Aaron L Brown - Book Reviews
Book Reviews by Aaron L Brown
Nothing too fancy, just simple opinions from an average guy...
Nothing too fancy, just simple opinions from an average guy...
Friday May 14th 2010 - 09:32 AM
You can usually find a great number of novels about any given subject, especially a lost treasure. But sometimes a story comes along that emerges as the definitive work on a particular topic. A few examples off the top of my head would be Raiders of the Lost Ark (it would take a dramatically new and skillful interpretation to top Indiana Jones, likely never happen, ROTL deals with the Ark of the Covenant NOT Noah`s Ark) and The Loch by Steve Alten (a great story and theory about the Loch Ness Monster). As a writer, after reading and seeing these stories, the chapter seemed to be closed for me on these topics. I now feel the same about Noah`s Ark. Boyd Morrison`s interpretation is so good that there`s little hope of topping it.I could throw out some zippy one-liner comments here like "it`s a thrill-a-minute rollercoaster ride that grabs you from the first page and never lets go," but we hear that about every new thriller. The best way for me to describe The Ark is that it`s one of the best books I`ve read in a long time and possibly ever. It`s a magical blend of action, adventure, interesting new insights, and fun. And it contains a quality that I feel is hard to come by: a true sense of adventure. A couple of examples as a point of reference: Raiders of the Lost Ark=true sense of adventure, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull=lacking that sense - Orginal Star Wars Trilogy=adventure, Star Wars Prequels=lacking...I`m sure you get the idea.
Another great thing about The Ark is that, from a Christian perspective, it manages to provide a new interpretation of a famous and established biblical event without demeaning or degrading the foundations of the Christian (and Jewish, for that matter) faiths. It simply provides a slightly different interpretation that if found to be true could actually have the opposite effect. The easiest illustration is that if The Da Vinci Code or The Templar Legacy were found to be true, it would rock the religious world and make individuals the world over question their faith and their belief in God altogether. If The Ark were found to be an accurate story, I think it would actually give credence to the faith of many and make many others give greater consideration to the Bible. Although I`m a Christian, I can still enjoy a good story that contradicts something in which I believe. My beliefs aren`t shaky enough that a fictional thriller is going to offend me, but it`s nice to find a story that can provide a new interpretation without diminishing the original. And no matter how good the book, a story that claims that Moses was a transvestite is never going to be a favorite among the 2-3 billion Christians in the world. This isn`t the case with Boyd Morrison`s The Ark.
Another interesting tidbit is that the author`s bio reads like a work of fiction. If a novelist created a character in a story that had done everything that Boyd Morrison has, readers would find that character`s back story far too unbelievable. I won`t go into detail here, but check out his website for more information. Also, you can find a great story about Boyd`s road to publication on Joe Konrath`s blog.The Ark is a great book that I highly recommend to any action adventure fan, and Boyd Morrison is well on his way to being one of the top thriller writer`s in the world. My only concern: how is the sequel going to live up to the original? For more information, I`ve listed some links to Boyd`s site and the Amazon/B&N/Borders pages for The Ark below....
http://www.boydmorrison.com/
The Ark on Amazon - currently $16.49
The Ark on Barnes and Noble - currently $17.99
The Ark on Borders - currently $17.49
Friday December 11th 2009 - 02:38 PM
James Rollins delivers another breathless, action packed blend of science and suspense. Nobody combines history, modern technology, and action like Rollins. Viruses set to consume the world, shadowy organizations, predatory bioluminescent squids, interesting locations including ancient ruins in Cambodia, angelic script, the secrets of Marco Polo...this is just some of what The Judas Strain (3rd in the Sigma Force series, 4th if you include Sandstorm as a prequel) has to offer. Like all of his other works, I highly recommend this novel. That being said, I would advise those just discovering Rollins to check out Ice Hunt, Amazonia, Subterranean, Sandstorm, or Map of Bones (1st Sigma Force novel) before picking up The Judas Strain.CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO on THE JUDAS STRAIN and James Rollins
Wednesday June 24th 2009 - 09:25 AM
The Camel Cub is an exceptionally well-crafted thrill ride that I enjoyed immensely. It follows a conspiracy theory club (think the Lone Gunmen from the X-Files only older, more intelligent, and more interesting) that stumbles upon a plot against the President. This is probably the best book I`ve read in regards to Islamic ideology. It had character and action. It deals with political issues without being preachy or seeming like a "soapbox" book.
For some reason, I thought that David Baldacci wrote "lawyer" books like John Grisham (which he may in other titles). Nothing against Grisham, but if I see lawyer on the back of the book, I put it down. Maybe I just can`t sympathize with a lawyer, but for whatever reason, it`s a turn-off to me. The Camel Club, however, was more Robert Ludlum than John Grisham, and I`m looking forward to checking out Baldacci`s other titles.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book as an intricate and very detailed thriller with plenty of action and intrigue.
For some reason, I thought that David Baldacci wrote "lawyer" books like John Grisham (which he may in other titles). Nothing against Grisham, but if I see lawyer on the back of the book, I put it down. Maybe I just can`t sympathize with a lawyer, but for whatever reason, it`s a turn-off to me. The Camel Club, however, was more Robert Ludlum than John Grisham, and I`m looking forward to checking out Baldacci`s other titles.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book as an intricate and very detailed thriller with plenty of action and intrigue.
Thursday June 11th 2009 - 07:13 AM
Jeremy Robinson has topped his previous efforts with his new book, Kronos. I felt that Kronos had just the right blend of history, science, Biblical speculation, and action. It contained a very cool and original monster and deeply intriguing characters. I also felt that this book wasn`t nearly as "over the top" as his previous novels, Raising the Past and Antarktos Rising. Don`t get me wrong, I like "over the top", but I felt that Kronos appealed to a much broader audience, while still maintaining a comparable level of action.
Another interesting aspect of Kronos is that Jeremy Robinson is giving the audio version of the book away for free as a podcast on podiobooks.com (http://podiobooks.com/title/kronos). I listened to the audio version (had already purchased the paperback), and the quality of the production is definitely as good as the average audiobook. If you choose to listen the podcast version of the book and enjoy it, remember that you can make a donation to the author through the podiobooks.com website.
I would highly recommend this book, especially to fans of James Rollins, Steve Alten, and Peter Benchley.
Another interesting aspect of Kronos is that Jeremy Robinson is giving the audio version of the book away for free as a podcast on podiobooks.com (http://podiobooks.com/title/kronos). I listened to the audio version (had already purchased the paperback), and the quality of the production is definitely as good as the average audiobook. If you choose to listen the podcast version of the book and enjoy it, remember that you can make a donation to the author through the podiobooks.com website.
I would highly recommend this book, especially to fans of James Rollins, Steve Alten, and Peter Benchley.
Wednesday June 10th 2009 - 09:44 AM
I am huge fan of E.E. Knight`s Vampire Earth series. The books are an incredible blend of sci-fi, horror, vampires, and action crossed with a Civil War/Western-style epic. I know that sounds crazy, but E.E. Knight pulls it off masterfully. Also, the vampires in this book are nothing like the traditional model, so don`t let the title discourage you. Vampire Earth is one of my favorite series, and I would recommend it to any sci-fi and action fan.
Wednesday June 10th 2009 - 09:21 AM
I didn`t think the premise of this book sounded all that interesting, but Jeffery Deaver hadn`t let me down yet, and he most definitely didn`t with this book either. Tons of clever plot twists and an incredible amount of detail can always be found in any Deaver book, and this one definitely delivered on all fronts. I would recommend the Lincoln Rhyme series to any fan of suspense thrillers.
Wednesday June 10th 2009 - 09:19 AM
Very interesting book with some very cool history about the biblical figure, Cain, and the creator of Superman, Jerry Siegel. The book is a wonderful weave of historical speculation with fictional conspiracies, a good blend of info and action.
Friday May 22nd 2009 - 05:55 AM
This was an okay book, if you’re a big Terminator fan. It did contain some of the cool military strategy that Zahn does so well, but all in all it just doesn’t have much of a plot. Not that I was really expecting much from it. Basically, the book follows a community being attacked by Terminators years after Judgment Day has occurred. Other than showing what life is like for the survivors, it doesn’t really add anything to the Terminator series. It does contain some cool characters that I hope are in the movie (check back for the movie review - coming very soon). Personally, I read the prequel to Transformers before it came out and I like the prequel books, because they get me geared up for the movie. I’ve also picked up the prequel to the new Transformers movie and G.I. Joe movie and will try to read those and post reviews before movie day. It’s also a quick read at only about 300 pages. So, if you’re a huge Terminator fan and want to get pumped for the movie, this book would be worth your time. I’ll try to update this review later tonight and give my thoughts on whether or not it would be worth reading after seeing the film, so check back for more.
UPDATE:
After seeing the film this weekend, I`m definitely glad that I read the prequel book as it set the stage and introduced me to a lot of the characters that were used in the film. I would have liked to have seen Orozco in the big screen version, however.
Is it worth reading after you`ve seen the movie? Probably not. It does add a little bit of back story, but nothing significant. It`s only purpose was showing what life is like after Judgment Day and introducing some of the characters.
UPDATE:
After seeing the film this weekend, I`m definitely glad that I read the prequel book as it set the stage and introduced me to a lot of the characters that were used in the film. I would have liked to have seen Orozco in the big screen version, however.
Is it worth reading after you`ve seen the movie? Probably not. It does add a little bit of back story, but nothing significant. It`s only purpose was showing what life is like after Judgment Day and introducing some of the characters.
Friday May 8th 2009 - 02:56 PM
Isolation is the perfect title for Travis Thrasher’s supernatural thriller. The story can basically be summed up by this one word, since Isolation is a novel about a family of missionaries cut off from the outside world by the elements, while feeling isolated from God and each other. After the family accepts an offer to move into the secluded mansion of an eccentric millionaire that is being re-tasked as a missionary retreat, they must confront a sadistic killer and their own doubts and fears.
Isolation is not a book filled with a lot of traditional “action”, but it did contain many creepy and suspenseful moments. Also, there was never any portion of the book where I felt myself losing interest in the characters or the plot, and felt that the characters seemed very authentic and the plot had a few great twists. My only criticism is that I would like to have seen more focus on the killer and the satanic cult elements of the story and a little less on the family’s inner doubts, but I also understand that since Isolation is a “Christian” novel, these elements may have been intentionally downplayed to meet the needs of the core demographic. All in all, Thrasher has penned an interesting supernatural thriller and I greatly look forward to reading more of his work in the future.
Check out Travis Thrasher and his work at TravisThrasher.com
Isolation is not a book filled with a lot of traditional “action”, but it did contain many creepy and suspenseful moments. Also, there was never any portion of the book where I felt myself losing interest in the characters or the plot, and felt that the characters seemed very authentic and the plot had a few great twists. My only criticism is that I would like to have seen more focus on the killer and the satanic cult elements of the story and a little less on the family’s inner doubts, but I also understand that since Isolation is a “Christian” novel, these elements may have been intentionally downplayed to meet the needs of the core demographic. All in all, Thrasher has penned an interesting supernatural thriller and I greatly look forward to reading more of his work in the future.
Check out Travis Thrasher and his work at TravisThrasher.com
Monday April 27th 2009 - 03:15 PM
Seven Deadly Wonders is the first book in a series by action/adventure author Matthew Reilly. The book’s premise is basically that a sunspot, which only aligns with the Earth every five thousand years, is about to cause a global cataclysm. That is unless the Great Pyramid’s golden capstone can be reassembled and placed in its rightful place. The twist is that the pieces of the capstone are hidden throughout the planet among the remnants of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Whoever reclaims the pieces can recite a certain incantation that makes their nation the most powerful in the world. Naturally, the nations of Europe and the US desire this prize, but a group of small nations have joined together in order to keep any one nation from acquiring such power.
The premise of the novel is intriguing and the book is filled with great locations and situations, however, I felt that it failed to live up to Reilly’s previous works. If you haven’t read Ice Station or Temple by Matthew Reilly, stop reading this review immediately and go pick those up instead of Seven Deadly Wonders. I don’t mean to say that I didn’t enjoy Seven Deadly Wonders or to say that it is not worth your time. I’m merely stating that in my opinion his books Ice Station, Area 7, and Temple are some of the best action/adventure books available and should be read first. If you’ve already read the three mentioned above, continue on…
Seven Deadly Wonders had some very cool scenes. I loved the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and a section where our heroes have to break a terrorist out of Guantanamo Bay because of his knowledge of the Seven Wonders. My biggest issue with the book was that at points it felt too cartoonish or like you were playing a video game, but not a great video game, more like a Tomb Raider rip-off. Don’t get me wrong, I love video games, but parts of this book were too much for me. Also, this is a personal style issue, but Reilly’s excessive use of exclamation points really took me out of the story. Personally, I feel that exclamation points should only be used in dialogue and that events should speak for themselves. I guess my issues boil down to the fact that I felt, unlike Reilly’s other books, the action of Seven Deadly Wonders felt a little forced at certain points as if Reilly was trying a bit too hard.
It should also be said that a great deal of my qualms are represented within the first hundred pages of the book. Once you’re past the first section, things are better.
To sum it up, I feel that Seven Deadly Wonders is a decent book with some great action sequences, very cool locations, interesting historical elements, and an appealing premise, but it comes up short in a few other areas. So, if you’ve read all of Reilly’s Shane Schofield series (Ice Station, Area 7, Scarecrow) and Temple (I haven’t read Contest, yet, so I can’t comment on it), then you should give Seven Deadly Wonders a try. If you haven’t read the aforementioned books, I suggest you pick up Ice Station and/or Temple, both of which are incredible.
The premise of the novel is intriguing and the book is filled with great locations and situations, however, I felt that it failed to live up to Reilly’s previous works. If you haven’t read Ice Station or Temple by Matthew Reilly, stop reading this review immediately and go pick those up instead of Seven Deadly Wonders. I don’t mean to say that I didn’t enjoy Seven Deadly Wonders or to say that it is not worth your time. I’m merely stating that in my opinion his books Ice Station, Area 7, and Temple are some of the best action/adventure books available and should be read first. If you’ve already read the three mentioned above, continue on…
Seven Deadly Wonders had some very cool scenes. I loved the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and a section where our heroes have to break a terrorist out of Guantanamo Bay because of his knowledge of the Seven Wonders. My biggest issue with the book was that at points it felt too cartoonish or like you were playing a video game, but not a great video game, more like a Tomb Raider rip-off. Don’t get me wrong, I love video games, but parts of this book were too much for me. Also, this is a personal style issue, but Reilly’s excessive use of exclamation points really took me out of the story. Personally, I feel that exclamation points should only be used in dialogue and that events should speak for themselves. I guess my issues boil down to the fact that I felt, unlike Reilly’s other books, the action of Seven Deadly Wonders felt a little forced at certain points as if Reilly was trying a bit too hard.
It should also be said that a great deal of my qualms are represented within the first hundred pages of the book. Once you’re past the first section, things are better.
To sum it up, I feel that Seven Deadly Wonders is a decent book with some great action sequences, very cool locations, interesting historical elements, and an appealing premise, but it comes up short in a few other areas. So, if you’ve read all of Reilly’s Shane Schofield series (Ice Station, Area 7, Scarecrow) and Temple (I haven’t read Contest, yet, so I can’t comment on it), then you should give Seven Deadly Wonders a try. If you haven’t read the aforementioned books, I suggest you pick up Ice Station and/or Temple, both of which are incredible.
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