prolong one’s life beyond the normal expectations? And, should you share that knowledge?

For this novel does not tell the “usual” quest for a religious artifact or a secret that could shatter the foundations of the Church, it does tell the quest for a vaccine to cure the disease of aging. And prolongevity – doubling, tripling the healthy human life expectancy – raises some serious social and moral questions.

These questions are far more interesting than the novel itself that only cursorily is concerned with them.

Still, The Sanctuary is quite entertaining – even though Khoury’s first novel The Last Templar was a bit more enjoyable and enthralling.

Not exactly as advertised – The Atlantis Code does not take anyone to a new level of mystery, wonder, adventure nor excitement – it is still quite entertaining. In fact, I might even buy the next installment of the protagonist’s escapades. As far as I understand Brokaw’s next novel announced for this year will feature the same protagonist.

Brokaw’s characters need a little more depth, especially the villains and supporting characters. His protagonist seems a little too awkward in coping with his female companions given his background. Though, I liked the existence of a strong counter-balancing female character. The different characters’ motivation is clear, there is no wondering where all the money for all the travelling and hotels is coming from. These are some of the novel’s positive features that cannot always be taken for granted.

The conclusion of The Atlantis Code is a bit anti-climatic. All the interesting things get destroyed or are spirited away and stashed in some secret place by the Church. The Garden of Eden - Atlantis - Tower of Babel link was, however, rather original. To my taste, Brokaw could have elaborated this even in more detail. In sum, the novel is a rather respectable debut feature.

In contrast to the other mystery novel I read recently, most of Tom Harper’s The Book of Secrets does feel ‘right’. It is well paced. The motivation for the protagonists actions is clear and credible. The interleaving of the two time lines slowly builds a momentum that lead to the novel being a real page turner. Since to story focuses on one person in each time line these protagonists are rather well portrayed, they just have the right amount of depth; the minor characters are, however, a little under-developed.

Since the protagonist of the present time line is not an “expert” on the central elements of the past time line — in fact, he is rather ignorant about almost everything except his profession, hobbies ans social network — there are, fortunately, only a few pseudo-scientific-accurate references and explanations about what is / was going on. A circumstance that lends the story more credibility — paradoxically.

Another noteworthy difference to many other history-mystery novels that contain references to religion and the catholic church: there is no holy grail, no artifact designed to bring down the church.

In a nutshell, I enjoyed this novel. It is certainly one of the better fiction books published in 2009.