Commentary by Frank Derfler on "The Wheel of Darkness"

books:


	• The Wheel of Darkness (Special Agent Pendergast) Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child Grand Central Publishing, 2007 - 400 pages average customer review:based on 146 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

Great read

I am totally hooked on the Pendergast series and everyone that I have recommended them to is hooked as well! The Wheel of Darkness continued to the great tradition. Pendergast is a complicated and fascinating character and the anticipation now - for each new book in the series - is learning more and more about the history of the family, and particularly, of his mysterious ward. The Wheel of Darkness is fast-paced and very satisfying. I recommend that they are read in order as this helps you appreciate the building of the characters, but it isn't necessary.

for more information click here

Not their best

As a huge fan of most books by Preston/Child, this one lacks the same impact. It was contrived, and less fulfilling that the early Relic series, and even Book of the Damned. The character development lacked the usual depth. I found myself caring very little about any of the characters. Pendergast and Greene under whelmed. As a dedicated fan of these two writers, of both their collaborative work, as well as their individual novels, this one was a let down. To give perspective, my favorites have been Ice Limit, the Relic, Cabinet of Curiosities, and the Codex (Preston).

for more information click here

A breath of fresh air (or smoke as the case may be).

As a big fan of the authors and the Pendergast character, I was excited to see them take their story out of the confines of the museum for a change. The Diogenes trilogy was wearing thin, and "Book of the Dead", the third installment, was just average. Placing Pendergast on board an ocean liner in the company of his now multi-dimensional ward Constance Greene was a masterful shot in the arm. Despite the prerequisite suspension of disbelief necessary to enjoy such a tome, it had a little bit of everything; interwoven storylines, a Tibetan mystery, a great cast of characters (many of whom were given both depth and backstory by the writers despite being minor players)and, of course, a tease for the next novel(s).

for more information click here

Preston/Child great writers, but not their best

I was drooling to get this book and a friend very thoughtfully gave it to me as a present, so I was particularly sad to end up feeling that this is the weakest effort I've read by this duo (the same people I search on, hungry for their next book.) Both my friend and I agree, the plot seems thin and to me contrived, not with the richness and depth that draws you in re their other books. Not as many characters and I was not to happy with the large role played by Constance, who is beginning to get on my nerves. A few parts just seemed dumb.
That said, I'd rather read ANY book by these guys vs. much of the junk I regret later - so I am going to read this again and see if I like it better. I wish I could give it 3.5 stars which I think it deserves. You have to buy it tho, as part of the collection, just don't pay full price.
Hope these guys "return to their roots" with stuff like Relic, Ice Limit, etc. and slow down to flesh out their next book (but not too long, LOL)

for more information click here

Commentary by Frank Derfler on "The Wheel of Darkness"

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1IS54LFPHO0BT In this video I make recommendations about who would and who might not enjoy this book. There are no "spoilers" in the video and I don't dwell on re-telling the plot. Instead, I let you decide if you'd like to try the book. My review is from www.greatguybooks.com

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

FBI Special Agent Pendergast is taking a break from work to take Constance on a whirlwind Grand Tour, hoping to give her closure and a sense of the world that she's missed. They head to Tibet, where Pendergast intensively trained in martial arts and spiritual studies. At a remote monastery, they learn that a rare and dangerous artifact the monks have been guarding for generations has been mysteriously stolen. As a favor, Pendergast agrees to track and recover the relic. A twisting trail of bloodshed leads Pendergast and Constance to the maiden voyage of the Britannia, the world's largest and most luxurious ocean liner---and to an Atlantic crossing fraught with terror.

for more information click here