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Carter Devereux #3

The Alboran Codex

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In the year 106 AD, when the Roman legions marched on their capital at Petra, the Nabateans surrendered their empire to the Romans, without a fight, and according to historians ceased to exist.
But very few knew that the Nabateans didn't cease to exist, they just stayed out of sight for more than 1,900 years, and now they are on the verge of implementing their final plan.

Carter Devereux, with his knowledge of the City of the Giants and their library in the Egyptian desert is the only obstacle in the way to achieve their goals.
Therefore, the order of the Council of the Covenant of Nabatea is clear; “We MUST have that information. All of it. Move in on Carter Devereux… and get it at all costs, up to and including the killing of everyone….”

~~~

THE ALBORAN CODEX, is the third book in the Carter Devereux series, the sequel to the best-seller Wolves of Freydis. A nail-biting suspense-thriller about an ancient conspiracy set on total world domination, in every sense of the word — political, financial, energy, and information technology...

501 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2016

781 people are currently reading
263 people want to read

About the author

J.C. Ryan

48 books150 followers
J C Ryan writes spellbinding mystery suspense thrillers with an archaeological backdrop.

He has been a combat and intelligence officer in the military, practicing lawyer and information technology project manager.

He holds a military as well as a law degree and is married with two daughters and two dogs.

JC currently makes his home on the Gold Coast of Australia.

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5 stars
366 (56%)
4 stars
191 (29%)
3 stars
61 (9%)
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16 (2%)
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9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Belinda.
1,331 reviews236 followers
April 20, 2020
5 stars - if their was a 6 stars raiding I would give it to this book - 🦋🌹🦋
- By nightfall of the first day, all five members of the foundation of the real princes of saud with al their family and friends, nummering more than 400, were in custody.- 🌹🦋🌹
We follow Carter and McKenzie as they surcing for the lost nuks, thousands of years old. Their helpt by a lot of new friends. When they discover that the giants had speaking partners they did not dream of, this Adventure gets a kick start. Those majestic wolven are back along with other animal friends. 🦋🌹🦋
What they discover together and the way how blowed of my mind. This well researched book combine's intregue, exitement, love, loss and suspence. 🌹🦋🌹
If you are a fan of Clive Clussler, James Rollins, Linclin Child this thirth in the series around Carter Devereux is one for you. 🦋🌹🦋
- what about the libary of the giants? Irene asked. -
12 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2020
Unfortunately, I got sidetracked from finishing this book until today. I wish I hadn’t waited so long. It is a fantastic book that brings just enough historic truth to make this very believable. I want to know more now about some of the facts interwoven into the story. I look forward to reading the third book very soon.
Profile Image for Deb.
179 reviews
February 6, 2017
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book 3 starts right where the action of book 2 left off. The action in this book isn't quite as intense as the action in book 2 but the author throws in some interesting plot twists that I found to be quite interesting to read. This book ended with enough loose ends and unanswered questions that this reader is anticipating book 4.
291 reviews3 followers
January 6, 2017
Excellent!

This is a three book series that is definitely worth the time to read. While they could be read independent I would strongly recommend reading them in order. The beginning starts out a little slow but stay with it because it will definitely get and keep your attention. Excellent writing and definitely over the top reading experience. Enjoy!
Profile Image for Cath.
950 reviews17 followers
December 21, 2019
This is book three in the Carter Devereux Mystery Thrillers series and starts with the rescue of Carter’s wife, MacKenzie, their son Liam and their new baby Beth, born whilst they were in captivity. They have returned to their little haven, Freydis, in Canada and are re-evaluating what they will do next. Can Carter continue to study the evidence he found from the City of Giants library, if this could lead to more bad things happening to him and his family?

The start of this book almost put me off as it covers a lot of biblical style quotes and excessive history of eons ago. It covers the period and history of a group called the Nabateans, who in 106 AD surrendered everything to the Romans and disappeared. They since that time stayed hidden and formed a secret Council of the Covenant of Nabatea, with advanced technology and a mandate to take over the world. Unfortunately, one of the twelve members of the Council was impatient to advance his position and have a more religious opinion, leading to the Council almost being revealed to the world.

The Nabateans can trace their history for much longer than thought possible and have millions of descendants. They have people in places of power all over the world, not letting country or religious beliefs keep them from taking up positions. The lines between countries have long since been blurred as their descendants moved and spread around the world. Now that one of their own has potentially leaked information that should have been kept secret upon pain of death, they are left rushing around to seal all possible leaks and anyone else they consider a threat.

Carter is on their radar as his find of the library of the Giants has been closely watched and the information he may be able to discover, could be exactly what the Nabatean Council has been looking for, for centuries. This places him and everyone around him in danger as the Council decide they need all the materials he took from the library and anyone in the way is to be killed, even his children and wife. What a way to annoy the wrong person! Now they have made it personal and his wife will never let them get away with threatening her children.

The wonderful rapport that MacKenzie has with the local wolf family and the close, almost psychic link they have, led to her and the children’s location being discovered and them being rescued. Now, the wolves are an integral part of the protection plans put into place on Freydis, for Carter and his family and also the other people come to help work on the translation of the ancient library and try to find the location of the ancient nuclear weapons stockpile. Something, which many in power find hard to believe.

Parts at the end of the book involving dolphins remind me of a book by Edita A. Petrick, where her characters Carter and Stella also learn to communicate with dolphins, in their case to find a dangerous artifact. Both authors use the dolphins as a sign of intelligent life where most wouldn’t see it and have them as an integral part of the story. Tales of dolphins helping people lost at sea, are part of local legend and show dolphins as a mainly friendly race, with their own language and form of communication.

The story ramps up in action and interest really quickly and the main character, their friends and family are well rounded and work really well together. The bad guys, in the Council of Nabateans, are definitely an evil order, seeking power, wealth and world domination and they don’t care who they strike down in their path to do so. A great read, once it got going and let up on the biblical quotes, and a great adventure following the history of the Giants and learning to communicate with other races, both from the past and present. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of this book above.
Profile Image for Satrajit Sanyal.
573 reviews3 followers
May 26, 2018
I have been singing Ryan’s praises for a long time now and on more than one occasion, after reading his latest book I have made comments such as “one of the best, if not the best” but this time I MUST go beyond that. This third book in the Carter Devereux series — The Alboran Codex — towers head and shoulders above them all.

The Alboran Codex is the sequel to the best-selling Wolves of Freydis and continues where that one ended. This book meets and exceeds all my criteria for a good book. It starts with a prologue that drags you in immediately and doesn’t disappoint. It has clean dialogue, a brilliant plot, action, intrigue, and spine-chilling suspense.

Those majestic wolves are back and they didn’t disappoint at all. However, this time it is not only the wolves who help to deliver them from evil… all I can say is, buckle up for 433 pages of excitement, intrigue and suspense.

There is so much more to this book and this series. Ryan is mixing ancient history and modern day events, fact and fiction in such a unique way that I had to constantly ask myself where the one starts and the other ends. I don’t want to know how many days and weeks were spent on research — it must have been significant and the result was a brilliant book. I cant remember was when the last time I enjoyed a book so much.

With The Alboran Codex JC Ryan has demonstrated that he is an accomplished author - on par with the best in the archaeological mystery-suspense genre.

For the fans of Clive Cussler, James Rollins, Dan Brown, Andy McDermott, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, A.G. Riddle and others in this genre I highly recommend that you take a look at JC Ryan’s books. You will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Mary A. Muchowicz.
189 reviews2 followers
October 3, 2018
It's mind boggling the amount of discoveries that were made in this third book of the series.

How could the Nabateans take the promises given to them by God and twist it into their greed for money and power. They feel they have the right to kidnap and kill any man, woman or child and have absolutely no remorse. Thank God there are still some people who care enough about humanity to fight this ancient evil covenant council to keep them from taking complete control of the Earth. I love the wolves of Freud's and the bond Mackenzie has with them. The ability to communicate with the highly intelligent dolphin species is just amazing. Carter and Mackenzie and their family and friends are such vital and engaging characters. This is the third amazing book in this series. I am so looking forward to the fourth book.
506 reviews3 followers
August 3, 2019
AN AWESOME, AWESOME READ!!

The Alboran Codex pulls the reader right in, until the very end! Leaving the reader wanting more!!
Mysteries abound in searching for answers to the findings in the City of Lights dig. Mackenzie, Liam and Liu are kidnapped. A found City of Giants, leave them searching for more information about nuclear weapons.
Carter searches for more information, while trying to find his family and rescue them. Even meeting with the President of the United States, to help with efforts and find out, who is hindering their search for answers.
A Definitely "Can't put down, until the very end book!!
278 reviews7 followers
July 31, 2020
I have to admit, this was my first book by JC Ryan ( this is the third in a series) and I was absolutely absorbed from the beginning. Now I have to go back and read more of Ryan's books. The story is full of suspense, mystery, history, international intrigue, and compassion. You HAVE to have an interest in ancient history to get the full enjoyment out of the book and be prepared to reevaluate the relationship between humans and other highly intelligent animals that surround us. The story is fast-paced and definitely had a Dan Brown feeling to it, taking nothing away from JC Ryan. I highly recommend the book and only wished that I would have started with the first book in the series.
Profile Image for Annette Mordec.
243 reviews4 followers
April 26, 2020
Great storyline as always. Only 2 things I did not much care about in this book. First was adding all the security people to live basically with the main characters. If they keep going in that direction that beautiful piece of property will be turned into a housing project.
The second is Mackenzie. Is there anything she does not know? Only in last book she had one specialty. Now at least in my eyes she's becoming an insufferable know it all. I'd tune down on that, get her back to being a great woman she was.
Other than that I enjoyed this chapter of the saga very much.
Profile Image for Carlos Mock.
937 reviews14 followers
May 10, 2020
The Alboran Codex (Carter Devereux, #3) by J.C. Ryan

It's rare when I can't finish a book. This book was horrible. From the beginning, I felt like I had no idea what was happening. The book does not stand alone at all. The characters were poorly developed. Irene O'Connell and James (Jim) Rhodes made no sense and I never cared for them. Too many things from prior books that did not transfer well into this one. The Council of The Covenant of Nabatea, the Bible quotes, Ishmael - what a mess!

I would not recommend this book. it was torture to read!
568 reviews10 followers
June 22, 2020
Carter Devereux is an archaeologist who has found collection of inscribed plates dating back 50,ooo years, far before what is considered the dawn of civilization. Information on the plates describes technological advances that leave him and his team awestruck. They also reveal the existence of nuclear weapons. Security leaks mean that the bad guys are quick to find out the same information, and now it is a case of who gets there first. Interesting sidelight is the interaction of Mackenzie, Devereux's wife, with dolphins and even wolves.
Profile Image for Jean.
404 reviews
July 31, 2020
Only problem I had with this book was not realizing it was part of a serial and so not starting with book 1. Spent a bit of time thinking what? Who? Wait a minute, when? But once I kind of got myself around that I was still able to enjoy the story. These rich people are a little to perfect. Rich, beautiful,perfect land, fabulously in love, fit, the animals love them and protect them, very educated, knows everyone high up in government and gets anything their little hearts desire to go talk with dolphins and find out about giants.. and our tax dollars pay for that? Hmmm
241 reviews
August 3, 2021
An ancient hidden society?

This is Book 3 in the Derveaux series. It is a book of fiction which includes topics such as giants, which are mentioned in the Bible (& is accurate); ancient abilities to speak with dolphins ( wouldn't this be fantastic, if true!!); ancient nuclear bombs & technology discoveries over 50,000 years ago, etc. I mainly enjoyed the latter part of the book after things had somewhat meshed together. It came together nicely by the end of book. I'll go to Bk . 4.
500 reviews8 followers
November 3, 2017
Excellent, Exciting, Complicated, Hidden History Suspense Thriller

J. C. Ryan's archeological adventure series continues to amaze me. The scientific references continue to be accurate; the political spectrum almost perfectly describes American politics today; all the women are extremely intelligent and, by the way, beautiful!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS BOTH AN INDIVIDUAL BOOK AND AS A SERIES
16 reviews
June 1, 2020
Great new author for me!

This is the first book I 've read by JC Ryan. I agree with every review gives his readers a terrific read. It doesn't end until the last page and then you are left wanting the next book. I plan on reading several of his series. I also recieved a free book about numerous science sites that do not have satisfactory conclusions. Can hardly wait to get started reading my new author!
343 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2020
The Alboran Codex: A Suspense Thriller (A Carter Devereux Mystery #3)

Action packed story from start to finish, will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book. The characters, human and otherwise, are believable and realistic. Although this is a stand alone book, highly recommend you read the first two books, to give you a more through understanding of the story line. Looking forward to the next book in this series. Highly recommend!
85 reviews2 followers
May 7, 2020
Exciting mystery thriller

I liked all the characters, especially Carter and MacKenzie. Very believable. It was great the way we learned that many animals, such as wolves and dolphins were so intelligent. Finding and interpreting the strange metallic sheets from the Giants' library was excellent as was learning to speak and understand dolphinese. Very entertaining.
90 reviews
August 9, 2020
What do you get when you mix dolphins, archeology and world affairs?

I haven’t read the first two books. I didn’t find it hard to follow along with the ongoing plot. The dolphins were an unusual twist. I won’t give that away only I will say that it was very unique. I enjoy the archeological research mixed with sci fi and even some religion.
223 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2020
This is another great book by J C Ryan. It is thought provoking and mind boggling at the same time.
His portrayal of the his characters bring the book to life, especially Carter the hot headed leader of the group. The book is a real page turn full of controversy and action. It keeps you spellbound from beginning to end. Well worth a read.
Profile Image for Layne.
366 reviews2 followers
November 18, 2022
Of all of J.C. Ryan's books that I have read, I am sorry to say that this is the one I liked the least. It just felt like he was rushing through it. There were too many "convenient" things that happened. Also, I had to suspend belief too many times during the dolphin encounters. I'll read the next one in the series just to see what happens. I'm hoping it is up to his usual standard.
882 reviews3 followers
February 14, 2023
Enjoyed reading this book. Twists and turns which keeps you wanting more. I would encourage reading this series in order since each book leaves you hanging and continues in the next book.
Block out time since to read this series since it will keep you on the edge of your seat and unable to put the book aside.
11 reviews3 followers
June 21, 2017
Love Carter and his friends and family. Can't wait to see what happens next!

I would definitely recommend this book for all adventure lovers. Carter's adventures could be really and they are always backed up by science and history.
Profile Image for William Beck.
Author 5 books14 followers
July 5, 2017
An exciting adventure

Ryan's latest thriller with the Devereuxs does not disappoint. Moving at fast pace, The Alboran Codex is packed with tension, adventure, mayhem, and ideas that make you wonder about the possibilities. Can't wait for the next Carter and Mackie page-turner.
205 reviews
April 25, 2020
great story, one of the " bestest", terrific

Carter Devereaux, his wife, his friends, and his enemies out a mind blowing story on "paper". once you start you won't want to put down. Russians and Chinese are the least, the Nabateans, the wolves and the Dolphins keep you reading.
2 reviews
Read
April 28, 2020
I am not sure if I loved the giant theory or the communication with the dolphins better. This was a fast read, and am looking forward to the next book. Very believable characters. Thank you for another enjoyable book. Elaine
496 reviews5 followers
June 2, 2020
Very good

Really enjoyed the story. The animal and human interaction was fascinating. The premise of a long dead society reminiscent of the Knight's Templar was interesting also. I'll certainly read more.
305 reviews1 follower
June 12, 2020
Ancient civilization meets the twenty first century

This novel was fast paced, loaded with conspiracies, and mysteries to solve. I did not find all the characters believable but it was an interesting take on scientific wonderment and action adventure.
28 reviews
October 16, 2020
Great imaginative story

I truly enjoyed the whole story, well written and entertaining. As a former USNavy Son arm an I especially liked the idea of dolphin communication. Brings back memories of listening to them chirp and squeal.


Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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