In 323 B.C.E, having conquered Persia, Alexander the Great set his sights on Arabia, then suddenly succumbed to a strange fever. Locating his final resting place--unknown to this day--remains a tantalizing goal for both archaeologists and treasure hunters. Now the quest for this coveted prize is about to heat up. And Cotton Malone--former U.S. Justice Department agent turned rare-book dealer--will be drawn into an intense geopolitical chess game. After narrowly escaping incineration in a devastating fire that consumes a Danish museum, Cotton learns from his friend, the beguiling adventurer Cassiopeia Vitt, that the blaze was neither an accident nor an isolated incident. As part of campaign of arson intended to mask a far more diabolical design, buildings across Europe are being devoured by infernos of unnatural strength.And from the ashes of the U.S.S.R., a new nation has arisen: Former Soviet republics have consolidated into the Central Asian Federation. At its helm is Supreme Minister Irina Zovastina, a cunning despot with a talent for politics, a taste for blood sport, and the single-minded desire to surpass Alexander the Great as history's ultimate conqueror. Backed by a secret cabal of powerbrokers, the Federation has amassed a harrowing arsenal of biological weapons. Equipped with the hellish power to decimate other nations at will, only one thing keeps Zovastina from setting in motion her death march of domination: a miraculous healing serum, kept secret by an ancient puzzle and buried with the mummified remains of Alexander the Great--in a tomb lost to the ages for more than 1,500 years.Together, Cotton and Cassiopeia must outrun and outthink the forces allied against them. Their perilous quest will take them to the shores of Denmark, deep into the venerated monuments of Venice, and finally high inside the desolate Pamir mountains of Central Asia to unravel a riddle whose solution could destroy or save millions of people--depending on who finds the lost tomb first.From the Hardcover edition.
Reviews with the most likes.
Rebecca–the story of the founding of one of America's first settlements, the incredible struggles faced in establishing it, and the heavy cost exacted from that colonizing.
For me, a three star indicates that I thought the book was just “all right.” That's how I felt about the beginning of Rebecca. With so many character names (and complicated ones!) I struggled to wade through the first part of the book.
The second half read a lot faster, and I finally mastered all the important names, so I'd rate that a four stars. Thus, the book averages out to 3.5 stars.
Rebecca is based off the true history of the Jamestown colony and the woman that most of us now know as Pocahontas. In her book, Shannon McNear delves into the “what if” questions and brings the real-life characters to life, speculating on the motives and feelings that drove their actions.
Ironically, my dad is currently reading a non-fiction book about the New World during this time period, so I enjoyed comparing the notes that he shared with Shannon's fictional story. She did an excellent job of drawing out obscure historical facts and also of sharing the not-so-flattering parts of history (such as the Englishmen's aversion to bathing).
Sometimes, history can be exceedingly violent, so on a note of warning, this book does contain some hard subjects, including rape. I was a little taken aback at parts because I thought I knew the story well (Pocahontas was a special interest of mine when I was younger). However, considering the story with a little more age on me, I believe that Shannon's interpretation of history is probably correct. Abortion also poses a content issue.
Overall, this is a book that is perfect for anyone up for a challenge and interested in prodding back the veil of history to live out the settlement of Jamestown.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series
19 primary books25 released booksCotton Malone is a 25-book series with 19 primary works first released in 2005 with contributions by Steve Berry and James Rollins.
Series
16 primary books20 released booksCotton Malone (chronological) is a 20-book series with 16 primary works first released in 2005 with contributions by Steve Berry.
