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The Amber Room
by
Steve Berry (Goodreads Author)
The Amber Room is one of the greatest treasures ever made by man: an entire room forged of exquisite amber, from its four massive walls to its finely crafted furniture. But it is also the subject of one of history’s most intriguing mysteries. Originally commissioned in 1701 by Frederick I of Prussia, the Room was later perfected Tsarskoe Selo, the Russian imperial city. In...more
Paperback, 449 pages
Published
November 27th 2007
by Ballantine Books
(first published 2003)
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A mediocre novel at best. If you're looking for a reasonably entertaining book for a long airplane ride then this might do the trick. Otherwise, I think there are much better books of this genre out there. While the concept of recovering lost art treasures that were looted by the Nazis in WWII is a fascinating one, and the historical info about the actual Amber Room is also quite interesting, the author just can't put it all together into a compelling story. One of the biggest problems is that t...more
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I chose the book because I have been following Steve Berry's Cotton Malone series, and I wanted to see what's going to be my reaction to his stand-alone novels. My two stars should not be misinterpreted. It was a well-researched book. My only complaint are the illogical actions of Judge Cutler and her ex-husband, Paul as they go following the clues behind the death of Rachel's father. During the war, Rachel's father was a POW in a Nazi camp, and he witnessed the interrogation and murder of sever...more
While imprisoned in a concentration camp during World War II, Karol Borya first hears reference to the Amber Room, which went missing in 1945. He searched for it as a treasure hunter for Russia’s Extraordinary Commission, but by the time the old man is murdered at the age of 83, his only interest in the missing Russian treasure is a few newspaper articles. Borya’s daughter Rachel is prodded to ignore his advice to stay away from the Amber Room when his “accidental” death seems suspicious, so she...more
http://sosaysthewhale.wordpress.com/2...
I've mentioned time and time again that I adore Berry. I think he's simply fantastic. His books are always so interesting and the pacing is perfect.
That said, this book took me over a month to finish. I have no idea what happened. It wasn't bad, but there was something about it that stopped me from plowing through it in a weekend.
Berry always does such in-depth research and The Amber Room is no different. There were times when I was reading where I'd have...more
I've mentioned time and time again that I adore Berry. I think he's simply fantastic. His books are always so interesting and the pacing is perfect.
That said, this book took me over a month to finish. I have no idea what happened. It wasn't bad, but there was something about it that stopped me from plowing through it in a weekend.
Berry always does such in-depth research and The Amber Room is no different. There were times when I was reading where I'd have...more
The story is set in the present day, in Atlanta GA and Europe, and references WWII events in Europe.
Factual basis for the novel: during WWII the Nazis plundered Soviet art treasures including The Amber Room, an entire room in the Catherine Palace paneled with dyed and exquisitely carved amber pieces. The Nazis hid the stolen treasure to prevent the Allies from seizing it.
Since WWII, a clandestine society of wealthy art collectors has retained loyal Acquisitors to recover stolen treasures secret...more
Factual basis for the novel: during WWII the Nazis plundered Soviet art treasures including The Amber Room, an entire room in the Catherine Palace paneled with dyed and exquisitely carved amber pieces. The Nazis hid the stolen treasure to prevent the Allies from seizing it.
Since WWII, a clandestine society of wealthy art collectors has retained loyal Acquisitors to recover stolen treasures secret...more
Mar 15, 2011
JoAnne Pulcino
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adult-fiction-and-e-book
"Sexy, illuminating, and confident. THE AMBER ROOM is my kind of thriller--a globe-trotting treasure hunt packed with exotic locales, sumptuous art, and ruthless villains. Steve Berry writes with the self-assured style of a veteran." --DAN BROWN, Author of The Da Vinci Code
Forged of the exquisite gem, the Amber Room is one of the greatest treasures ever made by man--and the subject of one of history’s most intriguing mysteries. German troops invading the Soviet Union seized the Room in 1941. Whe...more
Forged of the exquisite gem, the Amber Room is one of the greatest treasures ever made by man--and the subject of one of history’s most intriguing mysteries. German troops invading the Soviet Union seized the Room in 1941. Whe...more
The Amber Room was a treasure looted by the Nazis and lost during the end of WW2. Worth an on-line search to understand the background, it's quite interesting.
And Steve Berry's debut novel is a thriller based around the story. While there are similarities to the many types of book dealing with lost treasures, it was refreshing and interesting to have the WW2 elements and for it not to be the usual search for Jesus' sandal, Hercules lunch box or the lost MacDonald's of Atlantis. Yep, we do have a...more
And Steve Berry's debut novel is a thriller based around the story. While there are similarities to the many types of book dealing with lost treasures, it was refreshing and interesting to have the WW2 elements and for it not to be the usual search for Jesus' sandal, Hercules lunch box or the lost MacDonald's of Atlantis. Yep, we do have a...more
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The first thing I noticed when I read this book was: Bad translation.
Ok, it might not be fair in the first place since I read the Indonesian translation out of the original work in English and most translated books didn’t quite get the original “essence” of the story. This one, it’s just not bad, it’s crap. I wonder how did these book translators / editors work anyway? Were they blind to start with since there were so many misspelled words and unproper translated words in there?
But hey, let’s mo...more
Ok, it might not be fair in the first place since I read the Indonesian translation out of the original work in English and most translated books didn’t quite get the original “essence” of the story. This one, it’s just not bad, it’s crap. I wonder how did these book translators / editors work anyway? Were they blind to start with since there were so many misspelled words and unproper translated words in there?
But hey, let’s mo...more
Let me just say that this has to be the best Steve Berry novel that I have read to date!
Art historians everywhere would love to know what happened to the Amber Room after it disappeared during WWII. Berry paints a wonderful tale of what might have happened to it in a story that chronicles the adventures of Atlanta judge Rachel Cutler when she travels to Europe to get to the bottom of this mystery after her father Karol Borya, was killed because of what he knew about the Amber Room's whereabouts...more
Art historians everywhere would love to know what happened to the Amber Room after it disappeared during WWII. Berry paints a wonderful tale of what might have happened to it in a story that chronicles the adventures of Atlanta judge Rachel Cutler when she travels to Europe to get to the bottom of this mystery after her father Karol Borya, was killed because of what he knew about the Amber Room's whereabouts...more
Jun 03, 2011
Bonnie
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who love awesome first chapters followed by 45 horrible ones
Recommended to Bonnie by:
the prospect of a 5 hour busride without something to read
Shelves:
crime-and-mystery,
thriller
I have one word that sums up my feelings for this book, and unfortunately, 90% of The Amber Room's dialogue content: "Hardly."
Defined:
1.Only just; almost not; barely: We had hardly reached the lake when it started raining. hardly any; hardly ever.
2. not at all; scarcely: That report is hardly surprising.
3. with little likelihood: He will hardly come now.
A few samples:
"They didn't have forklifts?"
"Hardly."
She motioned to the art. "A connoisseur?"
"Hardly."
"I'm waiting," the female voice said.
"An...more
Defined:
1.Only just; almost not; barely: We had hardly reached the lake when it started raining. hardly any; hardly ever.
2. not at all; scarcely: That report is hardly surprising.
3. with little likelihood: He will hardly come now.
A few samples:
"They didn't have forklifts?"
"Hardly."
She motioned to the art. "A connoisseur?"
"Hardly."
"I'm waiting," the female voice said.
"An...more
Wow! Berry's 1st outing is about as good as his others...,
Being that this was Steve Berry's first book and I read his books out of order, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was as well-written as his more recent outings. I read Berry's other three books before reading this and the only fault that I can find in this book is that he has outdone himself with each subsequent release. Basically, because he has gotten so good at the thriller genre, he makes his older books seem a little less...more
Being that this was Steve Berry's first book and I read his books out of order, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was as well-written as his more recent outings. I read Berry's other three books before reading this and the only fault that I can find in this book is that he has outdone himself with each subsequent release. Basically, because he has gotten so good at the thriller genre, he makes his older books seem a little less...more
I really enjoyed this book. Berry's writing is clever and his characters are fascinating. Each person stood out with his or her own voice. When a group of people are involved in a mystery/thriller such as this, sometimes it's difficult to distinguish who is who. The author might not always give them defining qualities, however, differentiation was clear in "The Amber Room". None of the characters seemed too much alike. He took care to give each a personality-something I really liked. Also, the c...more
This fast-paced adventure novel centers around an Atlanta judge Rachel Cutler and her ex-husband Paul. They are on a dangerous quest to find the lost Russian treasure, The Amber Room after the death of Rachel's father. As they follow her father's clues they are being hunted by two different professional thieves/killers.
This is a great adventure story about stolen art that was taken by the Nazis--many of which are still missing today.
This was a fun book to read (seems like I was an art theme afte...more
This is a great adventure story about stolen art that was taken by the Nazis--many of which are still missing today.
This was a fun book to read (seems like I was an art theme afte...more
This is the first Steve Berry book that I read. He writes historical thrillers that lead the reader all over the world. He bases his main idea for the book in fact, and then takes a few liberties with the facts to make it a more readable story. Then at the end, he tells the reader what is true and what was made up. In this story, there are two sets of art thieves out to find some of the most expensive and beautiful art treasures in the world. Many were looted in WWII. The biggest prize is The Am...more
Atlanta judge Rachel Cutler and her ex-husband Paul are drawn into a deadly hunt for amber panels looted by the Nazis in World War II.
After World War II Karol Borya helped the Soviets recover many treasures looted by the Nazis. One treasure he did not find was the Amber Room, panels of exquisitely carved amber removed from the Soviet Union’s Catherine Palace in 1941. Treasure hunters still search for the Amber Room, 60 years after the war, and long after Borya immigrated to the United States to...more
After World War II Karol Borya helped the Soviets recover many treasures looted by the Nazis. One treasure he did not find was the Amber Room, panels of exquisitely carved amber removed from the Soviet Union’s Catherine Palace in 1941. Treasure hunters still search for the Amber Room, 60 years after the war, and long after Borya immigrated to the United States to...more
Another amazing Steve Berry novel about mystery, suspense, and historical events. "The Amber Room " refers to the mineral -Amber. The novel explores one of several theories on Nazi's stealing artifacts of great historical value and hiding them away for decades. The story follows Judge Rachel Cutler, and her ex-husband Paul. Rachel, who loses her 81 yr old father under mysterious circumstances, finds a riddle regarding "The Amber Room " from her late father. Heading overseas to Germany with her e...more
May 14, 2008
Amy
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mysteries,
dismally_awful
with such a fascinating (and real) historical subject, it's hard to put into words just how horrifyingly awful berry's execution of this story is. i noted that a lot of people like this. gave it 4 stars even. how is this possible?
i am tempted though, to read more of berry's work. it's almost inspiring. you too, people of the world, can write. and apparently become a best seller.
i am tempted though, to read more of berry's work. it's almost inspiring. you too, people of the world, can write. and apparently become a best seller.
Historical fiction about famous room stolen by or hidden from Nazis during WWII...
This tome would probably not usually darkened our "to read" list were it not for the intervention of a friend who enjoyed Berry's pseudo history of the Russian panels destined to be part of the Nazi looting -- we believe the amber panels remain undiscovered to this day. Along the way, we get Americans rambling around Europe trying to solve a loosely connected death, while meantime two arch enemies in the antigue ar...more
This tome would probably not usually darkened our "to read" list were it not for the intervention of a friend who enjoyed Berry's pseudo history of the Russian panels destined to be part of the Nazi looting -- we believe the amber panels remain undiscovered to this day. Along the way, we get Americans rambling around Europe trying to solve a loosely connected death, while meantime two arch enemies in the antigue ar...more
I liked this better than the DaVinci Code. The author actually develops the villians characters, in this case, art dealers dealing in invaluable stolen art objects from WWII. The amber room is exactly a room entirely made of amber built by Russia's Frederick the Great. All sort so intrigue follows the death of one of the amber room's hunters. It was a fun summer read.
I didn't much like DaVinci Code, but since I met Steve Berry and liked what he had to say about writing, I thought I'd give this one a try. I may now be in love with the genre. It combines what I love about historical fiction--history lessons--with another area of learning--learning about art--and Berry's novel is a much better, more satisfying read than Dan Brown's.
Good historical fiction, but only a decent read. Historical fiction pieces are my favorite niche novel's and this one rates pretty well, but a full notch below the likes of Arturo Perez-Reverte, Iain Pears, and Anne Perry. The three mentioned above setting scenes and locations much better in opinion. Then again this was a debut novel, and I will probably check out another Berry book to read. I would like to add two things that I not seen mentioned in other reviews. First is that the chapters in...more
I gave this book an extra star because of the research put in to it, but I really didn't like it. The father is the best-written character, for whom the reader feels most connection to, but he gets killed off right away. The next-best written characters? The bad guys. And not best-written bad guys. Nope, more interest is paid to them and their relationships than the protagonists, even when they're just killing people indiscriminately. They're written with far more sympathy than the actual protag...more
Jan 23, 2013
Lance Charnes
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who want a Dan Brown story without needing Cliff Notes to understand it
Shelves:
fiction-thrillers-adventure
The Amber Room is a much like the kind of tale I write – an international thriller with an everyman protagonist (in this case, an everyman and everywoman) who gets by with whatever native intelligence and wits he/she brings to the party. It was Steve Berry’s first published novel, one of three he wrote before he drifted into Dan Brown territory with his Cotton Malone series, and as such it still has some mooring in the real world.
The Amber Room is the near-legendary Czarist treasure stolen by th...more
The Amber Room is the near-legendary Czarist treasure stolen by th...more
I really enjoy this kind of book! A treasure hunting is always something exciting! Specially when the treasure is something real and misterious like The Amber room. Is not the first time I hear about The Amber Room, after starting this book I couldn't help but to look for some update information. The truth is, this Room had never being found, to the point that it had to be recrated based in photographs. Is amazing how something so big can just vanish.
As the story goes, you can almost guess wher...more
As the story goes, you can almost guess wher...more
I'm afraid Steve Berry's debut thriller is nowhere near as exciting as it thinks it is, or wants to be. The Amber Room has a neat hook and a genuinely intriguing historical mystery at its core, but Berry falls at the first fence by populating it with such deeply unlikeable characters, iffy pacing and a scattershot approach to characterisation.
You won't like leads Rachel and Paul Cutler. One's a judge, the other a lawyer, yet they spend most of the story acting like precocious, spoiled teenagers...more
You won't like leads Rachel and Paul Cutler. One's a judge, the other a lawyer, yet they spend most of the story acting like precocious, spoiled teenagers...more
I was told that this author was the new Vince Flynn and when I grabbed a copy, I saw that Dan Brown gave this book high marks. This book is a good mix of Grisham, Follet, Flynn with a little Brown thrown in. At nearly 500 pages, it is not a quick read, but it moves at a great and relatively even pace. The beginning is tough to stomach as the torture of Nazi concentration camps is told in a hauntingly accurate style. The reader is rewarded, however, with a complex plot, regular relief from the co...more
Let me just say that I love a mystery, especially what it is based on an actual occurrence, a crime that to date remains unsolved. Author Steve Berry has once again sucessfully created a storyline that is quite believeable as he tells about the infamous Amber Room, said to have been built like a hall with walls cover in amber and semiprecious gems by Russian Tsar Peter the Great in 1716. During World War II when the Germans invaded St. Petersburg, it is thought that the Nazi's disassembled the...more
PB Another Berry thriller, this one involves an Atlanta Judge, daughter of a Russian émigré and her divorced husband in the search for "The Amber Room", ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amber_Room ) originally constructed in the Catherine Palace of Tsarskoye Selo near Saint Petersburg. It was dismantled and moved during WWII and has disappeared. Judge Rachel Cutler, intrigued by stories told by her father and spurred on by his suspicious death is up against a select group of uber wealthy men and t...more
Aug 21, 2007
Kecia
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
no one that I can think of
Shelves:
no-that-great
Awful! It reads like a made for prime-time television movie. The story had potential but the muses gave it to the wrong writer. Skip this one.
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Steve Berry is the New York Times bestselling author of the Cotton Malone series featuring The Jefferson Key, The Emperor's Tomb, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, and The Templar Legacy. He also has three stand-alone t...more
More about Steve Berry...
Steve Berry is the New York Times bestselling author of the Cotton Malone series featuring The Jefferson Key, The Emperor's Tomb, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, and The Templar Legacy. He also has three stand-alone t...more
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