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kelbi's review against another edition
1.0
I didn’t finish it. Not my type of book. I love his mothers but this one not for me
melissa_keen's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I've found this book unputdownable for 3 solid days, but the ending was SUCH a letdown!
There were several issues throughout the book; the protagonist, Ross, is weirdly trusting with random people despite being an investigative journ list - I mean, there are people literally trying to kill him and he's out telling any Tom, Dick and Harry what he's up to in great detail, then acting baffled about it?
His relationship with his wife is also downright weird and quite frankly adds nothing to the plot as both characters become unlikeable towards the end (she cheats on him, he forgives her, he then knocks her up despite claiming not to love her, then he starts a weird flirty inappopriate relationship with an annoying radio presenter he has the hots for - oh, who also decided off her own back to stalk him to LA??? After meeting him a handful of times? Like, what?!), then his wife loses their baby (which she tells him BY TEXT) and he is less than bothered about it... all so strange! He flip flops from loyal loving husband to borderline cheating, couldnt-care-less, it's like the writer couldn't make up his mind what kind of guy he wanted Ross to be... and the ending felt like such a cop out. Such a shame as it had such potential!
There were several issues throughout the book; the protagonist, Ross, is weirdly trusting with random people despite being an investigative journ list - I mean, there are people literally trying to kill him and he's out telling any Tom, Dick and Harry what he's up to in great detail, then acting baffled about it?
His relationship with his wife is also downright weird and quite frankly adds nothing to the plot as both characters become unlikeable towards the end (she cheats on him, he forgives her, he then knocks her up despite claiming not to love her, then he starts a weird flirty inappopriate relationship with an annoying radio presenter he has the hots for - oh, who also decided off her own back to stalk him to LA??? After meeting him a handful of times? Like, what?!), then his wife loses their baby (which she tells him BY TEXT) and he is less than bothered about it... all so strange! He flip flops from loyal loving husband to borderline cheating, couldnt-care-less, it's like the writer couldn't make up his mind what kind of guy he wanted Ross to be... and the ending felt like such a cop out. Such a shame as it had such potential!
thebooktrail88's review
4.0
Ooh the locations in this book will make your head spin! (in a good way)
Peter James I do love your books and still have Perfect People as my favourite. This is my new favourite. There’s something delicious about a conspiracy theory book and this one looks at the existence of God. Someone claims to have absolute proof that He exists.
Now I’m not religious by any means and I suppose you will get something different out of this book depending on what you believe, but this is still a riproaring thriller which questions the existence of God. Fast paced and action packed. I just loved the way in which there was an actual trail to follow with map coordinates and everything! The geek in me rubbed my hands with glee,going from one place to another, map in hand and legends falling from the pages.
There’s a lot to like in this book – maps, manuscripts, monuments, monks and murder. Think the 5 M’s might be an idea for an alternative title.
Subject wise it’s a bit Dan Brown but it’s definitely got the Peter James stamp of gold on the front. It’s clever, addictive and a race around the world with locations and legends dripping out of the pages.
There IS Absolute Proof that this is a thriller you won’t want to miss!
naiessha's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Honestly, it was a great page turner and very thought-provoking. I was expecting a grander ending than what it actually was, but it's definitely realistic.
The writing style was perfect and I commend the author for that, especially the bite-sized chapters idea. Them being short allowed me to get through such a long book with relative ease whilst keeping it engaging. It was a bit repetitive at times, but fairly okay.
It was very suspenseful the first 500 pages and I liked the diverse perspectives it addressed+ the plot twists, but not nearly as good as the Da Vinci Code and not worth 600 something pages for that ending. Idk..... I'm a little underwhelmed because the first 500 pages raised my expectations. Not bad though. A good read.
The writing style was perfect and I commend the author for that, especially the bite-sized chapters idea. Them being short allowed me to get through such a long book with relative ease whilst keeping it engaging. It was a bit repetitive at times, but fairly okay.
It was very suspenseful the first 500 pages and I liked the diverse perspectives it addressed+ the plot twists, but not nearly as good as the Da Vinci Code and not worth 600 something pages for that ending. Idk..... I'm a little underwhelmed because the first 500 pages raised my expectations. Not bad though. A good read.
tdk's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
kirkw1972's review against another edition
4.0
This is a weighty book and in more ways than one. I think your enjoyment of it will depend on your religious leanings and your reaction to the subject of absolute proof of God. I didn’t grow up in a house of any faith, my mum only finding a religion in her mid-50’s so the subject doesn’t affect me. I do find the idea fascinating though and this, despite being a novel, gives a lot of food for thought.
It is long although the chapters are short so easy to pick up and put down. It drags a bit in the middle and repeats itself a bit. I’m still not entirely sure we needed the wife and baby subplot. For me it didn’t add anything. However I did find it to be a page turner. I enjoy religious conspiracy as a genre so this was always going to work for me in that respect. I was kept hooked by the idea of how we were going to get the absolute proof as the author comes up with ideas and debunks them as he goes along and I quite liked the answer we got here.
Overall for the most part I loved it and would recommend if you are a fan of this genre
It is long although the chapters are short so easy to pick up and put down. It drags a bit in the middle and repeats itself a bit. I’m still not entirely sure we needed the wife and baby subplot. For me it didn’t add anything. However I did find it to be a page turner. I enjoy religious conspiracy as a genre so this was always going to work for me in that respect. I was kept hooked by the idea of how we were going to get the absolute proof as the author comes up with ideas and debunks them as he goes along and I quite liked the answer we got here.
Overall for the most part I loved it and would recommend if you are a fan of this genre
kath61's review
2.0
I was looking forward to this as I like the Roy Grace series and the Dan Brown book and am interested in the subject matter. Sadly it didn't meet my expectations. It seemed a bit repetitive and long, there was not the thrilling chapter ends I am used to in this genre and I didn't get involved with the various characters, with disparate threads. It got more exciting towards the end but I found the actual ending rather silly and disappointing. A pity.
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
4.0
Ooh the locations in this book will make your head spin! (in a good way)
Peter James I do love your books and still have Perfect People as my favourite. This is my new favourite. There’s something delicious about a conspiracy theory book and this one looks at the existence of God. Someone claims to have absolute proof that He exists.
Now I’m not religious by any means and I suppose you will get something different out of this book depending on what you believe, but this is still a riproaring thriller which questions the existence of God. Fast paced and action packed. I just loved the way in which there was an actual trail to follow with map coordinates and everything! The geek in me rubbed my hands with glee,going from one place to another, map in hand and legends falling from the pages.
There’s a lot to like in this book – maps, manuscripts, monuments, monks and murder. Think the 5 M’s might be an idea for an alternative title.
Subject wise it’s a bit Dan Brown but it’s definitely got the Peter James stamp of gold on the front. It’s clever, addictive and a race around the world with locations and legends dripping out of the pages.
There IS Absolute Proof that this is a thriller you won’t want to miss!