The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Last Templar
Book Review: 3.5 really. . . . worth reading
Summary: 3 Stars
I tried to open this book with out any expectations, with out comparing it to other Jesus-conspiracies. The story is fast paced - it got off to a quick start, and I liked the METRAID - interesting idea. The characters were trite and flat,in general: of course, this wasn't a character driven story. Their dialog left a lot to be desired, but clever dialog is exceptionally difficult to write. The general plot was well developed and interesting, I thought the flashbacks were a nice touch. For those who have compared this to DVC, shame on you. This is simply another hypothesis of why the Vatican turned on the Templars after they became powerful and wealthy. What secrets did they hold? I thought Khoury's version of the Templars "big secret" was mundane, almost so much so that it was anitclimatic... he really didn't come up with some amazing fresh idea. But that's ok, it was still the sort that would have chnaged the world should it come to light. A good read.Book Review: 4 1/2 stars
Summary: 4 Stars
Unlike some reviewers I think this book will be liked more by the intelligent readers, as well as readers looking for a good adventure. I think Raymond Khoury did a fine job for a first novel. You'll get action as well as a thought provoking story.
Dan Brown readers will like it, though its not quite at the same level as 'The DaVinci Code'.
From inside:
"...religion is a phenomenal weapon, even today. It can reach into the hearts of men and make them do all kinds of unimaginable things."
"It has served us well, this myth of Christ"
--Pope Leo X, 16th Century
Book Review: A B-Movie Ripoff of The Da Vinci Code
Summary: 1 Stars
Plenty of forced and improbable action, rather like "Spiderman" in this cheap and poorly written ripoff of the Dan Brown genre. The characters are ridiculously stereotyped and choreographed into the most conveniently absurd situations. I turned the pages hoping to find some real literary imagination, only to find hackneyed and predictable plot lines and adolescent dialogue. And the ending is wimpier than anything Barbara Cartland could have dreamed up. What a waste of time! Forget this mess of an attempt at a novel and reread "Angels and Demons." You'll be much more satisfied.Book Review: A Decent Read
Summary: 3 Stars
I absolutely love historical fiction and picked up this book hoping it would be a page-turning historical thriller. Well, I wasn't completely satisfied, but it is a decent book. Some of the reviews I read about it suggested that this book picks up where The Da Vinci Code left off, so I had pretty high expectations, which, unfortunately, it didn't live up to.
Khoury is a good, but not a great, writer, and some of the language he uses is cliched and overdone (I'll admit that at some points in the story I was thinking "are you kidding me with this stuff?"). Although the story does quickly draw the reader's attention - how could 4 horsemen dressed as Templars not draw you in? - I felt a little let down by the rest of it, and the pace seemed to slow a little as I read. That said, I finished it rather quickly - it was still a good read in my book, it just went from fascinating page-turner to interesting story.
Plot-wise I didn't feel like it was too much of a rip-off of the The Da Vinci Code - although, of course, the material is similar. Overall, if you like historical thrillers you'll probably like this. I wouldn't put it at the top of your list, but it is an entertaining story.
Book Review: A Gripping Story, Well-Told
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed this book very much. The story is well-paced, the plot twists and turns engagingly, and the characters are sufficiently motivated to propel the action to its conclusion. I appreciated how Khoury allowed the two principal characters to examine their religious and spiritual beliefs during the course of the story, questioning and scrutinizing their respective belief structures. That the belief system in question in "The Last Templar" is Christianity generally, and Roman Catholicism specifically, I found irrelevant. The characters' scrutinization of their attitudes towards faith applies as well to any faith-based belief structure, whether religious, sociocultural, or political. The story urges reflection about any belief unquestioningly accepted or rejected.
Regardless of its philosophical underpinnings, it's a great story, brimming with action and suspense, set in a variety of exotic locales, and it's a lot of fun to read. I understand it's being developed as a miniseries. If the producers and directors do it justice, it will be a lot of fun to watch, too.