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4th out of 138 books
—
147 voters
The Templar Legacy (Cotton Malone #1)
by
Steve Berry (Goodreads Author)
The ancient order of the Knights Templar possessed untold wealth and absolute power over kings and popes . . . until the Inquisition, when they were wiped from the face of the earth, their hidden riches lost. But now two forces vying for the treasure have learned that it is not at all what they thought it was-and its true nature could change the modern world.
Cotton Malone...more
Cotton Malone...more
Mass Market Paperback, 482 pages
Published
January 30th 2007
by Ballantine Books
(first published January 1st 2006)
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The Knights Templars were founded in Jerusalem in 1118 to protect the pilgrims visiting Palestine at the end of the First Crusade of 1096. The full, original name was "The Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple which is in Jerusalem", but the for the sake of this review I will just refer to them as The Templars.
By papal decree only The Templars were allowed to wear the cross patee. The red cross is probably the most famous identifying symbol for the order.
The Templars because of their austere...more
By papal decree only The Templars were allowed to wear the cross patee. The red cross is probably the most famous identifying symbol for the order.
The Templars because of their austere...more
Okay. Here's the deal. If you go to Amazon.com, you're going to see this book picked apart by people who judge it because it doesn't conform to their ideas about Christianity, and because it offers a new way to look at the Catholic Church, etc., etc., etc. So my advice: if you're a devout Christian and you can't pick up a book that puts forth ideas you can't agree with, don't pick this one up because you'll hate it. On the other hand, if you can get past that, and realize that the author is writ...more
Sep 08, 2012
Jen Koontz
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Da Vinci Code fans looking to further fuel their arsenal of anti-Jesus "facts"
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
4 likes · like · see review
once again i'm longing for half stars (2 vs. 3). i'm settling on this just being ok/2 stars, though, because:
- the dialogue is not afraid to spell things out. as in, explaining the obvious, in a predictable, simplistic manner
- the actual storyline meanders a little too much, at least for my taste in historical thrillers. i'd like these books to be, i don't know, thrilling.
- there were a couple of spelling/grammar errors. true, it could happen to anyone. true, it's an enormous pet peeve of mine i...more
- the dialogue is not afraid to spell things out. as in, explaining the obvious, in a predictable, simplistic manner
- the actual storyline meanders a little too much, at least for my taste in historical thrillers. i'd like these books to be, i don't know, thrilling.
- there were a couple of spelling/grammar errors. true, it could happen to anyone. true, it's an enormous pet peeve of mine i...more
Jul 21, 2008
Todd
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Jill, Karen, Bridget
Shelves:
fantasy-foklore-legends-mytholog
Steve Berry is the thinking man's Dan Brown. I was immediately impressed after reading The Romanov Prophecy, and The Third Secret. The Templar Legacy does not disappoint. If you enjoyed The DaVinci Code you will appreciate this novel all the more.
Berry mixes a decent understanding of folkore and history in this fast paced quest for the real Templar Treasure." He even takes a decent pot shot at all the conspiratroialists and others who have made fortunes off a well-documented hoax.
The book's ide...more
Berry mixes a decent understanding of folkore and history in this fast paced quest for the real Templar Treasure." He even takes a decent pot shot at all the conspiratroialists and others who have made fortunes off a well-documented hoax.
The book's ide...more
Oct 20, 2009
Andrea
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-historical-fiction,
read-mystery-suspence
This was an enjoyable read. I liked it, I thought it was well written, it kept me in suspense, there were twists and turns, and it was interesting. (Although if you don't like fictional books that question the Bible or faith then this book is NOT for you!) It's a very Dan Brown kind of book (that I think is a bit...only a bit...more realistic.) I wavered between 3 and 4 stars for this one and settled on three.
I settled on three because
-At times the books gets very preachy/too lecture like.
-It's...more
I settled on three because
-At times the books gets very preachy/too lecture like.
-It's...more
I enjoyed this tale; I have just recently 'discovered' Berry (I read "The Third Secret" in August), but the mister has been enjoying him for some time now..
In a sort of Cliff Janeway–meets–The DaVinci Code story (although, much better told, in my opinion), we follow “Cotton” Malone, one-time federal agent with an eidetic memory and now a Copenhagen-based bookseller, as he becomes unwittingly involved in a search for the Great Devise, an ancient Templar archive that supposedly disproves the Resur...more
In a sort of Cliff Janeway–meets–The DaVinci Code story (although, much better told, in my opinion), we follow “Cotton” Malone, one-time federal agent with an eidetic memory and now a Copenhagen-based bookseller, as he becomes unwittingly involved in a search for the Great Devise, an ancient Templar archive that supposedly disproves the Resur...more
5 likes · like · see review
It has served us well, this myth of Christ. — POPE LEO X
The above appears on the back dust jacket of The Last Templar and as an epigraph for The Templar Legacy. Fascinating, isn't it? My initial reaction upon seeing it for the second time, having just brought home The Templar Legacy, was, oh no, it's the SAME BOOK! Really, though, aside from both dealing with lost Templar treasure and the possible non-divinity of Christ, they're quiet different novels. (I may have even enjoyed this one more than...more
The above appears on the back dust jacket of The Last Templar and as an epigraph for The Templar Legacy. Fascinating, isn't it? My initial reaction upon seeing it for the second time, having just brought home The Templar Legacy, was, oh no, it's the SAME BOOK! Really, though, aside from both dealing with lost Templar treasure and the possible non-divinity of Christ, they're quiet different novels. (I may have even enjoyed this one more than...more
I liked it until almost the end. The beginning was great, most of the middle was ok... the end good. But the couple chapters before it ended were... well pretty fantastical. Not at all like his usual well researched and thought out plots. Not as bad as his Third Secret mind you (which was all around just a badly researched and written book all around)
I won't say more for fear of spoiling it. But I do hope that Cotton's other adventures (Alexandria Link, Venetian Betrayal and The Charlemagne Purs...more
I won't say more for fear of spoiling it. But I do hope that Cotton's other adventures (Alexandria Link, Venetian Betrayal and The Charlemagne Purs...more
This is another author riding on the back of the success of the Da Vinci Code, and not very well in my opinion.
It took me ages to get through this book. More than once I considered abandoning it but I don't like doing that however bad it is. I was still over three quarters of the way through the book before I felt I was getting into it.
Right from the beginning I felt like I'd missed something somewhere along the way. I kept coming across a character or a situation and wondering whether we'd alre...more
It took me ages to get through this book. More than once I considered abandoning it but I don't like doing that however bad it is. I was still over three quarters of the way through the book before I felt I was getting into it.
Right from the beginning I felt like I'd missed something somewhere along the way. I kept coming across a character or a situation and wondering whether we'd alre...more
US ex-spy searches for the key to the Templar's power through the centuries. Da Vinci Code-y but actually a chapter book and with more fully fleshed out characters. Another series of puzzle-like hoops for the characters to jump through in place of an actual plot.
<(view spoiler)...more
<(view spoiler)...more
Jun 26, 2007
Pamela
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
people who liked The Da Vinci Code and want to read something worse
I'm kind of relieved I finished this book because now I can have my life back. The trouble with these historical thrillers is that I CAN'T PUT THEM DOWN. And at the same time I'M HORRIBLY EMBARRASSED to be reading them. So it can be tricky to always be reading a book you want to keep secret.
The Templar Legacy taps into the legend of the Knights of Templars' lost treasure. It's a good premise (I mean, hello, lost treasure), but the puzzles were kind of lame, and the background characters were too...more
The Templar Legacy taps into the legend of the Knights of Templars' lost treasure. It's a good premise (I mean, hello, lost treasure), but the puzzles were kind of lame, and the background characters were too...more
I took this from my dad hoping for a mindless read. Instead I somehow forced myself to finish the book. The entire point of which could be distilled into one paragraph.
Oh man, the characters were lame the narrative was all over the place (seriously, do we get to read everyone's mind?). The religious and historical information was TOO much for mass market fiction. If I wanted a true history of the Templars I wouldn't be reading fiction pal. You're either history or Indiana Jones, you can't have...more
Oh man, the characters were lame the narrative was all over the place (seriously, do we get to read everyone's mind?). The religious and historical information was TOO much for mass market fiction. If I wanted a true history of the Templars I wouldn't be reading fiction pal. You're either history or Indiana Jones, you can't have...more
This is the first book starring Cotton Malone and Steve Berry kicks off with Malone getting tangled up with the Knights Templar, long thought dead in their skirmishes with Kings and other enemies, but are actually alive, well and very wealthy in Europe. Their master has just died and they have just elected a new master, who is much more aggressive, more assertive and who wants to claim back the Templars' heritage from those he believes stole it from them. The stage is set for a violent showdown...more
Last night we watched the original 1950's version of The Blob. I mention this on the grounds that the way the Blob oozed around the film rather does remind me of the pacing of Steve Berry's The Templar Legacy: turgid, shapeless, and prone to swallow hapless characters until they melt into indistinguishable piles of boneless goo.
And I mean, really. I don't expect much out of books I get on impulse at the supermarket--all I ask is an entertaining read. I ain't lookin' for high literature here. But...more
And I mean, really. I don't expect much out of books I get on impulse at the supermarket--all I ask is an entertaining read. I ain't lookin' for high literature here. But...more
One of the reasons that I pick a particular book is that I have a read a review but as I enjoy series from the start, the reviews are, as often as not, of the latest of the series. Again this was the story here when I saw the review of The Kings Deception but a quick visit to 'fantasticfiction.com' ( a must have site for serious readers) showed the whole series and as usual I chose to start the series at the start.
This book was written in the post Dan Brown era and there are obviously parallels...more
This book was written in the post Dan Brown era and there are obviously parallels...more
The novel starts out in the time when of the pope’s palaces were in France and the Templar’s were being purged. Flash forward to today. What happened to their riches? And it becomes a treasure hunt – a la “The Da Vinci Code”. There are clues everywhere!
Actually, I really find all things Templar interesting, but as long as this is fiction, I would have liked to read more about them in the 21st century. (I was waiting/wishing for a Templar to jump out of the bushes with super high tech weaponry! M...more
Actually, I really find all things Templar interesting, but as long as this is fiction, I would have liked to read more about them in the 21st century. (I was waiting/wishing for a Templar to jump out of the bushes with super high tech weaponry! M...more
Steve Berry you magnificent silver haired man. Here I thought if I wanted to read this kind of book, I would be forced to deal with Dan Brown.
Esoteric Christianity, hidden treasure, secret society, some guy who's called Cotton....what is not to love?! People have referred to Steve Berry as the thinking man's Dan Brown and I definitely get that. This book felt like a journey through the conspiracy, as opposed to a Dan Brown book, where I feel like Mr. Brown is strapping me to the front of a car....more
Esoteric Christianity, hidden treasure, secret society, some guy who's called Cotton....what is not to love?! People have referred to Steve Berry as the thinking man's Dan Brown and I definitely get that. This book felt like a journey through the conspiracy, as opposed to a Dan Brown book, where I feel like Mr. Brown is strapping me to the front of a car....more
I found that this story has some similar plots and characters as in "The Amber Room" and "The Da Vinci Code". At least it didn't have as much violence as the former. It had its share of puzzles and lost treasure, characters with missing relatives on a quest, etc. I guess Dan Brown won't sue as he is one of the people quoted as praising him on the back cover.
Very interesting story and conjectures. Some factual information on the new testament, the inconsistencies between three of its authors. The...more
Very interesting story and conjectures. Some factual information on the new testament, the inconsistencies between three of its authors. The...more
Dec 08, 2012
Dale
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone interested in historical fiction novels
Another thriller from Steve Berry. I really enjoyed reading this book and other novels which he has written. I discovered his novels while looking for something different to read at my local library. I took a chance and read his first (or one of his first) novel, "The Amber Room" and thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is another historical, fictional story of the Templar Knights. The story is typical Steve Berry in that he provides a lot of historical information and background on the Templar Knights,...more
This is another historical, fictional story of the Templar Knights. The story is typical Steve Berry in that he provides a lot of historical information and background on the Templar Knights,...more
Okay, this book is a great example of why I don't read "popular adult fiction". A great premise, not unique, but interesting, with lots of room to explore. A beautiful setting. A fascinating time in history. And well-researched details of the important people, places, theories, and background information regarding the main subjects. See? Promising, right?
Now add 2-dimensional characters with sketchy background info and questionable motivation, annoyingly repetitious phrasing (thesaurus anyone?)...more
Now add 2-dimensional characters with sketchy background info and questionable motivation, annoyingly repetitious phrasing (thesaurus anyone?)...more
A very beautiful and thrilling story of revenge, hatred, forgiveness, family, and many more aspects. Steve Berry has succeeded combining the infamous mystery of the Templars, real historic facts, and wonderful writing style into an overall a very interesting story. There are twists of plot throughout the book that had kept me surprised and although the ending is somewhat as expected, it came off unexpectedly. The one thing this book lacked is a real characteristic of its characters, although Ste...more
I found this book after reading The Da Vinci Code. I was enthralled from cover to cover and have found through this book, The Da Vinci Code and 1 other book that I am now a closet Templar conspiracy theorist.
Well written with good plot twists and suspense. Steve Berry is a gifted author with a special talent for suspense and history.
Historical fiction lovers will get plenty from this book. Suspense lovers will not be disappointed. There is even some blood for the horror fans. I guess the only pe...more
Well written with good plot twists and suspense. Steve Berry is a gifted author with a special talent for suspense and history.
Historical fiction lovers will get plenty from this book. Suspense lovers will not be disappointed. There is even some blood for the horror fans. I guess the only pe...more
Copenhagen, Cotton Malone observes "Red Jacket" knock down and steal the purse of his former boss at the U.S. Justice Department Stephanie Nelle. Red Jacket races up the Kobmagergade but to avoid capture he jumps off the tower slicing his throat on the way down. Stephanie is shook up because she realizes this was no ordinary thief; he somehow knew her business involving her work as head of the DOJ's Magellan Billet. Cotton goes back to talk with Stephanie, but she leaves.
A bit hurt, the former...more
A bit hurt, the former...more
Buku ini berisi kisah tentang tokoh Cotton Malone yang merupakan mantan agen lapangan Departemen Kehakiman USA. Malone setelah pensiun sebagai agen lapangan, berwiraswasta membuka toko buku antik di Kopenhagen. Malone terpaksa meninggalkan kehidupannya yang tenang ketika mantan bosnya (Stephanie Nelle) datang ke Kopenhagen untuk mengikuti lelang buku antik dan dirampok. Setelah diselidiki, ternyata buku tersebut merupakan salah satu petunjuk menuju harta karun Ordo Templar yang tersembunyi berab...more
Sep 14, 2011
Lisa (Harmonybites)
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
DaVinci Code Fans Who Didn't Get Enough of that sort of thing
Recommended to Lisa (Harmonybites) by:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading List
This reads like a The Da Vinci Code rip-off, although I actually have to rate Berry's novel higher, because, unlike the case with Brown's book, the writing isn't eye-bleeding and the history isn't obviously sloppy in ways I can't miss. This seems well-researched and much better grounded in history than The Da Vinci Code. However, this is still far too close a clone. The three-word title. A man (former American "operative" Cotton Malone) and woman (the bland Stephanie Nelle) teaming up and fleein...more
I usually really enjoy Berry's adventures featuring former CIA operative and lawyer, the wonderfully named Cotton Malone, who is now a bibliophile living in Europe, however, this one about the Templars just didn't do it for me in quite the same way. It had the usual ingredients that make Berry's books so readable - great characters, wonderful premise (the Templars fighting between themselves and searching for an object that to them is invaluable), and a quest that if successful can change the na...more
Jul 28, 2011
Steve Cran
added it
Shortly after the first Crusades in the 11th century the Christian wrested control of Israel/ Palestine from Muslim control and set up a Christian Kingdom. The Muslims were not too happy with this and many continued to maraud Christian pilgrims on the road. Hugh De Payan. The order originally consisted of 9 knights who took vows of discipline and poverty. Each new Knight had to provide his own weapons and horse. After a time they were officially sanctioned by the pope. They were housed in Solomo...more
I was in the market for a new author and relative let me borrow this book. I started it knowing nothing about the author or what the story was going to be about; just going at it blind, which is an odd way to read a book, but I digress. The first few chapters are very hectic, with a great deal of confusion about what is actually going on, but in a good way. We feel for the main charater (Cotton), who was also just thrown into this mess. We then learn along with Cotton about a deadly treasure hun...more
This one took FOREVER AND A DAY to get through. I was obligated to read it (originally proposed for bookclub, which I rescinded after reading) and can only say I'm glad I spared my friends an awful read. I don't mind the absurd theology--I'm convinced of my beliefs enough it doesn't move me. But where Berry's books are usually well researched, all references to Christ felt like obvious fourth- no, fifth-hand information. Even as I was reading I was thinking "how in the heck did he come to that c...more
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great book | 13 | 74 | Jun 02, 2013 01:56pm |
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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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“Say it, do it, preach it, shout it, but never, absolutely never, believe your own bullshit.”
—
15 people liked it
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