The Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
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Book Reviews of The Wheel of Darkness
Book Review: Review from a newcomer to Preston-Child's books.
Summary: 2 Stars
I've seen this series of books for years but never felt compelled to buy one, I'm somewhat resistant to the "ongoing saga" type of novels. I found this one at a yard sale for a quarter, so I figured what the heck. I guess I got my money's worth. It was entertaining in a light brain-candy way.
Here are my problems with the book. The character of Pendergast seems way over the top - how can he know and excel at EVERYTHING? His name alone makes me roll my eyes, and is one reason I hadn't read any of this series. His ward Constance seems to exist solely to get into danger.
The story: It's a series of gigantic plot contrivances cobbled together and dropped onto the deck of the ocean liner. Why would someone steal something so powerful and precious, and then spend the better part of a week making his getaway on an ocean liner? It's no easier to sneak stolen objects onto a ship - they use the same security procedures as commercial aircraft. Well, except for the Britannia, of course, even though much time is spent describing the unbreachable anti-terrorist safeguards built into the ship. The safeguards are only there to be used as a contrivance to create the "runaway ship" scenario. Ridiculous - the huge and complex propulsion systems on an ocean liner cannot be sealed in a bombproof vault. They require extensive ongoing maintenance by the engine crew. As for the sealed bridge - if a man could scoot out on a rail to see the captain through the windows, could not those same windows have been broken to gain access?
Well, there are plenty more, but I will finish by saying that the book serves as light reading at best, and probably would be best enjoyed as an audiobook during a long drive, where you only have give half of your attention to the story.
Book Review: Almost abandoned ship . . .
Summary: 2 Stars
Okay, the authors almost lost me this time around. Didn't enjoy the high seas setting or the plot in Wheel of Darkness at all. Characters seemed to be murdered willy-nilly, with no rhyme or reason. I found the plot slow moving, with way too many characters of little or no substance. Came close to setting the book aside several nights. If I weren't such a fan of Agent Pendergast (and these authors), I might have abandoned the read. Actually found myself skipping long passages and missing old sidekicks: D'Agosta, Smithback, Nora Kelly, Margo. Not a great fan of Pendergast's ward, Constance Greene, either. Strange woman, and getting stranger. Lacked the brilliance of previous works, to be sure. Although this novel will go into my box for donating, I will continue to seek out other works by Preston and Child.Book Review: It took me 2 years to complete
Summary: 2 Stars
I have read all the Pendergast books and usually eargerly await the new ones. However when this one came out back in '07 I started reading it and found it a little too out there so I put it down for a while. I kept picking it up and putting it down because I love the Pendergast character, but I hated what they did to him in this novel. If you're willing to reach and maybe have not read say Cabinet of Curiosities you may like this novel. However, if you have read the rest of the Pendergast novels be prepared to charge through this one... Hopefully their new one is better. Had Preston and Child not written a new Pendergast novel I doubt I would have ever finished this one.Book Review: 2 stars for correct grammar
Summary: 2 Stars
I came to this book with no prior knowledge of our protagonist, FBI agent Pendergast... nor should I have to. He is a cardboard character in a sea of stereotypes from ancient monks to hotel desk clerks to villains. Many scenes write themselves and the verbiage is ponderous. You want everyone to be just a little bit smarter than they are. Everyone sounds as if they are in a pretentious play. Not to my taste. But then, I hated "The Da Vinci Code", so I am a minority voice. But again, their grammar is nearly impeccable.Book Review: "My Precious" On the High Seas
Summary: 2 Stars
I am a big fan of the Special Agent Pendergast books but found this book to be a bore. Gone are the insightful historical and scientific references, done are the interesting secondary characters, gone is the suspenseful plot, and --most disappointing--gone is Pendergast being Pendergast. I won't give away the ending but found the Golum-like obsession comically annoying. I'm hoping this volume is a temporary lapse (all series have them) and that the next book brings back Pendergast in true form.