Rating: 
Summary: Really great adventure.
Review: I am stunned that this book hasn't gotten more advertizing (I found it by accident on a trip to Colorado). From the history of myths and religion to the amazing technology of Carbon 60, complexity theory and nano swarms, Stel Pavlou has weaved many major sciences in and around the deciphering of an ancient language found on a mysterious stone dredged up in Antarctica. What follows is a tremendous novel that propels 6 scientists to the uncovering of Atlantis in time to stop a catastrophe of solar system wide proportions. I have a background in some of the sciences (geology mostly) and I was impressed with the detail. But don't be fooled into thinking this is some kind of hard sci-fi novel; this is more of an epic of Clancy proportions. Not for the light reader, this is a story that will make demands of you and require 100% concentration, but that's the genius of the types of writers who are great at creating a world to get lost in) Can't wait for the next one from this author.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I found myself wishing Pavlou had written other books once I'd finished this one. The storyline flies along from its beginnings in Antarctica and doesn't sit still for more than a moment. I find the mix of science, history, mythology and sci-fi very enjoyable and would recommend this one to anyone who likes Greg Bear, Stephen Baxter, Arthur C. Clarke and their ilk.When's the next book due, Mr. Pavlou?
Rating: 
Summary: Disjointed and ridiculous
Review: I guess I'm not with the majority. I bought this book based on reader recommendations and the "similar books" cited, all of which I had enjoyed. I did not think Decipher was well-written. In the first place, the characterization was poor, which is two strikes against it from the outset. The characters are not likable--for example, the four-letter word vocabulary of the woman "star" was a turn-off to me. Then, there was the convoluted story line, which was altogether ridiculous. I did finish the book, only because I couldn't believe it wouldn't get better.
Rating:
Summary: I give it a big thumbs up!
Review: I love this book.
The negative first. I got a bit lost with who was who, there are so many characters. And there were so many places as well, that I got a tad lost on that too. But really no biggie.
The positive, it's a great read that I didn't want to put down. If you've read "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown & liked it, I'm sure you would like this.
And it's so refreshing to have someone write about Atlantis & the coming Earth changes. Which I happen to believe in both strongly. So the book gave me a whole new set of thoughts on all that.
Speaking of which, I love a book where you are constantly learning from it. And on practically every page, I was learning something new.
Rating: 
Summary: Eagerly await the next book
Review: I picked this based on the cover and its premise quite by chance, just before hopping on a train, and was instantly hooked to the point of nearly missing my stop. It was just its sheer 700-plus page length that prevented it becoming a one-sitting read but 48 hours later I put it aside having been treated to an excellent story.
Stel Pavlou has written a fast paced techno-thriller in the style of Michael Crichton and is every bit as good as his contemporary. From the opening snapshots where both intellectual theory and inexorable natural reality are brought in tandem with political unease and coporate greed, Pavlou's novel is as scientific in its Clancy-esque presentation as it is exciting in its Cussler-esque adventurousness. Mixing Atlantean myths, flood deluge myths, Carbon-60, Antartica and a twelve thousand year solar pulsar cycle he brings together a plotline that rapidly rolls towards its inevitable conclusion deep under the Antarctic ice as the intrepid adventurers battle Golem-created nanobots who are fighting for their own right to survive.
Initially, the story of the Rola Corporation's race to find Carbon-60 it develops into following a group of scientists who realise that its presence at ancient sites is has more to do with the ancient flood myths and Atlantis civilisation than thought possible. A race against time to decode the pre-cuniform text and understand a global machine that is responding to the Sun's 12,000 year pulsar cycle culminates in a riveting read that take you to the cutting edge of fictional technology, semiotics, archeology and solar physics in a manner that is exhilarating.
The multitude of characters, bringing scientists and corporate decision-makers of all personalities together, creates a situation where you can see multiple tiers of concerns - of personal gain, corporate gain, political gain and the eventual global gain - that assail each group as they work (sometimes in tandem sometimes not) in their varying geographical locations.
The only issues with the novel are firstly the narrow focus on the specific characters. Given the literal world shaking and destructive events there is little or no mention of general human reaction. It is almost as though the assorted scientific cast are the only people experiencing the phenomenon which gives a detrimental sense of displacement to the novel. Secondly, in some respects it gets overly technical in its science to the point of halting the flow somewhat and thirdly, the lengthy denouement at Poseidon city descends into the oft-used saving the world with a second to spare scenario.
Nevertheless, this was an excellent read on that train journey.
Rating:
Summary: inconsistent, but fun
Review: I skimmed much of the silly science and bad dialog - and tried to focus on the plot, which rolled along towards a predictable and explosive climax. The subject matter of Atlantis, pyramids and lost races (?) forces some of the dependent background material to be from crack-pot and discredited soures, which I can forgive and even onjoy. However, I found the bat-logic used to string the Da Vinci Code-like clues together to be hard to read.
Rating: 
Summary: An aptly named book
Review: If you are buying this book for fast-paced adventure with sci-fi thrown in, think again. For my tastes, Pavlou spends far too much time on language derivations and scientific analysis. This is not Clive Cussler or Stephen Coonts! I found myself skipping paragraphs, then pages of analytical minutia. Also, it becomes obvious that the author is a screenwriter, in that he seems to be relying on an unseen camera to paint his characters and backdrops. Not a bad read, but not for the techno-thriller crowd.
Rating:
Summary: rollicking good read -
Review: If you want pure escapism, with a well thought-out & defined plot - then READ THIS BOOK! In the tradition of Michael Crichton, and following the lead of blockbuster action novels like TEMPLE, AREA 7 and CLANCY, Palou delivers complex themes, realistic characters and historical context that will interest a wide variety of readers. Think Indiana Jones with technology!!
It is fairly obvious that the Publishers Weekly reviewer has not read this book. Set 12 years in the future, a time where DVD players are a distant memory, the author encompases the past 12,000 year history of planet earth, and gives a group of university proffessors one week to save the planet from Armageddon. Filled with discourses on science, technology & religion, and mixed with a healthy dose of American patriotism ( and love of the military machine ) the film version of this book would HAVE to include Bruce Willis, Harrison Ford, Ben Affkeck & Sean Connery!!
Rating:
Summary: loaded doomsday thriller
Review: In 2012, the world has plenty of trouble to contend with already when the signal begins. Something is coming from underneath the Antarctic ice and it is emitting world wide as ancient artifacts that ignore artificial man-made boundaries are activated. The millenniums old monuments connect to one another via low frequency sound waves, but no one knows why the activation started or what the intent is. Many feel it is the end of the world as predicted by the Mayans. Scientists from all walks of life turn to the once dormant ancient artifacts seeking to interpret a recurring symbol that will either prove the final devastation of humanity or its savior. As China and the United States stand ready to battle over possession of this arcane force, humanity has one week to uncover a truth from the sunken depths of Atlantis that has been ignored for twelve millenniums. DECIPHER is the blending of myths and ancient history inside an action packed modern day science fiction thriller. The story line never slows down as the pace is at a rate faster than the speed of light. None of the key players really stands out as they seem to all behave in a standard heroic script manner. Still, in spite of the insubstantial nature of the cast, the audience will enjoy this loaded doomsday thriller. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: WOW, WOW, and WOW!!
Review: Just finished this book last night, could not put it down, and loved every page!
Stunning just stunning, what a great adventure this book was. It was from start to finish a great read.
Thanks and looking forward to your next book!
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