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lapigeon's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
For a "globe trotting" "pulp adventure romp" starring Indiana Jones it's not very adventurous. The villain is basically nonexistent, the "adventure" is just a zeppelin trip, and the "mystery" is constantly explained to you so when the reveal happens it not a surprise at all.
duparker's review
3.0
2.5. these books never fully capture the fun of the movies. The history is good, but the story was uh.
timgonsalves's review against another edition
2.0
Seems like an exciting story - mix of Arthurian legend, Ancient Roman gold, and American Civil War history - but turns out to be fairly uninteresting. Far too pages long considering how little actually happens, especially when once again Caidin has given us a nothing villain, and now a nothing climax too.
How Indy is it...
6/10 - Caidin sticks to the formula much more closely this time, and Indy himself feels more like himself, but the mix is still off. The stakes feel low, the scope is small, there's not much action, and there's a bit too much fantasy.
How Indy is it...
6/10 - Caidin sticks to the formula much more closely this time, and Indy himself feels more like himself, but the mix is still off. The stakes feel low, the scope is small, there's not much action, and there's a bit too much fantasy.
wyrmbergmalcolm's review
2.0
This was bad. Totally lacking any thrills, excitement, adventure or archaeology. Far too much time was spent discussing the functionality of practical witchcraft instead of simply marvelling at the amazing stuff going on. Like with The Last Crusade, Indie finds himself on a dirigible, but any interest in the flight was drowned up by a meticulous account of the airship's inner workings. The vague and very empty plot of getting to a treasure before some cookie-cutter baddie gets there first barely featured in the 'story.' Don't waste your time with this one.
verkisto's review
1.0
I imagine the reason Caidin only wrote two of the twelve books in this series is because the publisher didn't read this one until after it was printed and sold. Aside from the fact that Indy doesn't feel anything close to Indy, that the supernatural is more Temple of Doom than Lost Ark, and that the tone of the entire novel is one of condescension, it feels bonkers that Caidin would write a book that combines Jesus, Wicca religion, Arthurian legend, and the American Civil War. It's like the author pulled ideas out of a hat and said, "Yes, THAT."
Plus, having finished the book, I can't help but feel like Caidin is some sort of Civil War-Confederate sympathizer. The whole thing just made me feel icky.
Plus, having finished the book, I can't help but feel like Caidin is some sort of Civil War-Confederate sympathizer. The whole thing just made me feel icky.
jedi_indyjones's review against another edition
3.0
I have read plenty of Indiana Jones novels, and this one wasn't the worst I've read. However, it is the second worse. The worst being Martin Caidin's other Indy book, Indiana Jones and the Sky Pirates. There is definitely something that is missing to the Indiana Jones formula in his books, the very formula that would even compel one to pick up an Indiana Jones novel in the first place. That being said, it wasn't all bad. There were some pretty good action scenes and a lot of research was put into the novel as far as locations and legends are concerned. At the end of the day, as I like to say, it's still Indiana Jones, and that alone makes it worth the read for a fanboy.
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