Beijing, China, 1421: It is a momentous time for the Ming Dynasty. Honoring the completion of the Forbidden City, a fleet of unprecedented size set...
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reviews
Feb 08, 2009
Janet
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I really enjoyed this book. I like Heather's writing and she really appears to do a lot of research for her books. I always enjoy a story that is loosely based on historical fact. It makes it so much more interesting to me. I also enjoyed her first book, The Chrysalis, and was looking forward to her second. I was not disappointed. She also gets extra points for living in Pittsburgh!
I only had one tiny complaint while reading. I was really wanting there to be something more bet More...
I only had one tiny complaint while reading. I was really wanting there to be something more bet More...
Feb 22, 2010
Noor
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This is an interesting novel, blending historical settings with a modern day thriller. This is a well researched novel, but often it seems the author is trying too hard to show-off the research, providing details that don't directly or indirectly impact the plot or character development. Its a very short novel and could have perhaps done with more twists and drama. Perhaps the author is overly protective of her main character because there never really comes a point where I felt anxious for her,
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Apr 12, 2009
Harvee
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Antiques finder Mara Coyne has been asked to help find an early 15th century map stolen from an archaeological dig in China.
(I've written a separate review at http://www.bookbirddog.blogspot.com)
The map shows the world as known and "discovered" on trips by ships led by China's Admiral Zheng He. How a copy of the map reaches Vasco da Gama in late 15th century Portugal, and what it has to do with present day Portugal is the crux of the mystery in this historical More...
(I've written a separate review at http://www.bookbirddog.blogspot.com)
The map shows the world as known and "discovered" on trips by ships led by China's Admiral Zheng He. How a copy of the map reaches Vasco da Gama in late 15th century Portugal, and what it has to do with present day Portugal is the crux of the mystery in this historical More...
Nov 09, 2008
Donna
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The book has three story threads concerning a magnificent map of the known world drawn in 1421, used in 1496 and excavated in 2008. The problem is, that once unearthed in present time, it is stolen because of what the map emcompasses. It becomes almost impossible to recover as historians don't believe such a complex map exists and if it does, it will turn history as we know it upside down if it is made public.
While intriguing from a historians point of view, from a readers point, it More...
While intriguing from a historians point of view, from a readers point, it More...
Aug 25, 2008
Dana
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This story is written in three parts: Beijing, China 1421, Lisbon, Portugal 1496 and present day. Beijing is under the Ming dynasty. The forbidden city has just been completed and to celebrate the completion Admiral Zheng He is told to amass a fleet to map the world and bring back riches and glory for the emperor. Ma Zhi is a eunuch cartographer who wishes to join the armada and help his family's finances. He must go through rigorous testing but is finally chosen to accompany the Admiral. He cre
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Jan 22, 2011
bookczuk
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Not quite sure why I stuck it out with this book, though I did skim til the end towards the end. There were two back-stories (China 1421 and Portugal 1496) which were what kept me reading. The modern day arc didn't capture me, especially since I didn't read the first book about the main character, and am now not going to read it on principle. I understand back references to help fill in the plot or give background, but these were more annoying than informative. Oh well. The book did help me
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Nov 22, 2008
Rebecca
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From China in 1401, to Portugal in the late 1400's, to today, this book is about an ancient map of the world, stolen from an archeological dig. There are three main characters, all involved with the map in different times, and the author weaves their stories in a gripping romp around the world.
Oct 24, 2008
Robin
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This book was different. I really enjoyed it, though it didn't take long to read. It was a nice story. The premise was that the Chinese made the first map of the world before it was closed to the world, somewhere in the mid-fifteenth century. The map was supposed to have been destroyed. However... Everyone else thinks that Portugal is the country that made the first map it in the latter-fifteenth century. BUT they had a secret treasure on board: a map that already shows the way.
That said, More...
That said, More...
Apr 15, 2009
Lara
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The mystery in the "hunt for the map" kept me reading it, but in the end just ok. Couldn't get into the characters and the "adventure" side of it was anti-climatic. Interesting idea behind the book though--that the Chinese discovered the world before the Europeans.
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Jan 09, 2009
Theresa
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Interesting alternate history - the Chinese had already been to the "New World" and around Africa so the European explorers really had a map and knew where they were going. None of this "falling off the edge of the earth" stuff was a problem.
Sep 01, 2010
Debby
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The beginning was a little confusing, but once I got to the middle pages (119 on), I could not put it down. A little too easy to figure out but interesting. The side stories needed some more development. They just didn't seem rounded enough, especially the one about De Gama. Zhi was well developed. Though, I felt like I needed to read another book before this one...? It was okay. I wouldn't read it again, but intriguing premise.
Jun 23, 2011
Deb
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Well, for $1 what can I say? She is no Dan Brown, but the story held most of my interest for the couple of days it took to read this. Passable summer/beach read.
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May 01, 2009
Sylvie
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Love the suspense. Did not know about the first in this series... I am out to find it to see if it is better.
Jan 10, 2009
Just found this one on my shelf - not sure why I haven't read. Looking forward to it
Feb 02, 2010
Jill
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This is the second book I've read by this author. I love the history and the settings. What was really fun for me with this particular title was that I had just read an article in the Smithsonian about a long lost map from which America had been named. Nice juxtaposition.
Aug 08, 2009
Julie
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It was an enjoyable, fast read but full of coincidences. I have also read The Chrysalis, Ms. Terrell's debut novel and enjoyed that more.
Dec 22, 2009
pjreads ♫
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Clunky, run-of-the-mill genre story with inaccurate "historical detail."
Jun 24, 2009
Jasmine
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This was a fun one that I just randomly picked off the shelf. It's in the art history mystery genre which I always enjoy, and it takes you through two periods in history in Portugal and in China as backdrop to a present day storyline. Of course, my current interest in maps helped my enjoyment of the book too.
Oct 19, 2008
Sbaird
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book! If you love archeology, art and a little suspense this is the right book to read. I would definitely recommend especially when you want a little bit more than a light read. I look forward to more books from this author.
Apr 20, 2010
Belinda
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This book is quite good. She is an attorney who repatriates lost antiquities. She obviously spends a lot of time researching her subject, since she keeps three story lines going at one time. All are in different countries and eras.
Feb 16, 2010
Farhana
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Wow... brilliant! I absolutely love how the story is told. Three interesting stories weaved together - two parallel and one tying it all together.
I thoroughly enjoyed the historical part.
Definitely a worthwhile read!
I thoroughly enjoyed the historical part.
Definitely a worthwhile read!
Dec 16, 2008
Jessica
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A substantial improvement over The Chrysalis (in that it reads much less like a discourse in law), but still a bit stilted in places and lacking the depth of personality you'd like to see in characters.
Oct 05, 2008
Leith
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I will be looking out for further books by this very able author. The characters are a bit one-dimensional, but the plots are great and informative as well as fascinating.
Sep 07, 2008
Annette
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Fascinating read especially for anyone interested in history. Heather does a remarkable job of intertwining three tales throughout history into one story. Thought provoking.
Oct 28, 2008
Jane
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Learned a lot about ancient China. Takes place in ancient China and in present time. Exciting thriller.
Jun 14, 2011
Dorinda
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Quick read. Mystery based loosely on historical facts. Interesting and fun read.
Mar 03, 2011
Stephanie
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I just love history and mystery! Both her books trhat I have read are excellent!
