Reviews

The King's Deception by Steve Berry

gbdill's review against another edition

Just didn't grab me. Could not for the life of me get into this story. For me, Steve Berry novels have been hit or miss. Mostly miss.

marbooks88's review against another edition

3.0

Steve Berry has a knack for finding an obscure, but totally intriguing premise and building an adventure for Cotton Malone around it. The myth of Elizabeth I is fascinating and finding clues to support the myth will keep you reading. But the rest of the story, getting Cotton to London & finding a way to incorporate the myth into an adventure, can be a bit confusing. But even with the confusion it is an enjoyable and thought provoking premise and book.

spookysoto's review

3.0

Rating: I liked it

miajmu's review against another edition

2.0

I think this may be the end of my reading Steve Berry... I found the book dull, too many characters, too much exposition and certain "twists" were way too predictable.

michelereise's review against another edition

5.0

Another exceptional book by Steve Berry and another wonderful historic adventure with Cotton Malone. I have read all of Steve Berry's books and each one of them has been rich with history, mystery and information that makes you want to know more. Steve Berry is like a combination of Dan Brown and Tom Clancy...but better!! I highly recommend all of his books.

**I just completed Dan Brown's newest book and felt the need to come back and extend an apology to Steve Berry. Dan Brown's book does not even place a close second to anything I've read by Steve Berry and I've been doing him a disservice comparing them. Steve Berry and his books are in a class above the rest.**

rebeccasreadingrambles's review

4.0

This was an interesting book with a good story. However, I got lost by the characters a lot and sometimes couldn't remember which secret agent was which. But other than that I loved the premise.

Spoiler

I've never heard/read about a rumor that Queen Elizabeth was really a man; the son of her sister. It's such an intriguing rumor that I was hooked in quickly.

This book had a great mix of historical fiction, mystery, and action thriller to it. This is my first book in this series, and I am interested to go back and start from the beginning.

Note: The audiobook is good, but one you really need to pay attention to. I found myself rewinding many parts to listen again because it moved so fast I missed some things.

scottpm's review

3.0

A good not great thriller. It got bogged down a little in history and yet there was not enough history.

cpt_tusktooth's review against another edition

4.0

Cotton Malone is back for his 8th adventure in Steve Berry's latest. I really enjoyed the premise of this one -- a deep dark secret that the British SIS will do anything to protect. While I find any coverage of the modern British royals tedious, I've always found the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII and the subsequent longevity of Elizabeth I quite interesting. It is a long-standing rumor regarding these two monarchs that the plot of this book revolves. Of course, Cotton Malone saves the day again. One quibble -- the subplot involving Malone and his son seems quite contrived and at times distracts from the overall impact of the novel.

afox98's review against another edition

3.0

3 1/2 stars really. The plot's historical aspect about Queen Elizabeth I, while interesting, seemed a bit far-fetched. I did learn some cool Ireland history though. I so like the Cotton Malone character but missed seeing his cohort and former boss Stephanie Nelle as much in this one.

constant_reader_19's review against another edition

4.0

Loved the Elizabeth I storyline, the rest was good.