The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Last Templar
Book Review: Check your brain at the cover
Summary: 1 Stars
This book starts out interestingly with a shocking, albeit completely unrealistic opener, that creates the false impression that the book will be equally interesting. It is not. I rarely feel contempt toward a character in a book, but this FBI agent deserved to be kicked in the head. He "wrestles" with the weighty issue of not depriving humanity of the goodness of a - as per the book - fictitious but comforting religion. What a load of crap! An FBI agent decides to save humanity by getting rid of the big bad evidence. Yeah, great idea, let the poor, stupid, unwashed masses live and die happy with their faith in a big hoax.
I wish just once to read a book on this subject that doesn't have a cop-out ending. Big bad evidence is conveniently lost, just out of reach, determined to be too much and left alone etc. What for? This is fiction stupid! We can deal with a fictitious but satisfying ending where shockingly the truth, as presented in the book, prevails for once.
If you want to feel condescended to and patronized, this is the perfect book for you.
Book Review: Cliche and Predictable
Summary: 2 Stars
I agree that the first third is a very good read, then the rest of the book happens. The more you read the more predictable and Cliche it becomes. It's your standard federal agent and archeologist love drama, with the background revolving around the Templar's and questiong the divinity of Jesus. Of course one of the characters lost a father when they were young and the two main characters will avoid certain death about 15 times. How many author's can use that storyline I'm not certain. I got about halfway through when I decided it wasn't the exceptional work it started out to be, but I couldn't put it down in hopes for the ending to be as good as the beginning. Here's a little secret, it isn't. In fairness, this is probably the 4th or 5th book I have read on this topic, so I may be worn out. I am indeed grateful I read Da Vinci Code and Angel's and Demons prior to because as my memory serves me, they were a lot better read.
On a positive note, there is an interesting theological discussion about the three major religions that causes a bit of reflection of one's belief system and the role of religion in the world.
My advice: read the first 100 pages, skip to chapter 65-67, then read the last two chapters. Try not to vomit from the nauseating "you're all I really need" cliche speech when the main characters realize they want to spend their life together.
Book Review: Close but no cigar
Summary: 2 Stars
Yes yes I can hear you saying William dosn't stand for poorly written fiction regarding The Templars, Christ and enough good old fashioned intrigue to full a pleasant afternoons Sunday reading, but you would be wrong ! All these raw elements together make the perfect ingredients for a wonderful tale. And dear reader that is what frustrates me most about "The Last Templar" despite all the right stuff the final result is a shocker. The start has merit but them falls quickly into predictable clap trap that when you finally turn the last page you are more relieved that satisified, sadly another poor copy of that nickle and dime work "The Da Vinci Code", well off to read another work, sadly coming to the belief that if you want good qualitity about the Templars you have to head to the Non Fiction section of the library. Would some one please prove me wrong.Book Review: Couldn't put it down
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm quite suprised by the negative reviews... perhaps church members? The book definitely causes you to re-examine the foundations of modern day religions while ultimately posing the question whether those foundations really matter. Perhaps what is important is the role the church plays in peoples lives today. Whatever... it was the storyline that kept me engrossed and the philosophy was tangential. Highly recommend!Book Review: Cousin to another book that is now a movie
Summary: 3 Stars
This book starts out well with action that makes the reader want more. My problem with the book is the fact it tracks along the same lines as The DaVinci Code too much. It's almost like the author used a tried and successful template to construct a book. Although the "twist" to the Catholic faith is different, the route is the same. I enjoyed the twist since it wasn't expected, but I think the author revealed too much too early to keep the reader engaged. The only reason to finish the book is to see how it ends, not really to gain any more insight into hows and whys.