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iamdwg's review
4.0
The weirdest part of picking books based solely on recommendations from the book you read last is that you might end up with a book that is just like the last. That’s what I got for the most part with The Belial Stone by R.D. Brady. This is a conspiracy thriller that covers the same exact topics as The Atlantis Gene. Well, maybe not each and every topic, but weirdly enough, quite a few of the same ones at least…which I was really worried about when I started reading this because I wasn’t the biggest fan of the last book I read. I didn’t want a repeat experience…thankfully though, that wasn’t the case.
The Belial Stone has a stronger focus on the story that it wants to tell, which is centered strongly under anthropological writing, mixed with conspiracy theories involving Atlantis, and discarded religious texts that used to be studied thoroughly before the Christian church randomly decided to toss it out – basically you have a few main characters that are on the race for their life as these…inhuman assassins uncover a burial site with monoliths depicting the end of the world. Our main characters have to fight them off before they try to skip to the end of times.
I can’t help but compare these two books because they have a lot in common, mostly in the Atlantis aspect. They go into depth about ancient civilizations and the history of our species – and for a minute I forgot I was even reading a different book, because it was covering word for word – the same things. Then it went into its own thing and what I respect the most is the very fact that it doesn’t try to be more than what it ultimately is. It’s not overly-ambitious – it covers two basic things and maybe mentions other conspiracy points – but for the most part – it’s its own story. That is something I can really expect (and am able to follow more closely.)
It did take me a bit longer than I thought it would to finish this book, but that’s not because it is written badly. Every time I read it, it was more or less a page turner. The only reason that it took me so long is just because I’m a busy guy…that’s it. The book is a great page-turner filled with interesting perspectives and theories, loveable characters, and a memorable plot that does make me wish to continue reading the series. Is it my favorite book of all time, not by a long shot, but it’s a very decent book that can and does grab the reader’s attention.
The Belial Stone has a stronger focus on the story that it wants to tell, which is centered strongly under anthropological writing, mixed with conspiracy theories involving Atlantis, and discarded religious texts that used to be studied thoroughly before the Christian church randomly decided to toss it out – basically you have a few main characters that are on the race for their life as these…inhuman assassins uncover a burial site with monoliths depicting the end of the world. Our main characters have to fight them off before they try to skip to the end of times.
I can’t help but compare these two books because they have a lot in common, mostly in the Atlantis aspect. They go into depth about ancient civilizations and the history of our species – and for a minute I forgot I was even reading a different book, because it was covering word for word – the same things. Then it went into its own thing and what I respect the most is the very fact that it doesn’t try to be more than what it ultimately is. It’s not overly-ambitious – it covers two basic things and maybe mentions other conspiracy points – but for the most part – it’s its own story. That is something I can really expect (and am able to follow more closely.)
It did take me a bit longer than I thought it would to finish this book, but that’s not because it is written badly. Every time I read it, it was more or less a page turner. The only reason that it took me so long is just because I’m a busy guy…that’s it. The book is a great page-turner filled with interesting perspectives and theories, loveable characters, and a memorable plot that does make me wish to continue reading the series. Is it my favorite book of all time, not by a long shot, but it’s a very decent book that can and does grab the reader’s attention.
jetenold's review
5.0
Loved it! looking forward to finding out more about Henry so hopefully another book is in the works!
painterbek's review
5.0
Excellent read! I really enjoyed this one. The writing style was easy to follow but kept me interested, and the book combined several subjects that interest me. It was action-packed and so good that I immediately started reading the second in the series.
pjonsson's review
3.0
A quite okay adventure/fantasy/supernatural story. It is an interesting permutation of the old “fallen angels” stories combined with the Atlantis mythology. The story is well done, the characters are interesting and quite likable, or in the case of the bad guys…not at all likable which is the way it should be.
The author creates a nice and detailed background to the events without going overboard with religious nonsense. Some compare this book with the creations by Dan Brown. It is true that those books are a similar type of stories but, as far as I remember the Dan Brown books, this one feels a quite a bit more action oriented and slightly less of a detective story than the Dan Brown ones.
The one thing that annoys me with this book is that the author creates these ancient devices and then he takes the all too common route of just hiding them at the end with the usual “mankind is not ready”. That is just annoying and a cheap way out.
Anyway, a second book in the series have recently come out and I will definitely read it to see how the author and the characters develop.
The author creates a nice and detailed background to the events without going overboard with religious nonsense. Some compare this book with the creations by Dan Brown. It is true that those books are a similar type of stories but, as far as I remember the Dan Brown books, this one feels a quite a bit more action oriented and slightly less of a detective story than the Dan Brown ones.
The one thing that annoys me with this book is that the author creates these ancient devices and then he takes the all too common route of just hiding them at the end with the usual “mankind is not ready”. That is just annoying and a cheap way out.
Anyway, a second book in the series have recently come out and I will definitely read it to see how the author and the characters develop.
imzadirose's review
3.0
First finish for Dewey's ~ 4/29/17 ~ though I did read the first 55 pages yesterday, but still. :)
It was OK, some parts were good, other parts really really dull. Dunno if I'll try more of the series or not, probably not, but I'll at least take a look to see what the next is about. Instalove is so overused!
It was OK, some parts were good, other parts really really dull. Dunno if I'll try more of the series or not, probably not, but I'll at least take a look to see what the next is about. Instalove is so overused!
thysbee's review
4.0
Great read and kept me excited all the way through! Had to google the Turkey site and spent hours reading about it and marveling at the photos. I look forward to more adventures and time with Laney and Jake...and Henry!
rachelriva's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
tarabyt3's review
2.0
Maybe I've been reading too many similar books recently, but this one seemed too bland. There's a plot, but it seems more like a skeletal vehicle for non-stop action scenes rather than having much focus. Instead there are convenient info dumps between action scenes and not really enough thinking to convince me that they should successfully discover answers. Basically I felt that, overall, everything was just a too convenient. Especially including the budding "love" story. If an author has to say, "I don't know why I feel this way," because of some sudden unfounded love for another character, probably they should rethink things. In my opinion, the story would have been stronger without the love interest because it predisposed me to be less convinced by other things.