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The Atlantis Code (Thomas Lourds #1)

3.48 of 5 stars 3.48 · rating details · 1,453 ratings · 166 reviews

A thrill-seeking Harvard linguistics professor and an ultrasecret branch of the Catholic Church go head-to-head in a race to uncover the secrets of the lost city of Atlantis. The ruins of the technologically-advanced, eerily-enigmatic ancient civilization promise their discoverer fame, fortune, and power… but hold earth-shattering secrets about the origin of man.

While worl...more

Hardcover, 432 pages

Published November 10th 2009 by Forge books (first published 2009)

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Nov 20, 2009 Jennifer rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, mystery

If I could give this book a lower rating I would. I finished it because it was a free advance copy and I felt compelled to write a review. The characters are one-dimensional, the dialog is trite, and the writing is poor. I did like the premise of this book, which is the discovery of a site in Spain that could be the ancient land of Atlantis. What follows is a silly romp through through 5 or 6 countries to find an artifact that will lead to the secret. And of course the bad guy is a Cardinal in t...more

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Jun 04, 2010 William Bentrim rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: action adventure mystery readers

The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw

Move over Da Vinci Code, another new Vatican centric novel. Mix together a hidden secret, a rogue Cardinal, a world renowned linguist, a TV producer and a Russian cop and you get a mélange of excitement. A simple translation assignment thrusts a college professor into a maelstrom of intrigue.

Brokaw paints vivid characters with strong characteristics. His main protagonist, Thomas Lourds, is a world famous linguist of immense sex appeal who unlike Indiana Jones...more

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May 10, 2012 Perrin Pring rated it 2 of 5 stars

I divide this book into two sections. There is the first half, which is filled with bad writing, but an okay plot, and then the second half where Brokaw unknowingly reveals why he will never be able to have a healthy relationship with a woman. The sexism in this book is blinding. Now, before I go any further, I want to say I am a huge James Bond fan, despite the fact that the James Bond franchise is practically built upon sexism and racism. While I don't condone such isms, I can, in certain even...more

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Sep 29, 2011 Novità Narrativa Biblioteca di Concesio added it · review of another edition

Shelves: avventura, enigmi-e-misteri

Egitto. Il professor Thomas Lourds, linguista di fama mondiale, si reca ad Alessandria per girare un documentario di alcuni reperti archeologici. Uno di questi colpisce subito la sua attenzione: un’antichissima campana con iscrizioni in una lingua sconosciuta. Mentre è intento a studiarlo, però, un gruppo di uomini armati irrompe negli studi televisivi e ruba il manufatto… Russia. Julija Hapaeva sa di aver fatto una scoperta straordinaria: un cembalo preistorico decorato con iscrizioni indecifra...more

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Nov 14, 2009 Jeannie Mancini rated it 3 of 5 stars

The newly released archaeology thriller The Atlantis Code, anonymously penned by Charles Brokaw who is a pseudonym for some famous author, academic, scholar, was a tremendous disappointment. I’ve always been entranced with the Atlantis myth and usually enjoy all the various twists that authors of this genre are able to concoct around this ever-fascinating lost world. Unfortunately, Atlantis Code didn’t offer up anything out of the ordinary.

The premise of this suspense novel revolves around a wo...more The newly released archaeology thriller The Atlantis Code, anonymously penned by Charles Brokaw who is a pseudonym for some famous author, academic, scholar, was a tremendous disappointment. I’ve always been entranced with the Atlantis myth and usually enjoy all the various twists that authors of this genre are able to concoct around this ever-fascinating lost world. Unfortunately, Atlantis Code didn’t offer up anything out of the ordinary.

The premise of this suspense novel revolves around a world renowned archaeologist and linguist named Thomas Lourds. While excavating in Egypt for the lost library of Alexandria, he is shown a mysterious ceramic bell with inscriptions in an ancient language he has never seen before. Unable to find any documentation, he contacts an associate in Russia, who has also found an ancient ceramic musical instrument, a cymbal with the same elusive markings. When the Russian scientist turns up dead with the cymbal stolen, and when Lourds himself is attacked and his bell gone as well, all hell breaks loose as he slowly learns these two musical instruments, along with three others, are the key to the archaeological find of all time, the location of Atlantis.

Other key players that tag along with Lourds on his hunt for answers are a beautiful Russian police woman who is the sister of the Russian scientist seeking revenge, and a pair of young television journalists seeking the story of a life-time. The police woman has the personality of a pit-bull, both journalists are naïve, immature and clueless. I felt throughout the entire book that this motley crew added nothing to the story and felt they often were annoying with their bickering and immaturity. The Russian policewoman offers some humorous entertainment but on the whole, I couldn’t find anything really redeeming in any of the characters. Lourds himself is quite the Robert Langdon rip off. He is so close to Dan Brown’s character that they could be twins. The jacket blurb touted that Lourds’ character was “Indiana Jones without the whip” but I’m sorry to say that I found Lourds so far from Indiana it wasn’t funny. He is lifeless, naïve, boring, and impetuous to the point one thinks that for a professor he is just not too bright. Lourds is a womanizer, a bit of a wimp, self absorbed, and a character devoid of a likeable personality.

The writing style of the author is talented, his command of the language reveals he has written other books of some kind. However, the plot is very mediocre, nothing new, and lacked innovation. There are hundreds of these archaeology thrillers being penned now and I felt the Atlantis Code was severely formulaic and predictable, ending with an anti-climactic finale. As most of these stories go; archaeologist finds relic that is a key to a lost artifact of myth, bad guys and the Vatican both want this item and will kill to get it, archaeologist is tracked and hunted, many chase scenes abound, puzzles and codes to decipher, wonders are found, etc.etc. The Atlantis Code follows this formula outline to the max and offers no surprises, deviation or creativity. If you are reader who is new to this genre, then for sure you will enjoy this action ride. But, if you have read many others in this theme of art/history/religion/artifact hunting thrillers, my guess is you will feel as I do, that this is just average and mildly entertaining.

The ending too was a tremendous let down. The author’s presentation of what Atlantis was, and his religious attachment to it was odd. In addition, without giving you details that would be considered a spoiler, the meaning of what is found is not 100% revealed to us at the story’s end which just added to my not so positive experience and opinion.

For those of you who love this genre, and crave a creative new twist that shows ingenuity and talent, I strongly suggest reading Terence Lee’s Time Camera. Better than The Da Vinci Code and offers a story you will not forget. It’s a cut above all the rest at a time when these archaeology novels are being written by the hundreds each year. I just can’t say that about The Atlantis Code.
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Apr 23, 2013 Matt rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: audiobook

Brokaw’s debut novel would impress even a skeptical reader of biblical mysteries. He opens the novel discussing a missing ancient relic, whose plot parallels a Vatican storyline that is equally as mysterious and thought provoking. While the book’s focus shifts to a biblical mystery (one that has been batted around by such authors as Dan Brown and Joel C. Rosenberg) that leaves the reader wondering if there is any proof behind the narrative. The true test of a stellar book relates to its ability...more

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Mar 05, 2013 Pat Sul rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

another in the ever growing genre of fabulous secrets that have been uncovered only to lead to a series of murders and narrow escapes.

so far it is page turningly good.

this relies on action rather than puzzles and possible secrets.
thomas lourds discovers an ancient bell with a language he has never seen inscribed on it. this leads him on a global quest/chase to track down 4 other instruments, all with the same inscription on them.
he is not alone in his quest, and his competitors are not worrie...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Erik rated it 4 of 5 stars

I wish I could have given this book 3&1/2 stars. The main reason that I liked it was almost solely because of the subject matter. I've always been fascinated by the Atlantis legend, so I was easily hooked because of that. Unfortunately this book was so completely formulaic. It's really fun and exciting - a nonstop thriller, but too cliche to even begin to describe. I wasn't shocked by any of the "twists," but they were fun and exciting nonetheless. It's very similar to all of Dan Brown's boo...more

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Nov 09, 2010 Rea rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, mystery, thriller

As can be gleened from the title of the book, this story follows in the footsteps of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. Although this book was somewhat better than some of the others of the genre that are out there, it wasn't spectacular but it was a good enough read for when you're stuck in the airport.

The main character is a linguist and that being my area of study, I enjoyed the sections on languages. He must, however, be an absolute genius to be able to translate an ancient language that no one has...more

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Oct 17, 2010 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Some day, we'll all stop using a comparison to The Da Vinci Code when we talk about this style of book. That day won't be any time soon, though, as Dan Brown really captured the world on that one.

This book's hero is a world renowned linguist/professor who gets involved with the search for five ancient instruments that could, when used together, bring about another Biblical destruction. Yep, from the hand of God.

Joining him in his quest is a TV crew and a Russian police officer on a mission of re...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Daisy*•.♥.•* rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

WOW!! I truly loved this book! The City of Atlantis has always been a huge mystery to me as well as the world, and I always enjoy finding books whether they are fictional or not on that topic. "The Atlantis Code" was filled so much wonder, mystery and action! I loved the characters. Natasha was a kick ass woman and I loved her roughness! Professor Lourdes was a likeable character too. The storyline was very interesting and I loved the fact that this is something that can actually happen in real...more

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Dec 18, 2010 Jeanne rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book is being sold as a cross between Indiana Jones and the DaVinci Code. Somehow it doesn't come up to the standards of either. What is it with these males characters who are totally irresistible to ALL women without even trying? I didn't really care about the lead male or his harem a women who just couldn't help themselves. Even when they are surrounded by people trying to kill them and they are fighting their way out in order to save the world all she wants to know is - did you sleep wit...more

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Nov 18, 2009 Vicky rated it 1 of 5 stars

The front cover promised: “If you enjoyed the Da Vinci Code, The Atlantis Code will take you to a new level of mystery, wonder and adventure.” I was looking forward to reading this book, just by that statement alone. Good job marketing people! That statement is big shoes to fill. If you compare a book with Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code you had better live up to the hype. Unfortunately, this book falls desperately flat. So I say, If you enjoyed the Da Vinci Code, read it again and pass The Atlantis C...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Kimberly rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-bookshelf, library-books-read-2013

Atlantis.

Not many words inspire so much wonder and mystery as that one which is why I'm rather obsessed with the myth. I can't help it I love adventure novels that feature the legend so when one of my many library searches led me to The Atlantis Code I was stoked. It sounded awesome and it got reasonably good reviews on Goodreads so as soon as I brought it home from the library I dove into reading it.

Unfortunately diving into it was similar to diving into a pool empty of water. Right from the b...more Atlantis.

Not many words inspire so much wonder and mystery as that one which is why I'm rather obsessed with the myth. I can't help it I love adventure novels that feature the legend so when one of my many library searches led me to The Atlantis Code I was stoked. It sounded awesome and it got reasonably good reviews on Goodreads so as soon as I brought it home from the library I dove into reading it.

Unfortunately diving into it was similar to diving into a pool empty of water. Right from the beginning I was off put by the writing. I hate when author refer to their main characters by their last names, especially when the name is something that sounds kind of pretentious like Lourds (no offense to anyone bearing that last name) but it irked me to know end that the author of the Atlantis Code referred to Thomas the hero of the novel by his last name. I know it may seem like a little thing to people but we all have our pet peeves and the last name referrals are some of my biggest.

Anyways, from the beginning of the novel I was struck by how slow the plot moved. I'm used to my adventure/thriller novels being adrenaline pumping reads pretty much from the get go with expected lulls in the action factor mingled into the plot line which was what I was expecting in this one. While there was some major action in the first 30 or so pages I wasn't satisfied how the first major action scene played out it was very sterile and lacking any feeling which was a feeling that was carried on through out the telling of The Atlantis Code.

The writing was very dense. The story was very detailed, too detailed it was as though the purpose was to explain every little thing to the reader. I like when an author explains certain things in more detail but those things are usually major plot points and things that are extremely relevant to the story but in this case I felt things were needlessly being explained which made the book a very tedious read at times.

The characters were another thing I had issues with and that is because they were all very one dimensional and over the top. Thomas Lourds is a linguist and I do understand that while he is a professor that he doesn't have the typical look of a stuffy old professor but he was far too aloof and unconcerned with his role as the romantic interest to not one but both of the female side characters and was a bit of a playboy but in the stuck up kind of way so there was a ton of eye rolling from me due to his behaviour as well as his overall holier than thou attitude he had about his abilities to solve the code to discover Atlantis.

The other characters were very one dimensional as well. As I mentioned the female leads were overly dramatic and over the top when it came to their character flaws and personalities just like Thomas and it was as though they were ripped from the set of a bad direct to DVD movie. Even the bad guys in the book came across as being inadequate and useless. They were some of the worst villians that I've ever come across in my reading.

The story line though is my main bone of contention. The book was praised as being the next Da Vinci Code while I saw the potential for the story about the myth of Atlantis in the beginning and was willing to look over some things in the beginning by the time I finished the book I felt like I had read a horribly inadequate rip off of The Da Vinci Code. There were some changes but the basic template of that bestseller was one that I saw used in the telling of this book. There were so many things that were similar to the story that they just started piling up in my head and made me more and more anxious to finish the book which I might add had one of the most anti-climatic endings I've ever come across and was such a huge let down but for me the main thing was that my ordeal with the novel was over.

The plot had so many holes that the amount of details used were pretty much used in place of an actual plot line and the poor characters, dialogue, lack of adventure and the lack of imagination of the actual story line drove me to have a great dislike for this first novel in the Thomas Lourds series. While the book is entitled The Atlantis Code I feel like Atlantis was touched on very little considering that and I felt that that lead to much of the deterioration of the plot and characters. However I do realize this was the author's first attempt at a novel so despite my obvious disappointment for it I can see that the bones of a good story were there and I am willing to give the second book in the series a chance and hope that it has more action and less mindless detail than this book.

Overall, I don't think this is one I would read again but I do see how the book does appeal to readers so I'm only going to recommend this on the basis of my believing a book is only as good as the individual reading it thinks it is. While I didn't like it others may find that it's a gem so if you think despite of my review that you make like to try the book out for yourself I say go for it!(less)

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Feb 03, 2010 Jason rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book, though it is not quite Dan Brown or Clive Cussler. Don't get me wrong, this book is well-written in about eveery sense of the word, and the storyline is right up there with the others. The only thing that I found lacking is that the story just didn't "feel" real. But the characterizations, the plot, the story, everything else was excellent. While everything was good, it just felt like he was trying too hard to one-up Dan Brown. He had the Vatican, the rogue cardinal, the few...more

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Aug 26, 2010 Dustin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Harvard linguist. Sexy accomplice. Church conspiracy with a ruthless killer on the hunt. A HIDDEN CODE. Sound familiar? Honestly, Dan Brown probably would have liked to have written this book, but Brokaw handles the task admirably. If not better... His action is much more intense and the violence is brutal. Additionally, I applaud Mr. Brokaw for promoting a very reasonable explanation for the story of Atlantis. Given the subject, most books veer off into extreme fantasy , but The Atlantis Code r...more

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Nov 30, 2009 Alayne Bushey rated it 2 of 5 stars

Setting aside preconceptions from The DaVinci Code, The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw is about a Harvard linguistics professor, Thomas Lourds, who stumbles across an ancient artifact wanted by a secret group of Cardinals from the Vatican. Together with television journalist Leslie, and Russian police officer Natashya, Lourds and a few other characters travel the globe in search of five ancient instruments inscribed with an untranslatable language, somehow linked to the lost city of Atlantis. W...more Setting aside preconceptions from The DaVinci Code, The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw is about a Harvard linguistics professor, Thomas Lourds, who stumbles across an ancient artifact wanted by a secret group of Cardinals from the Vatican. Together with television journalist Leslie, and Russian police officer Natashya, Lourds and a few other characters travel the globe in search of five ancient instruments inscribed with an untranslatable language, somehow linked to the lost city of Atlantis. Where did the instruments come from? Are the ruins in Spain really Atlantis? And how can Lourds and his women escape the evil Cardinal Murani with their lives intact? These are the types of plots and action and conspiracies which I adore in a book. Running for your lives, secret languages, ancient artifacts, evil dudes wearing robes. I eat these things for lunch, and I like them.

Brokaw's twist on an often used stock-plot (Catholic Church hides something, and someone else must discover it) was new and unique and I was thankful that it kept me entertained. Lourds is searching for five musical instruments that unlock Sacred Texts which the Chuch does not want known. This is the reason I kept reading, I wanted to know the key to the mystery. Did they really discover Atlantis, and would Lourds be able to translate the artifacts in time? Sadly, it's the only thing I really liked about the book.

Before I get started on the things I didn't like, I will confess something: I'm a woman. I know, shocking. But I'm saying that now because in case some guy reads this and thinks I'm biased because of my sex, I will also say that I'm not a moron. I know how the male brain works, but I also know how books should work and they're not supposed to placate to the male fantasy of travelling across the globe while two hot chicks fight over you. Less is more, but Brokaw's sexual undertones were blatantly obvious and annoying. From the first time Lourds meets Leslie and appreciates her trim figure, to the second time he sees her, wearing a crop top and a belly ring, to the time they're on a boat together heading toward Venice and "the chop of the waves rolled their bodies together in a manner that was altogether too pleasing and too tempting," (177)*. It became way too frequent, and way too sickening. Especially when Natashya enters the picture, complete with trench coat and pockets full of guns. I believe Brokaw enjoyed turning her from a masculine character smoking a cigar, into a feminine vixen wearing pajamas with no panties later in the novel. It's a shame it was more for his own pleasure than that of the reader's. He's not a misogynist, he does not hate women, but he certainly enjoyed making them into stereotypes for his own entertainment. He used the phrase "grind him into dust"* and he wasn't talking about a fist fight, people. Lourds is supposed to be middle-aged, but sexy; intelligent and kind. But he's a pig. He can't possibly understand why two women fight over him? And Leslie can still find time to be jealous when she's running for her life? And Natashya, really? I had faith that you of all of them would remain normal, but no. Sadly, the only character who lived up to my expectation was the evil Cardinal Murani. He knew what it meant to be a villain.

I'd give this book 1 star for the character of Thomas Lourds
1 star for the character of Leslie
2 stars for Natashya
3 stars for the bad guys
3 stars for the writing
4 stars for the plot and twist on religious conspiracy
1 star for the ending with the women
3 stars for the ending with the plot resolution
Average: 2.25 which rounds down to 2

So there you have it folks, 2 stars. I am sad for that. I received this book from GoodReads First Reads program and I was so very excited to start it. I love these types of books. I do not enjoy giving bad reviews, and I'm sorry that I have to, but it's necessary. We don't read books just for the plots, we read them because we enjoy the characters and we can relate to them. I thought Thomas Lourds was going to be a great character, he had all the beginnings of one, but he decided to think with his libido more than he should have, and I can't enjoy that when it happens every ten pages.

If you've read this book, leave a comment to your review, I'd love to hear what you thought of The Atlantis Code.

*My copy is an uncorrected ARC, so quotes and page numbers may be subject to change in final version.
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Feb 04, 2012 Kristin Lundgren rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: artifact-thriller

Reasonably fast-paced thriller about Atlantis and some artifacts that could lead to the Garden of Eden. Very far-fetched in it's myths and archaeology, it's still a fun romp with a bunch of thugs, an evil cardinal, and two beautiful women vying for our hero's heart, a linguistics professor. He come off trying to be a James Bond sort, but instead looks more like a louse as he sleeps with everyone in sight, and explains to himself that he's sure they know the score -that he is married to his work....more

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Dec 14, 2009 Jennifer Jensen (Literally Jen) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, winter0910

While on location for a film documentary, Harvard linguist Thomas Lourdes stumbles upon the find of the century: a mysterious bell inscripted with a language that Lourdes is unable to translate. When the bell is taken from Lourdes and the film crew by gunpoint, he goes on a quest to discover the origins of the bell.

In Russia, a colleague of Lourdes is trying desperately to get in touch with him, knowing she has discovered something ancient and wondrous. Before she can reach him, she is murdered...more While on location for a film documentary, Harvard linguist Thomas Lourdes stumbles upon the find of the century: a mysterious bell inscripted with a language that Lourdes is unable to translate. When the bell is taken from Lourdes and the film crew by gunpoint, he goes on a quest to discover the origins of the bell.

In Russia, a colleague of Lourdes is trying desperately to get in touch with him, knowing she has discovered something ancient and wondrous. Before she can reach him, she is murdered and the artifact (a cymbal) in her possession is stolen.

In Spain, the Catholic Church has funded an archaeological dig that is thought to be the ancient remains to the lost city of Atlantis. Are the bell and the cymbal artifacts of this lost nation? Just what does the Catholic Church have to do with Atlantis?

The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw should have been a quick read. It's an action/adventure/quest novel peppered with romance and mystery, and best of all, Atlantis! Instead, this book took me several weeks to read. It was about 50-100 pages too long and at times really dragged. The writing and dialogue was often weak and unbelievable, and the two female protagonists often got on my nerves.

Thomas Lourdes is a combination of Indiana Jones and James Bond, minus the whip and cool gadgets. His good looks are mentioned too much in the novel, especially all in one clump. When Leslie Crane is attempting to banter with him, Lourdes is totally oblivious and spouts off lots of intelligent conversation that made my eyes glaze over.

Leslie and Natasha are both far too perfect, the male fantasy come to life in this novel. Leslie, a small petite blonde in her early 20's, can wield a gun flawlessly. Natasha is a hard-ass police officer with exotic beauty and a sharp tongue. Both vie for Thomas's attention, and both get it.

The plot itself is fascinating, and an interesting take on what the civilization of Atlantis may have been like. Had some of the characters been written differently, I may have rated this book higher. I'm not sure if I will continue to read the series, but might give it another chance, especially if the Atlantis plot is continued into the next book. Everything seemed tidied up too quickly toward the end, and it was an unsatisfactory ending.(less)

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Oct 27, 2012 Madeleine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: conspiracy-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 09, 2012 Federica rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Il più brutto libro sul mito di Atlantide e sul giardino della creazione che io abbia fino ad ora letto!
Si salva solo l'azione che però non mi ha lasciata con il fiato sospeso. Non è scritto male,considerando che l'ho abbandonato prima del mio viaggio di nozze,10 giorni fa e l'ho ripreso in mano ieri e che mi sono ricordata tutta la trama e i personaggi...
E' il primo libro di questo professore universitario e si vede la poca esperienza che ha con le basi per scrivere un libro di avventura dove c...more

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May 21, 2010 Amy L. Campbell rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, reviewed, blogged

It's nice to see that misogyny is still alive and well. And can apparently even get published. Lourds is a fairly reprehensible character. I had no desire to see him triumph in any of his endeavors. And by the end of the book, if they had all died, the only one I would have lamented would have been Gary (who was decidedly less of a character and more of an afterthought tacked on for comic relief). Brokaw's wet-dream written large might have been acceptable if the female characters hadn't actuall...more It's nice to see that misogyny is still alive and well. And can apparently even get published. Lourds is a fairly reprehensible character. I had no desire to see him triumph in any of his endeavors. And by the end of the book, if they had all died, the only one I would have lamented would have been Gary (who was decidedly less of a character and more of an afterthought tacked on for comic relief). Brokaw's wet-dream written large might have been acceptable if the female characters hadn't actually been worthy of loathing. Of the three (three!) women we meet in this novel, the only one who is remotely likable gets taken out of the story within a span of one or two chapters. And sadly I think the reason she's so likable is that Lourds isn't slavering over her because she is a Wife and a Mother, and therefore immune to his salacious view of women. Oh, and apparently he respects her for her intellect, even though she is a "mere woman."

Leslie was, for some reason, initially represented as being smart and capable, but slowly deteriorates into a brainless harpy as the novel progresses. I think this sentence sums it up pretty well, "Lourds had to smile at the young woman's naivete. For all that she was a 'worldly' television journalist - and probably well traveled in her own right - the world remain a big unimagined place for her. She hadn't seen as much of it as she believed." Okay...so what happened between Chapter 1 and Page 168 (yes it starts that early, earlier actually) where this infuriating line occurs? We meet Natasha, that's what.

Natasha is the antithesis of Leslie. Except she's still willing to sleep with Lourds (why, who knows, because she can and the author wants her to). She's calm and cool and competent and I still don't like her. Mostly because she still thinks Lourds is hot shit, despite the fact that she could do way better, and it would be totally out of character for her to actually sleep with someone while her life is in danger. WTF, you people can't keep it in your pants while you're being hunted down by assassins? Priorities.

I'm actually surprised that there wasn't a knock down, epic catfight that turned into a lesbian sex scene between Leslie and Natasha. Maybe Brokaw is too repressed to actually write anything that interesting. Or maybe he's too intimidated by the lack of penis that would be involved in that particular scenario.

Okay, now that I'm done ranting about the bad stuff, I'll move on to telling you what little I actually liked about the novel.

Um......
The Catholic Church conspiracy was okay. I honestly I think Brokaw could have come up with another well funded group interested in the lost city of Atlantis. I will admit that the mythology created to explain what was in Atlantis was extremely interesting and why the hell didn't you focus your novel on that you big jerk!. Honestly Father Sebastien's side of the story was much more enjoyable and interesting, he could have taken Lourds out of this novel altogether, skipped the globe- and bed-hopping, and conjured up some more realistic female characters.

I also hope that Lourds was not actually based on Brokaw, because if he is I'm sure he has tenure and I'm sure he gives his female students lesser grades just because they are women. Dear Brokaw, your book sucked and have you ever even talked to a woman since the 1950's?

The reviewer is a 2009 graduate of Kent State University's Master of Library and Information Sciences program, an alumna of Antioch College, and the author of the blog A Librarian's Life in Books.(less)

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Feb 01, 2010 Tina rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who have insomnia.

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 21, 2012 Charleen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: year-2010, 3-stars

This was a fun, quick read. It's a debut novel, and there are plenty of spots where it could have used a little more polish. There's a romantic subplot (including a sex scene) that seemed like it was there just for the sake of having it. I'm not totally opposed to reading that sort of thing, if it actually contributes to the story, but here it seemed gratuitous. Despite his faults, Brokaw delivers an entertaining adventure. I'd read the sequel, though I won't be eagerly awaiting its release.

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Aug 06, 2011 Tim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've always had a thing for Atlantis so this will be a slightly biased review.

I loved this book! I think the characters were fantastic and I think the book was much better written than a lot of the other books in this genre.

The book keeps you hooked (which for me is a bad thing as I invariably end up losing sleep).

If you like a bit of mystery, history & mythology then I would highly recommend this book and I'll definitely be keep an eye out to see what this author does next.

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Aug 05, 2010 Samt77 rated it 1 of 5 stars

One of the most dire, unengrossing novels I've ever had the misfortune of reading. sure the blurb on the back of the book sounded good, i'm usually a sucker for books in some way related to the atlantis myth.

the plot itself wasn't bad, it was just the writing. The attempts at emotion were laughable and cringeworthy like your dad dancing at a disco. Stereotypical villains to book actually made me stop reading. i'll always plod on with a book to see it through. Except this one. Awful

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Jan 08, 2011 Krystina Grant rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I first started reading the book there were a couple of very brutal and descriptive scenes that made me wonder if I really wanted to read this particular book. But being intrigued by stories of Atlantis I stuck with it and was quickly drawn in by the action and brilliant story-telling. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I will be looking forward to the next book by this author. As for anyone who likes fast paced, edge of your seat stories will definitely love this book.

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Jul 23, 2011 Elodie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: atlantis, thriller, history, owned

I really enjoyed this book. It's a good thriller, and some passages left me holding my breath.
The whole Atlantis plot was great and interesting, though I'm not really that into God and all the myths surrounding it like the Garden of Eden. But I found that the author was thorough and it was pleasant anyway.

What I found a bit less entertaining though was the personality of Lourds, which I found all too boastful, as well as Leslie who, though threatened by an army of bad guys, finds the bravery to...more

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Jan 29, 2012 William rated it 3 of 5 stars

Fairly decently paced, but you can't help comparing it to the Da Vinci Code, without which this book would never have been published. The lead, an archaeologist-linguist, is a less interesting Robert Langdon who seems to be catnip to women for some inexplicable reason, and is pretty thoughtless in that regard. The book is helped somewhat by a good female lead, a Russian police detective, and a rather good villain, a Catholic cardinal.

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Sep 12, 2011 Me Lin rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: just-a-mystery, modern, 1-star

I wish I hadn't read any reviews before starting this book. I might have given the author more slack. Or maybe not. Thomas was a jerk, Leslie a bitch, Natasha (oh puleeze, could he have given her a more stereotypical Russian name?) some kind of female Rambo wannabe. The only semi normal person was Gary and he was just a typical boy: playing video games all the time. The plot was a bit silly and the villains over-the-top. I kept wishing the story would end but didn't stop reading because I wanted...more

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About Charles Brokaw

Charles Brokaw is a pseudonym for an author, academic, and college educator living in the Midwest. He’s had a rich and varied life, and is fascinated by history, human accomplishment, and archeology. He began the book The Atlantis Code after seeing an article in a scholarly journal. The piece featured a satellite photo, and pointed out ruins visible in Spain which matched closely the description o...more

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The Temple Mount Code (Thomas Lourds, #3)

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The Atlantis Code (Thomas Lourds #1)

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