In a spellbinding blend of history, myth, and science, bestselling novelist Manda Scott unleashes a thriller that sweeps from the secrets of the Ma...
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Aug 01, 2011
Michael
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In the vein of the more popular Dan Brown thrillers, a mystery from the past must be solved to secure the future. In some regards the plot seems like a cut-price effort: crystal skulls vs the material legacy of Christ on Earth, or the secrets of the Masonic Order. But as the Author's Note at the rear of the work contends, crystal skulls of surprising complexity, and their associated mythologies, appear across cultures and aren't simply the New Age wackery I, and no doubt many other readers, so
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Sep 15, 2010
Dianne
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I really shouldn't have read a book that begins with a hair raising account of a caving expedition the week before I'm booked on a cave tour. But I did and I was captivated from the first page by this book. I constantly turned a few pages ahead to find out what would happen next and hated to put the book down to go to bed at night. It's an exciting read that put vivid images in my mind of the places, people and the action.
The book moves well from present day to the 16th century and More...
The book moves well from present day to the 16th century and More...
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Oct 18, 2011
Katrina
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 14, 2011
Elisabeth
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Not as edgy as her other stand alone novel but still a fun read. The book was split between the present and the other main character in the 1500's. The story really started with a bang but then slowed down considerably - at least in the sections in the present time. Which is too bad - so much more could have been done with her character and some of the plot. But where the author shined was in the story of the character in the 1500's. Anyway it was good read, not her best but also a 2012 inspired
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Oct 31, 2010
Stuart
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Based on the prediction by many cultures of a huge 'happening' in 2012, it is really 2 parallel stories of the guardians of the crystal skull. As the stories are mostly unrelated and 500 years apart it can be confusing jumping back and forward. Having said that both stories are quite exciting and well-told in their eras. However, I felt the modern tale was completed but was somehow left up in the air - I suppose because the book was written in 2007, 5 years before the big event! Even Manda Scott
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Jan 18, 2009
vorbore
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Oct 08, 2011
Jacqui
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2012 So the Mayans believed is when the end of the 5th Age will happen, but more than that, there is also the possibility that the human race will cease to be, unless...
So glad there is an "unless"! This book is an adventure against the clock. Stella Cody must find out the history of the 13 crystal skulls mentioned in the Dresden Codex in order for us humans and perhaps the world itself to have a chance.
Dr Cody, whilst on a caving trip, finds a crystal skull tha More...
So glad there is an "unless"! This book is an adventure against the clock. Stella Cody must find out the history of the 13 crystal skulls mentioned in the Dresden Codex in order for us humans and perhaps the world itself to have a chance.
Dr Cody, whilst on a caving trip, finds a crystal skull tha More...
Apr 24, 2008
Jessica
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This was an enjoyable read, I'd even say a great read...up until the last three chapters. At that point, the logic, the reasoning, and the painstaking tying/weaving of two story lines separated by 450 years that had marked the first 343 pages abruptly ended to be replaced by a hasty and incomplete conclusion (I think authors/publishers have become brainwashed by too many series titles and have forgotten the necessity of a well-executed closing sequence). That said, the book still makes it onto m
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Jul 29, 2010
James
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The initial concept had promise but ultimately, this book was a let down. The story is set between two periods, modern-day and Elizabethan England, with the former being the stronger of the two. In a nutshell: weak and shallow characters and hugely anti-climatic... the ending, seriously?! Perhaps the only redeeming quality was the Spanish sea captain who I found quite amusing.
Avoid it to avoid disappointment.
Avoid it to avoid disappointment.
Sep 05, 2011
Shahrun
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I did rather enjoy reading this. Especially as I've heard of the Mayan 2012 predictions and as we near that time it is most definatly on my mind. I wish there really are some Crystal Skulls that can sort us earthlings out, but I guess we'll have to do it ourselves. I did get quite excited that Bedes excisted and tried to look up the website. But I guess I really got sucked in!
Sep 04, 2011
Natalie
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My aunt highly recommended this book to me and it turned out to be happy find! Unexpectedly entertaining and full of genuine intrigue, this historical-fiction adventure rivals (and even surpasses in parts) those of Dan Brown. History and myth, science-fiction and the supernatural, plus amazing characters all make this novel a fast read and a major win.
May 19, 2008
John
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I came across this in a bookstore in Edinburgh and couldn't help picking it up in anticipation of the upcoming Indiana Jones movie release. Rather than simply read a novelization of the film, I thought it would be interesting to read a wholly distinct fictional representation of the crystal skulls. There were some interesting tidbits about the famous legends, but the book wasn't my cup of tea. The story was as a mystery/fantasy, with two parallel stories set in the 16th and 21st centuries. There
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Jun 18, 2008
Kim
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"Davinci Code" style of story,but for fans of this type of genre,the mystery is too easy to figure out. The who done-it aspect is so un-beliveably obvious, that you can pretty much figure it out before half-way through the book! You have only 2 choices of bad guy,and a very lame reason for him to try to get the title skull. The flash backs to Elizabethan England were more interesting than the modern story line,although the author does lean quite heavily on the idea that every person
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Jul 30, 2011
Håvard
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Jeg har absolutt ingenting imot tykke bøker. Men et ufravikelig faktum er at kvalitetskravet stiger proposjonelt med antall sider. Det kreves som regel mer for å holde på interessen i 500 sider, enn det gjør i 150. Denne boka var rett og slett 100 sider for lang. Ikke en dårlig bok, men heller ikke bra nok til å rettferdiggjøre tykkelsen.
Oct 28, 2011
Eden
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This was an audiobook for me and i really could not get into it like other audiobooks. I listen twice a week an hour each way to and from school and this book did not keep my attention very well. It was just too much about a love story and not as much about the search and the adventurers ahead.
Overall was not too trilled with this book
Overall was not too trilled with this book
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Mar 03, 2010
Kari
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I was really excited to read this book because in the summary they talk a lot about the Mayans and their 2012 prediction.
It wasn't a bad book but I was really looking forward to reading about Mayan stuff and they don't mention the Mayans until halfway through the book.
It was a good thriller, Science Fictionesque book.
It wasn't a bad book but I was really looking forward to reading about Mayan stuff and they don't mention the Mayans until halfway through the book.
It was a good thriller, Science Fictionesque book.
Sep 19, 2009
Matt
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I chose this book as a random pick to read on my way to Honolulu... which didn't happen. I got drawn into this book however when I started to read it... it is two stories in one from 2 different centuries, discussing the history of the myth. the two stories merge in the end... it was very good
Apr 30, 2008
Beth
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Ah, Manda Scott, how I wish you'd go back to your wonderful suspense series about a dyke vet-trained psychiatrist in Scotland (Hen's Teeth, Night Mares, and Stronger than Death). This apocalyptic thriller stuff just doesn't cut it for me. The Mayan stuff was more sensitively handled than one might expect, but it still had a whiff of exoticism. The main female character was OK, but I got tired of all her angst over her pretty boring husband. And I'm sorry, but I don't buy all this "The Mayan
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Jul 01, 2011
Jackie
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I really loved Manda Scott's Boudica quartet. So much so that just seeing her name on the cover caused me to buy this book. Inexplicably, I felt like I was reading a completely different author. I wasn't drawn into the story, I felt no connection with any of the characters. I did like one flamboyant character but not enough to make me love this book.
It would be more accurate to rate this a 2.5: better than OK, less than Good.
I actually feel bad writing this.
It would be more accurate to rate this a 2.5: better than OK, less than Good.
I actually feel bad writing this.
Jul 29, 2011
It had some interesting information in it but it was kind of confusing and I felt like things were left unresolved at the end. Is she still the keeper? What's going on? I think the subject is too difficult to write about because it hasn't come to pass yet.
Jun 16, 2009
Peggy
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No alieans appear in this book :)
My mom is into New Age stuff so I've been hearing about 2012. Compared to the Shakespeare-related thriller I just read, this book does a better job of jumping back and forth between time. Good beach/mountain retreat read.
My mom is into New Age stuff so I've been hearing about 2012. Compared to the Shakespeare-related thriller I just read, this book does a better job of jumping back and forth between time. Good beach/mountain retreat read.
Feb 17, 2010
Elena
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I was expecting something that would give information on legends about the crystal skulls, but definitely this was not the right book to pick. The crystal skull is only a tool to build a confusing thriller where Elizabethian England, Nostradamus' France, and a lot of New Age mix together. Nah......
Feb 05, 2009
Terry
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This book centers around the Mayan prediction that the world, as we know it, will end in 2012. The author weaves the crystal skulls and other cultural legends into a race to change that outcome.
Nov 13, 2010
Josee
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Great book! I needed to polish my french and bought this book at a "used book" store. Loved the story, the characters, the plot and the ending.
Sep 08, 2011
Mashon
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Really liked this book: good historical fiction with lots of facts sprinkled throughout. Nice length too!
