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Book of Thunder #1
Foretold by Thunder: A Thriller
The electrifying debut thriller by E.M. Davey, a page-turning tale of ancient intrigue and modern-day peril
When journalist Jake Wolsey stumbles upon a declassified file showing Winston Churchill's interest in the ancient, esoteric Etruscan civilisation his curiosity is piqued--but a series of deadly coincidences seems to surround the file and everyone who knows of its existence. Wolsey soon attracts the unlikely attention of alluring archaeologist Florence Chung--and that of MI6. As journalist and archaeologist are pursued across Europe and Africa in search of a sacred Etruscan text, danger closes in and more questions than answers arise. Are there powers in the sky modern science has yet to understand? Could the ancients predict the future? And what really explains the rise of Rome, that of Nazi Germany, the ebb and flow of history itself? In a thrilling race against time and enemies known and unknown, Wolsey fears the very survival of the West may depend on his ability to stay one step ahead of his adversaries.
An assured rollercoaster full of unexpected twists and turns, E.M. Davis offers up a gripping read for fans of Dan Brown in this bombastic debut.
When journalist Jake Wolsey stumbles upon a declassified file showing Winston Churchill's interest in the ancient, esoteric Etruscan civilisation his curiosity is piqued--but a series of deadly coincidences seems to surround the file and everyone who knows of its existence. Wolsey soon attracts the unlikely attention of alluring archaeologist Florence Chung--and that of MI6. As journalist and archaeologist are pursued across Europe and Africa in search of a sacred Etruscan text, danger closes in and more questions than answers arise. Are there powers in the sky modern science has yet to understand? Could the ancients predict the future? And what really explains the rise of Rome, that of Nazi Germany, the ebb and flow of history itself? In a thrilling race against time and enemies known and unknown, Wolsey fears the very survival of the West may depend on his ability to stay one step ahead of his adversaries.
An assured rollercoaster full of unexpected twists and turns, E.M. Davis offers up a gripping read for fans of Dan Brown in this bombastic debut.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2015
57 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Davey is a journalist at the BBC specializing in undercover investigative journalism. He studied history at the London School of Economics. Davey grew up in Bristol and lives in south London.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 9, 2015
was given by the publishers via net galley for a honest review...
this was a fast paced thriller which would suit readers of dan brown style books, found interesting the historic aspects of the book, also found the book quite easy to read as wasn't too hard
this was a fast paced thriller which would suit readers of dan brown style books, found interesting the historic aspects of the book, also found the book quite easy to read as wasn't too hard
September 25, 2019
This was a decent story let down by weak characters for me. Jake was very two dimensional, and obsessed with booze and sex - but not in a way that was at all endearing - while Jenny seemed to have no real discernable personality of her own. Charlie was a convincing character, but he was irritating. And don't get me started on the pointless last minute romance that did nothing for the story.
The history was cool though.
The history was cool though.
October 17, 2018
We read this for our Book Club and everyone agreed that it was a captivating and fast paced novel - a real page turner.
The story is an interesting cross between Dan Brown and Indiana Jones (in that the main characters are trying to decipher the ancient history and civilisation of the Etruscans to obtain a supernatural force - that of mastering lightning and predicting the future by reading lightning) with a hint of Robert Harris (in that it imagines an alternative history and tries to create a conspiracy theory about the world's strongest nations and leaders of the past).
The action takes the reader to some exotic countries where not many a traveller has gone to; but the author has and that transpires the text which is full of interesting details from his travel logs.
I personally found the characters a bit unconvincing and didn't manage to suspend belief enough to buy into the premise of the supernatural power of the Etruscans, but all in all an easy and engaging read.
The story is an interesting cross between Dan Brown and Indiana Jones (in that the main characters are trying to decipher the ancient history and civilisation of the Etruscans to obtain a supernatural force - that of mastering lightning and predicting the future by reading lightning) with a hint of Robert Harris (in that it imagines an alternative history and tries to create a conspiracy theory about the world's strongest nations and leaders of the past).
The action takes the reader to some exotic countries where not many a traveller has gone to; but the author has and that transpires the text which is full of interesting details from his travel logs.
I personally found the characters a bit unconvincing and didn't manage to suspend belief enough to buy into the premise of the supernatural power of the Etruscans, but all in all an easy and engaging read.
July 12, 2015
Entertaining historical hokum!
Classic historical fiction when a British journalist stumbles upon a declassified file showing Winston Churchill's interest in the ancient Etruscan civilisation.
Soon MI6 are on his trail and the body count starts to mount.
A high level of research has obviously gone into this and the author's knowledge of ancient history is very strong. The main characters are likeable and 3 dimensional with the book set up for at least one sequel.
Whilst other reviewers were blown away by this I found this an entertaining holiday read, but nothing more.
If you enjoy the Dan Brown genre, then you will surely like this.
Classic historical fiction when a British journalist stumbles upon a declassified file showing Winston Churchill's interest in the ancient Etruscan civilisation.
Soon MI6 are on his trail and the body count starts to mount.
A high level of research has obviously gone into this and the author's knowledge of ancient history is very strong. The main characters are likeable and 3 dimensional with the book set up for at least one sequel.
Whilst other reviewers were blown away by this I found this an entertaining holiday read, but nothing more.
If you enjoy the Dan Brown genre, then you will surely like this.
June 16, 2015
Sensational book. Read an early proof and it blew me away. Devoured it in four sittings. Electric paced, action packed, full of fascinating historical facts and mystical folklore. Reads like Indiana Jones for the modern age, taking you around the world and back again, dizzy from adventure. Thankfully, more books are coming. Highly recommended.
July 19, 2015
I received a copy of Foretold by Thunder as a Goodreads giveaway and enjoyed it. Its a page turner with plenty happening to keep you entertained. Very much along the lines of a Dan Brown book, finding hidden messages and solving clues. By no means a literary classic but perfect as a book to take on holiday.
Want to read
June 25, 2015** e-Arc provided by Netgalley **
October 16, 2019
I got a free copy of this book through a Facebook ad at literally 3AM. I thought 'well, why the hell not?'. Now I guess I owe it an honest review. So here it goes:
E.M. Davey story obviously is cut from the same cloth of the Dan Brown's thrillers heavily inspired by history, arts and cutting edge science. The most poignt difference is the espionage flavor reminescent of James Bond novels and movies, along with the musing regarding the 21st century world's political landscape. To me this is a great asset to the story, because it would be easy to stick in the worn off themes of religion, philosophie and the erudit background.
I believe that Davey has a more stilish prose than Dan Brown, very down-to-earth british, and way less patronizing and lecturing. Overall is a very fun reading with flares of meaningful and important themes, takes the reader to exciting locations and talks of historical events that I must admit werent of my knowlodge. Maybe the most important thing about the book is that it dont take itself too seriously.
On a criticisng note I would point that sometimes the wording tends to be too flowering and eventually breraks the flux of the narrative. The pace could be better, it took me a bit too long to read it (which is opposite to ideia that thrillers should be fast readings). Another point is that the protagonist is way too much author inserted to my taste, it sound blunt. The 'vilains' characteres and motivations feels phony at a times, caricaturesque almost. And, to close it off, some characteres and thei abilities really look like just too convenient.
So, those critcisms aside, I really enjoyed Foretold by Thunder. I honestly think that it has the potencial to be just as popular as other books in this genre, and somewhat awes me that it isnt already. If you want to have a nice and fun time, travel to cool places, learn a little bit of history and flirt with crazy theories, I greatly recommed this book to you.
E.M. Davey story obviously is cut from the same cloth of the Dan Brown's thrillers heavily inspired by history, arts and cutting edge science. The most poignt difference is the espionage flavor reminescent of James Bond novels and movies, along with the musing regarding the 21st century world's political landscape. To me this is a great asset to the story, because it would be easy to stick in the worn off themes of religion, philosophie and the erudit background.
I believe that Davey has a more stilish prose than Dan Brown, very down-to-earth british, and way less patronizing and lecturing. Overall is a very fun reading with flares of meaningful and important themes, takes the reader to exciting locations and talks of historical events that I must admit werent of my knowlodge. Maybe the most important thing about the book is that it dont take itself too seriously.
On a criticisng note I would point that sometimes the wording tends to be too flowering and eventually breraks the flux of the narrative. The pace could be better, it took me a bit too long to read it (which is opposite to ideia that thrillers should be fast readings). Another point is that the protagonist is way too much author inserted to my taste, it sound blunt. The 'vilains' characteres and motivations feels phony at a times, caricaturesque almost. And, to close it off, some characteres and thei abilities really look like just too convenient.
So, those critcisms aside, I really enjoyed Foretold by Thunder. I honestly think that it has the potencial to be just as popular as other books in this genre, and somewhat awes me that it isnt already. If you want to have a nice and fun time, travel to cool places, learn a little bit of history and flirt with crazy theories, I greatly recommed this book to you.
September 20, 2021
Excellent Reading
I enjoyed this book immensely and apart from some of the historical facts being a bit long winded it still helped the story so was I suppose necessary apart from that the action and thrills were all there which more than made up for the educational parts. All in all a good read
I enjoyed this book immensely and apart from some of the historical facts being a bit long winded it still helped the story so was I suppose necessary apart from that the action and thrills were all there which more than made up for the educational parts. All in all a good read
December 29, 2017
An extremely well researched and imaginative historical page turner.
April 9, 2018
Brilliant and pacy historical thriller with a great central premise. Hooked me from the start. Highly recommended.
May 4, 2020
Great story that reads quickly. A little hard to follow all the history but fascinating.
July 12, 2020
Churchill, Hitler, Rome, Einstein being wrong about relativity - need I say more
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2023
Described someone as having ' naughty incisors' I honestly couldn't get past that.
August 11, 2023
Very a la Dan Brown / Robert Langdon. Fiction threaded through history to seem believable. Some characters & events better than others.
January 14, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this novel. From start to finish it kept me hooked. I am already half way through the second instalment. If you enjoy books that involve the past and are set today then this is for you. The author has certainly done his research and brought his own twist. The historical side of things taught me of a race of people that I never knew existed, so a school day for me and I have since looked into them. On another note the story almost took the characters to a place along the road from me but alas at the last minute they went elsewhere instead :-)
July 30, 2015
I received ‘Foretold by Thunder by E.M.Davey’ as a free pre-publication read as part of a Good Reads giveaway.
I loved this book, it has all the elements I like in a book. The characters are well written, they are believable, and the situation they find themselves in is well written and researched.
Jake Wolsey discovers a document which shows that Winston Churchill was interested in an ancient civilisation called The Etruscans. As he ponders this, he is approached by a Professor at King’s College in London. The Professor posts Wolsey information which leads Wolsey, with the help of the professor’s PhD student in a trip across Europe and Africa but can Wolsey trust the student? There are others who are trying to stop them reaching their destinations and gaining more information, why?
Throughout the book you are given information about the Etruscans through excerpts from two books ‘The Life of Constantine by Eusebius’ and ‘The Histories by Polybius’. I found the way these excerpts were used really added to the book. Due to reading this book I have now borrowed books about the Romans who followed the Etruscans in order to find out more about both cultures.
This is the first book in a trilogy and I really look forward to reading the next instalment when it is published. I would really recommend this book.
I loved this book, it has all the elements I like in a book. The characters are well written, they are believable, and the situation they find themselves in is well written and researched.
Jake Wolsey discovers a document which shows that Winston Churchill was interested in an ancient civilisation called The Etruscans. As he ponders this, he is approached by a Professor at King’s College in London. The Professor posts Wolsey information which leads Wolsey, with the help of the professor’s PhD student in a trip across Europe and Africa but can Wolsey trust the student? There are others who are trying to stop them reaching their destinations and gaining more information, why?
Throughout the book you are given information about the Etruscans through excerpts from two books ‘The Life of Constantine by Eusebius’ and ‘The Histories by Polybius’. I found the way these excerpts were used really added to the book. Due to reading this book I have now borrowed books about the Romans who followed the Etruscans in order to find out more about both cultures.
This is the first book in a trilogy and I really look forward to reading the next instalment when it is published. I would really recommend this book.
July 21, 2015
I received a copy of this book through netgalley in return for a review. Here is the blurb
"When journalist Jake Wolsey stumbles upon a declassified file showing Winston Churchill's interest in the ancient Etruscan civilisation his curiosity brings peril in its wake. He soon attracts the unlikely attention of sexy archaeologist Florence Chung - and that of MI6. As the two are pursued across Europe and Africa in search of the Etruscans' sacred text, danger closes in and more questions than answers arise. Are there powers in the sky modern science has yet to understand? Could the ancients predict the future? And what really explains the rise of Rome, that of Nazi Germany, the ebb and flow of history itself?"
Reading the blurb I thought I would love this book and I would not be able to put it down. I did like the book and the author appeared to have done a thorough job on his research, however, it was not a "just one more chapter" book for me. I did not particularly feel anything for any of the characters including Jake and at some points I had to refer back in the book to check who a character was. Overall, it was just an ok read.
"When journalist Jake Wolsey stumbles upon a declassified file showing Winston Churchill's interest in the ancient Etruscan civilisation his curiosity brings peril in its wake. He soon attracts the unlikely attention of sexy archaeologist Florence Chung - and that of MI6. As the two are pursued across Europe and Africa in search of the Etruscans' sacred text, danger closes in and more questions than answers arise. Are there powers in the sky modern science has yet to understand? Could the ancients predict the future? And what really explains the rise of Rome, that of Nazi Germany, the ebb and flow of history itself?"
Reading the blurb I thought I would love this book and I would not be able to put it down. I did like the book and the author appeared to have done a thorough job on his research, however, it was not a "just one more chapter" book for me. I did not particularly feel anything for any of the characters including Jake and at some points I had to refer back in the book to check who a character was. Overall, it was just an ok read.
September 6, 2015
I was given this book as an ARC in return for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley for the opportunity.
This is a book that I really enjoyed. A thriller/murder/quest where the action takes place in several countries with the "hero" being chased across the globe in a race against time by unknown assailants to uncover ancient Etruscan text.
This is a fast paced thriller in the mode of Steve Berry/Dan Brown etc that kept me on the edge of my seat, quickly turning the pages to find out what happened next. There were several twists and turns that kept the reader engaged wanting to find out more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will certainly be looking out for more books by this author. I highly recommend and would certainly buy for a friend.
This is a book that I really enjoyed. A thriller/murder/quest where the action takes place in several countries with the "hero" being chased across the globe in a race against time by unknown assailants to uncover ancient Etruscan text.
This is a fast paced thriller in the mode of Steve Berry/Dan Brown etc that kept me on the edge of my seat, quickly turning the pages to find out what happened next. There were several twists and turns that kept the reader engaged wanting to find out more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will certainly be looking out for more books by this author. I highly recommend and would certainly buy for a friend.
September 17, 2015
I was given this book as an ARC in return for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley for the opportunity.
This is a book that I really enjoyed. A thriller/murder/quest where the action takes place in several countries with the "hero" being chased across the globe in a race against time by unknown assailants to uncover ancient Etruscan text.
This is a fast paced thriller in the mode of Steve Berry/Dan Brown etc that kept me on the edge of my seat, quickly turning the pages to find out what happened next. There were several twists and turns that kept the reader engaged wanting to find out more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will certainly be looking out for more books by this author. I highly recommend and would certainly buy for a friend.
This is a book that I really enjoyed. A thriller/murder/quest where the action takes place in several countries with the "hero" being chased across the globe in a race against time by unknown assailants to uncover ancient Etruscan text.
This is a fast paced thriller in the mode of Steve Berry/Dan Brown etc that kept me on the edge of my seat, quickly turning the pages to find out what happened next. There were several twists and turns that kept the reader engaged wanting to find out more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will certainly be looking out for more books by this author. I highly recommend and would certainly buy for a friend.
August 30, 2020
Stunning Eciting Thriller
This book compares to the Da Vinci Code and The Indiana Jones novels for adventure, excitement, thrill, and mystery. The history, story-telling, and progress of this story is compelling, arresting, and thought provoking. The history of the fanatical methods Hitler would use to win a war of domination, i.e. the Holy Grail, the Spear of Destiny, the Occult, and the tactics the Allies would devise to defeat him are once in a life time. The Etruscan connection is a new tale never told before. And whether true or not, it makes for and interesting read. The tale moves from one country to the next, from city to city, around the corner spell-binding edge-of-your seat ride. The story is fresh and unique.
This book compares to the Da Vinci Code and The Indiana Jones novels for adventure, excitement, thrill, and mystery. The history, story-telling, and progress of this story is compelling, arresting, and thought provoking. The history of the fanatical methods Hitler would use to win a war of domination, i.e. the Holy Grail, the Spear of Destiny, the Occult, and the tactics the Allies would devise to defeat him are once in a life time. The Etruscan connection is a new tale never told before. And whether true or not, it makes for and interesting read. The tale moves from one country to the next, from city to city, around the corner spell-binding edge-of-your seat ride. The story is fresh and unique.
January 22, 2016
Sensational book. Read an early proof and it blew me away. Devoured it in four sittings. Electric paced, action packed, full of fascinating historical facts and mystical folklore. Reads like Indiana Jones for the modern age, taking you around the world and back again, dizzy from adventure. Thankfully, more books are coming. Highly recommended.
October 2, 2016
Really 3.5. Historical fiction thriller in the Dan Brown vein of mysteries. I would say this is a slice of Dan Brown. The characters and situations are not as developed as his and a lot of extraneous info is included but it's still a great read and for times when you don't want to get bogged down in a deep, deep mystery-this is perfect.
July 14, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads giveway and I was throughly engrossed by it. From the first page, Foretold by Thunder gripped me. The characters are believable and the action was fast paced. I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a good fun book to read over the summer.
August 30, 2016
Dan Brown and Clive Cussler don't have to worry about losing there titles as the foremost historical fiction writers. I almost stopped reading the book two different times. I plowed through it to see if I was missing something. ....I feel that I wasn't!
July 12, 2015
This book, which I kindly received from GoodReads , is a real cracker. Just the right mix of mystery, history and adventure to keep you turning the pages.
December 13, 2016
OK not great
April 5, 2020
Began well, tailed off
April 19, 2020
Good. Keeps u glued till the end
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews