Testament

Jack Howard #9

by David Gibbins

Underwater archaologist Jack Howard uncovers the thrilling mystery surrounding one of the greatest hidden treasures of all the Ark of the Covenant..
From the author of the bestselling ATLANTIS comes a thrilling novel of buried secrets, age-old mysteries and a conspiracy surrounding the fabled Ark of the Covenant.
'What do you get if you cross Indiana Jones with Dan Brown? David Gibbins' Mirror


586 BC The ancient world is in meltdown. The Babylonians have ravaged the Holy Land, and Jerusalem has fallen. In desperation, the temple priests look to the greatest navigators ever known to save their holiest of treasures.


1943 A group of Allied codebreakers, under Churchill's direct command, work to stop a top-secret exchange between the Nazis and the Japanese. Yet even they know nothing of the ancient artefact hidden on board a ship whose fate they have just sealed.


Present-day Marine archaeologist Jack Howard and his friend Costas undertake a dangerous dive hunting for Nazi gold in a wreck perched on the edge of the continental shelf. What they glimpse there leads Jack to piece together the truth of one of the greatest ancient voyages of discovery, one whose real purpose he could scarcely have imagined. Jack must fuse past and present as he never has done before in a terrifying final showdown on a desperate mission for humanity.

Genres: Thriller, Adventure, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Action, Mystery

432 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2016

About the author

Canadian-born underwater archaeologist and novelist. Gibbins learned to scuba dive at the age of 15 in Canada, and dived under ice, on shipwrecks and in caves while he was still at school. He has led numerous underwater archaeology expeditions around the world, including five seasons excavating ancient Roman shipwrecks off Sicily and a survey of the submerged harbour of ancient Carthage. In 1999-2000 he was part of an international team excavating a 5th century BC shipwreck off Turkey. His many publications on ancient shipwreck sites have appeared in scientific journals, books and popular magazines. Most recently his fieldwork has taken him to the Arctic Ocean, to Mesoamerica and to the Great Lakes in Canada.
After holding a Research Fellowship at Cambridge, he spent most of the 1990s as a Lecturer in the School of Archaeology, Classics and Oriental Studies at the University of Liverpool. On leaving teaching he become a novelist, writing archaeological thrillers derived from his own background. His novels have sold over two million copies and have been London Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers. His first novel, Atlantis, published in the UK in 2005 and the US in September 2006, has been published in 30 languages and is being made into a TV miniseries; since then he has written five further novels, published in more than 100 editions internationally. His novels form a series based on the fictional maritime archaeologist Jack Howard and his team, and are contemporary thrillers involving a plausible archaeological backdrop.

Reviews

[Greg at 2 Book Lovers Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had a fascination with archaeology and ancient history since I was a kid. Yeah, I wanted to be Indiana Jones when I grew up…there’s nothing wrong with that. But then I grew up and learned that, well, Indiana Jones is not exactly what archaeology is; it’s more digging in trenches and hoping to find thousand- year old trash than finding lost cities of gold. That is the fun in reading a book by David Gibbins; the technology is now available to discover, recover (choose your word) all of the treasure that has been out of reach at the bottom of the ocean floor. It’s fun to be that kid again who goes on an adventure to find the treasures of history.

Testament is the ninth book in the Jack Howard series. When a series is approaching double digits, it can be intimidating if you haven’t read the previous books. I always want to know if it can be read as a stand-alone. Is there essential information that I need to know? Will I be lost? This is my second book by David Gibbins, and I can assure you, they can be read in any order. The author has created a completely self-contained story. The characters make passing references to past adventures, but nothing that will impact this story.

David Gibbins knows his stuff: his history, archaeology, and his diving. He pieces these all together to create an incredible adventure for his readers. In this regard, he is second to none.

Jack Howard is not my favorite type of protagonist. Don’t get me wrong, he is complex and well developed. He is just a little too “Superman” for me. He is a kind of James Bond meets Ghandi. Personally, I like my protagonists with a bit more baggage; their own demons to struggle with, but hey, that’s just me.

In the end, David Gibbins wrote an interesting, superbly researched story. I learned some new facts/theories on Carthaginian navigators and World War II. I would have liked a bit more on the entertainment side. Testament wasn’t my first Jack Howard story, and it will not be my last.

*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

[Φίλιππος ²³ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*
Αν και συνήθως απολαμβάνω τις περιπέτειες του σύγχρονου Ιντιάνα Τζόουνς, Τζακ Χάουαρντ, το συγκεκριμένο μου προκάλεσε ανάμικτα συναισθήματα...κάποιες στιγμές το απολάμβανα και κάποιες το βαριόμουν. Συν ότι αρκετές φορές εκνευρίστηκα! Δεν ξέρω αν θα συνεχίσω με τον συγγραφέα...ίσως ήρθε η ώρα να χωρίσουμε! 🙄

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

It reads far too much like an archaeology report and a history book. The blurb suggests the book is more about Howard finding a WW2 British ship, as we are told about Churchill and Bletchley Park codebreakers. This is actually a very tiny part of what the book is about. There are huge sections about Howard diving with his daughter off the coast off Cornwall and a dig in the middle of nowhere. To be honest, it was so wordy and reported most of it didn't even register.

It read more like all the things the author enjoys or has done in his archaeological career, instead of a modern day chase through history. At more than 400 pages, if he'd just got on with the story, instead of educating the reader with historical fact and his pasttimes, it probably could have been 200 pages.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore the Jack Howard archaeological adventure series and this is a fine addition to it. As usual, the adventure is backed up by the author's indepth historical knowledge and his extensive experience as a marine archaeologist and diver. I love how this one moves through several historical periods.

[Χρύσα Βασιλείου · Rating 3 out of 5]

O «Θησαυρός των Ναζί», η ένατη περιπέτεια του θαλάσσιου αρχαιολόγου Τζακ Χάουαρντ, αποτελεί μια νέα πρόσκληση του συγγραφέα του, David Gibbins, σε ένα συναρπαστικό ταξίδι ανακαλύψεων, περιπέτειας και συγκινήσεων.

Αυτήν τη φορά, ο διάσημος αρχαιολόγος αναλαμβάνει να φέρει στο φως μια σημαντική ποσότητα χρυσού των Ναζί. Μαζί με τον αχώριστο φίλο και σύντροφό του στις καταδύσεις και τις περιπέτειες, τον Κώστα, ταξιδεύουν μέχρι τα παράλια της Σιέρα Λεόνε, στην Αφρική. Εκεί, εκτός από το κουφάρι του πλοίου, θα ανακαλύψουν και έναν περίεργο γρίφο που θα ιντριγκάρει τη φαντασία τους. Γιατί δεν είναι μόνο οι ράβδοι χρυσού των Ναζί που βρίσκονται στον πυθμένα του ωκεανού, αλλά και μια παράξενη πλάκα, που ίσως να συνδέεται με ένα από τα σημαντικότερα θρησκευτικά σύμβολα της Παλαιάς Διαθήκης· την Κιβωτό της Διαθήκης.
Εξερευνώντας μαρτυρίες ανθρώπων που έζησαν εκατοντάδες χρόνια πριν και ιστορικές πηγές, ο Τζακ κι οι σύντροφοί του θα ταξιδέψουν νοερά πίσω στο 589 π.Χ., όταν ένας Φοίνικας, ο Άννωνας, πραγματοποίησε τον περίπλου της Αφρικής, προκειμένου να σώσει έναν θησαυρό ανυπολόγιστης αξίας από τα εχθρικά χέρια που είχαν καταλάβει την Ιερουσαλήμ. Αλλά και στο σκοτεινό 1943, όταν παιζόταν ένα επικίνδυνο παιχνίδι κατασκόπων ανάμεσα στις Συμμαχικές δυνάμεις και τις δυνάμεις του Άξονα. Ένα παιχνίδι που κόστιζε χιλιάδες ζωές καθημερινά, και που καθόριζε τις μοίρες ανθρώπων που πολεμούσαν χωρίς να ξέρουν τι τους επιφυλάσσει το αύριο.
Η μοίρα ένωσε με μυστηριώδη νήματα τις ζωές εκείνων των ανθρώπων με τη σύγχρονη πραγματικότητα και τις εξερευνήσεις του Τζακ και της ομάδας του. Αυτοί τώρα θα πρέπει να βρουν το πώς όλα αυτά συνδέονται, το πού βρίσκεται ο θησαυρός των Ναζί, προκειμένου να χρησιμοποιηθεί για καλό σκοπό αυτή τη φορά, αλλά και να ανακαλύψουν τι κρύβεται πίσω από τη μυστηριώδη πλάκα και τα παράξενα σύμβολα που απεικονίζονται σ’ αυτήν. Κι όλα αυτά, ενώ ένας επικίνδυνος εχθρός του Τζακ παραμονεύει, και στην περιοχή οι Σομαλοί πειρατές αποτελούν έναν εξίσου θανάσιμο κίνδυνο…

Η νέα περιπέτεια του Τζακ Χάουαρντ κυμαίνεται στο γνώριμο μοτίβο που συναντούμε και στα υπόλοιπα βιβλία της σειράς. Το αχώριστο δίδυμο Τζακ-Κώστα ξεκινά για μια νέα περιπέτεια, χωρίς να φαντάζεται πως στην πορεία θα χρειαστεί να αντιμετωπίσει απρόσμενους κινδύνους και εξαιρετικά δύσκολες καταστάσεις – αλλά και χωρίς να εκπλήσσεται όταν τελικά τα βρίσκει όλα αυτά μπροστά του. Είναι μια ρουτίνα για εκείνους, αλλά και για τον αναγνώστη, που περιμένει να δει κι εκείνος με τη σειρά του τι επιφυλάσσει στους ήρωες η επόμενη σελίδα, το επόμενο κεφάλαιο.
Η ιστορία και η αρχαιολογία συναντούν την περιπέτεια και την εξερεύνηση, από μια ομάδα ατόμων-εξπέρ στον τομέα τους. Οι ήρωες είναι όλοι γνωστοί μας από προηγούμενες περιπέτειες – συνήθως, όταν κάποιος ‘εισβάλλει’ στον κόσμο του Τζακ και ταιριάζει μαζί του, ενσωματώνεται άμεσα στην ομάδα του. Καθένας από αυτούς ειδικεύεται σε κάποιον τομέα της ιστορίας ή της αρχαιολογίας· και βέβαια, είναι όλοι τους οι καλύτεροι. Άλλωστε, δεν χωράνε ημίμετρα και μετριότητες όταν κάθε στιγμή μετράει, όταν το αναπάντεχο χτυπάει την πόρτα ανά πάσα στιγμή και οι περιστάσεις απαιτούν γρήγορες αντιδράσεις, σωστές κινήσεις και καθαρό μυαλό. Μπορεί μερικές φορές να φαίνονται στον μέσο αναγνώστη σαν μια ομάδα παράξενων επιστημόνων, που μιλούν τη δική τους γλώσσα που κανείς άλλος δεν καταλαβαίνει. Όμως αυτό που έχει σημασία είναι πως έχουν ταιριάξει τέλεια μεταξύ τους, έχοντας δημιουργήσει μια ‘σφιχτή’ ομάδα που αλλοσυμπληρώνεται και δεν αφήνει την συνοχή του βιβλίου να χαλαρώσει.
Ο Τζακ Χάουαρντ είναι, κατά κάποιον τρόπο, το alter ego του συγγραφέα. Ο David Gibbins είναι και ο ίδιος αρχαιολόγος, με ειδίκευση στην ενάλια αρχαιολογία. Με λίγα λόγια, ο ωκεανός είναι το δεύτερο σπίτι του και έχει λάβει μέρος σε πολλές αποστολές εξερεύνησης ναυαγίων. Οι ιστορικές και αρχαιολογικές του γνώσεις, όπως κι οτιδήποτε αφορά τις καταδύσεις και τα ναυάγια, είναι ολοφάνερες σε όλο το βιβλίο (και στα υπόλοιπα της σειράς, βέβαια.) Ουσιαστικά, η πλοκή ισορροπεί ανάμεσα στο μυθιστορηματικό και στο αμιγώς επιστημονικό κομμάτι, με μακροσκελείς αναφορές σε ιστορικά γεγονότα και μια ολόκληρη λίστα λεπτομερειών που αφορούν σε τομείς μηχανολογίας, ναυτολογίας, όπλων, κοινωνικοπολιτικών συνθηκών κτλ. Από τη μία όλο αυτό είναι εντυπωσιακό – πραγματικά, οι γνώσεις του Gibbins φαίνονται να είναι αστείρευτες· και όταν δεν είναι, η έρευνα που πραγματοποιεί είναι υποδειγματική. Όμως, πολλές φορές φαίνεται πως ο συγγραφέας… ψιλοπαρασύρεται και, θέλοντας να παρουσιάσει στον αναγνώστη τις γνώσεις και τις έρευνές του σε όλο τους το μεγαλείο, κουράζει. Άθελά του, προφανώς, όμως η ουσία είναι πως σε πολλά σημεία η αφήγηση ξεφεύγει και ξαφνικά συνειδητοποιείς πως διαβάζεις ένα συνονθύλευμα εξειδικευμένων πληροφοριών, που θυμίζουν πανεπιστημιακό σύγγραμμα.

Ο «Θησαυρός των Ναζί» είναι ένα βιβλίο που θα αγαπήσουν οι λάτρεις της ιστορίας, της αρχαιολογίας και της περιπέτειας, αλλά και όσοι επιλέγουν βιβλία που ταξιδεύουν τον αναγνώστη σε μέρη εξωτικά και μυστήρια, του χθες και του σήμερα

[S.B. (Beauty in Ruins) · Rating 5 out of 5]

With my second Jack Howard adventure behind me, I can honestly say that David Gibbins is everything I always wanted Clive Cussler to be. That's not to say I don't enjoy the adventures of Dirk Pitt or Sam and Remi Fargo, because I do (immensely at times), but I find the narrative balance in the Jack Howard adventures far more to my liking. Where Cussler often feels more like a James Bond adventure with a little underwater treasure-hunting, Gibbins is more of an underwater Indiana Jones, offering up underwater archaeology, detailed history, and action-packed thrills in equal measure, and all with the kind of detail that makes it come alive.

That brings me to Testament, the 9th adventure for Jack Howard, in which the team goes in search of nothing less than the Ark itself . . . yes, that Ark, the same one Indy fought the Nazis for. Actually, while the Ark is at the core of the novel, the MacGuffin if you will, it's just one small part of the story. Of far more interest is the ancient history of Phoenician explorers from the 6th century BC (and the question of whether they could have circumnavigated the coast of Africa or reached the shores of Europe) and the more recent history of WWII code-breakers (and what tragic role they may have played in diverting Nazi treasures and Japanese uranium shipments).

I have seen other reviewers complain that the book is too wordy, with too much elaboration, reading like an archaeology report or a history book, but that is precisely what drew me in. Yes, it's odd to have the book completely sidetracked by diversions into history, but that's what I find fascinating. Yes, there are some very long, very detailed how-to passages about diving and archaeological digs, but that's what excites me. And, yes, there is genuine character building for both the protagonists and the supporting cast, but that's what makes the story so engaging.

Minor spoiler here, but what I like best about the novel was the fact that finding - or not finding - the Ark is of no consequence to the story. The story of the Ark, and the possible journey it may have taken following the Babylonian conquest, is what connects the Phoenician shipwreck off the coast of Cornwall, the British WWII-era shipwreck in the Atlantic ocean, and the lost Nazi submarine in Somalia, but it's not what defines the book. It's the history, the drive to explore, and the sacrifices we make that bring it all together. I almost hate to say it, but for all its genre coincidences and conveniences, Testament is a novel that's perhaps too smart for some readers. It demands patience, consideration, understanding, and even empathy. There are plenty of popcorn thrills, whether they be chases, explosions, or narrow escapes, but they're balanced by the history, the archaeology, and the human element.

While the mass-market paperback release of Inquisition seems so far away, that does give me plenty of time to work my way backward, filling in the gaps between Pharaoh (my first Jack Howard adventure) and Testament with Pyramid, before going back to the start with Atlantis.


http://beauty-in-ruins.blogspot.com/2...

[Rafael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Li todos os livros da série e minhas críticas aqui não se aplicam somente a este livro. Antes de tudo vou ressaltar as partes boas a meu ver. Apesar das várias críticas que tenho ao autor, gosto do fato de ele adicionar várias informações reais nas histórias, o que acaba sendo uma boa fonte de novos conhecimentos caso você seja uma pessoa curiosa e for pesquisar mais.
O principal problema da saga Jack Howard é, em primeiro lugar, que é uma cópia descarada do famoso Dirk Pitt do autor Clive Cussler. Por sinal é uma tentativa malsucedida. Ao ler livros dos dois personagens fica a sensação de que David Gibbins queria muito ser um Clive Cussler. Outro problema que fica muito evidente ao ler a série toda é que não sabemos quem ou o que Jack Howard quer ser, e nem ele mesmo sabe. Na maior parte do tempo ele é um arqueólogo no maior estilo acadêmico, que todos veneram e esperam sua benção, mas às vezes ele acaba ligando o "modo rambo"e vira um agente/espião/forças especiais/matador sangue frio, claramente um reflexo da tentativa de ser um Dirk Pitt. Outro problema do autor é quando ele começa a falar algo envolvendo guerras pois o livro se torna extremamente entediante, num ritmo lento, quase parado. Fica claro que o autor gosta muito do tema e tenta se estender ao máximo, só que de uma forma totalmente desnecessária à trama. Por último as infinitas e incríveis coincidências que acontecem sempre que os personagens precisam, mostrando uma tremenda falta de criatividade do autor para resolver alguns problemas ou encaixar certas peças no quebra cabeça. Sinceramente após nove livros esse formato extremamente falho do David Gibbins me cansou e não pretendo ler o décimo. Há diversos autores semelhantes e melhores por aí.

[Bookish Bluestocking · Rating 1 out of 5]

Έχω πολύ καιρό να πιάνω ένα βιβλίο και να μην θέλω να το συνεχίσω! Είχα ακούσει πολύ καλές κριτικές για το συγγραφέα αυτών, ως ένα είδος Ιντιάνα Τζόουνς και το πήρα γιατί φαινόταν ενδιαφέρον το θέμα και δεν ήθελα βαρύ βιβλίο, όμως διαψεύστηκα. Γεμάτο τεχνικές περιγραφές κατάδυσης, περιγραφές μαχών, περιγραφές ναυτικής αντιπαράθεσης σομαλών πειρατών, περιγραφές νηοπομπών του ΒΠΠ, περιγραφές με λεπτομέρειες αρχαίων περιηγήσεων, περιγραφές κατασκευής τορπιλών και υποβρυχίων, περιγραφές τεχνικών λεπτομερειών για διάφορα θέματα. Και όλα αυτά με πολύ αντριλίκι, πολλά κόλπα Ιντιάνα χωρίς την τσαχπινιά και τη γοητεία του Χάρισον Φορντ, πολλά απίστευτα στον τρόπο που διεκπεραίωναν αποστολές, πολλά κοινότοπα και κλισέ (ο συνεργάτης του λέγεται Κώστας Καζαντζάκης, και είναι μηχανικός δύτης και προέρχεται από πάμπλουτη οικογένεια αλλά προτιμά την περιπέτεια), η κόρη του στα 18 έχει κάνει ότι μια άλλη ενεργητική και με πολλές δραστηριότητες κοπέλλα στα 28, γενικώς να χτυπάς το κεφάλι σου στον τοίχο. Για κάποιο λόγο, κλείνοντας το βιβλίο, πέρα από την εντύπωση του Ιντιάνα Τζόουνς από τα Λιντλ, είχα την αίσθηση ότι θα μπορούσε να είναι σενάριο της παιδικής σειράς "Οι Κεραυνοί του Διαστήματος" (τα θρυλικά Thunderbirds).

[Tomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book with a lot of potential that went unfulfilled. First, too many details - I know the character is going to look at his watch, there's no need to give me great detail about how he does it. Second, pleas decide whether you are writing fiction or an archaeology textbook! The story line was choppy because of all the side stories about other expeditions, past discoveries, etc. Third, if you are writing fiction, please remember that many readers are not archaeology students. I still don't know what "apotropaic signs" are - and I don't care enough to google them! I liked the history parts, but lost track when the author went back to the plot (and Gibbins is not very good at writing dialogue!). I bought several of his books at a sale, so I guess I will read them - at least for the history.

[Nat Medlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Gibbins continues to use his Jack Howard character to take the reader on exciting archaeological adventures. This time it is in the search great treasures and lost Nazi war prizes hidden since the end of World War II. With the help of his trusty cohort Costas as well as other members of his team they go on adventures that span from the coast of Cornwall to North Africa and into the Indian Ocean. All of this is done with the necessary adventure and intrigue that one should expect from a Jack Howard novel.

The cover blurb touts the question "What do you get if you cross Indiana Jones and Dan Brown? Answer: David Gibbins" I can see the Indiana Jones part, but Jack Howard is much more adventurous than anyone Dan Brown creates.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read plenty of these 'action and adventure' type novels and I can only praise David Gibbins for the huge amount of research he must have put into producing this piece of work. Top marks in that respect.

However, I found the plot a bit too 'wordy' and not quite enough action in parts. Maybe that's just me being a little too pernickerty having read authors such as Scott Mariani and Andy McDermott. On a positive note, I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of Bletchley Park during the war years and Alan Turing's cameo. On the whole an enjoyable, if not overly long, read.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publishers in return for an honest review.

[Ken Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to rate. The author clearly knows his stuff. He is passionate about archaeology and particularly about diving. While his detail is impressive, at times it gets in the way of good story telling. The material is interesting and worth digging into. I would encourage the author to focus more on action without getting overly involved in the details. Having said that, the premise for this book is unique and covers a lot of important history. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading other works by this author in the future.

[Joy Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book difficult to follow at times and so I read it over a longer period than I would normally. It is fascinating how when putting different things together we realise that there were occasions when we killed our own people for the good of everyone long term. The enigma code breaker being used surreptitiously. Nots all fare in love and war the thing that I really appreciate is all the actual historical facts at the end of the book. As this book is telling history through a story it is easier for me to read than a history book and I can identify to the story and events more

[Sarah De Beer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do find the Jack Howard books an easy read and guilty pleasure but I also feel the need to roll my eyes every 10 pages or so. All of his discoveries are the best discoveries he has ever made and everything just seems to fall neatly into place. I do find reading about protagonists who are the best of the best a guilty pleasure but he is too good in these books. It all feels a bit rushed and fantastical.

[Nabin Giri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book by mistake. I purchased "The Final Testament by James Frey" but this book was delivered with James Frey's cover. I was so disappointed that I didnt read it for almost 2 years. I finally read it. A pirated version with very small fonts. There are sections where it can get very cumbersome due to extensive details on archaelogy. However, a good paced novel, and nice story if you can skip past the boring parts.

[AnnetteW · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good old fashioned adventure/archaeology read! David Gibbins writes this stuff really well, and from a perspective of actually being a marine archaeologist. Lots of facts mixed in with the fiction which is also always cool. Similar in some ways to early Clive Cussler but Gibbins I think is a much better writer. A great way to while away some hours!

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who said archaeology was slow. Jack manages to be involved in magnificent finds off the coast of West Africa, Cornwall. Carthage and the Horn of Africa in a couple of weeks... never mind fighting terrorists in between times! Obviously an experienced author. When he 'fell' off the Continental Shelf near the start, I could not bear the thought of him trying to climb back up and skipped two pages.

[Barbara Ghylin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again David Gibbins has knocked it out the park. He has taken a small kernel of history and turned it a story. He asked the question "what if it happened this way?" and goes from there. I very much look forward to the next story with Jack, Costos and all their friends!! Good to Go!

[Stephane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un autre bon Gibbins. Un trame narrative et historique intéressante. L'auteur place des pions pour de possible futur aventure. La suite dans Inquisition ???
Aussi, Landor vas t'il devenir le vilain de service ?

[Marla · Rating 2 out of 5]

It felt like a big lead up to the next book. Nothing terribly spectacular (*like Atlantis*) was found, but I enjoyed the brief bits with the Phoenician explorers and hope there's more of them in the next book.

[Alissa Angot · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not the best book I read, but it's really light and entertaining reading for vacation :) some compared it to a Dan Brown, but that's really exagerated! It's far less elaborated! But it was a fun read.

[Rosalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I have been spoilt with the other books this was interesting but didnt really grip me like the others. I still enjoyed reading it but it was not the unable to put down type like Troy and the others were. I would still recommend it as a good read

[Jim Short · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a decent addition to the series but I found it kind of slow in the beginning. The action picks up once you get further into the book and we get to see another side of Jack that hasn't really been present before (at least to this extent).

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It's the yearning for it, the quest, that keeps us going, not the thought of actually holding it in our hands."

Just about sums it up. The yearning for it that has kept me going through nine books in this series.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It's the yearning for it, the quest, that keeps us going, not the thought of actually holding it in our hands."

Just about sums it up. The yearning for it that has kept me going through nine books in this series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read many action/adventure type books. Testament, from David Gibbins, is definitely the most detail oriented of all that I had read. It is an interesting premise, however it sometimes is muddied by too much elaboration. This has a tendency to bog down the actual action of the characters. The characters themselves were well described and fit into the plot and locations of the story. It was extremely interesting to have actual historical references, such as Alan Turing and Bletchley Park. The different stories in time did fit well with the current activities and discoveries and provided that historical basis for fact. Overall, I do recommend this book for those who love the detail behind the adventure. While it is not an actual thrill ride, it does entertain. I did read this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publishers.

[Tanja Glavnik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure what it is about this novel that didn't click for me as much as the others. I'll try rereading it and then see, but for now, three stars.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story.

[Barbara Bewick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read if you like and enjoy Indiana Jones, Dan Brown, Lee Child and Scott Mariani