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Templar #8
Lost City of the Templars (The Templars series) by Paul Christopher
A Templar legend is revealed as one man’s obsession takes him on a globe-spanning quest into the jungles of the Amazon in the new novel from New York Times bestselling author Paul Christopher… Retired Army Ranger John Holliday has thwarted the plots of Rex Deus, the twenty-first-century incarnation of the Templars, all over the world. Now, the lost journal of explorer Percy Fawcett leads Holliday into the South American jungles—and a Templar mystery… Trailed by an infamous tomb raider and menaced by a tribe of hostile natives, Holliday and his crew uncover a five-hundred-year-old society hidden in the cauldron of the Amazon. Descendants of the Templar Knights, they exist for one to hide and protect the holy artifact taken from the original Temple of Jerusalem by the first the legendary Ark of the Covenant.
Paperback
First published December 31, 2012
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About the author
Paul Christopher
95 books294 followersPaul Christopher is a pseudonym used by the author Christopher Hyde.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 13, 2014
I wasn't really expecting much with this one - I've read some of his books before, and they were always crazy, action-packed, and just a fun light read. This one, though, really taxed the limits of what I was willing to accept or believe. Whether it was the "coincidences," the omnisciences, or the constant reintroduction of characters time and again, it just really didn't sit well with me. I probably won't be reading more of his books, unfortunately.
July 26, 2017
To be honest, several times here I was not really seeing a whole lot of point in this volume. Unless it was to fulfil a contract. Maybe he was contracted to do nine but ran a bit out of steam and decided to go off. Though...this does pull together a few strands of 'out there.' Mainly, the idea that the Templars, after their destruction/dissolution, some of them anyway, managed to escape and sail off to America. I've seen several books, fiction and non-fiction based around this theory. I haven't read enough about it to come down either way, so I'm open-minded. It does lead me on nicely to thinking that, in general, this has been a series for the conspiracy theorists. Catholic cults, secret organisations behind everything, the Vatican having stuff in secret archives that would destroy them...all that. Though with the latter, I'm not sure if anyone would be too worried about that any more. As if it could be worse than pedophilia. The rocking the foundations of Christianity also.
Topical though. As as soon as I was finished, if not before, I began seeing articles about 'The Lost City of Z,' or something similar. Which seems to have plenty to do with the lost city and Percival Fawcett that this book is all about. Strange.
If nothing else, Paul Christopher has a great talent for making it all flow and read well and plausible. My imagination is not stretched too close to breaking point - most of the time. And always great fun, Indiana Jones, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fun. With enough added nonsense to make Graham Whatsit fans salivate. Though having said that, it's maybe not far enough out on that there limb for them.
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Topical though. As as soon as I was finished, if not before, I began seeing articles about 'The Lost City of Z,' or something similar. Which seems to have plenty to do with the lost city and Percival Fawcett that this book is all about. Strange.
If nothing else, Paul Christopher has a great talent for making it all flow and read well and plausible. My imagination is not stretched too close to breaking point - most of the time. And always great fun, Indiana Jones, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fun. With enough added nonsense to make Graham Whatsit fans salivate. Though having said that, it's maybe not far enough out on that there limb for them.
The best book blog on the web: Speesh Reads
The best book page on the Facebook: Speesh Reads
August 26, 2015
I just couldn't get into this books at all. Stupidly I hadn't realised it was the 8th in a series. Perhaps things would have made more sense if I had read at least one of the others? Never in my life had I started a book and not made myself finish it in the hope it would improve, unfortunately I had to give up on this one. The characters all blended into one and the story seems to jump all over the place so I never quite knew who was talking and in what context.
Don't like leaving bad reviews because so much work has gone into writing a book and for that the author must be applauded. However, perhaps for future editions more focus could be made on the front cover displaying clearly that this book is the 8th in a series? (Just to help out those of us - surely I can't be the only one?! - who buy a book because the cover looks interesting and should pay more attention to the description!)
Don't like leaving bad reviews because so much work has gone into writing a book and for that the author must be applauded. However, perhaps for future editions more focus could be made on the front cover displaying clearly that this book is the 8th in a series? (Just to help out those of us - surely I can't be the only one?! - who buy a book because the cover looks interesting and should pay more attention to the description!)
February 6, 2014
Fast paced book about finding lost treasure in South America. Lots of secrets, intrigue, and death.
Are any of these stories possible. It is fun thinking it might be. Are there whole lost/secret civilizations out there? I was sad that her killed off two main characters will there be no more about them? They were at least some levity in a book that moves fast and everyone is about to die.
Are any of these stories possible. It is fun thinking it might be. Are there whole lost/secret civilizations out there? I was sad that her killed off two main characters will there be no more about them? They were at least some levity in a book that moves fast and everyone is about to die.
October 25, 2013
I've been reading this series. I requested this book from the library's "we plan to buy it" list. Kinda cool to be the first one ever to read a library paperback.
This book has a surprise ending. A big surprise. A big part of the surprise is that the ending would be the middle of a real novel and the rest of the book would close out the aftermath of the event and maybe tie up some loose ends. However, there is an increasing tendency of these writers who churn out these series of books with the same characters to end one book with the teaser to get you to buy the next book.
This whole series reads like a Cussler novel. I find myself identifying characters from this book with the corresponding character in one of his books.
The three stars is generous, but you are probably trapped in the series like I am.
This book has a surprise ending. A big surprise. A big part of the surprise is that the ending would be the middle of a real novel and the rest of the book would close out the aftermath of the event and maybe tie up some loose ends. However, there is an increasing tendency of these writers who churn out these series of books with the same characters to end one book with the teaser to get you to buy the next book.
This whole series reads like a Cussler novel. I find myself identifying characters from this book with the corresponding character in one of his books.
The three stars is generous, but you are probably trapped in the series like I am.
September 15, 2020
A lost city in the Amazon, a buried treasure, several groups actively searching for it! Sounds like it would be an exciting plot for a story. And it should have been, but for.... those searching were confusing as to the good guys and the bad. And both seemed to die off in the book - and then reappear.
It was frequently difficult to distinguish the good guys from the bad, and it seemed the author had an axe to grind against priests and Catholic clerics all the way up to Cardinals. It was amazing how they could be leading double [or even triple] lives without anyone being the wiser. Others that the reader might think were good guys turned out to be bad and vice versa.
The ending was to me just as non-satisfying as the rest of the book, and truthfully, I was glad it was over - even as 'LOST' it left the reader.
It was frequently difficult to distinguish the good guys from the bad, and it seemed the author had an axe to grind against priests and Catholic clerics all the way up to Cardinals. It was amazing how they could be leading double [or even triple] lives without anyone being the wiser. Others that the reader might think were good guys turned out to be bad and vice versa.
The ending was to me just as non-satisfying as the rest of the book, and truthfully, I was glad it was over - even as 'LOST' it left the reader.
November 12, 2022
Great read! I'm not exactly happy with Doc Holliday's massive loss, but I can understand why author decided finish this book that way.
March 22, 2018
Characterisation felt hurried and too much stuffed into a small book...but still a ripping yarn and entertaining storyline.
November 2, 2013
Christopher returns with yet another sub-par novel in the collection, bringing his entire cast out to South America in search of a new Templar lead. Holliday and the gang head there after discovering an artifact that leads them to believe that there is not only something Templar going on in the jungles of Brazil, but something altogether more interesting and exciting. While the story has potential, its presentation and whimsical zipping around the world with no apparent cohesive connection leaves much to be desired. Interested fans in the series might want to hang on until the end for the regular cliffhanger, which came out of left field.
Like some sort of addict, I keep coming back to the series, even when disappointed. I know I should not, but I always hope something good WILL come of all this. I am hopeful that there is a light at the end of this tunnel and that Christopher will redeem himself. Eight books in... so why stop now? Christopher always begins a series strong and lets it go limp... which frustrates me to no end.
Unimpressed, but thankfully it was a free eBook and not a purchase for me.
Like some sort of addict, I keep coming back to the series, even when disappointed. I know I should not, but I always hope something good WILL come of all this. I am hopeful that there is a light at the end of this tunnel and that Christopher will redeem himself. Eight books in... so why stop now? Christopher always begins a series strong and lets it go limp... which frustrates me to no end.
Unimpressed, but thankfully it was a free eBook and not a purchase for me.
November 2, 2013
Lost City of the Templars is the 8th book in a series by Paul Christopher. John Holliday (or Doc as he is called) is a retired Army Ranger. After his cousin, Peggy found a Templar sword after the death of Doc's grandfather he has been the Rex Deus , modern day Templars. This book in the series takes Doc, Peggy and her husband Raffi into the jungles of South American. They are following lead found in journals in a chest that Peggy brought at an action.
The Lost City of the Templars is exactly that... a city deep within the jungle of South American. Those in the City are descendants of the Templars. Their sole purpose is the protect the Ark of the Covenant from the Temple of Jerusalem.
Doc and his crew and being followed and attacked by Templars that are following them to obtain the journal for themselves.
I liked the book, I love the story of like of modern day Templars. What I didn't like was the ending but am sure that Paul Christopher will somehow work magic in his next Templar novel.
The Lost City of the Templars is exactly that... a city deep within the jungle of South American. Those in the City are descendants of the Templars. Their sole purpose is the protect the Ark of the Covenant from the Temple of Jerusalem.
Doc and his crew and being followed and attacked by Templars that are following them to obtain the journal for themselves.
I liked the book, I love the story of like of modern day Templars. What I didn't like was the ending but am sure that Paul Christopher will somehow work magic in his next Templar novel.
April 7, 2014
This book is way too ambitious. The story line skipped over parts as if it were trying to be accepted as an action film. The plot seemed to try and gather too many elements and weave them into a whole that didn't work. The characters included members of the same family over generations that were all referred to my very similar names and the current characters included family members to that extent that it was difficult to know at any given time who was being discussed. Coupled with the rapid changes of scene, it often took a few paragraphs to 'catch up' with the new direction/location of the story.
July 1, 2020
I couldn't bring myself to read any further after reaching page 70. I was hoping that the story would become more engaging, but it was just all over the place. There was no defined structure in place. Each chapter, there were three to four stories going on and it was just difficult to engage with the characters. The parts with the main character were about two pages per chapter before they change into another scene, and then a couple of paragraphs later, they change into another scene and so forth. Maybe it's because this was the 8th book, but even the writing just didn't do well for me.
January 22, 2014
Had the potential to be another great book to add to the Templar series from Christopher but for me it was a huge let down of what I have come to expect from Christopher. I did feel as though this book was rushed and I hope that doesn't carry over to the next book (if there is one). I do hope Christopher has another book planned though as I look forward to how the story will progress now between characters after the events of Lost City.
February 14, 2017
I don't know whether to be pleased or disappointed. It seems like this series, which started with so much potential, is slowly faltering. While the adventure is decent, the Fawcett tie in is great, it seems as if there are never any real answers, just more and more questions. It's left me rather unsatisfied. Now that I have finished the books that are out, I'm not sure if I'll be continuing the series when the next one is released.
July 22, 2016
Really disappointed in this author as yet again, Holliday's wife has changed names. But not just once, she started out as Fay in this book and then became Amy again! Good lord, what do you pay editors for if they can't catch glaring mistakes such as these?
September 8, 2015
The series has returned to the Templar theme since it strayed during the last few books. Also, it ends with quite a cliffhanger making me want to read the last book! Too bad my library system doesn't carry it!
March 25, 2014
not the best in the series and seems that Christopher has started to lose his touch with the series
August 13, 2016
Always enjoy this series. Find author always has a new trick up his pen. Here he uses an old journal to set action going. Good character development with fitting adventures.
March 28, 2014
Superb!
These books are definitely worth reading! You will definitely find each and every page grabbing and holding onto your very being! Excellent work!!
These books are definitely worth reading! You will definitely find each and every page grabbing and holding onto your very being! Excellent work!!
April 25, 2014
Holiday is called when Peggy and her husband Rafi find a box with a Templar diary dating to the 1100's in Brazil.
July 26, 2016
I learned a lot about Cuba that I didn't know~
September 7, 2015
I was disappointed. Too disjointed, repetitive and was surprised by the ending. Not sure where the series will take us next.
December 22, 2015
Think I need to stop reading books about Templars and lost treasure. Ok, but felt as if I'd read it before
January 31, 2018
Hell of an ending.
I didn't see that coming,can't wait for the next book.It just goes to show,you can't judge a book by it's cover.u
I didn't see that coming,can't wait for the next book.It just goes to show,you can't judge a book by it's cover.u
August 2, 2018
The latest rip-roaring adventure thriller from Paul Christopher featuring John Holliday and his search for the Templar Order.
Retired Army Ranger turned historian John Holliday has thwarted the plots of Rex Deus, the twenty-first-century incarnation of the Templars, all over the world. Now, the lost journal of explorer Percy Fawcett leads Holliday deep into the South American jungles on a quest to uncover the greatest mystery of the Middle Ages ...
Trailed by an infamous tomb raider and menaced by a tribe of hostile natives, Holliday and his crew uncover a five-hundred-year-old society hidden in the cauldron of the Amazon. Descendants of the Templar Knights, they exist for one reason: to hide and protect the holy artefact taken from the original Temple of Jerusalem by the first Templars: the legendary Ark of the Covenant. Will Holliday's obsession with the truth finally kill him?
Lost City of the Templars is Paul Christopher's latest action-packed conspiracy thriller that will take readers to the heart of an ancient secret society.
Paul Christopher is the pseudonym of a bestselling US novelist who lives in the Great Lakes region.
Out January, 2014
MY THOUGHTS:
I found this book in a local thrift shop and will now offer my honest review.
This is book 8 of the Templar Series.
This book has it all: Treasure hunting, hostile natives, tomb raiders, conspiracy theories, holy artifacts, lies, determined Protagonist, bizarre happenings, 500 year old society, protectors of treasures... and more!
I would recommend you begin at the beginning of the series with "The Sword of The Templars" if you are wanting to read this series.
It's Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft.
Retired Army Ranger turned historian John Holliday has thwarted the plots of Rex Deus, the twenty-first-century incarnation of the Templars, all over the world. Now, the lost journal of explorer Percy Fawcett leads Holliday deep into the South American jungles on a quest to uncover the greatest mystery of the Middle Ages ...
Trailed by an infamous tomb raider and menaced by a tribe of hostile natives, Holliday and his crew uncover a five-hundred-year-old society hidden in the cauldron of the Amazon. Descendants of the Templar Knights, they exist for one reason: to hide and protect the holy artefact taken from the original Temple of Jerusalem by the first Templars: the legendary Ark of the Covenant. Will Holliday's obsession with the truth finally kill him?
Lost City of the Templars is Paul Christopher's latest action-packed conspiracy thriller that will take readers to the heart of an ancient secret society.
Paul Christopher is the pseudonym of a bestselling US novelist who lives in the Great Lakes region.
Out January, 2014
MY THOUGHTS:
I found this book in a local thrift shop and will now offer my honest review.
This is book 8 of the Templar Series.
This book has it all: Treasure hunting, hostile natives, tomb raiders, conspiracy theories, holy artifacts, lies, determined Protagonist, bizarre happenings, 500 year old society, protectors of treasures... and more!
I would recommend you begin at the beginning of the series with "The Sword of The Templars" if you are wanting to read this series.
It's Indiana Jones meets Lara Croft.
August 10, 2017
I'm sorry but I couldn't carry on with this book after the first few pages; primarily because of the repetition of words (it's like there was a lack of diverse vocabulary). It then got worse when the author referenced Harry Potter incorrectly; if you're going to mention the platform at least don't forget the 3/4 (the author put platform 9). These issues and the overuse of commas put me off. I'm sorry I've got plenty of books to read without wasting my time on something that seriously irritated me.
January 29, 2019
Once again although I enjoyed the book it really did feel like the author was running out of ideas. I’m carrying on to book 9 the last in the set but I’m really only doing it to see how this is going to end. What started out as an exciting read back at book 1 has slipped downhill. Hopefully the last in the series can rescue it.
January 10, 2025
Again lots of action but I was left confused by too many secret organisations and too many assassins. It is certainly a dangerous world in 'Doc' Holliday's life! I know that the Templar series is an ongoing story but disappointed with this 'ending'.
September 23, 2017
I read 50 pages and had to stop reading.
December 2, 2018
Pretty good read but weird ending!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews