The Eight

The Eight is an alternate-history book with a puzzle as the main focus, just like Da Vinci Code or other books of the genre. While there are portions of the story that flourish and keep you turning the page, there are twice as many parts that made me groan or just not care.

Katherine Neville LOVES to name-drop famous historical people. It got to a point where I actually yelled ‘oh come on!' when Napoleon was introduced. This was not the first nor the last of famous people in history that the characters encounter. It took away from the story.

Unfortunately this book also falls into the same trap as all the other puzzle-based books: the end sucks. There is a ton of build-up and no payoff. The Eight is no different and collapses under the weight of its own legend. I give Neville credit for keeping me engaged in the book enough to finish it but I highly doubt I'll pick up the sequel The Fire.