What do you think?
Rate this book
In 1902, in a dark room on the fifth floor of Carnegie Hall, thirteen people came together to continue a tradition that had been set in stone thousands of years before.
In 2012, Leah Tallent is Head of Research at the New York Public Library. Stoic and stable, brilliant and cynical, she has forever enjoyed her existence among the book stacks. But even with her unparalleled intellect, there was no way to know that on the historic steps between America's famous lions, she would become involved with a crazy man on a fanatical quest.
Gareth Lowery has spent his life searching for the ultimate artifact that he is certain exists. His life's pursuit has been to retrieve twelve keys hidden by men whose job it was to protect the single biggest secret ever kept. To find the keys he must enlist the help of an unwilling guide who, unfortunately, knows much more than he bargained for.
From the first page to the last word, this fantastic duo become immersed in a whirlwind treasure hunt with historical and passionate repercussions. From the strange and eerie Winchester House to the blustery darkness of Loch Ness, Gareth and Leah will quickly learn that the theory of duality is correct: For every bad there is a good and, for Heaven, there most assuredly exists...Hell.
In 2012, Leah Tallent is Head of Research at the New York Public Library. Stoic and stable, brilliant and cynical, she has forever enjoyed her existence among the book stacks. But even with her unparalleled intellect, there was no way to know that on the historic steps between America's famous lions, she would become involved with a crazy man on a fanatical quest.
Gareth Lowery has spent his life searching for the ultimate artifact that he is certain exists. His life's pursuit has been to retrieve twelve keys hidden by men whose job it was to protect the single biggest secret ever kept. To find the keys he must enlist the help of an unwilling guide who, unfortunately, knows much more than he bargained for.
From the first page to the last word, this fantastic duo become immersed in a whirlwind treasure hunt with historical and passionate repercussions. From the strange and eerie Winchester House to the blustery darkness of Loch Ness, Gareth and Leah will quickly learn that the theory of duality is correct: For every bad there is a good and, for Heaven, there most assuredly exists...Hell.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2011
90 people are currently reading
671 people want to read
About the author
Amy Lignor
10 books221 followersBeing the daughter of a Research Librarian, books and information were always a 'gift,' and there is nothing I like more. In fact, if the NYPL would let me live in their basement, that's where I would be. I am very proud of my books - especially the 'Tallent & Lowery' series - which has been so well-received that I am beyond humbled. Being able to 'link' historical locations together and create puzzles that bestselling authors have called, "The Da Vinci Code With Heart"; "Action/Adventure Gold"; and "The Best of the 21st Century" has been beyond my wildest expectations. I am the Owner/Operator of The Write Companion. Life is busy...but it's good. And I have a wealth of friends, family and fans to thank for allowing that to happen! My favorite advice? "While I live, let me LIVE!"
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
September 17, 2011
(Amazon Review)
Tallent & Lowery: 13
The WAIT IS OVER!
Let the adventure begin! 13 is the very first book in an exciting adventure series that has already been referred to by bestselling author, Amy Ferris, as “the DaVinci Code with heart!” The characters of Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery will be on everyone’s lips as the downloading begins at Amazon this Tuesday evening - September 6th!
This is the story that will take the reader from the basement of the New York Public Library to the ‘infamous’ Winchester House, located in San Jose, California. No one knows why Sarah Winchester continued to build this odd mansion with stairways that go into the ceiling, windows that look out into other rooms, and fireplaces that never go out of the rooftops. In fact, it has been said that Mrs. Winchester felt guilty because of her husband’s Winchester gun creations that took people‘s lives, and she thought she was haunted by the spirits of the dead. According to legend, she believed her life was unavoidably affected by departed souls, and the way to try and be friendly with the spirits, it seemed, was to build them a nice place to visit.
According to legend, Mrs. Winchester enacted a nightly séance to help with her building plans and for protection from “bad” spirits. While she sometimes drew up simple sketches of the building ideas, there were never any blueprints! The building just kept continuing until her death.
The mansion also has an unmistakable attention to the number, 13 - the number of hooks in the closets, the number of drains in the sinks - and Leah Tallent knows exactly why 13 is such a huge part of the Winchester Mansion. There’s something buried in that house that will, quite literally, change the world.
From there, Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery find themselves on the streets where Jack The Ripper once roamed, and inside an old building that was condemned and torn down where this killer took his last victim. But the floors still remain, and the attention shown to the number 13, yet again, is something the reader must know. From the streets of a madman to the streets of a religious icon, Tallent and Lowery continue their quest to collect certain items that, once together, form the ‘key’ to a mystery begun in 1902.
Then on to Loch Ness, where a famous man once held ‘court’ with his subjects. Aleister Crowley’s old house situated on the Loch directly affects the legend of 13, as well as being the home base of many religious and fantastical characters that still exist today. In Glastonbury, there stands a tower - a relic of an old church that supposedly was the scene of a magnificent legend that literally came to life. And this location will finally unveil what Tallent & Lowery have been striving to find.
This is the first in a truly amazing series that will have readers glued to every magnificent page, and have them running to Google in order to look up the historical facts of these present locations.
Tallent & Lowery embark on a whirlwind treasure hunt that will have astrological, religious, and passionate repercussions. Gareth and Leah will quickly learn that the theory of duality is correct: For every bad there is a good and, for Heaven, there most assuredly exists...Hell.
This is how it all begins… This is how the world of Tallent & Lowery is ‘opened up’ to readers in order to fascinate, awe, excite, and offer pure adventure and sincere fun to everyone!
The author has spent her life behind a keyboard. An author of historical romance (The Heart of a Legend); and science fiction/fantasy (Mind Made), Amy has evolved with the publishing industry as time has gone on. Once the Editor-in-Chief of an east coast publishing house, Amy is now the owner of two businesses in the literary realm. She is the Owner/Operator of The Write Companion, offering ghostwriting, editing, reviews, and interviews, as well as being a top reviewer and interviewer for a slew of magazines and websites.
Amy is the woman behind the much-beloved blog of humor called A Yankee State of Mind, (which is featured on everything from The Write Companion to Humor Outcasts, to The Feathered Quill, and has also just become the Publisher for a brand new company called Precious Gems Publishing.
With this new series, Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery - starring in seven books - will be finding themselves in locations and situations that fit together like puzzle pieces, as they unveil mysteries of historical and monumental proportions. After 13 has come to a close, readers will be taken on a new adventure, The Sapphire Storm, beginning in England where the world of a “fake” Shakespeare comes into play. They will head to the tombs of Petra and the caves of Qumran overlooking the Dead Sea, leading to a little-known location that was once owned by Queen Cleopatra called Cleopatra’s Mines.
From there, the reader will become lost in The Heroes Companion, where they are taken to Greece, following an intrepid librarian who uncovers a lost treasure that will lead to a moment in time when the actual Fuhrer went to a remote island to find The Charlatan’s Crown. The sword of the Archangel Michael will be introduced, as readers journey into the Palace of Knossos to discover what was left over to find, and solve a mystery that no one knows anything about.
Rasputin and a strange ‘egg’ comes next, as a world of intrigue and mystery is unveiled. And, finally, to a climax that will have people truly shocked, speaking to each other at water coolers and on their cell phones as they ‘fall’ across a story based on history - that they never even knew existed.
The adventures of Tallent & Lowery are about to set the fiction world on Fire! And readers will be thrilled to know that the whole thing is based on a very simple fact that has been headlining Newsweek and other major magazines - mysterious data that was buried years ago involving…the 13th sign!
Join Tallent & Lowery on the Adventure of a Lifetime! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3rMIT...
Tallent & Lowery: 13
The WAIT IS OVER!
Let the adventure begin! 13 is the very first book in an exciting adventure series that has already been referred to by bestselling author, Amy Ferris, as “the DaVinci Code with heart!” The characters of Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery will be on everyone’s lips as the downloading begins at Amazon this Tuesday evening - September 6th!
This is the story that will take the reader from the basement of the New York Public Library to the ‘infamous’ Winchester House, located in San Jose, California. No one knows why Sarah Winchester continued to build this odd mansion with stairways that go into the ceiling, windows that look out into other rooms, and fireplaces that never go out of the rooftops. In fact, it has been said that Mrs. Winchester felt guilty because of her husband’s Winchester gun creations that took people‘s lives, and she thought she was haunted by the spirits of the dead. According to legend, she believed her life was unavoidably affected by departed souls, and the way to try and be friendly with the spirits, it seemed, was to build them a nice place to visit.
According to legend, Mrs. Winchester enacted a nightly séance to help with her building plans and for protection from “bad” spirits. While she sometimes drew up simple sketches of the building ideas, there were never any blueprints! The building just kept continuing until her death.
The mansion also has an unmistakable attention to the number, 13 - the number of hooks in the closets, the number of drains in the sinks - and Leah Tallent knows exactly why 13 is such a huge part of the Winchester Mansion. There’s something buried in that house that will, quite literally, change the world.
From there, Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery find themselves on the streets where Jack The Ripper once roamed, and inside an old building that was condemned and torn down where this killer took his last victim. But the floors still remain, and the attention shown to the number 13, yet again, is something the reader must know. From the streets of a madman to the streets of a religious icon, Tallent and Lowery continue their quest to collect certain items that, once together, form the ‘key’ to a mystery begun in 1902.
Then on to Loch Ness, where a famous man once held ‘court’ with his subjects. Aleister Crowley’s old house situated on the Loch directly affects the legend of 13, as well as being the home base of many religious and fantastical characters that still exist today. In Glastonbury, there stands a tower - a relic of an old church that supposedly was the scene of a magnificent legend that literally came to life. And this location will finally unveil what Tallent & Lowery have been striving to find.
This is the first in a truly amazing series that will have readers glued to every magnificent page, and have them running to Google in order to look up the historical facts of these present locations.
Tallent & Lowery embark on a whirlwind treasure hunt that will have astrological, religious, and passionate repercussions. Gareth and Leah will quickly learn that the theory of duality is correct: For every bad there is a good and, for Heaven, there most assuredly exists...Hell.
This is how it all begins… This is how the world of Tallent & Lowery is ‘opened up’ to readers in order to fascinate, awe, excite, and offer pure adventure and sincere fun to everyone!
The author has spent her life behind a keyboard. An author of historical romance (The Heart of a Legend); and science fiction/fantasy (Mind Made), Amy has evolved with the publishing industry as time has gone on. Once the Editor-in-Chief of an east coast publishing house, Amy is now the owner of two businesses in the literary realm. She is the Owner/Operator of The Write Companion, offering ghostwriting, editing, reviews, and interviews, as well as being a top reviewer and interviewer for a slew of magazines and websites.
Amy is the woman behind the much-beloved blog of humor called A Yankee State of Mind, (which is featured on everything from The Write Companion to Humor Outcasts, to The Feathered Quill, and has also just become the Publisher for a brand new company called Precious Gems Publishing.
With this new series, Leah Tallent and Gareth Lowery - starring in seven books - will be finding themselves in locations and situations that fit together like puzzle pieces, as they unveil mysteries of historical and monumental proportions. After 13 has come to a close, readers will be taken on a new adventure, The Sapphire Storm, beginning in England where the world of a “fake” Shakespeare comes into play. They will head to the tombs of Petra and the caves of Qumran overlooking the Dead Sea, leading to a little-known location that was once owned by Queen Cleopatra called Cleopatra’s Mines.
From there, the reader will become lost in The Heroes Companion, where they are taken to Greece, following an intrepid librarian who uncovers a lost treasure that will lead to a moment in time when the actual Fuhrer went to a remote island to find The Charlatan’s Crown. The sword of the Archangel Michael will be introduced, as readers journey into the Palace of Knossos to discover what was left over to find, and solve a mystery that no one knows anything about.
Rasputin and a strange ‘egg’ comes next, as a world of intrigue and mystery is unveiled. And, finally, to a climax that will have people truly shocked, speaking to each other at water coolers and on their cell phones as they ‘fall’ across a story based on history - that they never even knew existed.
The adventures of Tallent & Lowery are about to set the fiction world on Fire! And readers will be thrilled to know that the whole thing is based on a very simple fact that has been headlining Newsweek and other major magazines - mysterious data that was buried years ago involving…the 13th sign!
Join Tallent & Lowery on the Adventure of a Lifetime! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3rMIT...
October 9, 2011
Okay. Tallent and Lowery:13 rates a good 3.5 stars or better (not quite four as I rate them). It’s a smooth pleasant read.
What I liked:
The back story -
What I liked:
The back story -
December 12, 2013
Lignor has a very personable writing style. It’s very easy to follow and allows you to immerse yourself completely in the storyline itself. Mystery, intrigue and suspense fill this novel that is written for an adult audience to thoroughly enjoy. This novel is intrinsically though provoking. I absolutely love the mix of history, mythology, research, suspense, and reality that bring this tale together. Her short, to the point chapters make the story seem even more fast paced. Lignor writes with an intensity rarely seen in fiction. She combines blunt statements with eloquent descriptions to a shocking end. It’s the perfect combination. Not only that, but Lignor also does creepy and eerie well. There were times when she literally had my skin crawling.
Picture Indiana Jones meets Robert Langdon meets Ben Gates and you have the male lead from this tale. He was so intriguing and captivating that you couldn’t help but want to follow him, even if he was a bit naive at times. I also appreciated how strong and thoughtful the female lead was in this tale. She was someone that I intrinsically wanted to know more about. The supporting cast, although small, was also quite well developed. They rounded out the story quite nicely.
My final thoughts? THIS IS SOOOO COOL! I Love it. My mind was turning the whole time. I can’t wait to read the next adventure for these intriguing characters.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Picture Indiana Jones meets Robert Langdon meets Ben Gates and you have the male lead from this tale. He was so intriguing and captivating that you couldn’t help but want to follow him, even if he was a bit naive at times. I also appreciated how strong and thoughtful the female lead was in this tale. She was someone that I intrinsically wanted to know more about. The supporting cast, although small, was also quite well developed. They rounded out the story quite nicely.
My final thoughts? THIS IS SOOOO COOL! I Love it. My mind was turning the whole time. I can’t wait to read the next adventure for these intriguing characters.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2013
Parts of it just didn't fit or make sense...WHY the parents (and now Gareth and his sister) HAD to open that gate was never made clear and therefore even though this could be considered fantasy, it's still unbelievable...the characters themselves were unbelievable at times...questions were never answered - the necklace was important but it was never explained or used!
However, there were some good parts to the story...
However, there were some good parts to the story...
November 15, 2015
A beautiful and brainy librarian vs. Aleister Crowley, Jack The Ripper and the Devil himself on a journey that takes her from the Winchester House to Loch Ness and many places in between, searching for the keys to unlock the Gates of Heaven.
I next-to-never re-read a book ... but, this one I will.
It was Amazing!
I next-to-never re-read a book ... but, this one I will.
It was Amazing!
February 19, 2014
I seem to be the only one who wouldn't get into this book, so take this with a grain of salt. I was very taken with the opening scene, in which our heroine is annoyed at all the sticky children invading her library. However, when I reached the one-quarter mark and realized we were still in infodump mode, I gave up.
March 2, 2014
This was a "free" Kindle book so I hate to complain. The basic idea was great. I did enjoy reading it, but there were holes in the story line. I think the biggest problem is that it felt rushed.
March 28, 2013
3.5 a Dan Brown meets National Treasure tale review to post soon.
February 19, 2014
Highly implausible dreck.
February 2, 2019
This is going to take a few paragraphs, but if you want a concise statement of my feelings about this book, please refer to Bill Davis's review: Highly implausible dreck.
When I read something truly awful, rather than just give it one star and move on, I sometimes feel the need to explain, as I do with ’13.’ There really were no redeeming qualities – the characters were unrealistic and inexplicable, the plot was nonsensical and full of holes, and the writing was atrocious. I’ll provide some examples of all of these writerly sins. Side note: This book is marketed as a "National Treasure" type of story. It is nothing of the sort. It consists mostly of beautiful people telling each other how beautiful they are, then flying to various cities and stumbling upon the objects they seek.
We start out with an angry Leah, who is ticked off by everyone and everything. As she stomps through the New York Public Library where she works, we are repeatedly told how her heels are clicking on the library floor, and she "turns on her heel" so many times in the first 30 pages I thought she might get dizzy and fall over...and then she actually did about 15 pages later, which made me laugh out loud.
We are also told, over and over and over again, how beautiful she is. Her boss points out her beauty to a library visitor ("And her hand is definitely not the only beautiful part of our dear Leah."). Besides just being inappropriate, ewwwww. But the main male character, Gareth, is also a looker. He’s so handsome that women constantly throw themselves at him, and at one point a flight attendant dumps coffee on Leah…because she’s sitting next to Gareth apparently. Yeah, makes no sense.
Leah is the head of research at the NYPL but also the person who has to handle the decorations for a charity gala held at the historic main branch and lead tours of high school students. The NYPL employs more than 3,000 people, but the head of research does all this? Really?
I am leaving out most of the plot implausibilities to avoid spoilers, but one early one involved someone blowing a hole in a building in downtown New York (yes, blowing a hole, as in a small bomb), then entering the building and sitting down and having a cup of coffee with the person inside. No emergency response, no one notices a large explosion. Okay, sure. Also, the characters are hunting for objects in various cities. To find them, they basically wiggle a loose brick, brush aside some dirt, or remove a loose board. As if no one in the past 100 years had just stumbled across these barely hidden objects.
Character descriptions are repeated ad nauseum. How many times in a 300-page book do we need to be told that the main character has “sapphire eyes,” her love interest has “emerald eyes,” and another character has eyes "like a shark's, black in color"? Dozens, apparently.
And the similes, so many similes, very bad similes.
* ‘He felt himself pulled into her words like a lost soul into a beam of heavenly light.’
* A flirty hotel receptionist "flutters her long eyelashes like a butterfly on cocaine." Um, what?
* Her voice is ‘like a hallucinatory tonic flowing through his veins.’
* ‘His gaze was locked on Leah like a starving hawk on a tantalizing rabbit.’ Gross.
* Leah’s ‘hairpins broke free and sent her thick auburn mane down over her face like a waterfall’ and then later, her hair “flowed over her shoulders like a river of lava.” Destroying everything in its path?
* One that made me laugh was ‘Gareth’s eyebrows reached high up on his forehead, like downhill skiers readying themselves to attempt a treacherous slalom.” I don't think it was intentionally funny though.
Not a simile, but Leah frequently "scans the card catalog in her mind" to find actual facts. As though a card catalog was a big encyclopedia rather than an inventory of the books in the library.
With this many words dedicated to a one-star review, it’s obvious that I hate-read it, but it was short and I'm a person that generally must finish any book I've started. And even though it’s only early February, I’m pretty sure this will be the worst book I read this year.
When I read something truly awful, rather than just give it one star and move on, I sometimes feel the need to explain, as I do with ’13.’ There really were no redeeming qualities – the characters were unrealistic and inexplicable, the plot was nonsensical and full of holes, and the writing was atrocious. I’ll provide some examples of all of these writerly sins. Side note: This book is marketed as a "National Treasure" type of story. It is nothing of the sort. It consists mostly of beautiful people telling each other how beautiful they are, then flying to various cities and stumbling upon the objects they seek.
We start out with an angry Leah, who is ticked off by everyone and everything. As she stomps through the New York Public Library where she works, we are repeatedly told how her heels are clicking on the library floor, and she "turns on her heel" so many times in the first 30 pages I thought she might get dizzy and fall over...and then she actually did about 15 pages later, which made me laugh out loud.
We are also told, over and over and over again, how beautiful she is. Her boss points out her beauty to a library visitor ("And her hand is definitely not the only beautiful part of our dear Leah."). Besides just being inappropriate, ewwwww. But the main male character, Gareth, is also a looker. He’s so handsome that women constantly throw themselves at him, and at one point a flight attendant dumps coffee on Leah…because she’s sitting next to Gareth apparently. Yeah, makes no sense.
Leah is the head of research at the NYPL but also the person who has to handle the decorations for a charity gala held at the historic main branch and lead tours of high school students. The NYPL employs more than 3,000 people, but the head of research does all this? Really?
I am leaving out most of the plot implausibilities to avoid spoilers, but one early one involved someone blowing a hole in a building in downtown New York (yes, blowing a hole, as in a small bomb), then entering the building and sitting down and having a cup of coffee with the person inside. No emergency response, no one notices a large explosion. Okay, sure. Also, the characters are hunting for objects in various cities. To find them, they basically wiggle a loose brick, brush aside some dirt, or remove a loose board. As if no one in the past 100 years had just stumbled across these barely hidden objects.
Character descriptions are repeated ad nauseum. How many times in a 300-page book do we need to be told that the main character has “sapphire eyes,” her love interest has “emerald eyes,” and another character has eyes "like a shark's, black in color"? Dozens, apparently.
And the similes, so many similes, very bad similes.
* ‘He felt himself pulled into her words like a lost soul into a beam of heavenly light.’
* A flirty hotel receptionist "flutters her long eyelashes like a butterfly on cocaine." Um, what?
* Her voice is ‘like a hallucinatory tonic flowing through his veins.’
* ‘His gaze was locked on Leah like a starving hawk on a tantalizing rabbit.’ Gross.
* Leah’s ‘hairpins broke free and sent her thick auburn mane down over her face like a waterfall’ and then later, her hair “flowed over her shoulders like a river of lava.” Destroying everything in its path?
* One that made me laugh was ‘Gareth’s eyebrows reached high up on his forehead, like downhill skiers readying themselves to attempt a treacherous slalom.” I don't think it was intentionally funny though.
Not a simile, but Leah frequently "scans the card catalog in her mind" to find actual facts. As though a card catalog was a big encyclopedia rather than an inventory of the books in the library.
With this many words dedicated to a one-star review, it’s obvious that I hate-read it, but it was short and I'm a person that generally must finish any book I've started. And even though it’s only early February, I’m pretty sure this will be the worst book I read this year.
January 5, 2013
A fantastic adventure that will have you hooked from page 1.
I loved 13! It was written beautifully with nice descriptions that made you feel like you were there with Gareth and Leah. The story was fast paced and had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the different clues and where their journey would take them next! It reminded me a little of National Treasure. I really enjoyed the fact that there was something new to discover around every corner both about the characters and the artifacts that they were seeking.
Okay Leah is a great character that I would love to be friends with, but I am extremely jealous of her. I mean come on she is brilliant and gets to hang around books all day, what could be better? As cool as she is though she does have some things to learn and goes through some personal growth in this book. I liked that she could be vulnerable at times too because it made her human and more relatable. I loved her banter with Gareth they are a fantastic team, even if they do get on each other’s nerves from time to time.
Gareth is quirky and brilliant in his own right. I really liked him and his crazy schemes. I found that he could be quite charming when he wanted to be. There was definitely some crazy chemistry between him and Leah. What I liked most about the relationship between these two is that it was so natural. It wasn’t perfect by any means and they knew it, but they genuinely loved each other and knew that true love takes courage and patience.
I loved the banter between Leah and Gareth and felt that they were a great team. I can’t wait to see what other adventures these two get involved in future books!
I loved 13! It was written beautifully with nice descriptions that made you feel like you were there with Gareth and Leah. The story was fast paced and had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the different clues and where their journey would take them next! It reminded me a little of National Treasure. I really enjoyed the fact that there was something new to discover around every corner both about the characters and the artifacts that they were seeking.
Okay Leah is a great character that I would love to be friends with, but I am extremely jealous of her. I mean come on she is brilliant and gets to hang around books all day, what could be better? As cool as she is though she does have some things to learn and goes through some personal growth in this book. I liked that she could be vulnerable at times too because it made her human and more relatable. I loved her banter with Gareth they are a fantastic team, even if they do get on each other’s nerves from time to time.
Gareth is quirky and brilliant in his own right. I really liked him and his crazy schemes. I found that he could be quite charming when he wanted to be. There was definitely some crazy chemistry between him and Leah. What I liked most about the relationship between these two is that it was so natural. It wasn’t perfect by any means and they knew it, but they genuinely loved each other and knew that true love takes courage and patience.
I loved the banter between Leah and Gareth and felt that they were a great team. I can’t wait to see what other adventures these two get involved in future books!
August 8, 2014
I don't know why I kept reading
I read this based on the positive reviews (and quite honestly because it was free for the Kindle), but I can't give this more than two stars. Thank goodness, it was a quick read. I wanted to like the characters, and had they been better developed I might have. The story moved way too fast, and it felt very much like we were thrust into it near the end. At the end, I didn't feel particularly enlightened, and I have absolutely no desire to continue reading the storyline. I think the book would have benefitted from a good editor, a few revisions and a little beefing up.
I read this based on the positive reviews (and quite honestly because it was free for the Kindle), but I can't give this more than two stars. Thank goodness, it was a quick read. I wanted to like the characters, and had they been better developed I might have. The story moved way too fast, and it felt very much like we were thrust into it near the end. At the end, I didn't feel particularly enlightened, and I have absolutely no desire to continue reading the storyline. I think the book would have benefitted from a good editor, a few revisions and a little beefing up.
January 24, 2012
Amy Lignor is a truly amazing and gifted author. Tallent & Lowery "13" immediately holds the attention of the reader from the very first page. It is infused with many emotions and "edge of your seat" adventures. Leah's sarcasm, beauty, and sheer genious are the keys to this wonderful story. It is entirely believable, as the places and astrological aspects of this book are real. I respect this book and the hard work that went into it. It is a fast paced and quickly read novel. I recommend this beautiful work of art to anyone who loves action, adventure, and true romance!
April 16, 2014
In the same vein as Dan Brown, but with grammatical errors, sloppy writing, and no research. Childish, one-dimensional characters don't help matters.
May 5, 2023
Video review available here: https://youtu.be/lgJQ4bFVoiY?t=450
13 is the first book in the Tallent and Lowery series by Amy Lignor. Sadly, Amy passed away in May of 2022. I picked this book up because Reader Views created an award in her honor and I wanted to pay homage to Amy’s work in the Reader Views contest in my own way, by reading one of Amy’s titles!
This book has a biblical theme and deals with heaven and hell not only being real, but being accessible if you have the right pieces. The book gave me Da Vinci Code vibes for sure and fans of that series should check this out. I also liked the use of a librarian as a main character. We need more librarian characters!
I gave this 4 stars.
There was a little too much dialogue for my taste and the references to Blackberry devices didn’t hold up well which makes this feel like a novel that is 10 years old, which it is. It was a light and fun read and big thanks to Reader Views for honoring Amy with an award.
13 is the first book in the Tallent and Lowery series by Amy Lignor. Sadly, Amy passed away in May of 2022. I picked this book up because Reader Views created an award in her honor and I wanted to pay homage to Amy’s work in the Reader Views contest in my own way, by reading one of Amy’s titles!
This book has a biblical theme and deals with heaven and hell not only being real, but being accessible if you have the right pieces. The book gave me Da Vinci Code vibes for sure and fans of that series should check this out. I also liked the use of a librarian as a main character. We need more librarian characters!
I gave this 4 stars.
There was a little too much dialogue for my taste and the references to Blackberry devices didn’t hold up well which makes this feel like a novel that is 10 years old, which it is. It was a light and fun read and big thanks to Reader Views for honoring Amy with an award.
July 29, 2021
Great read!
This is the first book I have read by Amy Lignor but it will definitely not be the last. If you like fast paced adventures with history entwined and wonderful characters, you should read this book. It was a really fun book to read because in addition to a great story, some of the dialog was laugh out loud funny.
This is the first book I have read by Amy Lignor but it will definitely not be the last. If you like fast paced adventures with history entwined and wonderful characters, you should read this book. It was a really fun book to read because in addition to a great story, some of the dialog was laugh out loud funny.
October 17, 2022
Good fun read
A fun adventure and enjoyable read for a quiet weekend. The mystery was quite simple with touches of suspence and romance interspersed.
A fun adventure and enjoyable read for a quiet weekend. The mystery was quite simple with touches of suspence and romance interspersed.
January 30, 2013
Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/01/indie-book-review-13-tallent-lowery.html
13 follows a young woman named Leah who works at a library. She loves her books and everything they represent. She is a smart woman who invests her life in research and facts. But one day at a special event at the library she works at, she meets a man that is obviously off his rocker. Or is he? Gareth is on a mission like no other. He is searching for an artifact that could change the world completely. Problem is the only way to find the artifact is with Leah's help. She is not the most adventurous or a believer in his crazy stories. But out of curiosity, she helps. But the deeper into the mystery they go, the more dangerous things become. But they aren't aware just how much danger they are really in.
I had a blast with this 13, I couldn't put it down. Someone said this was Indiana Jones meets The DaVinci Code. That is quite the perfect description of this read. It was so much fun uncovering these mysteries with the characters. I love the history that plays a part in the story as well. Lignor definitely put a lot of work into this and it shows. I specifically loved the usage of the Winchester House. I heard about that story years ago and to this day it keeps me out. I saw a tour of the house on tv once and I know I will never step foot into it. The whole scene Lignor had in the house is one of my favorite scenes in this book though. Brilliant.
I loved the characters. Leah and Gareth are ying and yang. Leah is very uptight and a loner. Gareth is charming and laid back. But together, they worked very well. I love the tension between them. Their scenes together are very memorable for me, They are so funny together and I found myself smiling every time they had a conversation. They were so compatible, it felt real and natural when they were together. Even when they are bickering back and forth, you just love them all the more for it. Definitely a team I could get behind. Then we have Gareth's friend Donovan. Leah instantly feels uneasy around him and I can't blame her. He has a vibe that gives you a very creepy feeling. I also loved Kathryn and Emanuel, Gareth's sister and her co-worker/lover. Her and Leah are a lot alike and I loved how easily they got along.
The plot was a lot fun. I love how with each place we visit that moves the story along we are put into that history through Leah. They are looking for keys that will help them unlock the greatest artifact of all. Leah gets these flashes every time she visits a location that hides a key to help them find the artifact. It was so vivid and well put together. I love the use of Heaven and Hell in this book. The idea to unlocking doors to them is amazing. Lignor also uses the stories of The Last Supper and The Temptation as part of the plot. I don't want to give out exactly how, but it is so good. Scratch that, it is brilliant, plain and simple. The DaVinci Code wishes it could be this entertaining.
Now I did have a couple of problems with this book. For instance, I know Leah is a self-proclaimed atheist. But come on. When she experiences these flashbacks to the areas they visit, she treats it like nothing after. How can you still have so little faith after what you have seen? She sort of writes it off as nothing. I also would have liked a bit more conflict in the areas they visited, whether it be from the area or whoever was after them. But they are still thrilling though. So I guess not much of a complaint, but still. If you read it, you will see what I mean. Also I would have liked if this was a little more of an adult read. Gareth is too hot for us not to get a nude scene out of him. Such a tease. There are also little bits of information we get that is not entirely explained. But this could easily be just making room for book 2 which I have every intention of reading.
I loved this book. Lignor is super talented and that fact shines like a beacon in this book. Despite a hiccups, it doesn't take away from the magnitude of the story and the incredible adventure it took me on. It is a well told story and it is well written, The characters are lovable and even though this is fiction, I love the sense of realism this story gives you. Another sequel I can't wait to sink my teeth into. Highly recommended. Add this to your cart now.
13 follows a young woman named Leah who works at a library. She loves her books and everything they represent. She is a smart woman who invests her life in research and facts. But one day at a special event at the library she works at, she meets a man that is obviously off his rocker. Or is he? Gareth is on a mission like no other. He is searching for an artifact that could change the world completely. Problem is the only way to find the artifact is with Leah's help. She is not the most adventurous or a believer in his crazy stories. But out of curiosity, she helps. But the deeper into the mystery they go, the more dangerous things become. But they aren't aware just how much danger they are really in.
I had a blast with this 13, I couldn't put it down. Someone said this was Indiana Jones meets The DaVinci Code. That is quite the perfect description of this read. It was so much fun uncovering these mysteries with the characters. I love the history that plays a part in the story as well. Lignor definitely put a lot of work into this and it shows. I specifically loved the usage of the Winchester House. I heard about that story years ago and to this day it keeps me out. I saw a tour of the house on tv once and I know I will never step foot into it. The whole scene Lignor had in the house is one of my favorite scenes in this book though. Brilliant.
I loved the characters. Leah and Gareth are ying and yang. Leah is very uptight and a loner. Gareth is charming and laid back. But together, they worked very well. I love the tension between them. Their scenes together are very memorable for me, They are so funny together and I found myself smiling every time they had a conversation. They were so compatible, it felt real and natural when they were together. Even when they are bickering back and forth, you just love them all the more for it. Definitely a team I could get behind. Then we have Gareth's friend Donovan. Leah instantly feels uneasy around him and I can't blame her. He has a vibe that gives you a very creepy feeling. I also loved Kathryn and Emanuel, Gareth's sister and her co-worker/lover. Her and Leah are a lot alike and I loved how easily they got along.
The plot was a lot fun. I love how with each place we visit that moves the story along we are put into that history through Leah. They are looking for keys that will help them unlock the greatest artifact of all. Leah gets these flashes every time she visits a location that hides a key to help them find the artifact. It was so vivid and well put together. I love the use of Heaven and Hell in this book. The idea to unlocking doors to them is amazing. Lignor also uses the stories of The Last Supper and The Temptation as part of the plot. I don't want to give out exactly how, but it is so good. Scratch that, it is brilliant, plain and simple. The DaVinci Code wishes it could be this entertaining.
Now I did have a couple of problems with this book. For instance, I know Leah is a self-proclaimed atheist. But come on. When she experiences these flashbacks to the areas they visit, she treats it like nothing after. How can you still have so little faith after what you have seen? She sort of writes it off as nothing. I also would have liked a bit more conflict in the areas they visited, whether it be from the area or whoever was after them. But they are still thrilling though. So I guess not much of a complaint, but still. If you read it, you will see what I mean. Also I would have liked if this was a little more of an adult read. Gareth is too hot for us not to get a nude scene out of him. Such a tease. There are also little bits of information we get that is not entirely explained. But this could easily be just making room for book 2 which I have every intention of reading.
I loved this book. Lignor is super talented and that fact shines like a beacon in this book. Despite a hiccups, it doesn't take away from the magnitude of the story and the incredible adventure it took me on. It is a well told story and it is well written, The characters are lovable and even though this is fiction, I love the sense of realism this story gives you. Another sequel I can't wait to sink my teeth into. Highly recommended. Add this to your cart now.
February 13, 2014
The Tallent & Lowery series consists of seven books – three published now, with four more to come. I was given the opportunity to read the three books that are out now, and I’m so glad I was!
The books focus on Leah Tallent, a research librarian at the New York Public Library, and Gareth Lowery, man of mystery. The intrigue starts early, with the revelation that Lowery isn’t who he pretended to be for his first meeting with Tallent, and not all of his “friends” have his best interests at heart. The reader learns that a great mystery is afoot, a mystery involving Lowery’s parents that he’s determined to solve.
Tallent herself comes across as irritable and bristly at first, and VERY protective of her library. Her guard is up against the handsome, charming, and overly flirtatious Lowery. As she comes to believe in him more and gets drawn into the mystery that Lowery’s parents were trying to solve, her bristly exterior transforms into more of a snarky sarcasm (which Lowery of course loves – a woman who doesn’t giggle and bat her eyelashes at him is a woman he can respect). Her intelligence and vast knowledge also come into play.
I tend to enjoy books that delve into “weightier” topics, which this one does. While my personal religious beliefs fall somewhere between agnostic and Buddhist, I found the theological aspects of the book very intriguing. The author, Amy Lignor, clearly did a lot of research and makes plenty of references to real locations and actual historical figures. I learned quite a lot of history from reading “13” – for example, I’d never heard of the Akashic Records or the Gnostic Gospels before.
On a personal note, I love that one of the locales that comes into play is the Winchester House, the story of which has fascinated me for years. (I even dreamt once that I bought it and was living there with my kids – interesting, since we now live in a rambling old Victorian house with a hidden staircase that we can’t access… yet.)
This book was a very fast read – the pacing is great, the writing is solid, and the storyline is very interesting and well-researched. It reminded me a bit of Dan Brown’s “Angels & Demons” (in a good way), in the sense of the sexual tension between the protagonists and the frantic mystery-solving quest with religious overtones. If you’re looking for mystery, intrigue, and epic quests (along with a bit of romantic tension), make sure to pick up this series!
*I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The books focus on Leah Tallent, a research librarian at the New York Public Library, and Gareth Lowery, man of mystery. The intrigue starts early, with the revelation that Lowery isn’t who he pretended to be for his first meeting with Tallent, and not all of his “friends” have his best interests at heart. The reader learns that a great mystery is afoot, a mystery involving Lowery’s parents that he’s determined to solve.
Tallent herself comes across as irritable and bristly at first, and VERY protective of her library. Her guard is up against the handsome, charming, and overly flirtatious Lowery. As she comes to believe in him more and gets drawn into the mystery that Lowery’s parents were trying to solve, her bristly exterior transforms into more of a snarky sarcasm (which Lowery of course loves – a woman who doesn’t giggle and bat her eyelashes at him is a woman he can respect). Her intelligence and vast knowledge also come into play.
I tend to enjoy books that delve into “weightier” topics, which this one does. While my personal religious beliefs fall somewhere between agnostic and Buddhist, I found the theological aspects of the book very intriguing. The author, Amy Lignor, clearly did a lot of research and makes plenty of references to real locations and actual historical figures. I learned quite a lot of history from reading “13” – for example, I’d never heard of the Akashic Records or the Gnostic Gospels before.
On a personal note, I love that one of the locales that comes into play is the Winchester House, the story of which has fascinated me for years. (I even dreamt once that I bought it and was living there with my kids – interesting, since we now live in a rambling old Victorian house with a hidden staircase that we can’t access… yet.)
This book was a very fast read – the pacing is great, the writing is solid, and the storyline is very interesting and well-researched. It reminded me a bit of Dan Brown’s “Angels & Demons” (in a good way), in the sense of the sexual tension between the protagonists and the frantic mystery-solving quest with religious overtones. If you’re looking for mystery, intrigue, and epic quests (along with a bit of romantic tension), make sure to pick up this series!
*I received an ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 14, 2013
"I need to go through HELL to get to HEAVEN"
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I want to thank the Amy for allowing me to read this amazing story. Fact: Amy Lignor you rock! (and btw, sorry for taking so long to review it)
I absolutely adored 13! I loved the smart plot and how cleverly it unfolds. The origininaluty of it all.
The defined personalities of every single character and the fact that once I started, I couldn't stop reading it!
This is not a romance, it's a fantasy book with a splash of romance between two people so different but at the same time so similar that you can't conceive the idea of them not being together, they are totally meant for each other.
Leah is the smarty pants here, she knows almost every piece of information ever, she doesn't like kids and even if I do love kids, I found it amusing. She is a bookworm and a super adorable character once you get to know her lol.
While Leah is the brain, Gareth is ... well... let's say that if sexyness was a person, it would definitely be Gareth.
I really liked the way they interacted and their intelligent and funny dialogues.
" You look a little green, my dear librarian. Jealousy perhaps?
"My skin has a tendency to turn green when I'm about to puke". Gareth pressed the elevator button.
"Nice lady that Valerie. I've never stayed here before but I must say the staff is top notch".
"You make me physically sick".
"That's new". He cocked his head to one side. "I don't think I've ever had that reaction from a woman before".
"Then you might want to rethink my company Mr. Lowery" Leah batted her eyelashes dramatically. "A few more hours with me and your over-inflated ego will be flat as a pancake"
It has some parts that are eerie, specially the last 10%.
I loved how Lignor mixed urban legends such as Jack the Ripper with zodiac signs, with Heaven and Hell and wow wow wow! I'm still amazed by this. Can't explain, just read it ok? XD
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I want to thank the Amy for allowing me to read this amazing story. Fact: Amy Lignor you rock! (and btw, sorry for taking so long to review it)
I absolutely adored 13! I loved the smart plot and how cleverly it unfolds. The origininaluty of it all.
The defined personalities of every single character and the fact that once I started, I couldn't stop reading it!
This is not a romance, it's a fantasy book with a splash of romance between two people so different but at the same time so similar that you can't conceive the idea of them not being together, they are totally meant for each other.
Leah is the smarty pants here, she knows almost every piece of information ever, she doesn't like kids and even if I do love kids, I found it amusing. She is a bookworm and a super adorable character once you get to know her lol.
While Leah is the brain, Gareth is ... well... let's say that if sexyness was a person, it would definitely be Gareth.
I really liked the way they interacted and their intelligent and funny dialogues.
" You look a little green, my dear librarian. Jealousy perhaps?
"My skin has a tendency to turn green when I'm about to puke". Gareth pressed the elevator button.
"Nice lady that Valerie. I've never stayed here before but I must say the staff is top notch".
"You make me physically sick".
"That's new". He cocked his head to one side. "I don't think I've ever had that reaction from a woman before".
"Then you might want to rethink my company Mr. Lowery" Leah batted her eyelashes dramatically. "A few more hours with me and your over-inflated ego will be flat as a pancake"
It has some parts that are eerie, specially the last 10%.
I loved how Lignor mixed urban legends such as Jack the Ripper with zodiac signs, with Heaven and Hell and wow wow wow! I'm still amazed by this. Can't explain, just read it ok? XD
September 14, 2014
This is a hard review to write, because I am not sure if I liked the book or not! I fear my difficulty comes from a personal disagreement with much of the book, and that is not fair to the author. because of this disagreement, this will not be an unbiased review. I was not even sure where to shelve the book. I am not sure why I rated it a 3, but that seemed reasonable because I did want to keep reading on, eager to learn more about some interesting places and events that the author researched very well.
I loved the main character, Leah Tallent, a spinster librarian from the big library in NYC that has the lions out front. I could not help but be drawn to her---unaware that she is a stunning beauty, a lonely, solitary woman who has more in common with books than people, hiding behind and within her books and job, and a mind like a steel trap card catalog.
Lowery was not so intriguing a character to me. Good-looking to the point that women fall all over themselves when they are around him. Spoiled, used to his creature comforts, wealthy.
The villain, Donovan, to me was shallow and transparent. No mystery here about who he is and what his purpose is.
To me the plot as it unfolded was thin and so predictable--good vs. evil, God vs the Devil, boy meets girl, she is not interested, he hooks her mind and they take off around the world chasing down orbs that will open the Gates to Heaven, the possible destruction of the world by unleashing the Devil and allowing him to take over Heaven. Throw in a few references to some steamy encounters between Tallent and Lowery for fluff and you've got it.
I think what held my attention to the end was that it was Biblically unsound, attempted to diminish God to someone who needed the help and protection of mankind and one individual, Lowery, someone who was weak, rather than the all mighty and powerful, Holy being that I believe He is, who is the Protector of Heaven and mankind, perfect, without flaw or weakness.
I loved the main character, Leah Tallent, a spinster librarian from the big library in NYC that has the lions out front. I could not help but be drawn to her---unaware that she is a stunning beauty, a lonely, solitary woman who has more in common with books than people, hiding behind and within her books and job, and a mind like a steel trap card catalog.
Lowery was not so intriguing a character to me. Good-looking to the point that women fall all over themselves when they are around him. Spoiled, used to his creature comforts, wealthy.
The villain, Donovan, to me was shallow and transparent. No mystery here about who he is and what his purpose is.
To me the plot as it unfolded was thin and so predictable--good vs. evil, God vs the Devil, boy meets girl, she is not interested, he hooks her mind and they take off around the world chasing down orbs that will open the Gates to Heaven, the possible destruction of the world by unleashing the Devil and allowing him to take over Heaven. Throw in a few references to some steamy encounters between Tallent and Lowery for fluff and you've got it.
I think what held my attention to the end was that it was Biblically unsound, attempted to diminish God to someone who needed the help and protection of mankind and one individual, Lowery, someone who was weak, rather than the all mighty and powerful, Holy being that I believe He is, who is the Protector of Heaven and mankind, perfect, without flaw or weakness.
February 12, 2014
First and foremost, I just want to say I absolutely loved this book! It held my attention from the very beginning to the epilogue. This is just the first in a series featuring Tallent and Lowery, and I definitely want to read more by the author. This first book featured questions of good and evil, and the choices and beliefs people hold when it comes to matters of faith. At the same time, it raised some interesting questions along the way. I also loved the incorporation of actual historical sites with history and mythology surrounding the destinations mentioned in the book, such as Glastonbury Tor in England. It reminded me a bit of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Da Vinci Code.
What made this book such a great read in my mind are the two main characters. The first is Leah Tallent, a librarian at the New York Public Library. It's obvious she loves her job, and I was immediately drawn to her as a character. She was smart, sarcastic, and there were some lines of hers when she was interacting with other characters that had me laughing out loud at several points. What I can also add here is that I thought the dialogue in this book was great, but I also liked the storyline as well, and it was interesting to see Leah's character development.
The second main character is Gareth Lowery, a man on a mission of his own who convinces Leah to help him out. Although Leah is reluctant, it was interesting to see how their relationship developed, and I thought they made a great team.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to people who like Dan Brown, and other authors like him. I give it a rating of 5/5 stars.
What made this book such a great read in my mind are the two main characters. The first is Leah Tallent, a librarian at the New York Public Library. It's obvious she loves her job, and I was immediately drawn to her as a character. She was smart, sarcastic, and there were some lines of hers when she was interacting with other characters that had me laughing out loud at several points. What I can also add here is that I thought the dialogue in this book was great, but I also liked the storyline as well, and it was interesting to see Leah's character development.
The second main character is Gareth Lowery, a man on a mission of his own who convinces Leah to help him out. Although Leah is reluctant, it was interesting to see how their relationship developed, and I thought they made a great team.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to people who like Dan Brown, and other authors like him. I give it a rating of 5/5 stars.
January 31, 2013
As Head of Research for the New York Public Library, Leah Tallent worships at the altar of knowledge. Only she has the true knowledge of all the treasures that the library holds and despite her skepticism, Leah has organized the library's Heaven and Hell exhibition. Gareth Lowery knows that the next clue for his quest will be found at the exhibition and Leah is the only person who can help him interpret the clues to locating the keys that will open the Gates of Heaven.
13 grabbed me from the very start and I admit to being completely jealous of Leah! The Head of Research at the New York Public Library??? Talk about my dream job!!! With her vast knowledge, we are able to experience several distinct dark periods in history. Gareth is searching for the twelve keys to the Gates of Heaven and as the story begins he has already found the first six (good) keys. While we don't actually get to witness his discoveries first hand, he explains their discovery to Leah (and us) throughout the course of the story.
Good and evil, knowledge and faith, Heaven and Hell, Amy Lignor does a fantastic job of portraying the meaning of duality throughout the novel. The world building is incredibly detailed and the portrayals of past events make you feel that you are there while they are happening. The characters are compelling and I enjoyed their growth throughout the story. I can't wait to go on the next adventure with Tallent & Lowery!
13 grabbed me from the very start and I admit to being completely jealous of Leah! The Head of Research at the New York Public Library??? Talk about my dream job!!! With her vast knowledge, we are able to experience several distinct dark periods in history. Gareth is searching for the twelve keys to the Gates of Heaven and as the story begins he has already found the first six (good) keys. While we don't actually get to witness his discoveries first hand, he explains their discovery to Leah (and us) throughout the course of the story.
Good and evil, knowledge and faith, Heaven and Hell, Amy Lignor does a fantastic job of portraying the meaning of duality throughout the novel. The world building is incredibly detailed and the portrayals of past events make you feel that you are there while they are happening. The characters are compelling and I enjoyed their growth throughout the story. I can't wait to go on the next adventure with Tallent & Lowery!
February 12, 2014
This is such a great story of adventure, and treasure hunting. I love the relationship between Tallent and Lowery. It is funny at times, and frustrating at others. I enjoyed the story. I was blown away a few times when Leah would "blink" and be in the middle of the "past" and seeing what was happening. When Tallent "blinks" and is in the room with Jack the Ripper, I was terrified. It's just a book...but the author did an amazing job of putting you "in" the book.
I like how Leah and Gareth's relationship grows during this book. Gareth is on a quest to find the 13 artifacts. Leah who doesn't believe in God or heaven ends up helping Gareth in his journey to find the artifacts, and prove that there is indeed a Heaven and a Hell.
When Leah witnesses some of the worst things that have happened in the past, she comes to realize that there in fact has to be a Heaven. She finds out that there cannot be good without evil. It is such a great story. I cannot wait to see where the rest of the series takes me. The author did an amazing job in writing this book. I was on the edge of my seat a lot of the time. I had some vivid dreams while reading this book...and some of them are things you would never want to dream about! Scary stuff. That just shows me how good the author was. The book make me think even subconsciously.
I like how Leah and Gareth's relationship grows during this book. Gareth is on a quest to find the 13 artifacts. Leah who doesn't believe in God or heaven ends up helping Gareth in his journey to find the artifacts, and prove that there is indeed a Heaven and a Hell.
When Leah witnesses some of the worst things that have happened in the past, she comes to realize that there in fact has to be a Heaven. She finds out that there cannot be good without evil. It is such a great story. I cannot wait to see where the rest of the series takes me. The author did an amazing job in writing this book. I was on the edge of my seat a lot of the time. I had some vivid dreams while reading this book...and some of them are things you would never want to dream about! Scary stuff. That just shows me how good the author was. The book make me think even subconsciously.
April 10, 2014
This is the first in a series and the author does a wonderful job of introducing you to the fun and quirky characters she plans on building a series around. Talent and Lowery travel around the globe following clues to find little glowing orbs that happen to be keys that will open the gates that stand between Heaven and Hell. As they are chasing after answers they will also do research into days gone by and we learn about Crowley, the Winchester House, the public library in New York and the Upper Room. This was a very interesting book and if the rest will follow this format they will be a wild ride. I enjoyed this mystery/thriller and would liken it to The Da Vinci Code but better. If you like Steve Berry's Cotton Malone books you will like this new series.
June 20, 2014
Good read. I liked Leah and Gareth. Leah's a librarian in New York where Patience and Fortitude stand watch. The library is her sanctuary. Gareth is a treasure hunter of sorts who needs something that's buried in Leah's library. They don't hit it off. They do come together in the end, and I liked that she didn't make a complete 180 and become some stupid doe-eyed "girl". She is a strong character who remains true. Gareth is a handsome fellow and quite the ladies' man. He is immediately attracted to Leah, but he doesn't turn into an asshole when she doesn't give him the reaction he's used to. I appreciated that. It's ultimately a story of good and evil, heaven and hell. The author tells a good story.
March 2, 2014
Good Start, But Lost Interest...
Good Start, But Lost Interest...
I thought this book started out very promising, but didn't last long. While it felt very "DaVinci Code"like, with all of the historical references, it didn't manage the same excitement. The religious aspects didn't really interest me, so that may have been part of my issue. The characters were a little flat and I didn't feel much toward them. A book should pull you in and make you a part of the story, but this one fell short for me. Overall the storyline was very interesting and I had hoped for something a little better.
Good Start, But Lost Interest...
I thought this book started out very promising, but didn't last long. While it felt very "DaVinci Code"like, with all of the historical references, it didn't manage the same excitement. The religious aspects didn't really interest me, so that may have been part of my issue. The characters were a little flat and I didn't feel much toward them. A book should pull you in and make you a part of the story, but this one fell short for me. Overall the storyline was very interesting and I had hoped for something a little better.
June 26, 2016
Was vaguely reminiscent of DiVinci Code with an dramatic adventure based on vague clues and treasure hunting for the doorway to heaven. It had a lot of good points, although it dragged in some places. overall the adventure and the characters were engaging. It was refreshing that the female character was so strong, intelligent and opinionated. I like that the hero was steadfast in his faith, even to the point of blindness towards the end - instead of the generic, falls so deeply in love he abandons his goals. The first book was good and finished with minimal loopholes for the next book, I'm still considering if I want to move onto the next book.
December 23, 2013
13 is a fantastic adventure that weaves together different historical events and personalities in fascinating ways. I couldn't wait to see where the story took the characters next, or which historical figure was tied into the tale. It all combines to form a thrilling first book for a series I can't wait to read more about. And the characters? I couldn't get enough of them! By the end of the book, I just wanted more. What happens to them next? Where do they go from here? I can't wait to start the next book.
December 24, 2012
"Indiana Jones meets DaVinci Code" is a very apt description for this fun read. Really enjoyed the historical references to fascinating figures such as Poe and Shakespeare, as well as enchanting locations like Loch Ness. These were woven into the story in a very smart and fun way. Just a fast-paced, enjoyable new series that will provide a welcome escape from a few drab, dull days here in the "real world"...THUMBS UP
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews