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32nd out of 132 books
—
119 voters
The Sanctuary
In the powerful new thriller from the author of the international bestseller The Last Templar, a geneticist and a CIA agent on a deadly quest to find the most dangerous book in the world discover a secret that has destroyed everyone in its path for centuries
Naples, 1750. In the dead of night, three men with swords burst into the palazzo of a marquis. Their leader, the Pr...more
Naples, 1750. In the dead of night, three men with swords burst into the palazzo of a marquis. Their leader, the Pr...more
Hardcover, 432 pages
Published
August 21st 2007
by Dutton Adult
(first published January 1st 2007)
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Apr 15, 2008
John
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People that hate the Da Vinci Code genre - so that they can slag this book off too
Shelves:
modern-fiction
Well, well, well... where to start.... should I even bother?... most of it has been said before.
The plot - not the most original... but at least it was not quasi-religous....it was all reasonably straightforward with little in the way of twists and turns.
The characters - all pretty boring... only one surprise revelation, but I guess we all worked out who Kirkwood was 200 pages before the great reveal anyway... all of the others were dull... Evelyn [too intellectual to think straight], Mia [daugh...more
The plot - not the most original... but at least it was not quasi-religous....it was all reasonably straightforward with little in the way of twists and turns.
The characters - all pretty boring... only one surprise revelation, but I guess we all worked out who Kirkwood was 200 pages before the great reveal anyway... all of the others were dull... Evelyn [too intellectual to think straight], Mia [daugh...more
A fun read. Exciting and interesting. It was a relief not to have the usual annoying romance spring up between the male and female protagonists.
I can honestly say that i was a bit disappointed by this latest attempt at a conspiracy novel. I may not exactly be correct on this but, I've got a feeling that this book may be based on some truth but mostly fiction. Irregardless, Raymond Khoury has in a way let me down, i was expecting something good and quasi-easy to follow like his first effort..The Last Templar. Unfortunately this was not to be, The Sanctuary is more scattered and all over the place then the last one. At least in the Last T...more
I enjoyed Khoury's first novel, "The Last Templar." Khoury's considerable screenwriting talents drove the plot, making the story play like a movie inside my head as I read it. As he has mentioned in numerous interviews, Khoury originally created "The Last Templar" as a screenplay, and the book was accordingly cinematic from beginning to end.
Good as "Templar" is, Khoury's second novel, "The Sanctuary," is far richer. In "Sanctuary" we find Khoury maturing as a true novelist, rather than a screenw...more
Good as "Templar" is, Khoury's second novel, "The Sanctuary," is far richer. In "Sanctuary" we find Khoury maturing as a true novelist, rather than a screenw...more
A rattling good read for the most, though ultimately a disappointment.
For four fifths of the book, I was captured, but the final sections did seem to let the previous chapters' side down.
Maybe I shouldn't be surprised, as it took a while for the book to let on - or was it that I was just slow on the up-take? - as to what it all turned on. Once I knew this, then it all enters the realms of fantasy.
With others of this genre, where they're looking for treasure or secrets buried, or lost, in ancient...more
For four fifths of the book, I was captured, but the final sections did seem to let the previous chapters' side down.
Maybe I shouldn't be surprised, as it took a while for the book to let on - or was it that I was just slow on the up-take? - as to what it all turned on. Once I knew this, then it all enters the realms of fantasy.
With others of this genre, where they're looking for treasure or secrets buried, or lost, in ancient...more
I got this as a Christmas gift and although I hadn't read any of his other work, I had heard of
The Last Templar
in passing.
I can't say I was expecting a lot, so I guess in that sense the book didn't disappoint. There was an interesting idea nestled within, but Khoury just couldn't seem to decide what story he was trying to tell. At first it was the story of a single mother yearning for her lost love, then it was an action story involving her daughter, and then suddenly it became about somethin...more
I can't say I was expecting a lot, so I guess in that sense the book didn't disappoint. There was an interesting idea nestled within, but Khoury just couldn't seem to decide what story he was trying to tell. At first it was the story of a single mother yearning for her lost love, then it was an action story involving her daughter, and then suddenly it became about somethin...more
Humans have long dreamed of immortality, in some cases devoting their lives to the quest. Raymond Khoury makes that dream the focus of his latest historical thriller, The Sanctuary. Built around two interwoven stories, one from the 18th century and one present day, most of the action takes place in Lebanon. When an unknown pack of thugs abducts archaeologist Evelyn Bishop, her daughter Mia, a geneticist, mounts a desperate search to retrieve her. Unbeknownst to Mia, there are others on the trail...more
This is my first Raymond Khoury novel and I'm glad I picked it up. The plot concerns a quest for a sort of fountain of youth. Khoury proposes the following question: if there was a formula for immortality, should it be shared with the world or kept a secret? This question is explored in between the various fast paced and well executed action sequences. Khoury moves seamlessly between action and philosophy. The character in this book that I found most intriguing was the Hakeem. Mad Italian scient...more
I really wanted to like this book but-it's not on my best ever list by a long shot. I kept getting the feeling that there was so much more that was cut out of the story. The biggest problem I found was that the characters have absolutely zero depth. I never cared about these people as the writing style is like-here is the character-here is what they need to do-now they are doing it and now the story ends. It's like reading a technical manual of the novel instead of reading the novel. Weird.
Seem...more
Seem...more
The premise and potential story line behind the book was good. Mr. Khoury has a unique style of writing that keeps the reader involved with the story.
Now the bad. I guess Mr. Khoury has some sort of grudge against religion because he does nothing but trash religion. About the moment that he included a lie and offensive statement about my religion I was pretty fed up with his attitude. Here is a hint Mr. Khoury,before you trash someone's religion...do correct research.
Throughout the whole book he...more
Now the bad. I guess Mr. Khoury has some sort of grudge against religion because he does nothing but trash religion. About the moment that he included a lie and offensive statement about my religion I was pretty fed up with his attitude. Here is a hint Mr. Khoury,before you trash someone's religion...do correct research.
Throughout the whole book he...more
I was disappointed. I'd loved another book by this author.
This one was heavy on the chases and light on the information and intellectual puzzles and reason why the information was SO important that people had to die for it.
I also think the body count was a bit high - too gory and gruesome.
This one was heavy on the chases and light on the information and intellectual puzzles and reason why the information was SO important that people had to die for it.
I also think the body count was a bit high - too gory and gruesome.
I found this book on the train and it seemed like my type of story - Action/Adventure - with a story that harkens back centuries. And I love me conspiracies.
I found out after flipping through the book that Raymond Khoury also wrote The Last Templar, which I had seen turned into a mini-series a few months back.
All in all, it was okay. A summer read or an airplane book, but little more than that. The story wasn't spectacular, the characters didn't live up to world-spanning adventure that they were...more
I found out after flipping through the book that Raymond Khoury also wrote The Last Templar, which I had seen turned into a mini-series a few months back.
All in all, it was okay. A summer read or an airplane book, but little more than that. The story wasn't spectacular, the characters didn't live up to world-spanning adventure that they were...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This is an archaeology, quest type book of which I am a fan.
I did enjoy reading it and getting some exposure to the "Ouroboros", but was a little disappointed in the way the author delivered the major turning points in the book. It left you expecting more than what was actually delivered. The climax the author would start to build to always seemed to fall a little short. I enjoyed the flashbacks and the mystery and suspense of the characters of the past, more than the characters for the current...more
I did enjoy reading it and getting some exposure to the "Ouroboros", but was a little disappointed in the way the author delivered the major turning points in the book. It left you expecting more than what was actually delivered. The climax the author would start to build to always seemed to fall a little short. I enjoyed the flashbacks and the mystery and suspense of the characters of the past, more than the characters for the current...more
This was an interesting book. Having previously read The Last Templar I was expecting the back and forth of the two parts of the story. However, this book was actually somewhat confusing... People weren't who they were portrayed as at the beginning of the book - there was a lot of coverup and backstories since the story had a lot to do with the CIA. However, I did like the fact that it wasn't an easy book to figure out (I didn't know what was going on until well into the book so it kept my inter...more
The story starts out in Naples 1750.A group led by the prince of San Servero bust in on the marquis demanding he turn over the secret he hides.The Marquis escapes and makes his journey assuming other names and titles along the way.
Fast forward to bagdad 2003, and the terrible find the soldiers make. A secret underground lab, complete with surgical room and horrible deaths of prisoners, including mass graves.
On one wall is the symbol of a snake eating it's tail. What does this mean, where did it...more
Fast forward to bagdad 2003, and the terrible find the soldiers make. A secret underground lab, complete with surgical room and horrible deaths of prisoners, including mass graves.
On one wall is the symbol of a snake eating it's tail. What does this mean, where did it...more
Jun 24, 2010
Josh
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of thrillers & Indiana Jones-type adventure stories
Shelves:
read-in-2010,
thriller
This is the second book by this author that I have read. While it didn't match his first book, I still found myself enjoying the read. Certain plot points are predictable and the hunt for the missing object, a book, is fun, I just felt the "earth-shattering secret" wasn't all that "earth shattering." With these types of novels, the object or secret has to be in capital letters, "OMG! NOW THAT'S WILD!" This just didn't do it for me. I'm not sure why.
I will say this - Khoury knows how to write. T...more
I will say this - Khoury knows how to write. T...more
I liked the ideas in this, but it just wasn't exciting enough - the puzzle was fascinating, but not fascinatingly written.
Stopped about a third of the way through...in the words of several Monty Python alums, "Get on with it!"
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This book had a slow start, but it really picked up by the middle and I couldn't put it down by the end.
I've read many books on elixir of life and this one is pretty good with a unique take on what will help with attaining slow aging, not immortality. Also, this book touches up on what very few books did before - the consequences of outliving all your loved ones. My favorite part was that this elixir had a flaw and the protagonist (you don't know who this is until second half of the book) has be...more
I've read many books on elixir of life and this one is pretty good with a unique take on what will help with attaining slow aging, not immortality. Also, this book touches up on what very few books did before - the consequences of outliving all your loved ones. My favorite part was that this elixir had a flaw and the protagonist (you don't know who this is until second half of the book) has be...more
This book has it all: ancient, mysterious clues mingle with the latest scientific advances in this cinematic thriller. The pace is fast, the dialogue sharp, the characters plausible. Khoury knows what he is doing.
A cross between Indiana Jones and Dan Brown, an electrifying thriller of ancient secrets, of the quest for an extended life and of horrific scientific experiments. It mixes history with the present in a gripping tale of adventure and suspense. Well worth buckling your seat belt for and...more
A cross between Indiana Jones and Dan Brown, an electrifying thriller of ancient secrets, of the quest for an extended life and of horrific scientific experiments. It mixes history with the present in a gripping tale of adventure and suspense. Well worth buckling your seat belt for and...more
I've rated this book as 3 stars because I initially found it hard to get into. While the plot felt good I really found it hard to bond with the characters, it felt a little pushed at times. However, about half-way through it felt like the style changed a little and I was able to picture it from the characters point of view a little more easily.
I enjoyed the history in this book and found myself wanting to look up which points were real and which had been fiction integrated into the story. In the...more
I enjoyed the history in this book and found myself wanting to look up which points were real and which had been fiction integrated into the story. In the...more
I have not actually finished the book; I've only read up to page twenty-four, but it will be more by tonight. I know I cannot write an accurate review for this book because I, in fact, have not actually read it; however, reading the first few pages has already astonished me. Raymond Khoury has great technical skill in writing; already, I notice that each character is whole and complete. Each has his or her own style of speaking, talking, and so much more. I was so astonished and overjoyed that I...more
Another ancient mystery that people are desperate to get their hands on and are
willing to lie, cheat and kill to obtain.
This book reminded me of some of the movies my husband likes to watch. Car crash,
gun fight, car chase, gun fight, people chasing other people, gun fight. It gets
so monotonous. How many minor characters (all Middle Eastern except for a South African and
an Australian) do you have to kill off in one book? Then the change in Corbin was a real bummer and it all went downhill from...more
If you liked the Davinci Code, you might like this one. This is a murder mystery that centers around an ancient cult that for centuries has been seeking for the elixir of life that will allow people to live for 100-200 years. The troy bounces back between the present and the 14th and 15th centures when the "brethren" began to form. It raises some interesting ethical issues regarding the impact of human lognevity on relationships, work, resources and the like. The quesations raised are relevant e...more
This book reminded me of watching a fast-paced action film. The characters get shot at so many times in one day that I wondered why they weren't all deaf from the report. It was exciting! The book is about searching for a chemical compound that will "cure" aging. I enjoyed the chemistry references but did not enjoy the four or five very foul words. It is interesting to read a book about people seeking to become immortal in this life and imperfect world when I would much rather be immortal in the...more
The only thing that saved this from being a 2 star was the interspersed bits of Sebastian's life within the normal story. The book begins extremely slow, and what's more, after setting up a few characters, a shift occurs where it is almost like pressing the reset button, and having to build it all back up again. And when I say slow, I wouldnt be surprised if it didnt become somewhat of a quick read until somewhere in the 200 page numbers.
Aside from that, the plot points seemed a bit scattered an...more
Aside from that, the plot points seemed a bit scattered an...more
To put it succinctly, its 465 pages of irrelevance. The usual hallmarks of Khoury are there, in comparison to The Last Templar: short chapters, fast flowing action packed scenes. There has been an improvement in depth of coverage and description, but the question remains - to what end?
The words about the cover brings to mind images of Templars, secrets and the such, much supported by the supposedly good reviews from various sources. But, throughout the whole book, the reader is lead from one ch...more
The words about the cover brings to mind images of Templars, secrets and the such, much supported by the supposedly good reviews from various sources. But, throughout the whole book, the reader is lead from one ch...more
This book is an over-glorified search for the Fountain of Youth. More specifically, this book is a cat-and-mouse chase to find a mysterious book revealing secrets to obtain eternal youth. However, it took me a good two-thirds of the book to really get into the premise. The plot is very formulaic, containing the redundant flashbacks to 18th Century Europe, and a modern day mystery connected to these events. While the story has potential, it is Khoury’s writing that lacks finesse. He could have ea...more
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Raymond moved to Rye, New York, from his native Lebanon at the outbreak of the civil war there in 1975. After graduating from Rye Country Day School, he returned to Lebanon to study architecture at the American University of Beirut. During his years there, in between repeated flare-ups of fighting, he illustrated several children's books for Oxford University Press's Middle East office. Raymond co...more
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“Greed and selfishness do seem to be central motivators of mankind.”
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May 20, 2010 08:36pm