The Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Wheel of Darkness
Book Review: Entertaining but poorly written
Summary: 3 Stars
Other reviews touch upon the story line and the entertainment or fear value of this book. I have not read any of the other seven and it took me a while to figure out in which century the story was set as the speech of Pendergast is pedantic, stilted and aged. Were it not for the mention of a cell phone, I might have thought for longer that the story was set in the nineteenth century. No doubt these stories are not read for their literary value.I certainly won't actively seek out any others and am glad I did not pay for this one. Does it say anything that this is the first review I have ever posted of any book?Book Review: Entertaining, but a bit over the top
Summary: 4 Stars
This is my first book in the series to read, and I found it entertaining, but a bit over the top. There was a bit more of the supernatural involved than what I had heard the series to be known for. Still, it was for the most part a fun read. While the novel begins at a Tibetan monastery, most of the action occurs on a transatlantic liner. Probably the biggest knock for me was that it didn't take long to figure out that anytime a minor character was introduced it was only so that they could be killed off. Still, I'll come back to the series again, and not at all reluctantly, but I'll probably start closer to the beginning of the run.Book Review: Fantastic!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Preston has continued his fast paced, horror novel style. I love being scared by his creatures and otherworldly threats. It is definitely a page turner and I would recommend it to any one who loves this genre as much as I do.Book Review: Felt like a classic movie done as a novel
Summary: 4 Stars
Wheel of Darkness is the latest collaboration between two exceptional authors, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - a duo that I've been following since their third novel, Mount Dragon.
The novel centers on Agent Pendergast, Preston and Child's main protagonist, who's been in almost all of the novels written by these two excellent authors.
Before I continue, this review will not contain any spoilers other than what you can garner from reading the back cover of the novel. I hate ruining things for people.
This novel is a murder mystery that, after reading, reminded me heavily of the old film noir detective novels and movies from the forties and fifties. You know what are considered to be the classics and arguably some of the best of these types of movies and literature.
Also, with the exception of the first portion of the book, the entire novel is set on the maiden voyage of a luxury cruise ship.
Pendergast and his ward travel to Tibet in order to help her deal with the events that took place in the book of the Dead.
During their time at the monastery, they learn of the theft of an ancient relic, one that was foretold to bring about the end of the world.
The monks, who know Pendergast, ask him to help track down the thief and recover the artifact before the events prophesied come true.
True to his word, he and Constance Greene set out hot on the trail of the thief and it eventually leads them to the maiden voyage of a luxury cruise ship.
Here they encounter far more than they could have imagined, of the least are a series of brutal murders that quickly put the passengers and crew of the ship in a state of panic.
This is by far the least of their worries.
The novel really felt like the old film noir movies from the forties and fifties. Half the time I was expecting an appearance by Spencer Tracy or Humphrey Bogart. But, there was plenty of modern technology to keep me, the reader, firmly planted in the modern era.
As per usual, Pendergast showed his intelligence and put his unique set of skills to good use at several instances during the novel. As usual I don't want to spoil things for the reader, but his interaction with some of the secondary characters was, to be honest, quite brilliant in the manner in which he dealt with them.
And then there was the personal crisis that Pendergast is forced to face.
If I had a complaint about the novel, it was with how it ended, and the artifact itself. Once again, I won't bother spoiling it for you. If you want to find out what I am talking about, read the book and you'll see what I'm referring to.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read, and it really felt like a classic murder mystery from a bygone era. Not one of their best collaborations, but definitely worth picking up to read.
3.5 out of 5.
Book Review: Frantic And Entertaining
Summary: 4 Stars
The Wheel of Darkness is the first Pendergast novel I've read. Thus, I approached the book with no preconceptions or comparisons to earlier novels in this series. So, how did The Wheel of Darkness resonate with this first-time reader? Surprisingly well.
There's little question that Preston and Child have created two wonderfully realized characters in Pendergast and Green. The idiosyncrasies that the authors have imbued on these characters make them both real and memorable. The strong personalities are needed, because Preston and Child almost lose control of the story while trying to conclude several plotlines. Still, the protagonists' strength ground the frantic conclusion, resulting in an entertaining end to the story.
With the combination of an action packed story line and vivid central characters, it's easy to see why The Wheel of Darkness would have strong appeal. Did The Wheel of Darkness' strengths compel me to rush out and buy the rest of the Pendergast novels. Well..no. But, I found enough positives that if I'm browsing the bookstore for an entertaining action/mystery story, I'll strongly consider purchasing another Pendergast story.