Jurassic Park Series #1 - The Book by Michael Crichton

          A billionaire has created a technique to clone dinosaurs. From the DNA that his crack team of scientists extract, he is able to grow the dinosaurs in his laboratories and lock them away on an island behind electric fences, creating a sort of theme park. He asks a group of scientists from several different fields to come and view the park, but something goes terribly wrong when a worker on the island turns traitor and shuts down the power.

Thoughts

Michael Crichton

          Jurassic Park, as for most people, has always been my childhood fantasy. As an 8 year old kid, seeing a dinosaur for the first time(albeit on screen) was an amazing experience. The movie with it's perfect cast, goosebumps-inducing BGM, amazing CGI so advanced for it's time captured my imagination as a child and made me feel watching it is an experience that no one should miss.

          Now that I had such a nostalgic connection with the movie, I couldn't resist picking up the book when I visited a local bookstore. It felt like the book was there waiting for me, destined to be picked up by me. Opening the pages of the book, I was transported 20 years back to the days of innocence. The book, not only overwhelmed me with nostalgia but brought the dinosaurs back to life in a way even better the movie I'd say. I was glad to be back in the park of dreams built by John Hammond, I was glad to be chased by Rexy and I was glad that I got a completely different perspective on Jurassic Park through the book.

          For starters, the book had more detailing. The process of creating dinosaurs - the DNA sampling, hatching and growing them are all beautifully explained in such a way that even someone who has zero knowledge on genetics and science could understand it. I also found that the book differed from the movie in characterization aspect and there were even subtle plot differences.(Differences between the movie and the book in coming up in another blog post soon.). The book also has it's share of fast-paced edge of the seat action and thrills. Grant and his mates being chased by the highly intelligent and skilled velociraptors is a treat to read.

          Hands down, my favorite parts of the book were the 'rants' that Ian Malcolm often got into. Be it him explaining the Chaos Theory or the Fractal Curve, or him admonishing Hammond and telling him about the timeless journey of planet Earth are just literary wonders. I could read those monologues by Ian Malcolm again and again and still my mind would not have gotten enough.

          This is one book that no one should miss. It offers a lot more than the movies will ever offer. Close your eyes and go for it. You will not regret it. See you in Jurassic Park!
Next blog in the series coming soon.

Quotes

“The planet has survived everything, in its time. It will certainly survive us.”

“Let's be clear. The planet is not in jeopardy. We are in jeopardy. We haven't got the power to destroy the planet - or to save it. But we might have the power to save ourselves.”

“You know, at times like this one feels, well, perhaps extinct animals should be left extinct.”

“All major changes are like death. You can't see to the other side until you are there.”

“Living systems are never in equilibrium. They are inherently unstable. They may seem stable, but they’re not. Everything is moving and changing. In a sense, everything is on the edge of collapse.” 

The Oath of the Vayuputras (Shiva Trilogy #3) - Amish Tripathi

ONLY A GOD CAN STOP IT. 

Shiva is gathering his forces. He reaches the Naga capital, Panchavati, and Evil is finally revealed. The Neelkanth prepares for a holy war against his true enemy, a man whose name instils dread in the fiercest of warriors. 

India convulses under the onslaught of a series of brutal battles. It's a war for the very soul of the nation. Many will die. But Shiva must not fail, no matter what the cost. In his desperation, he reaches out to the ones who have never offered any help to him: the Vayuputras. 

Will he succeed? And what will be the real cost of battling Evil? To India? And to Shiva's soul? 

Discover the answer to these mysteries in this concluding part of the bestselling Shiva Trilogy.

Review:

Amish Tripathi

          Simply failed to meet the expectations. I had huge expectations on Amish after his first two books. He seemed to be living up to his reputation till the final 50 pages of the book.. The author completely lost the plot in the final pages. It was as if he didn't know how to finish the plot and resorted to finishing it in a vague manner. But I take nothing away from the book. the first three-fourth of the book was simply outstanding. The war strategies, Shiva's visit to various lands and his gathering of forces, the revealing of true evil were all worth praising.
      The usual pattern accompanying trilogies is that the first book is a killer, the second book - a plot developer and the final one builds the plot to a crescendo before reaching an apt climax. This trilogy too follows a similar pattern but for the final 10%. Shiva is portrayed as an ideal character throughout the series and his virtues are worth following. What I really loved about this series was the fact that Lord Shiva was shown as an ordinary human being who has his own flaws and occasional mood swings. He is portrayed in flesh and blood, vulnerable and yet eerily strong. I absolutely fell in love with the character.
          The next character Sati - a perfect partner for the all conquering Shiva. She is a rare combination of beauty, intelligence and bravery and her romance with her better half is mesmerising. Again, making her human only serves to make the character more interesting and lively. (Spoiler alert!)The heartbreak at the end is not for the weak-hearted! All other characters like Parvateshwar, Nandi, Anandmayi were beautifully brought out and I must say I have developed immense respect for the author. If only he had come up with a better ending, sigh! I especially loved the philosophical parts where Shiva is enlightened about what is evil and the role of the Somras. Also, the part where Shiva's rage comes forth and conquers everyone on it's path gave me goosebumps.

Overall enjoyed the book but for the final few pages. A must-read!

Rating: 3.7/5

Find my review for the first two books of the series here!

The Immortals of Meluha(Shiva Trilogy #1) - Amish Tripathi

The Secret of the Nagas (Shiva Trilogy #2) - Amish Tripathi

Buy the books here!

The Immortals of Meluha

The Secret of the Nagas

The Oath of the Vayuputras

Check out news about Amish's next book here.

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) - Suzanne Collins

Sparks are igniting.
Flames are spreading.
And the Capitol wants revenge.

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel in the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn. 

What I thought about the book?

Suzanne Collins

      Definitely, a fitting sequel to  'The Hunger Games'. After the terrific success of the first book. most authors tend to relax a little in the second book and then catch up in the third one. But in this case, the second book is even better than the first one and manages to keep the readers glued to their seats in anticipation of what is to come. In my personal experience, this is the first trilogy where I felt the second book had outdone the first one!

      The first book ends with Katniss and Peeta winning the Hunger Games against the Capitol's rule that only one person can win. The second book narrates the aftermath of Katniss's bold move against the Capitol. Without her own knowledge, Katniss has started something that becomes far out of control for even her. She desperately tries to put an end to the uprising, but only manages to add fuel to the already fast-spreading fire.

      The evolution of Katniss - the girl to Katniss - the woman is brought out beautifully in the initial chapters.  Her inner turmoil on sensing that her family and closed ones are at danger due to her actions make her confused. She has two options: either to run from the Capitol or fight against the Capitol. The initial scenes at her village are a treat to read as Katniss slowly understands the magnitude of her actions and lets the revelations sink in. The love triange between Katniss, Gale and Peeta might get frustrating at times with Katniss acting unsure with both, but more exciting events tend to overshadow the temporary slump.

      The Quarter Quell is a twist no one would have expected and I can clearly understand the sheer terror Katniss must have felt on learning that she had to go back to the arena - the place of all her haunting nightmares. How Katniss fares at the Quarter Quell with the other tributes forms the second half of the book. That's not it! The turn of events during the final pages swept me off my feet and I was crying in joy!

The cliffhanger at the end will leave you more than hanging! You'll desperately want the third book as soon as possible.

      Overall, a grandslam of a sequel for an epic trilogy. You just can't wait to get hold of the third book once you finish this one! For information about the first book in the trilogy - 'The Hunger Games', click here .

Rating: 4.2/5

Buy 'The Catching Fire' from Amazon

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins - Goodreads

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - The Movie

For information about the first book in the trilogy - 'The Hunger Games', click here .

About the author:

      Since 1991, Suzanne Collins has been busy writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the critically acclaimed Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days.

      While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children’s author James Proimos, who talked her into giving children’s books a try.

      Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find...? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part series, The Underland Chronicles. Suzanne also has a rhyming picture book illustrated by Mike Lester entitled When Charlie McButton Lost Power.

      She currently lives in Connecticut with her family and a pair of feral kittens they adopted from their backyard.

      The books she is most successful for in teenage eyes are The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. These books have won several awards, including the GA Peach Award.

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) - Suzanne Collins

     

            The nation of Panem, formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, is a country that consists of a wealthy Capitol region surrounded by 12 poorer districts. Early in its history, a rebellion led by a 13th district against the Capitol resulted in its destruction and the creation of an annual televised event known as the Hunger Games. In punishment, and as a reminder of the power and grace of the Capitol, each district must yield one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 through a lottery system to participate in the games. The 'tributes' are chosen during the annual Reaping and are forced to fight to the death, leaving only one survivor to claim victory.

        When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. , she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is second nature.

Review:

Suzanne Collins

           A wonderfully written teen fiction story revolving around Katniss Everdeen and her struggle against the tyranny of the Capitol. Panem consists of 13 districts and is ruled by the Capitol that insists on keeping the people in a tight grip. When District 13 protested, the Capitol blew it away and keeps running the footage of the ruins of District 13 as a reminder for all those who might think of starting an uprising. The protest of District 13 also marked the start of the cruel Hunger Games where 2 children from each district fought to death every year.

          Katniss Everdeen finds herself in the arena of the 74th Hunger Games after a series of events. She is just a normal girl who has small aims in life, who hunts illegally to feed her family, who enjoys a quiet time in the woods with her best friend. She adores her little sister Prim and is ready to give her life for her. How such an innocent and normal looking girl fights against all odds in the arena, how she comes to know that the real enemies are not the children in the arena but the Capitol itself form a good and interesting read.

          All the characters are beautifully portrayed and the book itself presents a rollercoaster of emotions in every page. This book is a page-turner in all aspects and I bet you cannot put it down even for dinner. The cruelty metted out to the people by the Capitol makes one's blood boil, the compassion shown by Katniss to Rue makes one shed tears, the life or death situation Peter finds himself in makes one bite his nails and much more. In short, you become one with the book.

       On the downside, there was too much violence and hence the book may bot be appropriate for a few weak-hearted. The plot also slows down a tad in the second half, but only to race to an end at the climax. So, if you are a teen fiction jerk and want some real entertainment and action, this one is for you! And yes, the movie is also out! The Hunger Games. A piece of advice as I always say, watch the movie after reading the book . Happy reading! For information about the second book in the trilogy - 'Catching Fire', click here .

The Hunger Games ( The Hunger Games  #1 ) by Suzanne Collins

Rating: 3.9/5

For information about the second book in the trilogy - 'Catching Fire', click here .

About the author:

      Since 1991, Suzanne Collins has been busy writing for children’s television. She has worked on the staffs of several Nickelodeon shows, including the Emmy-nominated hit Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. For preschool viewers, she penned multiple stories for the Emmy-nominated Little Bear and Oswald. She also co-wrote the critically acclaimed Rankin/Bass Christmas special, Santa, Baby! Most recently she was the Head Writer for Scholastic Entertainment’s Clifford’s Puppy Days.

      While working on a Kids WB show called Generation O! she met children’s author James Proimos, who talked her into giving children’s books a try.

      Thinking one day about Alice in Wonderland, she was struck by how pastoral the setting must seem to kids who, like her own, lived in urban surroundings. In New York City, you’re much more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole and, if you do, you’re not going to find a tea party. What you might find...? Well, that’s the story of Gregor the Overlander, the first book in her five-part series, The Underland Chronicles. Suzanne also has a rhyming picture book illustrated by Mike Lester entitled When Charlie McButton Lost Power.

      She currently lives in Connecticut with her family and a pair of feral kittens they adopted from their backyard.

      The books she is most successful for in teenage eyes are The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. These books have won several awards, including the GA Peach Award.

Vital Signs - Robin Cook

       Pediatrician Melissa Blumenthal will try any scientific method available to conceive--until the horrible secrets of an urban clinic erupt in a nightmare of staggering proportions... 

Review:

Robin Cook

      I had really high hopes for Robin Cook after reading 'Mindbend'. But this book never met my expectations. Robin Cook should have sticked to his cup of tea - the medical field. Instead he takes us on a wild goose chase, starting from America to Australia, then to Hong Kong and then to China. And somewhere in the middle, the plot was completely lost. The initial scenes were really wonderful and I felt I had stumbled upon a fantastic book after a long search. But then that joy did not last long.

      The author needed only 2 pages to give answers to all the mysteries that surrounded the hospitals. All the other pages were just covered by chases, murders and travels. What on earth was the protagonist doing travelling all round the globe on a wild goose chase? And even after all those adventures, I never really got my answers. I guessed the plot right from the start and it took the author 400 pages to tell me that my guess was right.

     The characters were loosely developed except for Marissa and Wendy. Three - fourth of the book was like reading some fantasy book. I wonder how such a big treachery were left unnoticed except for a pediatrician. The author surely has written better books.

      Overall, a pretty ordinary book with a promising start that loses its way in the middle.

Rating: 2.8/5

Nothing Lasts Forever - Sidney Sheldon

Three young doctors-their hopes, their dreams, their unexpected desires... 

Dr. Paige Taylor: She swore it was euthanasia, but when Paige inherited a million dollars from a patient, the D.A. called it murder. 

Dr. Kat Hunter: She vowed never to let another man too close again-until she accepted the challenge of a deadly bet. 

Dr. Honey Taft: To make it in medicine, she knew she'd need something more than the brains God gave her. 

Racing from the life-and-death decisions of a big major hospital to the tension-packed fireworks of a murder trial, Nothing Lasts Forever lays bare the ambitions and fears of healers and killers, lovers and betrayers.

Review:

Sidney Sheldon

As it is always the case in Sidney's novels, the protagonists are all women. This book tells the story of three doctors, from different parts of the world, having different background, different childhood and different dreams but come under the same roof to study medicine. The hectic life of a doctor, their sacred practice and how it has been corrupted are all well-narrated. 

I felt strange after reading this book. I have read lots of Sidney Sheldon but this one is different. Usually Sheldon develops the plot beautifully, sets up all his characters and then finally goes for the kill. But in this book, the plot was missing. I was 3/4th through the book and still could not guess the plot. And suddenly, the case of euthanasia was put up and three pages of court scenes with Barker coming to the rescue of Paige and tada!! Story over. it was as if Sheldon finished the book in a lot of hurry.

Dr.Kat Hunter is portrayed as a self-assured and virtuous lady who has high moral values for herself and values her dignity. The way she toys with Ken Mallory and eventually falls for him are all pathetic. As usual, the man is shown as the villain. I hated Honey Taft from the beginning and continued hating her till the end. I don't know what was the point in giving that character such a negative shade when she could render nothing to the overall plot. To me, one story felt unfinished completely; as though that character was ill-conceived and a last-minute addition. Another character's actions didn't seem congruent with the picture Mr. Sheldon painted of her. 

Nevertheless, the hospital scenes were fantastic. Sheldon literally showed a hospital life before my eyes and I felt like I've been working in that hectic schedule for years. The characters were a bit shallow except for Paige and there were many loose ends..

Sheldon,surely was in a lot of hurry.An off book for the master story teller.But still you could get glimpses of Sheldon's class here and there.

Rating: 2.7/5

Find the book at goodreads:

www.goodreads.com/book/show/43325.Nothing_Lasts_Forever

Deception Point - Dan Brown

A shocking scientific discovery. A conspiracy of staggering brilliance. A thriller unlike any you've ever read....

When a NASA satellite discovers an astonishingly rare object buried deep in the Arctic ice, the floundering space agency proclaims a much-needed victory -- a victory with profound implications for NASA policy and the impending presidential election. To verify the authenticity of the find, the White House calls upon the skills of intelligence analyst Rachel Sexton. Accompanied by a team of experts, including the charismatic scholar Michael Tolland, Rachel travels to the Arctic and uncovers the unthinkable: evidence of scientific trickery -- a bold deception that threatens to plunge the world into controversy. But before she can warn the president, Rachel and Michael are ambushed by a team of assassins. Fleeing for their lives across a desolate and lethal landscape, their only hope for survival is to discover who is behind this masterful plot. The truth, they will learn, is the most shocking deception of all.

Review:

Dan Brown

My first Dan Brown book(though I have seen Angels and Demons movie) and I was thoroughly entertained.  Seeing all the negative reviews in Goodreads, I initially hesitated to pick up this book. But I had no other choice one weekend as I had run out of books. Yes, the author was a bit over-stretching the plot with action-fillers but other than that, the book is a master-piece. I really had no idea who was involved behind the deception, and the final twist, revealing the person behind the deception took me by complete surprise. The characters were very well portrayed. The events revealed at breakneck pace and I could hardly keep up with the author. The pages seemed to fly by and I was actually seeing a movie, vividly seeing every event before my eyes! Such was the effect of Dan brown's narration. 

To begin with, I loved the setup. USA Presidential elections coming up, two candidates striving for the hot seat, NASA's constant and miserable failures in space exploration, the sudden and astounding discovery that will no doubt be a huge milestone in space science if proved - what more can you ask for? Rachel Sexton works for the National Reconnaissance Office as an intelligence officer. She is also the daughter of a Senator currently running for President. Her father's main offensive, and a very popular one, against the incumbent President is to attack the huge amount of NASA funding. Rachel is barely on speaking terms with her father, believing him to be totally corrupt. In such a situation, the President calls Rachel and assigns her a work which she is almost forced to take over. And the work, if done successfully, will only mean doom for her father. Though she is caught in a dilemma, she gracefully does her job.

 She along with another scientist, Michael Tolland discover some shocking truths that are not meant to be discovered. Soon they are attacked by an unknown enemy, who is behind all these, and both are on the run. The chase is built into a crescendo and the author here does a fantastic job of never letting the [ace die. You  could hardly put down the book even for a second. They run, run and keep running discovering more and more shocking realities on the way. And watch out for the climax! Though I must say it was a bit filmy, it was no doubt fantastic. The final twist, the real culprit and his justification were all believable and it was like seeing an action packed Will Smith movie.

I especially loved the President character - Zach Herney. He was honest, good looking, charming and at the same time, so sure of himself. While his foe - Senator Sedgwick Sexton was willing to get his hands dirty, Zach wanted to win it straight. I also loved the final scene when Zach apologizes to the people for his mistake and that is when he looks more of a President. His elation at such an astonishing discovery, his anger when he comes to know that he was cheated, his disappointment, and his determination to educate the people with the truth are all characters of a true gentleman. He is one character who will stay in your mind even after you start reading your next book.

Overall, a very good read for thrill and action lovers. Don't miss it!

Rating3.9/5

Bloodline - Sidney Sheldon

Sheldon's sweeping saga of greed and betrayal, sabotage and danger, and the ties that can kill...

Roffe and Sons is a family firm, an international empire filled with desperate, cash-hungry family members. At its head was one of the wealthiest men in the world, a man who has just died in a mysterious accident and left his only daughter, Elizabeth, in control of the company. Now as this intelligent, tough, and beautiful young woman dares to save -- not sell -- Roffe and Sons, she will have to outwit those who secretly want her power, and the unknown assassin who wants her life.

Sidney Sheldon

Review:

Certainly a good book to read. May not be Sheldon's best, and there may also be claims that the book draws heavily from Sheldon's previous releases but still this book is certainly worth a read. The typical twists are missing but the extraordinary narration makes up for the slow pace. The reader is made to believe from the onset that Rhys is the criminal. Though the climax reveals a different story, it was expected from Sheldon and the familiar mind-blowing twist at the end is missing. I personally liked the characterization of Detective Max Honurang, as a short plumpy bald man, yet very intelligent and efficient. The character certainly gives a different face to a detective. The part where Samuel Roffe's life is narrated is fantastic and is probably the best part of the book. I loved Samuel Roffe's determination and courage. Elizabeth Roffe, young and lonely seeks power from her great great grandfather and the way Sheldon bridged a century gap was amazing.

    The other characters like Ivo, Alec, Walther Gassner and Chris Martel were all well developed. But I felt the author left a few loose threads dangling like the rendezvous between Rhys and Helene. he also failed to explain Alec killing innocent girls. But stiil, the book is complete with all the elements for a weekend read.

Rating: 3.4/5

The Rhinemann Exchange - Robert Ludlum

Autumn 1943. Global espionage elite converge on Buenos Aires. Intense, high-level covert negotiations will soon bear dangerous fruit with the aid of expatriate German industrialist Erich Rhinemann. American agent David Spaulding will be there. His top-secret mission can bring the war to an explosive end. But what happens here in this city of assassins, double crosses, and erotic encounters is to be the most sinister and terrifying deal ever made between two nations at war. Quickly, the game changes, truths darken, hidden secrets emerge. And suddenly Spaulding is the man in between, the man furiously struggling for his sanity, the woman he loves, and his very life...the only man who can save the world from the horrible truth of The Rhinemann Exchange

Robert Ludlum

Review:

A pretty bore read. I don't understand why there was so much hype about this book on Goodreads. I could concentrate and even turning the pages became a burden. The plot is so poor and unrealistic and it is full of confusions and ambiguities that it fails to give the readers a grip. David Spaulding characterisation is so poor and his growth from an actor to a top agent is unbelievable. The book moves along a slop pace and I wondered why the author had wasted so many pages in narrating unnecessary events like the rendezvous at Lisbon etc. No characters are deep enough and the reader does not get a feel of any of the characters except ofcourse, Jean. She is the only saving grace in the book.Overall a pretty ordinary read.

Rating: 2.1/5

If Tomorrow Comes - Sidney Sheldon

Lovely, idealistic Tracy Whitney is framed into a fifteen year sentence in an escape-proof penitentiary. With dazzling ingenuity she fights back to destroy the untouchable crime lords who put her there. With her intelligence and beauty as her only weapons, Tracy embarks on a series of extraordinary escapades that sweep her across the globe. In an explosive confrontation Tracy meets her equal in irresistible Jeff Stevens, whose past is as colorful as Tracy's.

Sidney Sheldon

Review:

Sidney Sheldon surely not at his best in  this book.The first few pages of the story promises a lot but the story fails to meet the expectations.Doris Whitney commits suicide at the start and her daughter Tracy Whitney finds herself facing a jail term after a series of incidents that she couldn't quite comprehend. The way Tracy remains strong even after enduring all sorts of humiliation and abuse is a strong message by the author to all women to remain strong amid all problems.But just as we think she is going to resurrect her life,her life takes a drastic turn and again fate turns her into what she did not want to be.But eventually she develops a liking for what she does and goes on to become one of the best con artists moving around.In the process,she finds Jeff who lives more or less the same life as hers.In the end,they get enough money and live a luxurious life.The climax is a joke and it makes one wait for the book to end.

The story is very slow and turning pages becomes a burden.I felt as though it was written by someone else under the name of Sidney Sheldon.Anyway a few parts in the book are a saving grace and stands out.Sidney Sheldon has certainly written many more great books.

Read it if you have no other book.

Rating: 2.1/5

Windmills Of The Gods - Sidney Sheldon

She's on the glinting edge of East-West confrontation, a beautiful and accomplished scholar who has suddenly become the new US ambassador to an Iron Curtain country, a woman who is about to dramatically change the course of world events – if she lives.

For Mary Ashley has been marked for death by the world's most proficient and mysterious assassin, and plunged into a nightmare of espionage, kidnapping and terror. Only two people – both powerfully attractive and ultimately enigmatic men – can offer her help. But soon she comes to believe that one of them is out to kill her.

From Wikipedia:

Mary Ashley, a professor at Kansas State University, is offered an ambassadorship by Paul Ellison, the US president. She rejects the offer because her husband, Dr. Edward Ashley, does not want to leave his medical practice, and she is not willing to be separated from him. She also feels that it is harder to find a good doctor for a small Kansas town than an ambassador to a foreign country. When her husband suddenly dies in a suspicious traffic accident, Ashley accepts the President's offer in order to fill the void in her life. She is sent to Romania, behind the Iron Curtain, where she finds that everyone is conspiring against her. She's on the glinting edge of East-West confrontation, a beautiful and accomplished scholar who has suddenly become the new US ambassador to an Iron Curtain country, a woman who is about to dramatically change the course of world events – if she lives. For Mary Ashley has been marked for death by the world's most proficient and mysterious assassin, and plunged into a nightmare of espionage, kidnapping and terror.

Review:

Sidney Sheldon

 

A fast – paced thriller novel that stretches across countries. Sidney proves yet again that he is the Master in story – telling. The way the characters are developed, their innocent portrayal are all typical Sidney style. Mary Ashley, a loving mother and passionate teacher is made the Ambassador to Romania. The series of events that follow make her run for her death as she is stalked by an international group. A cold – blooded killer is on the loose and every page increases the tension of who the killer is. The character of Mike Slade is done with precision and one would never have thought that he is the one who is trying to save Mary. Finally in the last few pages, all the characters show their true faces. Sidney manages to give a feel of what America and Romania are like. Both are completely different countries as far as their Governments and people are concerned. The twists at the end served to increase my passion on Sidney Sheldon.

A must – read novel for everyone. Please don’t miss it

Rating: 3.9/5

The Sky Is Falling - Sidney Sheldon

The Winthrops are America's royal family, and its Prince Charming is the sexy, charismatic Gary Winthrop. Now the man on his way to becoming the Senate's brightest new star is found murdered in his home-the latest in a series of incidents that have killed five members of the family in a single year. One of the last people to see Gary Winthrop alive is Washington anchorwoman Dana Evans. She makes it her mission to investigate these seemingly random tragedies, little realizing that her search will sweep her across several continents, place her and her young son in grave danger, and lead her to a truth that will astound the world.

Sidney Sheldon

Review:

A fantastic read.In a normal book,the suspense is about who the killer is.But in this Sidney's masterpiece,the suspense builds right from the start on whether the consecutive deaths are murders are just a co-incidence.The character Dana Evans is portrayed with a surgeon's precision and I would love to meet such a character in real life.The cute love between Dana and Jeff, Jeff's concern for his ex-wife Rachel while she is in trouble are all simple things that make up this master-piece.The secret Plutonium manufacturing city which is claimed to be 'real' by the author gives the readers creeps.Dana is being followed by strangers without her knowledge and that adds to the tension.There is no way one could find the real criminal till Sasha is murdered.

I feel the end was a bit rushed through and the climax is far-fetched.However the first parts of the book make up for the quick ending.The five murders and the way Dana goes about her investigation,her actions being monitored by some unknown agents are all typical Sheldon stuff.

A must - read novel for everyone.Please don't miss it.

Rating: 4.1/5

Honor Among Thieves - Jeffrey Archer

Spring 1994, Washington, D.C. - While the Clinton Administration grapples with its domestic policies, a sinister plot is being masterminded six thousand miles away in Baghdad. By using $100 million as bait and spinning a deadly web of corruption, forgery, and terror, Saddam Hussein seeks to embarrass the U.S. with the ultimate revenge: to steal a treasured historical document and then destroy it before the world's media-on July 4, 1994.

As the countdown to Independence Day begins, two agents stand in the way of his nearly flawless plan: Scott Bradley, a rising star in the CIA who is desperate to prove his patriotism, and Hannah Kopec, the stunning Mossad operative who has already lost so much that she fears nothing and trusts no one. Their unrelenting quest to prevent what would undoubtedly be the most humiliating day in U.S. history takes them across four continents and climaxes in a dramatic, triple-twist ending.

Ingeniously plotted and as up-to-the-minute as today's headlines, Honor Among Thieves resonates with the brilliant pace that is the trademark of master storyteller Jeffrey Archer.

Jeffrey Archer

Review:

Well thats surely a worth a fortune.Found this book in a old book store and couldn't resist buying it.The story takes off from the word 'go' and never once lacks pace.Scott's adventures in Baghdad and Colonel Kratz's skills are a treat to read.The selfless Cohen and the Kurd Aziz sacrifice their lives to get the 'American Declaration of Independence' safely back home.To think that all such sacrifices and blood shed are just for a fake copy makes you feel helpless and pity.

Archer had done well not to go deep into Scott - Hannah love story and hence losing the plot.He has kept it simple and crisp.The scene where Hannah poisons Scott and then realises her mistake,only too late, is an epic.The earlier scenes where the Cavallis come up with a near perfect plan to steal the 'Declaration of Independence' and also execute it perfectly are something special.

Brilliant portrayal of Saddam,the Iraqi President, and his cruel rule and the sufferings of the people even instils fear in our minds.

Well written and easy to get carried away for hours at a time.

Rating: 4.3/5

A Matter of Honor - Jeffrey Archer

It seems innocent enough. A disgraced British colonel bequeaths a mysterious letter to his only son. But the moment Adam Scott opens the yellowing envelope, he sets into motion a deadly chain of events that threatens to shake the very foundations of the free world.

Within days, Adam's lover is brutally murdered and he's running for his life through the great cities of Europe, pursued not only by the KGB, but by the CIA and his own countrymen as well. Their common intent is to kill him before the truth comes out. While powerful men in smoke-filled rooms plot ever more ingenious means of destroying him, Adam finds himself betrayed and abandoned even by those he holds most dear.

When at last he comes to understand what he is in possession of, he's even more determined to protect it, for it's more than a matter of life and death-it's a matter of honor.

Jeffrey Archer

Review:

My first Jeffrey Archer book.The 400 pages of this book hardly seems big enough.The pace of the story is so fast that you wonder how you have read so many pages in just a few hours.Wherever Scott goes, Romanov follows and he is such a cold - blooded agent.But not good enough for Scott. The furious pace of the story makes you wonder if you are actually seeing a movie.

The characters are well - developed and the mystery well - maintained.Adam is running from everyone and doesn't know who to trust as the book continues, and halfway through we are finally allowed to know the full significance of what he has in his possession. No wonder the CIA and the KGB are after him! (This is June of 1966.) So not only does he not know who to trust, the readers are kept in the dark while English, American, and Russian agents come at him from all directions. He survives because of his military training even though he had to re-sign because he early on found out it was going nowhere.

Rating: 4.2/5

Tell Me Your Dreams - Sidney Sheldon

Ashley Patterson is a beautiful, shy, lonely computer whiz, and is convinced she is being stalked. Coworker Toni Prescott is a gorgeous Brit with a penchant for internet dating and little time for anyone else. And Alette Peters prefers her weekends quiet and in the arms of a beefcake artist. They know virtually nothing about each other -- until the three women are linked by a murder investigation that will lead to one of the most bizarre trials of the century.

Review:

Sidney Sheldon

Lovely young ladies who work for Global Computer Graphics in Silicon Valley are charged  in the brutal murder and mutilation of five more or less nice men. Although confusing, the evidence against them seems perfect and by the time the case goes to trial we know who done it, but not until the story is nearly finished will we understand why.

Considered to be one of the first books to touch on 'MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER' and the way the author has gone about with an entirely new concept deserves an applause. A must - read book for everyone.

Rating : 4.4/5