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The Map
by
T.S. Learner
From the author of 2010's biggest-selling thriller debut, an ingenious, exciting adventure In the tradition of Kate Mosse's Labyrinth and Raymond Khoury's The Last Templar
London, 1953. Classics scholar August Woodthorpe, son of a prominent American politician, has stumbled upon an extraordinary artefact: an ancient book - a chronicle - that once belonged to an infamous alc...more
London, 1953. Classics scholar August Woodthorpe, son of a prominent American politician, has stumbled upon an extraordinary artefact: an ancient book - a chronicle - that once belonged to an infamous alc...more
Paperback, 560 pages
Published
January 2012
by Sphere
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May 02, 2012
Jyothi Menon
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Jyothi by:
no one
Shelves:
thrillers
I really found it engrossing.
When I first chose this book, it was out of a mixture of desperation/experiment feeling and I liked the feel of the title and cover. It was a risk because I am not the one who goes for absolutely unknown writers (This is my First T.S.Learner) I love mysteries/thrillers and usually by tried and tested authors.
But I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe a bit draggy, but generally the author is very skilled at creating the scenarios and characters. Plus her knowledge of fac...more
When I first chose this book, it was out of a mixture of desperation/experiment feeling and I liked the feel of the title and cover. It was a risk because I am not the one who goes for absolutely unknown writers (This is my First T.S.Learner) I love mysteries/thrillers and usually by tried and tested authors.
But I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe a bit draggy, but generally the author is very skilled at creating the scenarios and characters. Plus her knowledge of fac...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A little disappointing because I found the main character rather annoying, and he seemed to have just the right skills and tools needed to get him out of sticky moments all the time. The historical research that went into this novel, however, made it interesting, as well as the twists and turns that raised the tension and momentum as the thriller progressed. The map has survived through the centuries, protected by a secret group, but secrets have a way of leaking to the wrong ears, and a struggl...more
An example of very poor editing. Long sections that were far too detailed and uninteresting. For example how to develop a photo in a make shift dark room. Very boring and totally irrelevant. Only needed to know what the photo showed. Additionally the story centered around a complex maze. The description was very poor, a diagram would have added so much. The story took ages to get going and then the ending was completely rushed. The hero was mot hugely likeable and the journey was very jarring. A...more
After a rather wobbly start where I put this aside for a few weeks to read other books, I found once I picked it up again that this an engaging thriller.
Overall, I felt the period setting worked even though there were a few aspects that didn't quite convey the early 1950s.
I did appreciate the integration of Kabbalistic lore into the story-line. Learner has included a bibliography and quite obvious that she's done her research in that area, even if she elected to depict Crowley as having been en...more
Overall, I felt the period setting worked even though there were a few aspects that didn't quite convey the early 1950s.
I did appreciate the integration of Kabbalistic lore into the story-line. Learner has included a bibliography and quite obvious that she's done her research in that area, even if she elected to depict Crowley as having been en...more
So far so good. I'm half way through, and worried that the story might veer off into cliche-land. I'll let you know when I finish.
Updating April 9th. Almost done and I'm still relatively OK with the book. The only issue I have is that the internal "dialogue" of the main character seemed a little off. I'm a guy, and guys don't really think like he does. The author is a woman, which usually isn't a factor - but this time it is. It does take away from the story at times ...... I'm sorry but us guys...more
Updating April 9th. Almost done and I'm still relatively OK with the book. The only issue I have is that the internal "dialogue" of the main character seemed a little off. I'm a guy, and guys don't really think like he does. The author is a woman, which usually isn't a factor - but this time it is. It does take away from the story at times ...... I'm sorry but us guys...more
Not very good - one to avoid.
The characters are OK, although a little shallow and - in a couple of cases - stereotyped.
The dialogue is OK, although sometimes it's not very convincing.
The plot starts off OK as well. But there's a point roughly half way in, where the plot switches from "getting there" to "doing something". And that's when the story falls apart. It becomes systematic, clichéd, crowbarred for convenience, repetitive and - most of all - dull. And that's before you get to the ending,...more
The characters are OK, although a little shallow and - in a couple of cases - stereotyped.
The dialogue is OK, although sometimes it's not very convincing.
The plot starts off OK as well. But there's a point roughly half way in, where the plot switches from "getting there" to "doing something". And that's when the story falls apart. It becomes systematic, clichéd, crowbarred for convenience, repetitive and - most of all - dull. And that's before you get to the ending,...more
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I have to agree with some of the other comments below. I found the book an enjoyable read but at times there were too many story threads. I can't help been disappointed with the ending, however I think that's more my taste them any fault of the writers. Would definately recommend.
A fast moving thriller that moves easily between the post war Europe, the Spanish civil war and Medieval Europe. Good read - wanting a sequel to answer some of the questions left unanswered.
I liked this one but couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed . . . I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe it was because there were too many 'threads' - the historical (the part that interested me most), MI5, MI6, CIA, the occultists . . . the list is endless and, as a result, I felt that none of them was explored to maximum potential. Enjoyable but not outstanding . . . oh, and Elvis Presley's career didn't begin until 1954, so German grafitti in 1953 would not have included his name . . .
If you have a hankering for a Da Vinci Code type read, this will satisfy. It is very well written, and while not being a huge fan of the genre I found the pseudo-historical side story entertaining enough. And I learned a bit about the Spanish Civil War.
One of the books I took on holiday, its in the vain of Dan Brown et al and if you want something as a quick holiday read it does the job
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Feb 24, 2012
Kirstie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
any1 into the conspiracy thriller genre
Recommended to Kirstie by:
nobody i went on a random book buying mission
thoughroughly enjoyed this book and author. hopefully his other writings will be just as good
Brilliant historical data, great storyline, loads of twists - never wanted to put it down
Fairly decent story. Got hard to keep track on whom was against whom towards the end.
Sep 23, 2012
Avi
added it
exciting, but the climax let you down
FAIL.
Apr 06, 2013
Laura
added it
Unnecessarily long.
This book is well worth sticking with. It's gripping all the way through.
after a few hundred pages of difficulty i really got into the book and i liked the character August very much. the ending has left it open for another book and i hope that T.S Learner carries on with the next one as i will definitely get it.
Bland and far too wordy for my liking. Sold as a thriller but far too slow to qualify.
1 like · like · see review
Can't get into it. Not my type of book so far.
slow. contrived. not as 'smart' as i hoped.
Jun 18, 2013
Madeline Kane
is currently reading it
Jun 14, 2013
Madeline Lund
marked it as to-read
Jun 12, 2013
Nadine
added it
Jun 02, 2013
Bethany Williams
added it
May 19, 2013
Kasia
marked it as to-read
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