Reviews

The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer

cdjdhj's review

5.0

This is a very excited, compelling, ancient mystery-type book. What did I learn from it? Tell your story.

grrmom's review

4.0

Love Brad Meltzer but this one was kind of underwhelming. Not my favorite. But it was the only one I hadn't read of his.

dtab62's review

3.0

This is by no means great literature, but it is a fun, fast-paced read. I would have rated it higher, but the G rated language was quite annoying after awhile. Mostly because it was so gosh-durned unbelievable. Hardened cops and felons who have done hard time do not say "what the fudge." I mean, seriously, unless the target audience is tweens, either leave passages like that out altogether or do it right. This is not 1950, no one is going to be shocked by someone saying What the fuck. Or if you're that queasy, at least make it what the hell. But the persistent use of "eff" and "fudge" was not good.

lanica's review

1.0

I really don't know how this book made it to publication. It is a concept that has been done before - and much better - with a 'Superman' twist. It even references [b:The Da Vinci Code|968|The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon, #2)|Dan Brown|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1303252999s/968.jpg|2982101] in an "That only happens in books..." sort of way, but then moves forward in the same vein despite saying that. Characters repeat themselves, narration repeats itself and the story is slow and plodding. Then about 3/5 of the way through it seems to end...then keeps going. Arg. It was tedious. I hate to quit on books. I always think "Maybe the ending will make it all worthwhile. Nope, not this time. If you're reading it and annoyed with it...just quit. It's not worth it.

hectaizani's review against another edition

3.0

This was a very interesting tie-in between the biblical story of Cain and Abel and the death of Jerry Siegel's father. Jerry Siegel was one of the co-creators of Superman, and his dad died of a heart attack during a robbery when Jerry was in high school.

syndi3's review

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

 i like brad meltzer. i read so many action books by different author. but i like brad. his writing is easy to follow and reminds me a bit of dan brown. 

i dont understand serena though. i think her character is useless in this book. is she there because she acts as a glue between cal and his dad? 8 am sure it could be more emotional for cal if serena is not there. 

but i enjoy the book. 

rlwaite's review against another edition

2.0

This was actually a pretty good book, but it would have been better if I hadn't been distracted by the lack of reasonable accuracy in the story's setting. I know that the author has not lived in Northeast Ohio, but even a little research would helped. At one point, the characters are driving east on I90 in Cleveland, and exit onto Martin Luther King Jr Drive. We are told, "Even with the darkness, it's clear we are in a rough neighborhood. Within a few quick turns, nearly all the businesses are either burnt out or boarded up. On each corner, there's some kid in a thick winter coat bouncing in place to find some warmth ... I work in these neighborhoods every day. I know drug dealers when I see them." Later, "...to the ride back past the burned-out storefronts of Martin Luther King Jr Drive ..."

S0rry, but are there no burned-out storefronts on Martin Luther King Jr Drive. In fact, there are NO storefronts and NO neighborhoods, and never have been. Martin Luther King Jr Drive starts at I90 and runs right thru the middle of Rockefeller Park, one of the largest parks located completely within city limits, land donated by Cleveland native John D Rockefeller.

At another point in the book, our characters "... follow I80 out of the city." That would not be possible as I80 is the Ohio Turnpike that runs east and west midway between Cleveland and Akron - it never goes in, or close to, Cleveland. On this trip, "... we're deep in Cuyahoga Valley National Park ..." Based on their destination (which I won't disclose) they are driving east. In that case, they would not be deep in the park.

I know that the truth must be tweaked to tell a good story, but these aren't tweaks - errors such as this are nothing more than laziness, the unwillingness to do some research. The author probably didn't realize that anyone from NE Ohio would or could read a book and discover such misrepresentations of their homeland.

gaylebn's review

4.0

This is the first Brad Melzer novel I've read and I enjoyed it. The story is plausible fiction and didn't give away the secrets until the end. I will definitely read more of his works.

lovely_smiles's review

5.0

Absolutely enjoyed. This book had me hanging on every word. It contained a balanced level of drive and calmness. I wanted to figure out the mystery myself and each time that I thought I had it there was another twist. I felt like this book did exactly what it was supposed to. I was not only entertained but I became more curious about the truths within and better understanding my own world. Immortality is telling your story so that it never dies.

tyguy25's review

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75