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The Eight (The Eight, #1)

Katherine Neville

Discussion: Books Set in Africa

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Books Set in Africa

* African Authors
By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 16 posts · 923 views

last updated Feb 06, 2025 09:27PM

Gambia
By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 13 posts · 509 views

last updated Sep 30, 2025 10:25AM

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What Members Thought

Apr 06, 2009 Jessica rated it really liked it

Shelves: thriller, historical, france

I first read this book over a decade ago, but it's still a lot of fun even after all this time. Not high literature and a bit clunky in places, but even just keeping all of the historical strands straight is an achievement for the author. I've long considered this a far better exemplar of the sub-genre than Dan Brown, and it's good to know that it holds up to a reread. Don't go in expecting something revelatory - just sit back with your popcorn and enjoy the ride. ...more

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Sep 11, 2012 Windy rated it did not like it

A time slip novel plotting the story of a chess set said to have magical powers. The historical story set against the French Revolution looked like it was going to be a corker but the modern story was annoying and crass so I gave up on the whole thing.

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Oct 23, 2007 Pam rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction

Good! Catherine Velis is an accountant for a Big Eight firm in 1972 & is sent to Algeria. She becomes embroiled in an adventure to find missing chess pieces that hold the secret to immortality. The chess set originated w/ The Moors & had been hidden in Montglane Abbey until 1790. The story also tells how Mireille & Valentine, novitiates escape & are responsible for finding the chess set during the French Revolution. Very interesting. The Eight Infinity/Eightfold Pat, etc. Numerous references to ...more

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Dec 06, 2022 Nadine in NY Jones rated it did not like it

Shelves: suspense-thriller, did-not-finish

I was just so bored by this, I never wanted to pick it up again. I quit at page 42, before it even had a chance to get going. I Do Not Care about this cursed chess set.

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Aug 13, 2008 Ali rated it really liked it

Shelves: _g_cc

I give it a 3.5 - 3.7.
Contrary to some of the other comments, it is not a trashy book; it's also no epic. It is fun, generally smart, has lots of geeky aspects that make it especially endearing and personal, and its "gimmicks" are intelligent. I loved reading it. ...more

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