What do you think?
Drake Ramsey #3
The Goddess Legacy
When Drake Ramsey gets an invitation he can't refuse to embark on a treasure hunt in India, little does he know that it will be a headlong rush into danger that will take all his wits to survive.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2016
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 21, 2019
The series has shifted back to it’s treasure-hunting roots and it’s a relief to have the political/intrigue content of the 2nd book gone. Instead, this book has an entirely different problem – the story and setting instantly bring to mind Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, so much so that I’ve seen accusations of plagiarism. It’s a bizarre choice for the author to make, why not use another story that won’t immediately remind readers of an incredibly popular movie series whose imagery is the first you picture when you hear about Kali worshippers with mines and slaves? So there’s an entire storyline here that feels completely unoriginal, and the only thing that saves it is the modern setting. Of all the stories the author could have told, why such a cliché one?
Drake and Ally are a mess as characters. I already noticed it in book 2, but Drake seems to be becoming more and more immature with each book. He’s gone from a character I liked, to one that vaguely annoys me. He reminds me more and more of a stereotypical surfer dude instead of an intelligent, methodical treasure hunter. His ‘ability’ to connect information that was cool in the first book, disappeared in book 2, never to be mentioned again. His constant and rather pathetic attempts to romance Ally are getting annoying at this point. There’s zero chemistry between them so I have no interest whatsoever in their relationship: the whole relationship ends up feeling like a required element for the genre, and not something the author thought was important.
I was already troubled by Ally in book 2 but here she has deteriorated to a meaningless filler character with no personality other than obnoxious naivete. Her being an archaeologist is just a word now, it means nothing at all since she never uses any of her so-called knowledge, and her almost complete ignorance of the subject matter means it would have been better just to have her as Drake’s girlfriend, rather than set her up in the laughable position of being their ‘expert’. She had such potential in the first book - sassy, smart and charming - but the author has done nothing with her, and the interesting girl I cared about is completely gone. Now she’s just there as Drake’s love interest, and even that is so insipid you wonder why the author even bothered.
Spencer is the only character who has completely remained intact and consistent and is a constant relief from Drake and Ally. There was so much potential in the first two books for Drake and Spencer to become real partners: Drake’s intelligence with Spencer’s military training and instincts, but it has never really come to fruition. Spencer is a fantastic character and I enjoy him immensely. In fact, Spencer is so perfectly ‘in character’ that I am very confused how the author seems to have forgotten who Drake and Ally are, none of their unique and distinctive traits have survived at all.
This series started out so strong but the author has made some strange choices – book 2 was an entire genre shift into a political thriller with almost no treasure hunting, and book 3 has a large chunk of the story which is so uncomfortably familiar that it’s off-putting. I’m getting the distinct feeling the author doesn’t know what type of genre he wants to write, so is fumbling around trying to figure it out. I did mostly enjoy it but the experience is soured. It’s a disappointment when I loved the first book so much – I would have loved more of that, but unfortunately, the second and third books have been completely out of step. I would definitely read more in the series but the author needs to figure out what story he’s trying to tell, because right now, it’s coming across as confused and he’s losing control of his characters – the book feels lazy, from the cliché storyline to the bland, almost unrecognisable characters, the author needs to sort his vision out. I don’t want to do such a negative review but this book has serious issues and I’m very disappointed by that, the first book was great and I wanted more just like that.
Let me be clear – I didn’t dislike it and would read more of the series without hesitation, there’s a lot of great stuff in here and the author creates some exciting, immersive sequences, but the series definitely needs work if it’s to get back on track.
Drake and Ally are a mess as characters. I already noticed it in book 2, but Drake seems to be becoming more and more immature with each book. He’s gone from a character I liked, to one that vaguely annoys me. He reminds me more and more of a stereotypical surfer dude instead of an intelligent, methodical treasure hunter. His ‘ability’ to connect information that was cool in the first book, disappeared in book 2, never to be mentioned again. His constant and rather pathetic attempts to romance Ally are getting annoying at this point. There’s zero chemistry between them so I have no interest whatsoever in their relationship: the whole relationship ends up feeling like a required element for the genre, and not something the author thought was important.
I was already troubled by Ally in book 2 but here she has deteriorated to a meaningless filler character with no personality other than obnoxious naivete. Her being an archaeologist is just a word now, it means nothing at all since she never uses any of her so-called knowledge, and her almost complete ignorance of the subject matter means it would have been better just to have her as Drake’s girlfriend, rather than set her up in the laughable position of being their ‘expert’. She had such potential in the first book - sassy, smart and charming - but the author has done nothing with her, and the interesting girl I cared about is completely gone. Now she’s just there as Drake’s love interest, and even that is so insipid you wonder why the author even bothered.
Spencer is the only character who has completely remained intact and consistent and is a constant relief from Drake and Ally. There was so much potential in the first two books for Drake and Spencer to become real partners: Drake’s intelligence with Spencer’s military training and instincts, but it has never really come to fruition. Spencer is a fantastic character and I enjoy him immensely. In fact, Spencer is so perfectly ‘in character’ that I am very confused how the author seems to have forgotten who Drake and Ally are, none of their unique and distinctive traits have survived at all.
This series started out so strong but the author has made some strange choices – book 2 was an entire genre shift into a political thriller with almost no treasure hunting, and book 3 has a large chunk of the story which is so uncomfortably familiar that it’s off-putting. I’m getting the distinct feeling the author doesn’t know what type of genre he wants to write, so is fumbling around trying to figure it out. I did mostly enjoy it but the experience is soured. It’s a disappointment when I loved the first book so much – I would have loved more of that, but unfortunately, the second and third books have been completely out of step. I would definitely read more in the series but the author needs to figure out what story he’s trying to tell, because right now, it’s coming across as confused and he’s losing control of his characters – the book feels lazy, from the cliché storyline to the bland, almost unrecognisable characters, the author needs to sort his vision out. I don’t want to do such a negative review but this book has serious issues and I’m very disappointed by that, the first book was great and I wanted more just like that.
Let me be clear – I didn’t dislike it and would read more of the series without hesitation, there’s a lot of great stuff in here and the author creates some exciting, immersive sequences, but the series definitely needs work if it’s to get back on track.
January 12, 2017
Not near as good as the first two books in the series
January 14, 2018
I enjoyed it to a point. It’s certainly readable but nowhere near as good as the first two books in the series.
February 26, 2018
Drake Ramsey and cohorts go to India in search of treasure, but instead of a fun adventure in exotic locales, they encounter killers, misery, abject poverty, and a mystery behind the scenes. Very entertaining story, good characters, enjoyed it a lot.
August 9, 2022
A pretty entertaining thriller in the vein of Clive Cussler, marred by tired tropes from the 80s and obnoxious childlike protagonists. The author has lifted off some scenes directly from Song of Kali.
July 10, 2017
Another good book in the series.
May 20, 2018
A much better read then Cussler more believable and very fun.
December 2, 2019
Probably my favourite in the series, shame that not more of these have been written!
November 3, 2020
Need more books to this series
Enjoyed this series as I have every book I have read by Mr. Blake. I would love to see this series continue.
Enjoyed this series as I have every book I have read by Mr. Blake. I would love to see this series continue.
May 22, 2017
Actually enjoyed this book...it was the third in a trilogy and while I did not find it as 'fun' as the second one, I did like it a lot. Sort of a light-weight Indiana Jones with friends.
March 13, 2017
Just more awesome jungles, gun fights, treasure, and fun. Anyone else picture the characters from the UNCHARTED games in this series? Anyhow, Ramsey's adventures are solid, very enjoyable read again. You keep writing them, I'll keep reading them... probably time to check out some of Blake's other work.
August 27, 2016
No Ordinary Adventure Story
Russell Blake continues to entertain his readers with this, the latest in his treasure hunting series, Drake Ramsey. Just the name, Drake Ramsey conjures up images of a swashbuckling, sword wielding hero of old. But this Drake Ramsey is a modern, all too human man of dignity whose values are in direct conflict with those who would stand in the way of his seeking to uncover historical treasure. All too often the villainy that lives in men will surface in most reprehensible ways. This evil is blocking discovery of things unimaginable and is intent on sniffing out the lives of Drake, Allie, and Spencer in ways that violates human sensitivity.
Join Drake Ramsey as he rushes, without pause, into near disaster with Allie and Spencer as his willing companions in this risky enterprise. Fans of this series will be quite satisfied with this volume. For those who haven't read any of these this could work well as a stand alone, however, I recommend starting with the first in the series, Ramsey's Gold. You will be glad you did.
As always, happy reading and do something today, something for yourself.
Russell Blake continues to entertain his readers with this, the latest in his treasure hunting series, Drake Ramsey. Just the name, Drake Ramsey conjures up images of a swashbuckling, sword wielding hero of old. But this Drake Ramsey is a modern, all too human man of dignity whose values are in direct conflict with those who would stand in the way of his seeking to uncover historical treasure. All too often the villainy that lives in men will surface in most reprehensible ways. This evil is blocking discovery of things unimaginable and is intent on sniffing out the lives of Drake, Allie, and Spencer in ways that violates human sensitivity.
Join Drake Ramsey as he rushes, without pause, into near disaster with Allie and Spencer as his willing companions in this risky enterprise. Fans of this series will be quite satisfied with this volume. For those who haven't read any of these this could work well as a stand alone, however, I recommend starting with the first in the series, Ramsey's Gold. You will be glad you did.
As always, happy reading and do something today, something for yourself.
August 19, 2016
Drake and Allie travel to India to look for treasure with Spencer. Things don’t go as planned, and as they try to find what they’re looking for, they encounter a colorful cast of characters.
My favorite was Swami Baba Raja at the ashram. He teaches inner peace to students from all over the world but has angry outbursts in private. His antics are hysterically funny, making The Goddess Legacy an action/adventure with a lot of humor.
My favorite was Swami Baba Raja at the ashram. He teaches inner peace to students from all over the world but has angry outbursts in private. His antics are hysterically funny, making The Goddess Legacy an action/adventure with a lot of humor.
February 4, 2018
Some have called this book a bad rip on Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom. I actually found it to be quite original, well written, and a fun read. While there are several elements that are similar to the classic movie, there are enough elements to make it original. My biggest complaint is that this book and the last leave the team without getting the treasure. I just wish they could come out with more than just the moral win.
September 6, 2016
The Goddess Legacy. Russell Blake
Another action packed adventure with adventures Drake, Allie and Spencer. India, there destination is one nightmare after another. They have stumbled into something that involves national security, DOD, the American military. One rollercoaster of a read!!! Highly entertaining!
Another action packed adventure with adventures Drake, Allie and Spencer. India, there destination is one nightmare after another. They have stumbled into something that involves national security, DOD, the American military. One rollercoaster of a read!!! Highly entertaining!
August 28, 2016
Another fast-paced thriller from Blake!
The treasure hunters are on the trail again an this time it's in the underbelly of Delhi. The action is non-stop and will keep the reader guessing. Minor typos in the Kindle edition, but nothing that takes away from the story.
The treasure hunters are on the trail again an this time it's in the underbelly of Delhi. The action is non-stop and will keep the reader guessing. Minor typos in the Kindle edition, but nothing that takes away from the story.
August 20, 2016
Great read with many exciting twist s and turns...Drake , Allie and the cast of characters kept the story line exciting
October 11, 2016
Love this series
I love the characters, love the storyline and love the adventure. This is so really fun series to read .
I love the characters, love the storyline and love the adventure. This is so really fun series to read .
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews