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gmakstutis's review against another edition
2.0
As action thrillers go, Mariani is a consistently good time. His books can be relied upon to give you an almost continuous level of action, and a decent body count. I've read all of the books in the Ben Hope series, and am finding that Ben is getting rather predictable. Despite having had a tremendous range of experiences, across the globe, we don't see a character that is growing or developing. We are continually reminded of his past, and his apparently limitless sorrow for not entering clergy and his failed relationships with women. He does not seem to learn from his experiences.
It is also the case that we have, in the last few books, seen the introduction of new characters and some of his 'partners' take more centre stage. Both Tuesday and Jeff Dekker have had some greater presence on the page, but they are cardboard cut-outs; with no depth or development. Dekker has been a presence in nearly every book, and is a central figure (albeit one that is unconscious throughout the Babylon Idol), but after 15 books we know almost nothing of him as anything other than a relatively silent sidekick.
AT his best, Mariani can write both action and emotional intensity. However, Ben Hope may have been exhausted and without developing some other characters, which might re-invigorate Hope's arc, I worry that the future may continue to be disappointing.
It is also the case that we have, in the last few books, seen the introduction of new characters and some of his 'partners' take more centre stage. Both Tuesday and Jeff Dekker have had some greater presence on the page, but they are cardboard cut-outs; with no depth or development. Dekker has been a presence in nearly every book, and is a central figure (albeit one that is unconscious throughout the Babylon Idol), but after 15 books we know almost nothing of him as anything other than a relatively silent sidekick.
AT his best, Mariani can write both action and emotional intensity. However, Ben Hope may have been exhausted and without developing some other characters, which might re-invigorate Hope's arc, I worry that the future may continue to be disappointing.
witchqueen5's review against another edition
5.0
This book was such a ride! The way it started really angered me and, quite honestly, made me really anxious. Revisiting old characters was bittersweet and somehow piled on the stress...
For some reason, one of the twists seemed to be finished off quite abruptly, which made me wonder if the only purpose it served was some sort of Deus ex machina.
What really filled my heart with joy was the ending, which wiped away all the bad things and the heaviness of it all.
A perfect choice for the first read of this year!
For some reason, one of the twists seemed to be finished off quite abruptly, which made me wonder if the only purpose it served was some sort of Deus ex machina.
What really filled my heart with joy was the ending, which wiped away all the bad things and the heaviness of it all.
A perfect choice for the first read of this year!
balthazarlawson's review against another edition
2.0
Ben Hope keeps trying to put his old life behind him and just run his anti-terrorist training centre in France. But his past won't leave him alone as it in comes back in the form of a bullet that hits his friend Jeff Decker instead of him. There is also a letter saying that he is being targeted out of pure revenge. He soon works out who is responsible and tries to warn others who are also being targeted but it is already too late in some cases. However, one of them is alive and Ben does all he can to protect her as it is soon clear she is not being targeted to kill but to kidnap. She is a professor looking for a famed golden idol that would make the owner the richest man in the world.
What sounds like a bit of an adventure turns out to be a bit disjointed and ridiculous especially the ending. I mean, really, who wanders into a tank battle driving an RV. The ending let this book down as it seemed totally rushed. Unfortunately, this is not one of the better books in the series. A good start but a very bad ending.
What sounds like a bit of an adventure turns out to be a bit disjointed and ridiculous especially the ending. I mean, really, who wanders into a tank battle driving an RV. The ending let this book down as it seemed totally rushed. Unfortunately, this is not one of the better books in the series. A good start but a very bad ending.
quiraang's review
2.0
Well, that was a load of bollocks. I've read some of the previous books in the series, and they were reasonably ok.
Apart from the thin plot, the narrative is full of situations from which the hero miraculously escapes. "With a mighty bound he was free... ", and has gorgeous woman all over the world falling for the hero's tousled, roguish, good looks.
As I said - bollocks!
Apart from the thin plot, the narrative is full of situations from which the hero miraculously escapes. "With a mighty bound he was free... ", and has gorgeous woman all over the world falling for the hero's tousled, roguish, good looks.
As I said - bollocks!
canada_matt's review
4.0
Returning to the series roots, Mariani pens this fifteenth novel in the Ben Hope collection in hopes of revisiting some past skirmishes to shape his current thriller. Still gathering their wits after a harrowing adventure in Africa, Hope and Jeff Dekker return to Le Val to revive the training centre and shape the future of tactical security. While tending to the grounds, Dekker is struck by a sniper’s bullet and clings to life. With Dekker in an induced coma, Hope cannot stand idly by, waiting for answers. He begins planning to seek revenge, which is derailed when he receives a mysterious letter from Italy. Within the letter is a message, indicating that rogue Italian archbishop, Massimiliano Usberti, is alive and plotting to exact revenge on many who foiled his early plot of a highly important alchemical secret. Usberti is still smarting that his organisation, Gladius Domini, was brought down by the likes of a single former member of the British SAS. Hope remembers Usberti from years ago, when he was still involved in the kidnap and ransom game. Seeking to contact many from that long-ago case, Hope learns that they have also been slain, which only goes to solidify in his mind that he was the intended target of that bullet. Hope rushes to contact Dr. Roberta Ryder, whose path crossed his during that original case, but also led to his matrimonial demise more recently as well. Sending her into hiding in Canada, Hope turns his attention towards Professor Anna Manzini, whose clashes with Ryder created much drama all those years ago. Locating the researcher in Greece, Hope makes his way there to learn of her latest book, which details a golden idol from ancient times. It was purported to be of King Nebuchadnezzar, though during one of the Babylonian conflicts, it disappeared. Now, new clues may provide hints to its location, which Manzini wishes to uncover. However, Usberti would do well with this priceless piece as well, fuelling him to hire a handful of men to kill Hope once and for all before locating the idol. As Hope and Manzini rush across ancient biblical lands, they must decipher the clues while dodging Usberti’s men, who will stop at nothing to destroy those they are tasked to find. When Hope falls into a trap, he and Manzini become prisoners and everything seems lost in the deserts of modern-day Syria. With a Civil War raging, their demise might come from a bullet aimed in multiple directions. Mariani brings new life to an early story in the series, impressing series fans with more Ben Hope adventures. Wonderfully paced and developed until the very end.
Having binge read the entire series, I feel a strong connection to Ben Hope and some of the things Scott Mariani has done to energize his protagonist. The arc of Hope’s life in the series has been significantly shaped by the fifteen novels and additional short stories that have comprised the collection. Interestingly enough, the end of my binge brings me back to where it all began (novel-wise, at least) for me, with Gladius Domini and the high-impact thriller that shaped Hope. After all the meandering throughout the series, Hope is back at Le Val and seeks solitude and normalcy, though neither are seen with much regularity for this man who attracts peril. Fuelled to help others and set things right, Hope will not rest until he feels balance has been restored, on his terms. Tossing in many former characters that have graced the pages of the novels, Mariani turns this book into a ‘homecoming’ of sorts, though there are times of despair that offset the joy of seeing old friends return. Turning to his old technique of ‘hinged narratives’, Mariani begins the novel with the dramatic shooting of Jeff Dekker and Hope’s desire to hunt down the sniper, but things soon turn on their head and he is off helping others. There is little time for rest or peace, though a lack of funds never seems to be a problem for either Hope or Manzini throughout the story. Balancing history, biblical storytelling, and a thrilling modern adventure, Mariani weaves together a wonderful story that will remind series readers why they started these novels at the outset. Exciting and leaving the reader wanting more, Mariani has proven himself as a master storyteller.
Kudos, Mr. Mariani for keeping me hooked throughout these varied novels. I cannot wait for the next book in November, though it seems so very far off.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Having binge read the entire series, I feel a strong connection to Ben Hope and some of the things Scott Mariani has done to energize his protagonist. The arc of Hope’s life in the series has been significantly shaped by the fifteen novels and additional short stories that have comprised the collection. Interestingly enough, the end of my binge brings me back to where it all began (novel-wise, at least) for me, with Gladius Domini and the high-impact thriller that shaped Hope. After all the meandering throughout the series, Hope is back at Le Val and seeks solitude and normalcy, though neither are seen with much regularity for this man who attracts peril. Fuelled to help others and set things right, Hope will not rest until he feels balance has been restored, on his terms. Tossing in many former characters that have graced the pages of the novels, Mariani turns this book into a ‘homecoming’ of sorts, though there are times of despair that offset the joy of seeing old friends return. Turning to his old technique of ‘hinged narratives’, Mariani begins the novel with the dramatic shooting of Jeff Dekker and Hope’s desire to hunt down the sniper, but things soon turn on their head and he is off helping others. There is little time for rest or peace, though a lack of funds never seems to be a problem for either Hope or Manzini throughout the story. Balancing history, biblical storytelling, and a thrilling modern adventure, Mariani weaves together a wonderful story that will remind series readers why they started these novels at the outset. Exciting and leaving the reader wanting more, Mariani has proven himself as a master storyteller.
Kudos, Mr. Mariani for keeping me hooked throughout these varied novels. I cannot wait for the next book in November, though it seems so very far off.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
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