The Alexandria Link: A Novel
by Steve Berry
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of The Alexandria Link: A Novel.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
Where's the love? Add this book to your favorite list.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 803)
Read in August, 2007
I think this another one of those many books that has been riding on the coattails of The Da Vinci Code. Mind you, it's just the latest in an apparant series of book following Cotton Malone's adventures. Perhaps that's why I never really got all that involved in the book was because I had never really gotten to know the characters and there were just so many that I was expected to.
Even so, with the plot jumping to three different places and three seperate storylines (for the most pa...more
Even so, with the plot jumping to three different places and three seperate storylines (for the most pa...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
1 comments
Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
adults
Yet another book that is a 'continuation' of a story that I didn't figure out until I was a disc or two into it. This is the second book of the "Cotton Malone" adventures. His first, I believe, is titled: The Templar Legacy.
After listening to this book, I really want to get my hands on the Templar Legacy. And I'm pretty excited for the books that are scheduled to come out that continue Cotton's story as well as several other characters. I believe one should be out soon (if it i...more
After listening to this book, I really want to get my hands on the Templar Legacy. And I'm pretty excited for the books that are scheduled to come out that continue Cotton's story as well as several other characters. I believe one should be out soon (if it i...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2007
I finished Steve Berry's The Alexandria Link last night. The book features Cotton Malone who has appeared as the main character in several of Berry's previous works as well.
Malone, who retired as a US government agent and is living in Denmark as a book seller, is drawn back into action when his son is kidnapped.
The reason is Malone's knowledge of George Haddad, a Palestinian who is the Alexandria Link, a person who can find the lost library of Alexandria.
Several groups are seeking the libr...more
Malone, who retired as a US government agent and is living in Denmark as a book seller, is drawn back into action when his son is kidnapped.
The reason is Malone's knowledge of George Haddad, a Palestinian who is the Alexandria Link, a person who can find the lost library of Alexandria.
Several groups are seeking the libr...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
What can I say? I'm sucker for books about libraries. And I'm a sucker for the name Alexandria (my granddaughter's name). Combine those two and I HAVE to read this book. Even though this is a sequel, there is enough exposition to get a sense of who the characters are and their relationship to each other. The story hinges on Cotton Malone, an former secret agent and the quest by several parties for the lost library of Alexandria. It seems that scrolls from the ancient library in Alexandria w...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
The Alexandria Link is a potboiler in the mold of The Da Vinci Code, where a secret involving religion is at the heart of an international conspiracy. Former secret agent Cotton Malone is unwittingly pulled into intrigue when his son is kidnapped and his bookstore is destroyed by people trying to track down the mysterious Alexandria Link, the key to information saved from the legendary Alexandria Library that could have massive repercussions in the Middle East. Malone must navigate a complex mys...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
This book was fast paced and exciting. Hard to put down.
The story is about a the lost Library of Alexandria, a library that contained all the books from antiquity to the first three or four centuries (A.D.). The library was said to have been destroyed about that time. However, in this book the library was secreted away by monks who are now the guardians. Only certain people such as learned scholars are 'invited' to see the library by the 'guardians' of the library. The catch is that many...more
The story is about a the lost Library of Alexandria, a library that contained all the books from antiquity to the first three or four centuries (A.D.). The library was said to have been destroyed about that time. However, in this book the library was secreted away by monks who are now the guardians. Only certain people such as learned scholars are 'invited' to see the library by the 'guardians' of the library. The catch is that many...more
Like this review?
yes
(1 person liked it)
add a comment
this mystery/thriller operates on the premise that there is a religious secret that has been hidden for many years and would have huge implications for the world if it was found out.
(its similar to the Da Vinci Code in that way).
the book keeps the mystery and suspense the whole way through and was quite good. the secret in this one is that there is a Library that has been hidden for centuries that has all kinds of original manuscripts and maps, and the upshot is that Israel is not in th...more
(its similar to the Da Vinci Code in that way).
the book keeps the mystery and suspense the whole way through and was quite good. the secret in this one is that there is a Library that has been hidden for centuries that has all kinds of original manuscripts and maps, and the upshot is that Israel is not in th...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2007
About a year ago I read The Templar Legacy by the same author and accorded it the honor of being my favorite of the "If you liked the Da Vinci Code ..." books. I picked up The Alexandria Link expecting more of the same, and it delivered. Tragically, it delievered in practically the exact same way: same characters on a new adventure; same variety of twists, turns, and unexp...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2007
Ploddingly written and unrealistic even by thriller standards. What I mean to say is that one doesn't especially expect a thriller to mirror life in any significant way, but there are standards that when followed make for fun with a certain amount of integrity.
The motivating concept behind this mess is that the famed (almost mythical) library of ancient Alexandria, assumed to have been destroyed centuries before, still exists, protected and in hiding.
So far so good, but wooden character...more
The motivating concept behind this mess is that the famed (almost mythical) library of ancient Alexandria, assumed to have been destroyed centuries before, still exists, protected and in hiding.
So far so good, but wooden character...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
thriller and action adventure fans
A fast paced adventure with overtones of The Da Vinci Code. Protagonist Cotton Malone and ex-wife are pulled into finding the lost library of Alexandria which contains the true location of Abraham's Palestine. Naturally this information will really heat up the situation in the Mideast. Wealthy financiers, private orders, and United States politicians get involved; each trying to get the most power and influence. Lots of bodies pile up before the end.
Couldn't get too worked up about the outcome...more
Couldn't get too worked up about the outcome...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
Steve Berry likes to take interesting events or mysteries of the past, research them, and write novels around them.
He's not the best writer, but he does good reseach, and has good ideas.
In the Alexandria Link, he speculates on what it would mean if the great Library of Alexandria had not been burned 1500 years ago, but survived today.
What might it mean to Israel and the Arab countries if a bible older than any that exist today was in that library, and contained incendary information?...more
He's not the best writer, but he does good reseach, and has good ideas.
In the Alexandria Link, he speculates on what it would mean if the great Library of Alexandria had not been burned 1500 years ago, but survived today.
What might it mean to Israel and the Arab countries if a bible older than any that exist today was in that library, and contained incendary information?...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
I think that Steve Berry is a really good author, but this book was a bit all over the place with its sub plots, perhaps it was because I was sick while reading it and had Nyquil running through my veins, but there were parts I had to re-read just to keep up with what was going on. That being said, once I figured out what was happening and the Nyquil fog wore off it was a very enjoyable read, making me want to pick up another of his books soon. I think the next one by Mr. Berry that I will pick ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 2008
In two years - if that long - I will forget that I read this book.
Yes, it's a wonderfully fun "National Treasure" / "Indiana Jones" / knock off Clive Cussler thing, but in the end, nothing really happens.
This is not to discount Berry's talent as a writer. However...
SPOILERS
#
#
#
#
#
Why is it that nothing ever happens at the end of all these grand chases? At the end of The Da Vinci Code, the protagonist just walks away, smugly knowing The Secret. Why doe...more
Yes, it's a wonderfully fun "National Treasure" / "Indiana Jones" / knock off Clive Cussler thing, but in the end, nothing really happens.
This is not to discount Berry's talent as a writer. However...
SPOILERS
#
#
#
#
#
Why is it that nothing ever happens at the end of all these grand chases? At the end of The Da Vinci Code, the protagonist just walks away, smugly knowing The Secret. Why doe...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in February, 2008
This book is a fictional account that questions the validity of the Bible and the wars that rage in the Middle East over who has the right to what lands etc. as told in the Bible. It has elements of murder, dirty politicians and twists and turns that keep you guessing. It is well written but there are so many overlapping story lines it can get confusing (if you are well versed in Middle Eastern poilitcs it may be easier to keep up). If you like the Da Vinci Code than you will like this book.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Unfortunately, this was rather pedestrian - OK for a flight or a long train journey but not remarkable. Part of an odd new genre mixing Middle Eastern politics and Da Vinci code-type plots and mysteriers. It has the most irritating female supporting character that I have ever come across in a thriller - I would have pushed her out of the plane myself if I had been there (see book) - whose depiction proves that Berry could do better by avoiding plots by number and working on character.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Da Vinci genre fans
I loved this book. [I have prviously read The Amber Room and The Templar Legacy by this author].
A great paced romp with the same characters as in The Templar Legacy. Good additional character development with a good plot. It wan't overly complicated - it did not depend upon a number of riddiculous impoderables to reach a conclusion - it did tick all the boxes - it was an easy read - it did leave me wanting more....
What more can I say?
A great paced romp with the same characters as in The Templar Legacy. Good additional character development with a good plot. It wan't overly complicated - it did not depend upon a number of riddiculous impoderables to reach a conclusion - it did tick all the boxes - it was an easy read - it did leave me wanting more....
What more can I say?
Like this review?
yes
4 comments
Read in February, 2008
If you like interesting puzzles and some different views on history, you might like this. And... if you liked The DaVinci code, you will like this. Based on some theories and mystery about the origins of the Bible and its trek through history, several present day governments are out to find out "their" truth as to the basis for our three largest religions.
Easy read, short chapters (so you can read over time) and interesting to follow.
Easy read, short chapters (so you can read over time) and interesting to follow.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in July, 2008
Another thriller in the style of Da Vinci Code. Murder, mystery, mahem all in the name of the quest, in this case, the quest for the lost Library of Alexandria. Wouldn't it be fabulous if it were true and that Libary still exists!!!
I like Cotton Malone even though in my mind he looks just like Indiana Jones. I am also intrigued with Cassiopia Vitt and I hope in reading some of his other books I will get to know her character better.
I like Cotton Malone even though in my mind he looks just like Indiana Jones. I am also intrigued with Cassiopia Vitt and I hope in reading some of his other books I will get to know her character better.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
Nice read. It was more polished than The Templar Legacy and the characters became more developed. I like that - it bugs me in series where the characters are static. There were lots of twists and turns in who's good and who's bad and the ending was good but not all lollipops and roses. That's another thing I like. Life doesn't have neatly tied up endings nor should books.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in March, 2008
Another great Steve Berry book (my 2nd). I am starting to enjoy books in a series that repeat characters; like a well-written TV series, I have all of that built-in characterization from the last novel, which leaves me free to get wrapped up in the fast-moving plot. Plus, in this novel, I was fascinated by the idea of the lost library of Alexandria and what might be there.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
