Scan barcode
temika's review against another edition
5.0
I purchased this book thinking that it sounded pretty cool. Boy was I wrong!
To call this book 'pretty cool' is an affront to the pure genius of Scott Baker's imagination and literary prowess. What should be complicated, Scott manages to deliver with ease; and the chain of events that unfold in this novel, keep you on the edge of your seat.
A good friend of mine informed me that while reading it I would gasp and say things like 'oh my god' and 'wow'. From my reactions, he demanded I tell him what the book was so that he could get himself a copy. I was more than happy to oblige.
This novel has made me feel a range of emotions: shock, comprehension, sadness, happiness, awe, and at one point, a transcendence of spiritual awareness. For me, the ability to feel the words deep inside, is what reading is all about.
Scott has really nailed the written word and I will continue to recommend his novels to everyone I meet.
Definitely in my top five favourite books that I've ever had the pleasure of reading.
I cannot wait for his next masterpiece.
To call this book 'pretty cool' is an affront to the pure genius of Scott Baker's imagination and literary prowess. What should be complicated, Scott manages to deliver with ease; and the chain of events that unfold in this novel, keep you on the edge of your seat.
A good friend of mine informed me that while reading it I would gasp and say things like 'oh my god' and 'wow'. From my reactions, he demanded I tell him what the book was so that he could get himself a copy. I was more than happy to oblige.
This novel has made me feel a range of emotions: shock, comprehension, sadness, happiness, awe, and at one point, a transcendence of spiritual awareness. For me, the ability to feel the words deep inside, is what reading is all about.
Scott has really nailed the written word and I will continue to recommend his novels to everyone I meet.
Definitely in my top five favourite books that I've ever had the pleasure of reading.
I cannot wait for his next masterpiece.
jacqueshol's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and gave it 4 stars. The only reason I didn't give it more was that although this book has a nice pace to it, I have become increasingly smitten by the pace of Matthew Reilly's books (Now there is someone who really should start writing a new Jack West novel again). Wish I could give Rule of Knowledge 4.5 stars. Another reason for not given 5 stars is that I found the ending to be a tad unclear for me. Admittedly, I was dead tired and needed sleep, but couldn't do so without finishing the book first. I may have missed a clue and will probably re-read the final chapter. :)
Should Mr. Scott Baker write more books, especially about time travel, I would queue to buy it. It was a delightful read and his explanations on space-time, event horizons and how gravity affects time was fantastic. For the first time I started to understand these concepts as it was written in a simple and concise manner.
His main characters for most part was fairly well developed. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of Saul and Malbool. Some of the "baddie" characters probably could've been developed a little better.
If you haven't read this book yet, and time travel, history and just a good old fun-read is your thing, get this book today. I may, just may, have discovered a new favourite author to fill my eReader alongside Matthew Reilly, Tom Clancy and James Rollins.
Should Mr. Scott Baker write more books, especially about time travel, I would queue to buy it. It was a delightful read and his explanations on space-time, event horizons and how gravity affects time was fantastic. For the first time I started to understand these concepts as it was written in a simple and concise manner.
His main characters for most part was fairly well developed. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of Saul and Malbool. Some of the "baddie" characters probably could've been developed a little better.
If you haven't read this book yet, and time travel, history and just a good old fun-read is your thing, get this book today. I may, just may, have discovered a new favourite author to fill my eReader alongside Matthew Reilly, Tom Clancy and James Rollins.
anastasia17's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
steveinadelaide's review against another edition
5.0
One hell of a ride! Fast-paced, gripping, surprising, and satisfying. Has it all - action, romance, time-travel, hints of philosophy, religion, and science. Easy to read and the 400 pages goes fast. Good escapist entertainment but also provokes some reflection on free will. Looking forward to his next venture - he says he's got lots more to come.
misskatebarkley's review against another edition
4.0
Reviewed on All That Geek: http://allthatgeek.wordpress.com/2014/08/18/review-the-rule-of-knowledge-by-scott-baker/
tien's review against another edition
4.0
It was one of those days where you just happened to bump into the author at the bookshop… I purchased this book for no other reason than to support a local author. The book has caught my interest a few days prior somewhere online mainly due to the attractive cover and the promising adventure into ancient times. I must admit a partiality to biblical times, primarily due to my faith.
The story alternated in between the present time where Shaun Strickland, an academic nobody, was enticed away from home, and biblical time when Jesus lived, performed miracles, and was about to die. Usually with such alternating stories, I would feel the pull of interest towards one story than the other but not in this case; I didn’t feel the need to skip a chapter first to see what will happen with one storyline. The stories were woven in a way that the information were dropped in the time when we needed it.
In both stories, the main characters have their own mission on which the peace, the security, of the world depended upon. Whilst one was acutely aware of this fact, the other was driven by the thought of revenge. Both faced dangers, from known and unknown sources, which could come at them from any direction. The Rule of Knowledge is a thrilling, action-packed, fast-paced read; full of car chases, shooting guns, explosions, and even disguises.
I was pleasantly surprise with 2 factors: time travel and the favourable lean towards Christianity. I love my time travel stories and I had no idea this was one! If you like your time travel with a bit of a science-y background, this may appeal to you…
‘I understand what you are saying,’ he said. ‘I too do not always understand the way in which the Almighty works, but I know that the limitation is mine. It is I who do not understand in the same way a dog does not understand where or why its master goes away every day, needing to work to pay for the food he comes home to provide. Understanding changes. Knowledge changes, but men were killed for claiming so because the people did not understand. It is the understanding that changes, not the thing. I cannot answer that for you; it is no my place to. Each of us must come to our own conclusion.’
The boundaries of Shaun’s beliefs squeezed outwards under the pressure of the new information. Why was it so hard to, believe? Did he want there to be nothing beyond what he could understand? Did he want there to not be some sort of God? He examined himself and realised that he had shut himself off to even the possibility for one simple reason; it meant that he was wrong.
This book is in a way similar to [b:Da Vinci Code|968|The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon, #2)|Dan Brown|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1303252999s/968.jpg|2982101] in that it’s a conspiracy theory which involved a worldwide belief, Christianity. It is, I found, dissimilar (aside from the time travelling bit) in the attitude towards Christianity. I was very conscious, in reading Da Vinci Code, of all the kerfuffle it has induced in the world –and therefore noted the somewhat antagonistic view of Christianity where the Vatican was basically just evil. In The Rule of Knowledge, the Vatican has the truly faithful and the power hungry; whilst not perfect, it seems balanced. There were other factors as well which makes me wonder whether the author himself is a believer. The ultimate purpose of time travel here is definitely something we’ve all wondered about!
This book is highly recommended to those seeking a fast paced book with mysteries, pieces of history and bits of time travel thrown in. I, myself, am hoping for more of the kind from the author.
The story alternated in between the present time where Shaun Strickland, an academic nobody, was enticed away from home, and biblical time when Jesus lived, performed miracles, and was about to die. Usually with such alternating stories, I would feel the pull of interest towards one story than the other but not in this case; I didn’t feel the need to skip a chapter first to see what will happen with one storyline. The stories were woven in a way that the information were dropped in the time when we needed it.
In both stories, the main characters have their own mission on which the peace, the security, of the world depended upon. Whilst one was acutely aware of this fact, the other was driven by the thought of revenge. Both faced dangers, from known and unknown sources, which could come at them from any direction. The Rule of Knowledge is a thrilling, action-packed, fast-paced read; full of car chases, shooting guns, explosions, and even disguises.
I was pleasantly surprise with 2 factors: time travel and the favourable lean towards Christianity. I love my time travel stories and I had no idea this was one! If you like your time travel with a bit of a science-y background, this may appeal to you…
‘I understand what you are saying,’ he said. ‘I too do not always understand the way in which the Almighty works, but I know that the limitation is mine. It is I who do not understand in the same way a dog does not understand where or why its master goes away every day, needing to work to pay for the food he comes home to provide. Understanding changes. Knowledge changes, but men were killed for claiming so because the people did not understand. It is the understanding that changes, not the thing. I cannot answer that for you; it is no my place to. Each of us must come to our own conclusion.’
The boundaries of Shaun’s beliefs squeezed outwards under the pressure of the new information. Why was it so hard to, believe? Did he want there to be nothing beyond what he could understand? Did he want there to not be some sort of God? He examined himself and realised that he had shut himself off to even the possibility for one simple reason; it meant that he was wrong.
This book is in a way similar to [b:Da Vinci Code|968|The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon, #2)|Dan Brown|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1303252999s/968.jpg|2982101] in that it’s a conspiracy theory which involved a worldwide belief, Christianity. It is, I found, dissimilar (aside from the time travelling bit) in the attitude towards Christianity. I was very conscious, in reading Da Vinci Code, of all the kerfuffle it has induced in the world –and therefore noted the somewhat antagonistic view of Christianity where the Vatican was basically just evil. In The Rule of Knowledge, the Vatican has the truly faithful and the power hungry; whilst not perfect, it seems balanced. There were other factors as well which makes me wonder whether the author himself is a believer. The ultimate purpose of time travel here is definitely something we’ve all wondered about!
This book is highly recommended to those seeking a fast paced book with mysteries, pieces of history and bits of time travel thrown in. I, myself, am hoping for more of the kind from the author.
waynewaynus's review against another edition
4.0
An exciting thriller with just a twist of science fiction. Reminds me a lot of Matthew Reilly, plenty of action with a lot of twists and turns. A lot of fun and a nice summer read.
More...