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Summary: Genre Fiction at its finest
Review: I don't give out 5 star reviews lightly, but in this case I do not hesitate much. Generally, 5 stars is reserved for "imporant" or "artful" fiction, but this book is simply a masteripiece and the crown jewel of monster fiction.We've ALL read books where someone wanders off into the darkness and gets maimed, and most of the time in some pretty vivid, arresting descriptions. But were we ever really frightened. Did we feel not just tension, but a plummeting, primitive fear? RELIC certainly provides that, but never before have I been so frightened for characters that I didn't really care about. I admit that I am not a huge fan of this science-laden gibberish mingled with action, but it is quite clear that Lincoln and Child have a solid understanding of horror. Perhaps there is something about their diction, which despite its sometimes convoluted, scientific nature, is always quick and flab-less. Perhaps it is that they have finally touched upon the haunted museum idea. Perhaps it is because despite the science and complicated passages, they still allow the book to boil to down to basic monster fiction. And it works. Boy does it ever work. I can't remember ever REALLY being uneasy and frightened reading a book, but RELIC is a lean, visceral and frightening book, harrowing and gruesome. Read it.
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Summary: A Book That Did Not Bore Me
Review: It is hard to find a book that makes you want to hide with the characters as they evade the Museum Beast. I felt suffocated as Lt. D'Agosta and forty others were trapped in the flooding basement. All of the action and bad-endings for the victims made me feel kind of spooked out. The only parts I had trouble with were the scientific things. What had me hooked was the hunting of the Museum Beast. My favorite character had to be Lt. D'Agosta (minus the excessive use of "f" words!). For 85% of the time, it is spooky and transports you to the Musueum of Unnatural History.
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Summary: This was so cool
Review: I have to say this to the world. AWSOME BOOK. The technical stuff kept me guessing while the main plot kept the story going. I hope to see the movie soon and do not want to be dissapointed.
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Summary: A surprise
Review: I was desperate for something to read and picked this up on a whim. What a surprise! What suspense! I'm hooked! I have since read all the Preston/Child books. You should start with this one.
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Summary: Perfect Suspense
Review: This is the first book by this author I ever read and is still a favorite of mine. It is not escapist horror (as in unknown beasts ravage innocent maidens for no rhyme or reason) or sci-fi ("We are Koogans from the planet Doogoo demanding you stop your atomic testing"). No, it is not only intelligent but makes an attempt at halfway serious science. Despite all the scientific writing it is the story and action - especially the riveting journey through the underground tunnels - that is absolutely some of the best suspense ever penned. Very few novels can "scare" the reader or bring them into the story as RELIC seems to do. This appears to be a universal view. And the characters were perfectly matched to their dialogue and action. I also bought RELIQUARY at the same time so am excited about the followup.
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Summary: Anthropology can be a very dangerous science!
Review: I am thoroughly enjoying reading Preston/Child's mysteries. They are unusually intelligent and well-researched books, with interesting and clever characters. Pendergast, who works for the FBI, seems to proceed at his own pace and has a tendency to go over and around anyone who gets in his way. He also tends to speak at a level that neither the politicians nor local police have an inability to deal with. You would think after all the Indiana Jones movies that people would understand that some anthropological and archaeological finds would be better off left alone. Inevitably, someone 'moves' something from its origin, and people start paying the price for not respecting the 'old ways'. This was a very different mystery, in that the information concerning the killer or killers depends upon scientific knowledge. Pendergast seems to be knowledgeable in most areas, and if he doesn't know it, he finds out about it. He warns people not to do certain things or allow certain occasions to happen for fear of what might occur since the murderer is still loose. And as he rightly assumes, people get hurt. Usually, Pendergast finds other intelligent people who are willing to work with his unusual ways in order to put a stop to these horrible occurrences. I am thoroughly enjoying reading about the museums in New York, where Pendergast often has to show up because of odd happenings. The archeological and anthropological areas are a couple of sciences that I did not get a lot of training in school, and often these mysteries give some bibliography to read up on the reality behind Natural History Museums. Maybe Pendergast should come and explore our own Carnegie Museum here in Pittsburgh. If only 10% of what a museum has is on exhibit at any given time...maybe they should give guided tours through the storage areas of the museums! Of course, now I would be hesitant to do it, given reading Preston/Child books! Karen Sadler
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Summary: Relic
Review: Great! I really enjoyed this book. Once again, Child and Preston produce a wonderful book. Thanks...
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Summary: Great Book..........Bad Movie
Review: All I can say is that I finished this book in 6 hours. One of my all time favorites!
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Summary: Yay! Monsters!
Review: This was a fun book. There's nothing like a bunch of highly intelligent people running around in the dark, trying to kill an even smarter, brain-eating monster. The best part of the Preston-Child books I've read (other than Special Agent Pendergast, the hyper cool "well-dressed undertaker") is how the characters more or less end up where they deserve (more or less). Promoted or eaten. It's great! My only "issue" with the books concerning Pendergast (on whom I've developed a slight crush) is the repetition of the word "mellifluous." But other than that, Relic is good, sharp, gooey fun.
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Summary: fast-paced thriller, great setting, interesting characters
Review: This story begins in the Amazon jungle but quickly changes to New York's Museum of Natural History as the mysterious crates of a tragic scientific expedition become the focus of a a homicide investigation. Bodies have been found torn apart in the dark recesses of the Museum, and FBI agent Pendergast joins forces with the NYC police to solve the crimes before the Museum's big exhibition opening and party a couple of days away. But is the killer even human? This is a fun and fast-paced thriller. The NY Natural History Museum is an inspired setting, with loads of creepy objects stored in labyrinthine splendor. Also, the characters are very interesting, and not formulaic (FBI=brilliant, police=bad/stupid) as many thrillers are. The scientists shine as they help solve the mystery, and the suspense is maintained throughout this 470 page book.
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