Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I have read all of James Patterson's books and I found this one so out of character (probably spoiled by the wonderful Alex Cross books) that I was extremely disappointed. It was surreal and the plot (good vs. evil) has already been done to death. The ending was predictable and he takes short chapters to the extreme. It seemed like every other page was blank. I love every book that Patterson has ever written but this struck me as beneath his talents.
Rating: 
Summary: Patterson rocks us again... cradle and all
Review: James Patterson never ceases to astonish me. First it was his ability as a caucasian man to characterize an african-american character with such larger then life greatness (Kiss the Girls, Along Came A Spider, etc). Now he takes my breath away with his characterization of two young pregnant virgins. His depiction of their struggles as well as the members of the church sent to investigate these phenomena. The story of the second holy child in a time where plagues and the wrath of God appear to be crushing every corner of the world. Set in modern day... Patterson's story is focused on the two girls and not as much the plagues and trials of the world. However, the characters have a tendency to grab a hold of you and take you with them. If you enjoy Patterson's previous books I don't think you'll be disappointed here either.
Rating: 
Summary: Kept me fascinated!
Review: I have enjoyed many of James Paterson's recent books, and "Cradle and All" was no exception. Characters were well developed, story line was tight, and suspensful. I thought it was a great piece of fiction. (no I had not read his earlier version, "Virgin") If you are looking for a fast paced unique mystery thriller, here it is!
Rating:
Summary: Not great, but still a good read.
Review: James Patterson has put out a few books in the past with very unbelievable story lines, "When the Wind Blows", so I sometimes expect what this book delivered, Fiction. This book is written in the standard, easy to read, Patterson style, and like "When the Wind Blows", has a stroy line that is very odd, but it captures the imagination. The story flows well, and leads up to a surprise ending. All in all worth the short time it took to read.
Rating: 
Summary: The decline of James Patterson...
Review: I clearly don't learn from past mistakes. I read "When the Wind Blows" & hated it. Lame plot, flat characters, ridiculous sequences, and chronological inconsistencies. I read "Pop Goes the Weasel," hoping to return to the Alex Cross of old. Instead I got a self-absorbed, annoying self-righteous detective who indulges in schmalzy sentimentalism with his impossible family. When I started "Cradle & All," I didn't realize it was a re-work of an earlier piece. That would have been my first warning that Mr. Patterson is having difficulty matching earlier successes. While the style is very Patterson, the characters are still flat and lifeless and unappealing. Unlike "Kiss the Girls" or "Jack & Jill", Mr. Patterson fails to draw the reader into the plot. As in "When the Wind Blows," Patterson is trying to test the limits of his suspense genre by weaving in a sci-fi or apocalyptic theme, a la Michael Crichton. But he introduces the ideas so artlessly that the reader is far too conscious of the fiction. Mr. Patterson has resorted to telling us rather than showing us. Overall, this one falls short, and I'm beginning to see a disappointing trend in these last few books...
Rating:
Summary: This was a BIG disappointment
Review: I've never read Patterson, so my disappointment wasn't that it didn't live up to his other novels; it just failed all around for me. The concept was great; that's why I bought it. (I'm one of the unfortunates who paid good money for the hardcover edition!)His writing didn't live up to the potential. I usually like straightforward easy-to-read prose, but this was too simplistic, way too expository, and I kept feeling like he was leading me by the hand and telling me what emotions I should experience; telling me when I should feel the tension. But if it were good writing, the writing itself would do this, and he wouldn't have to spell it out for me. I agree, too, that the characters were too flat and unrealistic. I finished it last night and was so glad to be done with it, but this morning I can barely remember the climax, that's how poor it was. It does look like he left it open for a sequel, but it would be a shame to waste the paper on it.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to standards
Review: I like James Patterson and eagerly await his new releases. I ordered this on audio cassette (unabridged) and truly thought it would never end. The characters were not believable and the storyline was absurd. Really, I should have just gone to tape 14 to see how it ended and saved myself the torture! Don't waste your time. Hope his next one is back to his usual page-turner.
Rating:
Summary: cradle and all
Review: Mr. Patterson did a very good job of re-writing his novel Virgin. The origianl suffered from being dated and lacking the excitement of the majority of Mr. Patterson's other work. But the re-write worked and showed the development Mr. Patterson has had as a writer.
Rating: 
Summary: Had great promise but...
Review: The story had great promise however the author just failed to deliver. Why are priests and nuns always falling in love? Not a bad book by any means however every time it starts bringing you to the edge of your seat it falls on its face. Perhaps Patterson should leave the horror/supernatural stuff to authors named King!
Rating:
Summary: Shades of The Omen.
Review: James Patterson has a unique writing style: short chapters, short sentences, blatant overuse of italics for emphasis, and alternating point of view to move his story. He breaks all the rules of writing--and brakes for nothing on his way to success. The result is a romping good story that reads at blistering pace. A third of the way into the story--with two pregnant virgins, a dead Pope, and the prophecy of Fatima about to be revealed--we are reminded of The Omen and The Exorsist, and begin to suspect we know the outcome. But we are wrong. He was only toying with us. He wanted us to think what we thought. Patterson then pulls off a surprise ending that most fiction lovers will appreciate for its creativity. Patterson's style will be loved by many and disliked by a few. This is not a deep tale. It will not test your faith. It will not convert you. With some adult sex themes and the occasional potty-mouth word, it is not a book for children. It is not of the caliber of The Exorcist. What it is, is fast, furious, and fun entertainment. A true "page-turner." --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.
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