Readers Review - Dan Brown (Deception Point)

The world is filled with decent writers, telling their decent stories. But once in a while you'll stumble across a writer that outshines everyone else, when it comes to storytelling. You'll know it when you see it. We're talking about books you just can't let go. Books that keeps you awake late at night, because you just need to know what's happening on the next few pages. The pages seems to turn itself and the hours seems to pass by like sand in a hourglass. Well, 'Deception Point' is such a book.

Dan Brown is a god-given writer, with an incredibly talent. I have to admit, my first meeting with Dan Brown wasn't very satisfying. 'The Da Vinci Code' was far from perfect. He claimed, that the book was based on true historical facts. Knowing a thing or two about the ancient Christian Church, I was able to spot several grave historical faults. After a while, the voice of critics grew louder, and it was clear to me that Dan Brown didn't told 'the truth and nothing but the truth'. In other words: This book was a big disappointment to me – and to others as well.

So where did it leave me? Technical, Dan Brown is an excellent writer. His plot was captivating and his writing-style was without doubt smooth and interesting throughout the book. What I didn't like was his careless handling of the truth. But if I was able to look aside from that fact, I would have to admit that Dan Brown had what it takes to entertain me.

I believe everyone deserves a second chance. And that goes for mr. Brown too. Therefore I decided to read one more book of Dan Brown: 'Deception Point'.

This time I was prepared. Knowing that he was bending the truth to fit his purpose, I was ready to let me entertain – not educate. And 'Deception Point' was indeed a pageturner. It stole my sleep, made me almost quit talking to my family, and when I was away from my favorite reading chair, I had to pull myself together and concentrating on what I was doing.

Briefly, 'Deception Point' is about money and control. NASA receives money from the U.S. government. A huge amount of money – each year. Off cause, when a government spends a lot of money each year, it surely expects something in return. In this case, it expects NASA to deliver some outstanding results. Unfortunately these breakthrough results has failed to materialized for quite some time. So the funds are now in danger. Private companies are preparing to knock the door in, and claim their part of the money and prestige. NASA knows that. They know, that they desperately need to come up with an extraordinary discovery to maintain their unique position and financial support. The question is: What kind of discovery can justify further financial support? And how far are the involved parts ready to go to make that certain discovery and silence the critical voices for good?

That's what 'Deception Point' is all about, and it's REALLY GOOD! I give this book my best recommendation. Who cares if the story's made up. It's fiction for Gods sake - and it's damn entertaining. Nothing else matters...

Readers Review - George R. R. Martin (A Clash of Kings)

It's been awhile since my last post, and for that I'm sorry. My apologize. Some of you might think, I've been giving up on my book review. The truth is, that I've never been more engaged in writing and reading than I am right now. But while it's nice to read, I have to admit, that it's much more satisfying to write myself. 

The last couple of month I've been busy writing a collection of short-stories for an upcoming book, building a sound studio and establishing a publishing house. I'm sure you understand, that my time to read have been limited to an absolute minimum. 

But off-cause. I have been reading. A Chinese saying says: "After three days without reading, your talk becomes flavorless." I you want to become an excellent writer, you got to read. So I did, but not as much as I used to.

I've just finished 'A Clash of Kings' by George R. R. Martin. I have to admit, that I'm just as impressed with this book, as I was when I've finished 'A Game of Thrones'. The war escalates, and the the intrigues goes on and becomes more and more complicated.

I don't want to try render the course of action in this review. It's way to complicated. What I want to do, is shout out for all the world to hear how impress I am. It's incredible how George R. R. Martin is able to keep track of the storyline. Not even once did I get the feeling of being lost in the plot. All the way throughout the book, I had the feeling, that the author was holding my hand and gently guided me through each and every one of the 826 action-packed pages in this volume. 

It's needless to say, that I've already bought the rest of the series. What I really need is a long vacation, a white beach, a sun chair and a cold drink... oh yeah, and a acceptable excuse for not to go to work tomorrow...

Reader's review - Mark Alpert (Final Theory)

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This will probably be my last post in 2014. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my faithful readers for their support and loyalty. I would also like to thank all of you who just dropped by. I hope that you all found something of value, you could use in your search for a good reading experience.

2014 has been a really good year when it comes to books. Up to now, I have read fifteen books, the majority of which were both well written and entertaining. If I should have to highlight three interesting books, I want to mention:

George R. R. Martin (A Game of Thrones): I never get too old for fantasy when the plot is well composed and well written. 'Game of Thrones' is a work that deserves to go down in  history.
Dean Koontz (The Taking): I'll never forget my first love. Dean Koontz has a formidable ability to keep his readers on their toes from the first pages. There are not many authors, who are able to match this amazing writer.
Ezra T. Gray (The Grove & Other Stories): This book is the only collection of short stories I've read this years. It was great to experience, that the horror stories are not dead and gone and that it is still possible to add fine new facets to a well worn genre.

Here, just a few days before new-year, I am now adding book number sixteen to the list of reviewed books this year. I am happy to say, that this last book also was a worthy representative of the 'great books'.

To me, Mark Alpert was an unknown author, but the title of his book, 'Final Theory', caught my attention. I have great respect for mr. Albert Einstein, so when an author involve him in his history, I simply have to read the book.

Many authors writes about the law of physics in their books, but unfortunately, too often it turns out, that they are either very shallow, or they have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. Thankfully, Mark Alpert does not apply to this pitiful category of writers.

Not only does 'Final Theory' appear to be written by someone who actually knows what he's talking about. It was also found that Mark Alpert was an excellent writer. Although the book deals with difficult issues such as particle physics and astrophysics, it is described in an interesting and entertaining way.

'Final Theory' takes the reader on a breathless chase. The book's protagonist, David Swift, is hunted down because he accidentally are handed the code to Albert Einstein's 'Einheitliche Feldttheorie'. This theory provides unlimited possibilities for particle physics - especially for military purposes. David begins his own quest for Einstiens 'Einheitliche Feldttheorie' and while he tries to escape the police, the FBI, the U.S. Army and a sadistic assassin, he tries to find the meaning in the numerical code his old professor confided to him shortly before he died. Now it is a matter of life and death - his own and the whole world.

'Final Theory' is not only entertaining reading. I actually learned something while I was reading it and that is not so bad, right?