Dance of Death
by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
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Book Summary Information
Author: Douglas Preston, Lincoln ChildEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-01-01
ISBN: 0446617091
Number of pages: 592
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Book Reviews of Dance of Death
Book Review: The dance may be done, but the show's not over yet...
Summary: 5 Stars
(No major spoilers)
Before you try this, read the previous novels with Agent Pendergast. Otherwise you'll most likely be Capitally Confused (and bored and irritated at constant mentioning of unfamiliar characters) and miss out on some great allusions which truly bring Preston/Child's writing to life.
If you're looking for a strong single story with standalone techno thrills and chills, don't start here. This is an extension of Pendergast's world starting from Relic, and the small asides and 'plot-less' sections serve to bring past characters alive and a rare sense of continuity to the whole 'series' that you don't often see in this genre. I treasure authors who bother to and actually can connect aspects of different novels, and this is done wonderfully in Dance of Death, but a lot of reader response will depend on how well you know and enjoy the world Preston and Child have created through their past books.
As many people have noted, there's a lot of so-called "fluff" in Dance of Death, aka developments that don't move the plot quite like a monster tearing up people in a museum would. No, this novel develops and confirms characters just as much as it builds up the story because "informal" as it is, it still is the 2nd in a trilogy. Just like a single episode of a tv series, this book is part of a bigger story and should be thought of as only part of the whole.
In contrast to previous reviewers, I have been more annoyed with A. Pendergast's secrecy in previous books than in this one. Other than small (and delicious) plans of his that the authors initially hid, the big ideas are pretty much laid out in full view to be picked up. The various characters were kept in the dark more than the reader in this installment.
What's also great is that Pendergast is far from untouchable. In fact, what I love about this particular book is that there was a lot less beating over the head with his odd appearance and strange ways as a means of driving his personality home. Instead, he becomes more real through emotions and responses: fear, anxiety, worry, and even that rare hint of tenderness.
If anything was cliche, it was the convenient 'evilness' and motive of his brother (who has naturally now become the character to be described mostly by physical details). I've always had a problem with people "born evil," but perhaps the next novel will address this and round Diogenes out.
As for body count, this one might throw people who're familiar with Preston/Child characters for a little loop. The reappearance of my favorite character from Ice Limit and the continued existance of EES was perfect, and I agree with a previous review that it's a shame that the character of Corrie was only mentioned, rather than used.
While this is not the strongest Pendergast novel, it did not disappoint me. Pendergast continues to entertain and intrigue, and with the hanging ending of Dance, I only hope Book of the Dead will be able to satisfy all its loose ends for the spectacular finish this trilogy and entire series deserves.
Summary of Dance of Death
Two brothers. One, top FBI Agent, Aloysius Pendergast. The other, Diogenes, a brilliant and twisted criminal. An undying hatred between them. Now, a perfect crime. And the ultimate challenged: Stop me if you can.Literature & Fiction Books
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