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Newton's Fire
A breathtaking thriller which weaves history and religion with action, adventure and apocalypse…
Luke Hayward is adrift. Blacklisted out of academia, he is in no position to refuse when a client asks for his expert help in recovering some lost Isaac Newton papers.
But a chance discovery in a dusty attic plunges Luke into a race to uncover the truth behind some seemingly random scribblings - a race which pits Luke against a fundamentalist madman with dangerously powerful friends.
Luke discovers connections between Oxford, London and the Old City of Jerusalem in a breathless chase to uncover a secret hidden in the eccentric ramblings of a mathematical genius; a secret that, in the wrong hands, could be used to spark the holy war to end all holy wars…
Luke Hayward is adrift. Blacklisted out of academia, he is in no position to refuse when a client asks for his expert help in recovering some lost Isaac Newton papers.
But a chance discovery in a dusty attic plunges Luke into a race to uncover the truth behind some seemingly random scribblings - a race which pits Luke against a fundamentalist madman with dangerously powerful friends.
Luke discovers connections between Oxford, London and the Old City of Jerusalem in a breathless chase to uncover a secret hidden in the eccentric ramblings of a mathematical genius; a secret that, in the wrong hands, could be used to spark the holy war to end all holy wars…
502 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2012
29 people are currently reading
674 people want to read
About the author
Will Adams
12 books276 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Will Adams has tried his hand at a multitude of careers over the years. Most recently, he worked for a London-based firm of communications consultants, before giving it up to pursue his lifelong dream of writing fiction. His first novel, The Alexander Cipher, is a modern-day quest to find the lost tomb of Alexander the Great. Published in November 2007 by Harper Collins, it is being translated into twelve languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch, and will be published in the USA by Grand Central Publishing.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Will Adams has tried his hand at a multitude of careers over the years. Most recently, he worked for a London-based firm of communications consultants, before giving it up to pursue his lifelong dream of writing fiction. His first novel, The Alexander Cipher, is a modern-day quest to find the lost tomb of Alexander the Great. Published in November 2007 by Harper Collins, it is being translated into twelve languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch, and will be published in the USA by Grand Central Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 15, 2025
This book reminded me of the catastrophe films of the 1970’s, The Towering Inferno, the Poseidon Adventure etc. I think it would make a good film. I found it somewhat lacking but couldn’t say why. It had all the expected traits of suspense, adventure, power and love.
February 11, 2015
full of action, good set pieces, mythology, history, great locations.... and yet... and yet it didn't quite gel properly. Some of the dialogue was clunky especially towards the end. Character development was almost an afterthought, a second draft shoe-in. It needed another pass to mesh it that little bit stronger together.
As it is, I did thoroughly enjoy it especially since a lot of the action was set here in the UK; though non UK residents may have to have the internet nearby as locale description is scant. I always enjoy books of discovery and this was no exception. Thank you Will Adams!
As it is, I did thoroughly enjoy it especially since a lot of the action was set here in the UK; though non UK residents may have to have the internet nearby as locale description is scant. I always enjoy books of discovery and this was no exception. Thank you Will Adams!
January 26, 2013
Thoughtful, enlightening and just such a good paced read. Certainly a far better read than Dan Brown's the Lost Symbol. If you want a well researched, but overall damned good read, then this is the book for you. Believable characters throughout, with Luke and Rachel as the main characters so believable.
May 9, 2020
My kind of book. :)
May 27, 2023
This book was not bad but not really great either, I find Rachel and Luke’s perspectives to be interesting and sometimes even captivating but most of the other characters did not feel super fleshed out, I think Pelham, Olivia and Benyamin all had potential but felt relatively under-utilised. I almost feel like this book could have been longer or even been a two part series. I did enjoy the writing style though and think I’ll check out some more of Will Adams work.
October 15, 2020
Again Will Adams does not disappoint, thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are interesting and I always love how he has three different angles and that they all come together as the story unfolds. Again it is another well researched book giving you the what if angle. This author is definitely one of my favourites.
March 13, 2017
Lo dico subito, questo libro non è entrato nel mio cuore, nella mia mente, nella mia anima. Ha sfiorato pochissimo il mio essere. Ciò nonostante, cercando di essere obbiettivo, non lo reputo un brutto libro. Anzi.
Ci sono sia pregi che difetti, e i difetti per me hanno superato i pregi, però senza eliminarli. È un’opinione del tutto personale che va presa con le pinze. Sono certo che gli amanti del genere non faticheranno ad apprezzare moltissimo la lettura di quest’opera.
Il più grande pregio poi sta nel mistero, nella ricerca di esso. Forse i più acuti riusciranno a scoprire subito di cosa si tratta, io ci ho messo un po’, a dirla tutta. Comunque è il mistero che alimenta la curiosità, sia per alcuni dei protagonisti, sia per il lettore. Procedere nella lettura è come scavare in un pozzo alla ricerca di quel tesoro che tanto si inizia a bramare, ogni pagina fa aumentare questo desiderio.
Scritto in modo molto scorrevole, non fa sentire più di tanto il peso delle seicento pagine circa. Esistono libri che hanno molte meno parole e risultano molto più pesanti e opprimenti e che a volte richiedono più pause, questo invece secondo me può essere letto tutto d’un fiato se si ha tempo, specie da chi è già avvezzo a leggere libri simili.
Parlando dei difetti, l’ho trovato banale in alcune cose, specie nel fanatismo religioso di alcuni personaggi.
Quando si parla di Newton, dei suoi studi e dei suoi pensieri religiosi e alchemici mi sono realmente entusiasmato a scoprire certi aspetti della vita di un uomo che ha influenzato tanto il nostro mondo ma, se paragonati a quella curiosità e a quell’entusiasmo, gli aspetti caratteriali di alcuni personaggi del libro risultano noiosi. Alti e bassi così distruggono certe gioie e creano smarrimento in chi legge.
Così come lo crea il continuo cambio di scena. Attenzione, a tratti è proprio questo che rende il romanzo tanto scorrevole e aggiunge tutta quella curiosità che alimenta la lettura, ma più di una volta i vari passaggi sono troppo brevi e bruschi e spezzano il ritmo.
In un certo senso questo libro è pieno di strane contraddizioni che lo innalzano e lo fanno cadere, a molti potrebbe piacere ma questa altalena di emozioni non mi ha entusiasmato. Non è né caotico né lineare, una via di mezzo che mi ha lasciato una certa sensazione di ‘’insipido’’.
Spero che chi legge sia appassionato del genere e non un novizio.
Recensione: jager
Editing: mandy
Sharing is caring!
Ci sono sia pregi che difetti, e i difetti per me hanno superato i pregi, però senza eliminarli. È un’opinione del tutto personale che va presa con le pinze. Sono certo che gli amanti del genere non faticheranno ad apprezzare moltissimo la lettura di quest’opera.
Il più grande pregio poi sta nel mistero, nella ricerca di esso. Forse i più acuti riusciranno a scoprire subito di cosa si tratta, io ci ho messo un po’, a dirla tutta. Comunque è il mistero che alimenta la curiosità, sia per alcuni dei protagonisti, sia per il lettore. Procedere nella lettura è come scavare in un pozzo alla ricerca di quel tesoro che tanto si inizia a bramare, ogni pagina fa aumentare questo desiderio.
Scritto in modo molto scorrevole, non fa sentire più di tanto il peso delle seicento pagine circa. Esistono libri che hanno molte meno parole e risultano molto più pesanti e opprimenti e che a volte richiedono più pause, questo invece secondo me può essere letto tutto d’un fiato se si ha tempo, specie da chi è già avvezzo a leggere libri simili.
Parlando dei difetti, l’ho trovato banale in alcune cose, specie nel fanatismo religioso di alcuni personaggi.
Quando si parla di Newton, dei suoi studi e dei suoi pensieri religiosi e alchemici mi sono realmente entusiasmato a scoprire certi aspetti della vita di un uomo che ha influenzato tanto il nostro mondo ma, se paragonati a quella curiosità e a quell’entusiasmo, gli aspetti caratteriali di alcuni personaggi del libro risultano noiosi. Alti e bassi così distruggono certe gioie e creano smarrimento in chi legge.
Così come lo crea il continuo cambio di scena. Attenzione, a tratti è proprio questo che rende il romanzo tanto scorrevole e aggiunge tutta quella curiosità che alimenta la lettura, ma più di una volta i vari passaggi sono troppo brevi e bruschi e spezzano il ritmo.
In un certo senso questo libro è pieno di strane contraddizioni che lo innalzano e lo fanno cadere, a molti potrebbe piacere ma questa altalena di emozioni non mi ha entusiasmato. Non è né caotico né lineare, una via di mezzo che mi ha lasciato una certa sensazione di ‘’insipido’’.
Spero che chi legge sia appassionato del genere e non un novizio.
Recensione: jager
Editing: mandy
Sharing is caring!
November 8, 2021
I’ve enjoyed several of Adams’ books and this was no exception. Luke’s attempt to find the truth is a convoluted one, twists and turns at every, well, turn. It actually took me a bit to get the characters straight, but that didn’t subtract from my enjoyment. Luke, especially, was likable. As was Rachel, the woman who would join him in his quest to stop the cabal of religious madmen. Those madmen would be the part of the story I would find hard to swallow.
Maybe that’s the blindness that overcomes people who believe in something, whatever the reality is. The characters are supposed to be learned men, steeped in, not just the bible, but the history of what came to be known as the Holy Land. Problem is, most of the stories that their reasons are based on, archaeologists have debunked. It was hard to see the men as, not just misguided, but deliberately blind. Unfortunately, it’s pretty plain, taking our own recent history, that people like this do exist.
Maybe that’s the blindness that overcomes people who believe in something, whatever the reality is. The characters are supposed to be learned men, steeped in, not just the bible, but the history of what came to be known as the Holy Land. Problem is, most of the stories that their reasons are based on, archaeologists have debunked. It was hard to see the men as, not just misguided, but deliberately blind. Unfortunately, it’s pretty plain, taking our own recent history, that people like this do exist.
May 21, 2023
The book jacket promised a good story filled with action, intrigue, and suspense. It centered around a plot to recreate the Third Temple of Solomon in modern-day Jerusalem. However, plot holes and suspension of disbelief aside, the book itself was somewhat of a letdown.
The plot was unforgivably predictable, action that was improbable with an obviously well-intended but unlikely love interest thrown in. Some facts were off, but, the most glaring was the impossible nature of the ease that the terrorists get into the Dome of the Rock to blow it up, and with explosives no less.
While all of these could have been overlooked through imagination, the poor dialogue and descriptions really took away from the story leaving the entire book as a disappointment, unfortunately.
The plot was unforgivably predictable, action that was improbable with an obviously well-intended but unlikely love interest thrown in. Some facts were off, but, the most glaring was the impossible nature of the ease that the terrorists get into the Dome of the Rock to blow it up, and with explosives no less.
While all of these could have been overlooked through imagination, the poor dialogue and descriptions really took away from the story leaving the entire book as a disappointment, unfortunately.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2024
Luke Hayward, an academic specialising in the Scientific Revolution, finds some of Sir Isaac Newton's missing papers in an attic. He and Rachel Parkes find themselves racing to stay ahead of a sinister band of thugs while they try to decipher the Newton papers. They enmesh themselves in some of Newton's alchemical studies and end up trying to thwart an attack on Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock.
Will Adams introduces a new protagonist with this book. I was not done with Daniel Knox.
Will Adams introduces a new protagonist with this book. I was not done with Daniel Knox.
November 23, 2017
it's good, I gained some insight of others who hated my religion. but, the real compliment would be, this book is a good conspiracy book, it contains facts and a lot of dates. worth to read for pleasure.much better than watching tv for sure.
May 29, 2018
the best of Will Adams. Rich with interested details about Newton and the other pioneers of the Brtish Rensisence, Jewish traditions and human feelings. Even the weak and surfacial characters like Crock and Jay represened good.
August 23, 2020
one of my fevourite books I've ever read! I love the mystery intertwined with history and religion. couldn't put it down!
November 27, 2021
Definite Dan Brown vibes.
March 21, 2022
I love this book so much!! I reread it all the time. Easily my favourite book. I never get bored of this book
February 14, 2017
Un intrigo che abbatte i confini nazionali, che va oltre la realtà per approdare nel mistico, un piano ideato secoli fa che riuscirà forse ad essere finalmente realizzato?
Un testo che si basa non solo sul genio di Newton, ma anche su quello di numerosi altri studiosi che sono venuti a contatto con lui, quali Ashmolr, uno storico, un collezionista d'arte, un alchimista, oppure John Dee, un matematico, un astrologo, un alchimista. Diverse figure di spicco della storia mondiale si intrecceranno tra queste pagine, e uniranno scienza e religione, miti ed esperimenti.
Un libro pieno di menti brillanti, di visionari, sognatori, o semplici pazzi?
Recensione: http://chelibroleggere.blogspot.com/2...
Un testo che si basa non solo sul genio di Newton, ma anche su quello di numerosi altri studiosi che sono venuti a contatto con lui, quali Ashmolr, uno storico, un collezionista d'arte, un alchimista, oppure John Dee, un matematico, un astrologo, un alchimista. Diverse figure di spicco della storia mondiale si intrecceranno tra queste pagine, e uniranno scienza e religione, miti ed esperimenti.
Un libro pieno di menti brillanti, di visionari, sognatori, o semplici pazzi?
Recensione: http://chelibroleggere.blogspot.com/2...
April 18, 2023
This book was a very fun entertaining thriller that I very much enjoyed even if I did find large parts of the story very farfetched. I really enjoyed the characters of Luke and Rachel as they weren't over the top with being amazing action heroes. They really did feel like very relatable people and I felt like there attraction to each other really did progress very naturally if typically for this kind of story. Overall I really enjoyed this book.
July 31, 2013
When disgraced Newtonian scholar, Luke Hayward, discovers some lost papers written by Isaac Newton in a dusty attic, he becomes embroiled in a global conspiracy that leads all the way up to the Vice President of the United States. He finds himself caught in a race against time to decipher centuries old clues left by a long dead genius, with not only his own life at stake, but possibly the lives of millions.
There will be some of you, after reading that summary, that start to think "Hang on, wasn't there another, fairly successful book by Dan Brown, that sounds a bit similar?" There was, and there are more than a few similarities between the two novels. Newton's Fire not only borrows the underlying theme of The Davinci Code, but also duplicates a fair number of its story beats, right down to the love interest and the betrayal by a trusted friend. Being honest, for the most part it's pretty formulaic stuff. That's not to say that the book is bad, however. In most ways that matter, it's a better novel than the book it seems to draw it's inspiration from.
The story has been well researched, and the sprinkling of historical facts provide a level of interest beyond what you would get from a standard thriller. It's nice to finish a book and feel that you actually learned a little from it. Will Adam's writing style is smooth, and the plot moves along at a cracking pace, while the characters are generally well drawn and believable. That said, the ending becomes a little far-fetched, and the big reveal as to what Newton's Fire actually is, was quite underwhelming.
Those nitpicks aside, Newton's Fire is an engaging, entertaining and intelligent read that fans of Dan Brown will love.
There will be some of you, after reading that summary, that start to think "Hang on, wasn't there another, fairly successful book by Dan Brown, that sounds a bit similar?" There was, and there are more than a few similarities between the two novels. Newton's Fire not only borrows the underlying theme of The Davinci Code, but also duplicates a fair number of its story beats, right down to the love interest and the betrayal by a trusted friend. Being honest, for the most part it's pretty formulaic stuff. That's not to say that the book is bad, however. In most ways that matter, it's a better novel than the book it seems to draw it's inspiration from.
The story has been well researched, and the sprinkling of historical facts provide a level of interest beyond what you would get from a standard thriller. It's nice to finish a book and feel that you actually learned a little from it. Will Adam's writing style is smooth, and the plot moves along at a cracking pace, while the characters are generally well drawn and believable. That said, the ending becomes a little far-fetched, and the big reveal as to what Newton's Fire actually is, was quite underwhelming.
Those nitpicks aside, Newton's Fire is an engaging, entertaining and intelligent read that fans of Dan Brown will love.
March 19, 2013
Luke Hayward has been employed to search for some of Newton's missing papers. When he unexpectedly finds what he's looking for in the attic of an elderly lady's house he thinks his job is over, but soon he is being pursued by a ruthless gang, determined to get hold of the papers for nefarious purposes.
This book definitely falls into the "page-turner" category as it seemed to me to be composed almost entirely of plot with only an infinitesimal amount of characterisation. It's very filmic as it moves from one action set piece to the next, including car chases, shoot outs and pursuits on foot.
The writing style is often clunky and some of the diaglogue is ridiculous with a tendency to tell not show. I felt that the female characters were less successfully drawn than the male protagonists, which is saying something as even the male characters are largely two dimensional.
However, if you're looking for something quick and easy to read that won't make many demands on you, then this is likely to fit the bill. For those who like Dan Brown.
This book definitely falls into the "page-turner" category as it seemed to me to be composed almost entirely of plot with only an infinitesimal amount of characterisation. It's very filmic as it moves from one action set piece to the next, including car chases, shoot outs and pursuits on foot.
The writing style is often clunky and some of the diaglogue is ridiculous with a tendency to tell not show. I felt that the female characters were less successfully drawn than the male protagonists, which is saying something as even the male characters are largely two dimensional.
However, if you're looking for something quick and easy to read that won't make many demands on you, then this is likely to fit the bill. For those who like Dan Brown.
July 24, 2015
I try to always do with what I got when it comes to books and be respectful that someone worked on the story I've just read.
But, no matter how hard I try, I simply cannot like this book. A lot of people are the start is slow and somewhat confusing, when for me, I feel as though the start is written better than the entire book.
I'm not going to go into the story, but it's sort of entertaining. I just feel that with little bit of more work and time, the book could have been something.
The characters are plain and have nothing unique to them, the writing altogether is a struggle to read and the plot seems lazy.
There's some moments which I didn't expect, but other than that, nothing stood out about this book.
But, no matter how hard I try, I simply cannot like this book. A lot of people are the start is slow and somewhat confusing, when for me, I feel as though the start is written better than the entire book.
I'm not going to go into the story, but it's sort of entertaining. I just feel that with little bit of more work and time, the book could have been something.
The characters are plain and have nothing unique to them, the writing altogether is a struggle to read and the plot seems lazy.
There's some moments which I didn't expect, but other than that, nothing stood out about this book.
February 2, 2016
Will Adams gave an interesting concept and gave good effort for this book, however i'm not quite happy about this novel. I expected Will Adams to surpass or be up to the level of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons. I should give one star but I didn't hate it because I liked the effort.
The beginning didn't give any hints as to what the characters were searching for and kept giving me more questions then answers and I began to lose interest. For example, I thought that the characters were looking for lost treasure. Then, it began to sound like a lost invention of Sir Issac Newton's. The ending of the novel was bizarre and all I could say was WHAT?!
The beginning didn't give any hints as to what the characters were searching for and kept giving me more questions then answers and I began to lose interest. For example, I thought that the characters were looking for lost treasure. Then, it began to sound like a lost invention of Sir Issac Newton's. The ending of the novel was bizarre and all I could say was WHAT?!
March 17, 2013
Though it gets off to a somewhat slow and confusing start, this book picks up into an exciting storyline that weaves together history and modernity in a way I can't help but enjoy. Once the various plot lines become clear, they are strung together well, with a good mixture of tension and excitement. While not quite of the same calibre as Adam's other books (The Alexander Cipher gripped me more, and was a great read), I certainly enjoyed this book and look forward to Adam's next.
November 10, 2013
Pseudo Dan Brown so not original in any way but it was another holiday read so I enjoyed it just based upon the sunshine and the accompanying JD and coke it was great.
University professor embarks upon a private enterprise of an investigative nature in an attempt to locate missing papers of historical and scientific interest. People die, aces get dug up, kidnapping, travel between different locations and a bit of Arab Israeli conflict thrown in.
University professor embarks upon a private enterprise of an investigative nature in an attempt to locate missing papers of historical and scientific interest. People die, aces get dug up, kidnapping, travel between different locations and a bit of Arab Israeli conflict thrown in.
May 16, 2016
A Different Read.
I like my historical fiction but I can't quite decide what to say about this particular book.
I found it a bit of a mishmash, I felt it didn't gel well at the beginning, not that I am some great expert on writing but this is just my opinion, my thoughts may well change in a few days after thinking on it more!
Even though my review at the beginning was not great I did eventually get into the book, but unfortunately I'm still left with questions.
I like my historical fiction but I can't quite decide what to say about this particular book.
I found it a bit of a mishmash, I felt it didn't gel well at the beginning, not that I am some great expert on writing but this is just my opinion, my thoughts may well change in a few days after thinking on it more!
Even though my review at the beginning was not great I did eventually get into the book, but unfortunately I'm still left with questions.
February 23, 2013
Will Adams does not disappoint! This story takes place mainly in Europe, but reaches all the way to Israel. Newton, alchemy, and a far reaching conspiracy. Great story. Would have read it in one sitting if I had not had things that needed doing! Even during the history lessons that are inevitable in any tale like this, I found the information fascinating.
September 28, 2014
It's a slow burner to begin with as the characters are set up but once that's done it's a fun & easy read. Was hoping that the Pelham character would make a re-appearance as he was quite fun. The conclusion wasn't too much of a brain teaser to be honest but it didn't stop me from enjoying the book
August 5, 2016
The book provided a lot of interesting facts about the life of Isaac Newton and his hidden personality. Good riddle and quite exciting chase. Even though the end is a bit of a disappointment, it is a good book overall
August 5, 2013
A good read that's been well researched. Ok, it's a bit far fetched but the factual history is well woven into the story.
My only gripe is the use of some American language by an English author. For example "out back" and "we'd go celebrate" (instead of and celebrate).
My only gripe is the use of some American language by an English author. For example "out back" and "we'd go celebrate" (instead of and celebrate).
May 17, 2014
Starts off slowly and gets better. The plot is a bit far fetched but as escapist fiction it works well. There are good guys and bad guys, a quest and plenty of historical clues to be solved. Well researched and well written, Isaac Newton is the key to this sub-Dan Brown thriller.
October 6, 2014
I liked this story and thought the author did a good job creating a believable and plausible plot-line. It does tend to suffer a bit from "been there, done that", and I also thought he didn't make much of an investment in the characters themselves.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews