The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Last Templar
Book Review: A magnificent read
Summary: 5 Stars
Really liked Da Vinci, totally loved this one!!! It's a hugely enjoyable read: well written, fast moving and really thought provoking.
The historical current that runs throughout brings the book to life and made the difference for me though. Having a parallel story set in the past could have made things confusing, but the few chapters set in the past are well placed and perfectly paced to complement the main story. Most of the historical thrillers I've tried reading have been really slow and confined to a city or two: this one just blasts off and keeps getting bigger, it has the scale of a real epic without losing its realism.
I can see some readers having an issue with the religious content of the book, but I found it inspiring and despite being what I consider a 'good christian', I wasn't offended in the least. It was the opposite: I found it enlightening to read about the history of how the church was started and how the bible was put together hundreds of years after the death of Jesus. The book explores the uncomfortable side of how religion affects people, and we can see that all around us, but it also shows the other side of that coin. And Khoury doesn't suggest a definitive alternate history to what happened in biblical times, which is also why I liked it: he just lays out ideas and opens up a debate, and ultimately what he has his characters do is just what I would do, a hard decision but really the only one that a human being with a heart could ever do.
As for the characters: yes they're intelligent, attractive, and heroic, they're living an amazing adventure!!! And I have to say I kind of prefer that to spending hours reading a book about dull, unexceptional people!!! I hope Khoury brings them back for his next book.
All in all, I'd even say it's my new alltime fave. A truly exceptional book.
Book Review: A real page turner
Summary: 5 Stars
I've always been a fan of Templar lore (having been a member of the De Molay order as a teen), but not an adherent to the Gnostic movement or "Davinci Code" types of theories. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was hooked from the first page.
The characters are well described, but not in such depth that you get bogged down in their life's story. The plot is fast-paced and keeps you looking forward to next twist. The "love story" aspect of the book adds just enough flavor without becoming a diversion from the main thread of the plot.
It's not destined to be a classic, but it is a great book for a rainy weekend.
Book Review: A real page-turner.
Summary: 4 Stars
"The Last Templar" by Raymond Khoury opens with a made-to-be-turned-into-a-movie scene: A huge crowd has gathered at the opening night of an exhibit of "Treasures of the Vatican" at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Television cameras and reporters are everywhere. Slowly, four men on horseback come riding up the street dressed as crusading knights, and everyone thinks they're part of the show. But no. It appears that the Knights Templar have come to claim - that is, steal - their religious artifacts.
The action toggles back and forth between present day and 1291, the time of the last Templar. Was he able to protect the precious object that people were willing to kill for? What was it, exactly? And where is it now? The story takes us to Europe, and along the way we deal with the FBI, archaeologists and Vatican representatives, and we are part of discussions on biblical theory, Templar history and alchemy. The author even gets preachy.
I found the ending so disappointing that I wanted to fling the book across the room. But other than that, I really enjoyed the page-turner.
Book Review: A really quick read
Summary: 1 Stars
Anybody thinking about reading this book would be well advised to just go to their local bookseller. Then, while standing in the store, read the first and last chapters. You will get just as much out of the book as if you had wasted the time reading it all the way through, and you will save yourself some money (which can be better spent on lunch).
Book Review: A very, very good book!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll try to speak about this book in a most unbiased way. I'm a college student, currently 24 years old, and in 3 short paragraphs I'll explain why this book made it to the top list of my favorite books along with Beowulf, The Alchemist and other superb readings.
This book took me from my daily grind and placed me into a mysterious world of treasure-hunting suspense! I'm not an FBI agent or an archeologist... but this book made me want to investigate things and search for old, forgotten treasures. It gave me the feeling of excitment each time I opened it up, and boy was I happy each time I did it.
I enjoyed reading Beowulf very, very much but... an easy reading sometimes is not only easy on the mind, but also in the soul. If I wanted complicated, history-accurate tales all I had to do is my homework! I mean, I want adventure, suspense, drama, love... the works! Mostly, something I can pick up and read and not wonder what the heck the character meant, or those mind-boggling self-assuming 'answers' you get on some books. No, this book is easy to follow, easy to read, and easy to pick up where you left off.
Finally... the bomb. I did seem to notice the end was... for the lack of a better word, "rushed". Although the events that led to the "end" were amazingly exciting, in my humble opinion I could have done with a bit more of an intriguing final-concept, per se. Don't get me wrong, only a specific part of the end I didn't like, but I can't mention without spoiling anything.
My final word? I recommend it. I recommend it because we all need a scape from our daily lives. I recommend it because it's entertaining, funny, witty, exciting, dramatic and just beautiful. And no, I do not consider this book a spin off "Da Vinci Code" because this book deserves merit where it is due. My two cents! Enjoy it.