Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful book reminisent of the Earth's Children Series
Review: I first came across this book while I was in my public library one day. I was searching for a good book to read while at the beach. The cover immediatly grabbed my attention and after reading the inside flap, I knew I had to read it. The imagery that was mixed into the stroy was incredible. I became intrigued by the theory which Frank offers as to the mysterious demise of the lost Empire of Atlantis. The detail in the story was exquisite and beautiful and I found myself wanting to be there with Chloe and Cheftu! I reminded me of Jean M. Auel's Earth's Childrens Series and was just as satisfying. I would recomend it to anyone, anywhere, anytime!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Brings Atlantis to life! A Worthy read.
Review: I have eagerly awaited the continuing story of Chole and Cheftu. I stayed up all night to finish the novel. Aztlan is a fully developed ancient society brought to life, as clearly as Egypt was in "Reflections on the Nile", if not more so. While it definitely helped to have read Ms. Frank's first book, I was still gripped by her blend of mythology, anthropology, history, storytelling, and enduring love. I would say this is a 4 1/2 star!
Rating:
Summary: Shadows on the Aegean
Review: I have read the first two books of the Trilogy and I am officially hooked. The research that has gone into writing these stories is very impressive but the story moves along without getting totally bogged down in historical details. I would highly recommend this series to those who enjoy historical romances and but they definitly will also appeal to mystery buffs (like me). Thank you for a good read.
Rating:
Summary: a fascinating take on the Atlantis legend
Review: If you like time-travel stories, this is certainly an excellent example of the genre. The author has definitely done a lot of research, and has created two delightful protagonists in Chloe and Cheftu. Which leads me to why this doesn't rate 5 stars--too much time spent on peripheral characters, and not enough on our hero and heroine! Pages would go by with no mention of the protagonists to the point where I wondered when they would return to the story. Aside from that, this is a very good series, and I'm looking forward to the next volume, which is due in August.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the first
Review: My mom can take the most mundane of ingredients and conjure up some great eats. A friend I have can take the choicest of foods and create an unpalatable mess. Sadly, in terms of authorship, I am afraid Suzanne Frank is of the latter category of chefs.I wanted to like Shadows on the Aegean. The premise of someone eye-witnessing the fabled Atlantis is an intriguing, if historically unstable idea for a novel. It gets off to a good start with a quick dive into the lives of ancient "Aztatlians" and a fairly imaginative glimpse into their culture. Then those irritants, Chloe and Cheftu muscle their way into the story, and that's when the whole thing starts to taste awful. Frank has a definite talent. She captures the essence of place with true artistic ability. She does do SOME research, but not enough to lend much credence to the theories presented in her novels. I also think Frank might also be a good storyteller, but all too often, she brings the reader right up to the climax of a situation, then skitters away from it before it fully develops. For example, throughout "Shadows," many volcanic eruptions occur. For an author who is so adept at physical description, Frank's representation of vulcanism at its most violent is pretty anaemic and disappointing. The volcano erupts (the bull's nostril snorts...chortle), the people run around in an oddly unconcerned way, a little lava flows, entire villages are wiped out, ho hum, some people lose a body part or two, and Chloe and Cheftu ponder why God has sent them to this place at this time. Apparantly, as represented by Frank, entire swaths of history were created just so two annoying idiots, Chloe and Cheftu, can use honey, mud, paint (which more than likely was highly toxic,by the way) lava, or whatever other inexplicable marital aid they smear around to seduce one another. It's also obvious that God loves Chloe and Cheftu, but God doesn't love many of the ancients. I myself feel much more affection for many of the wicked sinners that deserve to die in Frank's novels than I do for tedious, somewhat moronic Chloe and Cheftu. AND- what was the point of including two clickity-clacking stones (sort of a set of jumping beans of mineralogy named something like Ingum and Thingum) into the whole underdone concoction?
Rating: 
Summary: no culinary artist
Review: My mom can take the most mundane of ingredients and conjure up some great eats. A friend I have can take the choicest of foods and create an unpalatable mess. Sadly, in terms of authorship, I am afraid Suzanne Frank is of the latter category of chefs. I wanted to like Shadows on the Aegean. The premise of someone eye-witnessing the fabled Atlantis is an intriguing, if historically unstable idea for a novel. It gets off to a good start with a quick dive into the lives of ancient "Aztatlians" and a fairly imaginative glimpse into their culture. Then those irritants, Chloe and Cheftu muscle their way into the story, and that's when the whole thing starts to taste awful. Frank has a definite talent. She captures the essence of place with true artistic ability. She does do SOME research, but not enough to lend much credence to the theories presented in her novels. I also think Frank might also be a good storyteller, but all too often, she brings the reader right up to the climax of a situation, then skitters away from it before it fully develops. For example, throughout "Shadows," many volcanic eruptions occur. For an author who is so adept at physical description, Frank's representation of vulcanism at its most violent is pretty anaemic and disappointing. The volcano erupts (the bull's nostril snorts...chortle), the people run around in an oddly unconcerned way, a little lava flows, entire villages are wiped out, ho hum, some people lose a body part or two, and Chloe and Cheftu ponder why God has sent them to this place at this time. Apparantly, as represented by Frank, entire swaths of history were created just so two annoying idiots, Chloe and Cheftu, can use honey, mud, paint (which more than likely was highly toxic,by the way) lava, or whatever other inexplicable marital aid they smear around to seduce one another. It's also obvious that God loves Chloe and Cheftu, but God doesn't love many of the ancients. I myself feel much more affection for many of the wicked sinners that deserve to die in Frank's novels than I do for tedious, somewhat moronic Chloe and Cheftu. AND- what was the point of including two clickity-clacking stones (sort of a set of jumping beans of mineralogy named something like Ingum and Thingum) into the whole underdone concoction?
Rating:
Summary: I was completely swept away!
Review: SHADOWS ON THE AEGEAN is so stunningly vivid, so incredibly rich in texture and detail that I wonder if Suzanne Frank has been engaging in a little time-travel of her own. REFLECTIONS IN THE NILE, her first novel, was one of the most satisfying literary works I'd ever had the pleasure to consume; my only concern was that Ms. Frank would be unable to approach its quality in the sequel. But the follow-up is even better than the first - no sophmore slump for Suzanne Frank. Buy this book!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful book reminisent of the Earth's Children Series
Review: Suzanne Frank could very well have rested on her laurels after writing the phenomenal tale of the Exodus from Egypt in Reflections in the Nile. Instead, the second book in her trilogy presents a fresh world with just as much wonder and history-questioning theories. Journey back to Ancient Atlantis, the doomed society of hedonism and scientific advancements. Cheftu and Chloe are forced to take on new struggles as they are faced with a civilization on the brink of collapse. What is their purpose? And will their love survive the temptations of the sensual lifestyle around them? A wonderful read..a perfect excuse to call in sick, stay home and read.
Rating:
Summary: Fresh Ideas and a New Adventure
Review: Suzanne Frank could very well have rested on her laurels after writing the phenomenal tale of the Exodus from Egypt in Reflections in the Nile. Instead, the second book in her trilogy presents a fresh world with just as much wonder and history-questioning theories. Journey back to Ancient Atlantis, the doomed society of hedonism and scientific advancements. Cheftu and Chloe are forced to take on new struggles as they are faced with a civilization on the brink of collapse. What is their purpose? And will their love survive the temptations of the sensual lifestyle around them? A wonderful read..a perfect excuse to call in sick, stay home and read.
Rating:
Summary: A Terrific Follow-up to the First Novel
Review: Suzanne Frank has done it again. Her novel Shadows on the Aegean, the second in her series of tales about the time traveling couple of Chloe and Cheftu is a terrific follow-up to her first book, Reflections in the Nile. Once this book is picked up, the reader is immediately transported away into the long, ago world of ancient Aztlantu. It is sublimely, escapist fiction that allows the reader a glimpse into an ancient society, which presents the paradox of being both eminently civilized and savagely archaic. Ms. Frank deftly weaves actual historical information with historical supposition. The book provides a nice balance between the continuing love story between the two protagonists, the daily life and rituals of an ancient civilization, and a healthy dose of action and adventure. Although Shadows on the Aegean is in some aspects a continuation of Ms. Frank's first novel, it is still a book, which is able to stand alone based on its own merit. If you have not already read Reflections in the Nile, I would certainly suggest that you read it too, but go ahead and read this novel first, because it is that good!
|
