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Rating: 
Summary: DOMAIN - LOSES THE MOMENTUM!
Review: I have been a big fan of Steve Alten's books MEG and THE TRENCH so I dove into DOMAIN ready for an exciting tale. In the first 250 pages or so Alten does not disappoint. The amount of research in the novel is astounding. I loved the fact that I didn't know what was real and what had been "doctored" for the sake of the storyline. Alten mixes in research, the journal of explorer scientist Julius Gabriel, and the adventures of Michael Gabriel together nicely to keep the story moving at a staggering pace. The scenes involving Michael in the asylum (and the potential for escape) were my favorites.So why only 2 Stars? Well...Domain takes a serious stumble in the last 50 pages or so. What started off as a great storyline devloves into a series of cliches that if you read or watch movies you will be able to identify all too easily: nuclear war (aborted at the last second), a giant monster that is very 'B' Movie-like in description, dream sequences (do people ever dream like this in the real world), and a climax that leaves a lot to be desired. After all of his adventures, when the main character reaches the ending...he basically just stumbles around and lets others guide him along, it certainly would have been nice to see the portagonist handle something on his own. The antagonists are also let off way too easily in this novel, robbing the reader of the "pay-off". By the way, why is it that characters in books or movies always have twins when they are impregnated...after that one-time only romantic encounter? Of course, these same parents also have that special "mental bond" with said progeny. Oh yeah, and the story doesn't end here...or at all. Instead we end with a sequel blurb on the last page. That really robs you of any feelings of completion. Kudos for Mr. Alten for all of the work he put into this story (especially the first 250 pages), and hopefully in the future he'll avoid the easy ending and the highway to clicheville and give us an original ending worthy of his efforts.
Rating: 
Summary: You Won't Be Able To Put This Down!!
Review: I just finished reading Steve Alten's latest novel, "Domain" and I can't wait for the sequel! I found the subject matter fascinating and loved the characters. I felt like I really knew them. Although a work of fiction, I had a very difficult time finding the line where fact left off and fiction began. It is obvious that Alten did a great deal of research for this book, and it made me want to know more about the pyramids around the world, Stonehenge, the Nazca drawings, etc. I read my first Steve Alten book almost by accident. I thought I was buying a mystery when I picked up "Meg," and was a little disappointed when I discovered that it wasn't. That went away in a hurry as I started reading -- easily one of the best books I've ever read. Alten just keeps getting better and better. Do yourself a favor -- find all Steve Alten's books (Meg, it's sequel Trench, and Domain) -- you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Great fictional and actual history story line
Review: If I could I would rate this book a 6 but it would not let me. Mr. Alten's use of Christian and Mayan mythology work hand in hand to provide a very engrossing story. So far I have read all of his books and love all of them so much they all get a 6 from me except for the newest book Resurrection. It was a highly unusual story and all but I could only rate it at 4. I would recomend reading everything he has written.
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