Rating: 
Summary: Too Much Information and told without Pizazz
Review: This is the first book I've read by this author and the last. While the premise could have been interesting -- tying back ancient history to a madman's quest for knowledge -- this author writes information about history dryer than most history text books that I had to read in college. Another annoying thing this author does is repeat sections of the book verbatim from chapter to chapter -- bad editing job or how the author really writes? I'm giving the book two stars because I think it had the potential to been something really neat had he let the story come out instead of burying it in with so many facts of history. He could also do a lot with character development if he gave it the same passion as he does with his history research.
Rating: 
Summary: What the...?
Review: Ugh, I am only half-way through this story and I am ready to stop. It is a jumble of history lessons, endless and unnecessary discriptions, and confusing narration. The story underneath all the extras seems like it might be interesting, but it has been a bit snoozy so far.
Rating:
Summary: Way too much
Review: When Stephen King writes, he draws you into the character's fear and really makes you dread what's coming next. From Slade - nothing. Horrifying gore - but no emotional link to the characters. What is that? Gratuitous horror? Whatever. When I love a book, I read every sentence and don't skip ahead (don't want to ruin the plot for myself). Jumped all around the pages of "Burnt Bones". I will say one thing for Slade - his research is thorough and his coverage of ancient history very interesting. It was also fun to see my hometown (Saskatoon) brought into the story.
Rating:
Summary: I *so* wanted to like this book.
Review: You know, if this book had been about two hundred pages shorter, I would have probably given it five stars. Literally, there was no reason for half of this book to have been written. And that half, of course, was the history Slade injected into this book. Pages and pages of it. Chapters and chapters of history. Then fivep ages of good writing. Then MORE history. I hate to admit this, but it's obvious to me that Mr. Slade (or rather Mr. Clarke) was just churning this one out on his own to get it done, and sacrificed expanding the admittingly great plot and usual great characters just to finish the book and make a buck. It's a shame too, because if you discount the textook-esque history sections, there's a GREAT story here. I really wanted to like this book, and I really wanted to care about these characters. But the numerous history sections just got in the way. I think the real main problem with this book is not really Mr. Clarke's (the main writer behind Michael Slade) fault...for unlike this book, he always has one or two writing partners when these books are written. I have the impression that with this novel, there was no one to hold him in 'check,' and thus he expanded on the history sections just to fill a page limit. A shame. Headhunter, Ripper, and Primal Scream are Slade at his best. This one...well this one, sadly, is Slade at his worst. I'm feverently hoping that the addition of Slade's daughter increases the quality of his future books (and I've heard only good things about the new duo behind Slade, so I'm eager to pick up Death's Door). Take a pass on this one unless you have a LOT of patience for dry textbook-esque prose.
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