Napoleon’s Pyramids by William Dietrich

Napoleon's Pyramids

When a medallion, which may be a key to secrets ancient and treasures, falls into the hands of an American by the name of Ethan Gage in a chance game of cards, the wheels of fate are set into motion. The unwilling hero finds himself swept away in the supposed hands of fate from post-revolutionary Paris to mystic Egypt, under the protection of Napoleon himself, with the leader of a dubious sect hot on his heels who intends to use the medallion for his ill purposes. With the help of trusty friends, Gage uncovers a myriad of secrets long forgotten in the passage of time, blurring the lines between supposed fact and probable fantasy.

If adventures, historical secrets, narrow escapes, mathematical puzzles, treasure hunting, exotic places, ancient monuments and beautiful damsels are your kind of thing, then ‘Napoleon’s Pyramids’ would be your cup of tea.

Review by:  Wai Min

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Valley of Bones by Michael Gruber

Valley Of Bones

In my opinion, the hallmark of ‘Valley of Bones’, was that one cannot help but be blown away by how Gruber was able to give his characters so much depth, given the limitations which a 413-page novel allows. The characters were so realistic that it had felt as if one were reading a true account instead of a fictional work.

Another mark of the novel, was how seemingly little things which one usually passes off as a random mention returns later in the story, catching you off your guard, in a way that makes you smile

The plot centers around a perplexing homicide, amidst which, the author had seamlessly weaved the lives of the main characters who were brought together by the chance occurrence of the murder.

A crime solving puzzle, a dose of history, a dab of politics and a good amount of theological food for thought thrown into a mixture as well, ‘Valley of Bones’ is one book which is definitely worth your while and your buck

Review by: Wai Min

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The Husband by Dean Koontz

The Husband

The excerpted dialogue on the book’s front cover pretty much sums up what the book is about: a humble gardener who is suddenly informed that his wife has been kidnapped and that he has to pay her kidnappers two million dollars if he wants his wife back.

There were parts where the pace of the story was slow, considering the edge-gripping premise, as the author tended to use a lot of metaphors to rephrase the thoughts of the book’s main character. Koontz (the author) also tended to include an abundance of moments of sudden insight, which can be tiresome for certain parties.

It was, however, interesting to note the change in the style of writing according to the character whose point of view the author is currently telling the story from. Expect some references to social psychological theories of child upbringing, too, but nothing too difficult to grasp

The verdict on ‘The Husband’ is that it delivered, as there were many instances where twists in the story just involuntarily made me think, “Oh, crap… What’s going to happen now??”

Definitely a book worth getting.

Review by: Wai Min

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The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The Art of Racing In the Rain

This book is a must read if you are a dog lover or even a race car fan.  The book is brilliantly written on how life is from a dog’s perspective.

Enzo is his name and Dennis Swift is his owner.  He is a Labrador mixed Terrier.  At first it was just the two of them and then Denny met Eve and they got married.  They have a daughter which they named Zoe.

They were happy until Eve fell sick; she had cancer.  Enzo knew something was wrong with her even before there were any signs and symptoms.  He was there faithfully for the family during the tough and dark times and especially for Denny being by his side in all that he had to go through.

It is a heart-wrenching story of love, sacrifice and loyalty.  By the end of the book, you will know why it is the dog who is man’s best friend.

If this review is not enough to make you want to read this book, the below book trailer will.  And how not to read a book that will made into a movie?  Read the story here.

Review by: Joanne Kok, Founder of DogTrainster.com

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One Fifth Avenue - Candace Bushnell

One Fifth Avenue

Candace Bushnell mixes comedy with dark drama in the most interesting of New York settings. ONE FIFTH is a comedy that New Yorkers and Americans alike can relate to as the tenants of this grand building trample over each other when some try to reach their way to the top of the social scale and buy what is certainly one of the best penthouses in NYC’s famous Greenwhich village. Where the fervent Bushnell fans will be delighted to see familar-type faces; the young Lola Fabrikant, the gorgeous actress Schiffer Diamond, that everyone wishes they were. New readers may find a bit of themselves in the reserved but intelligent character of Annalisa or the overachiever, Mindy Gooch, who just never finds happiness, no matter how much she has accomomplished. ONE FIFTH is surely one of the most revelent books on the shelves right now and the best thing about it is, it is a definate good read.

Review by: Joanne Kok

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Bones of the Hills - Conn Iggulden

Bones of the Hills

Iggulden has the skill to make a flowing piece of historical fiction which brings to life personalities of epic figures in history whom we all wish we could understand on a more human-level. This book continues explaining how Genghis turns from boy to a ruthless and legendary figure and that development carries the book series from strength to strength.

One note I feel is work mention is that as with the Emperor series we start to see a slight detachment from what Genghis is feeling inside, and his emotion seems to become detached and what he feels seems to be explained more by his generals than Iggulden’s direct explanation of his thinking. I suppose this makes sense considering it creates a more substantial aura of the Khan, changing into a figure beyond belief. I personally found it worked, but missed the opportunity to be told his direct feelings unlike his childhood in the earlier books.

This is just as good as the other two books; Wolf of the Plains & Lord of the Bow.  If you want to read history at it’s best then Iggulden creates a masterpiece of history ans story telling, by far one of the best authors around today.

Review by: Joanne Kok

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