What do you think?
Rate this book
Exodus '95
Claire, a young graphic designer, learns a secret that her dying New York neighbor has kept for twenty years: the whereabouts of Moses’ Biblical staff.
Claire needs the help of an Israeli engineer and the money of a Russian oligarch to recover the staff before her body betrays her. But first she needs to stay alive in a race with fanatics, who will do anything to keep the staff from coming to light.
Then the LORD said to Moses: Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
Claire needs the help of an Israeli engineer and the money of a Russian oligarch to recover the staff before her body betrays her. But first she needs to stay alive in a race with fanatics, who will do anything to keep the staff from coming to light.
Then the LORD said to Moses: Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2017
153 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Kfir Luzzatto
56 books147 followersKfir Luzzatto is the author of seventeen novels, several short stories, and seven non-fiction books. Kfir was born and raised in Italy and moved to Israel as a teenager. He acquired his love for the English language from his father, a former U.S. soldier, a voracious reader, and a prolific writer. He holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering and works as a patent attorney. In pursuit of his interest in the mind-body connection, Kfir was certified as a Clinical Hypnotherapist by the Anglo-European College of Therapeutic Hypnosis.
Kfir is a member of the HWA (Horror Writers Association) and ITW (International Thriller Writers).
You can visit Kfir’s web site and read his blog at https://www.kfirluzzatto.com. Follow him on Twitter (@KfirLuzzatto) and friend him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KfirLuzzatto...).
Kfir is a member of the HWA (Horror Writers Association) and ITW (International Thriller Writers).
You can visit Kfir’s web site and read his blog at https://www.kfirluzzatto.com. Follow him on Twitter (@KfirLuzzatto) and friend him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KfirLuzzatto...).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 29, 2017
Check out all of my reviews at: http://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
EXODUS ’95 by Kfir Luzzatto is a fast paced adventure thriller with a unique character twist and intriguing treasure hunt for Moses’ staff.
Claire Williams is a graphic designer that has always had to work hard to survive. When she befriends a dying, elderly man named Jack, she learns he is an ex-KGB agent who claims to have hidden the staff belonging to Moses’ from the Bible. He wants to give her the information on where and how to locate it with the hope that she can sell it to get money for a better life, but Jack has his own ulterior motives for giving Claire this information.
Dan Ze’evi is an Israeli engineer who is paired with Claire due to information he has on the location of the staff that he doesn’t realize he has in his memory. The two are bribed and blackmailed on their journey by a Russian oligarch who wants the power of the staff. They are also being chased by an Egyptian oligarch, who wants the staff destroyed, not recovered. Dan and Claire are running all over the world as it seems everyone wants the staff for their own reasons. Twist and turns I was not expecting kept popping up and made it a fun adventure that had me continually turning the pages.
The book is an easy read and I am sure you will enjoy the world-wide adventure if you can suspend realistic belief at times, which I don’t mind doing. I gave it the 3.5 star rating and would have liked to have given it more, but I felt the characters, except for Dan Ze’evi were two dimensional and stereotypical. The unique character twist belongs to Claire, but I can’t say more without it being a spoiler. Even with this twist, I just could never warm to her character. I also felt the romance was forced and unbelievable. The plot is full of potential, unique and is a fun adventure read.
Thank you to PINE TEN and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
EXODUS ’95 by Kfir Luzzatto is a fast paced adventure thriller with a unique character twist and intriguing treasure hunt for Moses’ staff.
Claire Williams is a graphic designer that has always had to work hard to survive. When she befriends a dying, elderly man named Jack, she learns he is an ex-KGB agent who claims to have hidden the staff belonging to Moses’ from the Bible. He wants to give her the information on where and how to locate it with the hope that she can sell it to get money for a better life, but Jack has his own ulterior motives for giving Claire this information.
Dan Ze’evi is an Israeli engineer who is paired with Claire due to information he has on the location of the staff that he doesn’t realize he has in his memory. The two are bribed and blackmailed on their journey by a Russian oligarch who wants the power of the staff. They are also being chased by an Egyptian oligarch, who wants the staff destroyed, not recovered. Dan and Claire are running all over the world as it seems everyone wants the staff for their own reasons. Twist and turns I was not expecting kept popping up and made it a fun adventure that had me continually turning the pages.
The book is an easy read and I am sure you will enjoy the world-wide adventure if you can suspend realistic belief at times, which I don’t mind doing. I gave it the 3.5 star rating and would have liked to have given it more, but I felt the characters, except for Dan Ze’evi were two dimensional and stereotypical. The unique character twist belongs to Claire, but I can’t say more without it being a spoiler. Even with this twist, I just could never warm to her character. I also felt the romance was forced and unbelievable. The plot is full of potential, unique and is a fun adventure read.
Thank you to PINE TEN and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2017
This historical and archaeological thriller had some good moments and some off the wall moments. The main characters are two people with not a lot in common. In fact, Claire has not much in common with anyone. She is a lone wolf and she has odd moments that make others around her uncomfortable. That is the least of her problems. There is the Staff of Moses that only she knows where to find it. Only she holds the key to its safe recovery. Except that the location is so barren that she needs the help of a former soldier that witnessed an event he never knew he witnessed. Sounds convoluted? It plays out nicely and other than the two powerful men that have become a thorn in their sides. Interesting concept, good writing and a lot of action.
March 16, 2017
Great Story. It really is a wonderful thing to find an Author that can entertain you from the first page of their story right through to the very last page, like Kfir Luzzatto has for me with Exodus 95. This was a very easy book to read, and so well written. Claire Williams and Dan Ze’evi are both interesting and excellent characters, and I like the background and detail the Author has gone into with both of them. Claire Williams had no idea how her elderly neighbour Jack Jones was about to change her life. He wanted to pass on a secret that could be well worth her while financially, before he passed away from old age. He was lucky enough to find ‘Moses Staff’ back from the biblical times, and manage hide it from everyone in a cave. Arming Claire with the knowledge on how to unlock the box safely, that he had set to blow up if opened incorrectly. All she had to do now was to meet up with an Israeli man Dan Ze’evi, who was meant to know where the box was hidden. However with two rich and very dangerous men competing to purchase the Staff, it was going to be a lot more complicated than first thought. Each of these two men had a very different plan on what they were going to do with ‘Moses Staff’ if they could get hold of it. Luckily for Claire and Dan they were both prepared to pay very well for getting their hands on it. I quite enjoyed the ending. This is an entertaining book, and well worth a read.
June 20, 2017
Before dying, Claire Williams' elderly neighbour Jack Jones gives her the knowledge that will unlock the box storing the biblical Staff of Moses. Jack wants Claire to be financially secure after his death and tells her she must sell the box and its contents to shady Russian businessman Andrey Leskov. Israeli engineer Dan Ze'evi is the only person who knows the location of the box and agrees to help Claire in exchange for a deal to save his failing company. However, someone else wants it too and is prepared to stop at nothing to possess it.
There are some rather good twists in this book. The characters of Claire and Jack turn out to be especially interesting and I must commend the author on a job well done in that respect. The plot hurtles along at a good pace and was both thrilling and exciting. There are double-crossings aplenty and a whole bunch of menacing baddies thrown into the mix. It's well-written and, in my opinion, a very enjoyable read.
Thanks to author Kfir Luzzatto for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://barnseybooks.blogspot.co.uk/20...
There are some rather good twists in this book. The characters of Claire and Jack turn out to be especially interesting and I must commend the author on a job well done in that respect. The plot hurtles along at a good pace and was both thrilling and exciting. There are double-crossings aplenty and a whole bunch of menacing baddies thrown into the mix. It's well-written and, in my opinion, a very enjoyable read.
Thanks to author Kfir Luzzatto for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://barnseybooks.blogspot.co.uk/20...
April 19, 2017
3.5 stars
This was an entertaining read that I would categorise as “train, plane or automobile” – in other words, it would keep you nicely entertained on a long journey without being at all taxing. I guess I would describe it as Raiders of the Lost Ark meets The Da Vinci Code meets The Manchurian Candidate!
Claire and Dan, an Israeli engineer who unknown to him has information about the whereabouts of the fabled Moses staff, team up to retrieve it for a Russian oligarch who has his own nefarious past. That would be too easy, so a rival Egyptian is also after the staff. The author keep the action flowing with plenty of twists and turns, cross and double cross and a “Whoa, I wasn’t expecting that” moment about a third of the way in which takes the story in a whole new direction.
Okay, so elements of the story are pretty far-fetched – at least, I hope they are, otherwise recent events between the United States and Russia take on whole new possibilities! – but it’s all competently done and keeps you wanting to read on to the end.
I’d like to thank the author for providing an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
To read this and other reviews, visit my blog: https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/
This was an entertaining read that I would categorise as “train, plane or automobile” – in other words, it would keep you nicely entertained on a long journey without being at all taxing. I guess I would describe it as Raiders of the Lost Ark meets The Da Vinci Code meets The Manchurian Candidate!
Claire and Dan, an Israeli engineer who unknown to him has information about the whereabouts of the fabled Moses staff, team up to retrieve it for a Russian oligarch who has his own nefarious past. That would be too easy, so a rival Egyptian is also after the staff. The author keep the action flowing with plenty of twists and turns, cross and double cross and a “Whoa, I wasn’t expecting that” moment about a third of the way in which takes the story in a whole new direction.
Okay, so elements of the story are pretty far-fetched – at least, I hope they are, otherwise recent events between the United States and Russia take on whole new possibilities! – but it’s all competently done and keeps you wanting to read on to the end.
I’d like to thank the author for providing an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.
To read this and other reviews, visit my blog: https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/
April 24, 2017
I received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I tried hard to like this book, I really did. But it just wasn't for me.
The writing is amazing, I'll give it that. The book, however, doesn't live up to the expectations the novel premise set. There is no character development and the characters did not feel human in any part of the book. The beginning was interesting but as the plot thickened, it just felt contrived.
This review is just what I thought of the book. I'm sure each reader will have his/her own feelings about it. I think you should still go ahead and check this book out for yourself. You never know, you may like it better than I did!
I tried hard to like this book, I really did. But it just wasn't for me.
The writing is amazing, I'll give it that. The book, however, doesn't live up to the expectations the novel premise set. There is no character development and the characters did not feel human in any part of the book. The beginning was interesting but as the plot thickened, it just felt contrived.
This review is just what I thought of the book. I'm sure each reader will have his/her own feelings about it. I think you should still go ahead and check this book out for yourself. You never know, you may like it better than I did!
May 24, 2017
Stupid! That’s what he had been. He should have known it. The whispering, obviously meant to mask the masculine voice, the detached sensation he had felt between them in the car. That was Jack all along. I should have suspected something, he reproached himself. Clearly, Jack had allowed Claire to surface, knowing that he would be able to take control when he wanted to. By letting everybody, Claire included, believe that the treatment had exorcised him, he had thwarted the cure. Jack had played him and Doctor Zellinger as well. He had bided his time and had maneuvered Dan into lowering his guard so he could get away to who knew where.
The science of getting into someone’s head is researched to no end. Police officers, profilers, scientists, and psychologists all make their best efforts, but at the end of the day…no one really ever knows why someone does the things that they do unless told. What would happen if someone found a way to deliberately cause a split personality? What would that mean for human nature…to actually be able to get into someone’s head and be a part of them? What would that mean for science? Exodus ’95 is an interesting thriller, one that will entertain and question the reader throughout its entirety.
Dan meets Claire while waiting for a potential buyer. Dan is a business man, looking to sell his company and Claire is a graphic designer. Both are pulled into a crazy tale about magical properties that are ingrained into Moses’ Biblical Staff. After Claire’s neighbor, Jack, informs her of the staff’s real location, she agrees to go through rigorous training so that only she can open the encrypted box where it has been held for decades. There is only one thing that Jack doesn’t tell Claire about the training…a big secret that threatens to take over her life or rather make her share her existence with someone else. With two very strong and menacing parties looking to find the staff, they know that they have been put in danger.
Luzzatto has decent character development, but their introductions are a bit rocky. Some areas of this novel drag very slowly where other scenes are very quick, which makes the read a bit confusing or difficult to follow. There is plenty of suspense and the story has hypothetical scenarios that are very creative and well-written. Luzzatto provides a certain vibe and writing style that may not appeal to everyone. If you are a reader of thrillers with a little romance, you may want to pick this up.
A copy of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by the author, but this in no way affects our honest opinion of the book or the review that has been written. We provide a four-star rating for Exodus ‘95 by Kfir Luzzatto.
The science of getting into someone’s head is researched to no end. Police officers, profilers, scientists, and psychologists all make their best efforts, but at the end of the day…no one really ever knows why someone does the things that they do unless told. What would happen if someone found a way to deliberately cause a split personality? What would that mean for human nature…to actually be able to get into someone’s head and be a part of them? What would that mean for science? Exodus ’95 is an interesting thriller, one that will entertain and question the reader throughout its entirety.
Dan meets Claire while waiting for a potential buyer. Dan is a business man, looking to sell his company and Claire is a graphic designer. Both are pulled into a crazy tale about magical properties that are ingrained into Moses’ Biblical Staff. After Claire’s neighbor, Jack, informs her of the staff’s real location, she agrees to go through rigorous training so that only she can open the encrypted box where it has been held for decades. There is only one thing that Jack doesn’t tell Claire about the training…a big secret that threatens to take over her life or rather make her share her existence with someone else. With two very strong and menacing parties looking to find the staff, they know that they have been put in danger.
Luzzatto has decent character development, but their introductions are a bit rocky. Some areas of this novel drag very slowly where other scenes are very quick, which makes the read a bit confusing or difficult to follow. There is plenty of suspense and the story has hypothetical scenarios that are very creative and well-written. Luzzatto provides a certain vibe and writing style that may not appeal to everyone. If you are a reader of thrillers with a little romance, you may want to pick this up.
A copy of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by the author, but this in no way affects our honest opinion of the book or the review that has been written. We provide a four-star rating for Exodus ‘95 by Kfir Luzzatto.
November 30, 2017
Exodus '95 by Kfir Luzzatto | REVIEW
Biblical stories blend with international espionage and high-stakes spy thrillers in author Kfir Luzzatto's Exodus '95. Here is the synopsis:
Claire, a young graphic designer, learns a secret that her dying New York neighbor has kept for twenty years: the whereabouts of Moses’ Biblical staff.
Claire needs the help of an Israeli engineer and the money of a Russian oligarch to recover the staff before her body betrays her. But first she needs to stay alive in a race with fanatics, who will do anything to keep the staff from coming to light.
Then the LORD said to Moses: Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
While I'm not the kind of reader or reviewer who gravitates towards religious based books, this book actually does a great job of making the story of Moses and his staff more of a driving force for the main plot of the book. The story is rather focused on the story of Claire and her harrowing journey across the world. Thrust into a high stakes game between two powerful and deadly enemies, Claire seeks the help of an Israeli engineer with a special skill set to help her along the way, and there is a surprising twist halfway through the story that will leave readers floored.
The novel was well written, with little to no grammatical errors that I could spot. The story has a great narrative that takes the readers across the world and into the past. Be ready to explore the way the world ran back in the 90's, and see the political landscape between nations and those who run the countries amongst the shadows. It's a wonderfully high-octane adventure where no one is loyal and everyone is in danger. With no one to trust, Claire and her confidant must traverse foreign lands and seek allies in order to survive a truly deadly adventure.
Overall this is a wonderful read. The author as a great command over the thriller genre and has created some fantastic characters that make you really feel. The line between hero and villain can easily blur in this story, and soon you will be questioning whether the person closest to you is really on your side. An edge of your seat espionage thriller, this is a fun and adventurous read that everyone should sink their teeth into, so be sure to pick up your copies of Exodus '95 today!
Biblical stories blend with international espionage and high-stakes spy thrillers in author Kfir Luzzatto's Exodus '95. Here is the synopsis:
Claire, a young graphic designer, learns a secret that her dying New York neighbor has kept for twenty years: the whereabouts of Moses’ Biblical staff.
Claire needs the help of an Israeli engineer and the money of a Russian oligarch to recover the staff before her body betrays her. But first she needs to stay alive in a race with fanatics, who will do anything to keep the staff from coming to light.
Then the LORD said to Moses: Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.
While I'm not the kind of reader or reviewer who gravitates towards religious based books, this book actually does a great job of making the story of Moses and his staff more of a driving force for the main plot of the book. The story is rather focused on the story of Claire and her harrowing journey across the world. Thrust into a high stakes game between two powerful and deadly enemies, Claire seeks the help of an Israeli engineer with a special skill set to help her along the way, and there is a surprising twist halfway through the story that will leave readers floored.
The novel was well written, with little to no grammatical errors that I could spot. The story has a great narrative that takes the readers across the world and into the past. Be ready to explore the way the world ran back in the 90's, and see the political landscape between nations and those who run the countries amongst the shadows. It's a wonderfully high-octane adventure where no one is loyal and everyone is in danger. With no one to trust, Claire and her confidant must traverse foreign lands and seek allies in order to survive a truly deadly adventure.
Overall this is a wonderful read. The author as a great command over the thriller genre and has created some fantastic characters that make you really feel. The line between hero and villain can easily blur in this story, and soon you will be questioning whether the person closest to you is really on your side. An edge of your seat espionage thriller, this is a fun and adventurous read that everyone should sink their teeth into, so be sure to pick up your copies of Exodus '95 today!
February 24, 2018
Read this review and more on my blog at [Roxie Writes].
‘Exodus ‘95’ by Kfir Luzzatto
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Finished on February 19, 2018
GIVEN A FREE COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
$3.99 on Kindle | $11.99 in Paperback
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Claire may be a step away from recovering the most powerful artifact in human history: Moses' Biblical staff, which her dying neighbor found and hid in the Arabian desert twenty years ago. But his startling revelations have got her entangled in a global race with ruthless fanatics who want to get to the artifact first.
With the help of an Israeli engineer named Dan Ze’evi, she unravels the mystery leading to the staff. Together, they travel through Italy, Russia, Israel, Switzerland, and Egypt, all while trying to stay two steps ahead of a Russian oligarch and an Egyptian millionaire who both want access to the staff. They want it so badly, they’re willing to kill for it.
When she realizes the truth of what her old friend did to her in giving her the ability to find the staff, their task becomes a lot more complicated.
MY REVIEW:
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
‘Exodus ‘95’ was a solid 3.5 star read for me.
This book is a wild ride. There’s a quest for a religious relic that nurtures a blossoming love story inside of a tale of espionage and betrayal.
The plot is extremely original. I’ve never read anything quite like this before. The pacing is well-done, too. It’s easy to keep turning page after page.
However, I feel like the characters were sacrificed for the plot. None of them, in my opinion, had much depth. They felt more like a means of telling a story rather than real, three-dimensional characters.
And admittedly, I am more of a fan of character-driven novels over plot-driven.
If you’re the opposite of me, someone who cares more about unique and complex plots rather than characters, you’ll probably love this book.
‘Exodus ‘95’ by Kfir Luzzatto
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Finished on February 19, 2018
GIVEN A FREE COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
$3.99 on Kindle | $11.99 in Paperback
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Claire may be a step away from recovering the most powerful artifact in human history: Moses' Biblical staff, which her dying neighbor found and hid in the Arabian desert twenty years ago. But his startling revelations have got her entangled in a global race with ruthless fanatics who want to get to the artifact first.
With the help of an Israeli engineer named Dan Ze’evi, she unravels the mystery leading to the staff. Together, they travel through Italy, Russia, Israel, Switzerland, and Egypt, all while trying to stay two steps ahead of a Russian oligarch and an Egyptian millionaire who both want access to the staff. They want it so badly, they’re willing to kill for it.
When she realizes the truth of what her old friend did to her in giving her the ability to find the staff, their task becomes a lot more complicated.
MY REVIEW:
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
‘Exodus ‘95’ was a solid 3.5 star read for me.
This book is a wild ride. There’s a quest for a religious relic that nurtures a blossoming love story inside of a tale of espionage and betrayal.
The plot is extremely original. I’ve never read anything quite like this before. The pacing is well-done, too. It’s easy to keep turning page after page.
However, I feel like the characters were sacrificed for the plot. None of them, in my opinion, had much depth. They felt more like a means of telling a story rather than real, three-dimensional characters.
And admittedly, I am more of a fan of character-driven novels over plot-driven.
If you’re the opposite of me, someone who cares more about unique and complex plots rather than characters, you’ll probably love this book.
May 16, 2017
Exodus '95 is an Indiana Jones meets Librarian meets any treasure hunt tale of adventure and mayhem with a solid background of history.
4 bohostars
Claire Williams is in search of the legendary Biblical Staff of Moses and needs the help of an Israeli engineer a young graphic designer to find the artifact before other interested parties can, or worse.
Claire and Dan Ze’evi, the engineer, use the money of a Russian oligarch for their quest.
Terrible secrets are revealed. Claire is in danger as the man (her neighbor and ex-KGB) who had brought her into confidence regarding the staff of Moses did something to her to set a timeline to the quest.
Fanatics come in Claire and Dan's way to keep the Staff from coming to light.
Exodus '95 is a well-structured mystery-thriller with some incredibly dramatic moments of cat and mouse chase in the race for a treasure hunt. The adventure knitted together with treachery, secrets, romantic feelings set the young protagonists on the most thrilling journey of their otherwise mundane lives.
The smooth pacing is commendable and appropriate for this type of book. The backstory (a lot due to the historical connection and myth related to the Staff of Moses) is incorporated in a smart way never bogging down the narrative.
The characters are interesting. Claire is hardened by life experience while Dan is adorable.
I found this book thoroughly entertaining and thank Netgalley and Kfir Luzzatto for the free Kindle copy in exchange for my honest review.
4 bohostars
Claire Williams is in search of the legendary Biblical Staff of Moses and needs the help of an Israeli engineer a young graphic designer to find the artifact before other interested parties can, or worse.
Claire and Dan Ze’evi, the engineer, use the money of a Russian oligarch for their quest.
Terrible secrets are revealed. Claire is in danger as the man (her neighbor and ex-KGB) who had brought her into confidence regarding the staff of Moses did something to her to set a timeline to the quest.
Fanatics come in Claire and Dan's way to keep the Staff from coming to light.
Exodus '95 is a well-structured mystery-thriller with some incredibly dramatic moments of cat and mouse chase in the race for a treasure hunt. The adventure knitted together with treachery, secrets, romantic feelings set the young protagonists on the most thrilling journey of their otherwise mundane lives.
The smooth pacing is commendable and appropriate for this type of book. The backstory (a lot due to the historical connection and myth related to the Staff of Moses) is incorporated in a smart way never bogging down the narrative.
The characters are interesting. Claire is hardened by life experience while Dan is adorable.
I found this book thoroughly entertaining and thank Netgalley and Kfir Luzzatto for the free Kindle copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 25, 2017
This book had the potential to be an incredible story. In some respects it was but I had some issues with pieces of the story. Here you have an independent woman in NY who is lonely. She befriends her elderly neighbor. At first I thought Jack was just a sweet old man who was lonely in his own right. In many respects that’s how he was throughout the story, but I had no idea that he had a devious plot in the mix.
The true adventure in the story starts after Claire meets Dan, an Israeli engineer, in Italy. They are to meet with Leskov. Leskov knows of the rumors of Moses’ staff and wants it for his own purposes. He intends on using both Dan and Claire to locate the staff and have it returned to him. In the process of looking for the staff Dan and Claire encounter numerous adventures and dangers. They are forced to trust one another when trust appears to be in very short supply.
If dealing with one wealthy man intent on having his own way wasn’t enough, Dan and Claire have to contend with the wishes of Bshari. Bshari also wants the staff for his own reasons. The road to finding Moses’ staff is definitely a wild one. There are numerous twists and turns to the story that keeps the reader on their toes. To a degree I found some of the twist unbelievable and unrealistic while others were believable.
All in all this wasn’t a bad book. I enjoyed it but felt there was some serious reaching at times in an effort to make the story interesting.
The true adventure in the story starts after Claire meets Dan, an Israeli engineer, in Italy. They are to meet with Leskov. Leskov knows of the rumors of Moses’ staff and wants it for his own purposes. He intends on using both Dan and Claire to locate the staff and have it returned to him. In the process of looking for the staff Dan and Claire encounter numerous adventures and dangers. They are forced to trust one another when trust appears to be in very short supply.
If dealing with one wealthy man intent on having his own way wasn’t enough, Dan and Claire have to contend with the wishes of Bshari. Bshari also wants the staff for his own reasons. The road to finding Moses’ staff is definitely a wild one. There are numerous twists and turns to the story that keeps the reader on their toes. To a degree I found some of the twist unbelievable and unrealistic while others were believable.
All in all this wasn’t a bad book. I enjoyed it but felt there was some serious reaching at times in an effort to make the story interesting.
July 26, 2017
Exodus ’95 follows the entrepreneur Dan Ze’evi and a woman known as Claire Williams on the treasure hunt of a millennium; one fraught with factions desperate to get their hands on the final prize and either exalt it or destroy it. Between them, Dan and Claire hold all the pieces of the puzzle. Whether or not they’ll survive long enough to attempt to put them together is a whole other question; one which everyone from Egyptian nationalists to Russian industrialists are eager to test.
Kfir Luzzatto’s novel will delight thriller fans. The settings are brought alive by little details and evocative description, forming an engrossing backdrop for the plot, and the adventure, while extraordinary, is well-paced and plausible. I did find that the Mossad involvement acted as something of a Hail Mary save – they swoop in, pull our protagonists out of trouble, and then really fade out of the story. As one of the premier global intelligence agencies, I would’ve frankly expected them to be much harder to shake, once they had the scent of the case. Aside from that, I found this read to be truly excellent – unique, peopled with a strong cast of characters, and technically excellent, which I deeply appreciate. Definitely a highly recommended read.
Reviewed for By Rite of Word.
Kfir Luzzatto’s novel will delight thriller fans. The settings are brought alive by little details and evocative description, forming an engrossing backdrop for the plot, and the adventure, while extraordinary, is well-paced and plausible. I did find that the Mossad involvement acted as something of a Hail Mary save – they swoop in, pull our protagonists out of trouble, and then really fade out of the story. As one of the premier global intelligence agencies, I would’ve frankly expected them to be much harder to shake, once they had the scent of the case. Aside from that, I found this read to be truly excellent – unique, peopled with a strong cast of characters, and technically excellent, which I deeply appreciate. Definitely a highly recommended read.
Reviewed for By Rite of Word.
March 22, 2017
4 stars
This is a wonderfully written and plotted novel. It is my first Kfir Luzzatto novel and I don’t believe that it will be my last. I truly enjoyed it.
Claire Williams of New York is left a great gift by her neighbor, Jack Jones. It is the location of the biblical staff that was said to belong to Moses. But before she can search for the staff, she needs the help of an engineer and a great deal of money to fund her expedition. Enter Dan Ze’evi, an Israeli.
The great thing about this book is that we get a nicely fleshed-out background on both of these wonderful characters.
As their search begins, forces who want the staff for themselves are on their trail. They want to buy the staff, instead of murdering for it. However, there is a faction that wants to destroy the staff – seemingly at any cost.
I want to thank Netgalley and Pine Ten for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
This is a wonderfully written and plotted novel. It is my first Kfir Luzzatto novel and I don’t believe that it will be my last. I truly enjoyed it.
Claire Williams of New York is left a great gift by her neighbor, Jack Jones. It is the location of the biblical staff that was said to belong to Moses. But before she can search for the staff, she needs the help of an engineer and a great deal of money to fund her expedition. Enter Dan Ze’evi, an Israeli.
The great thing about this book is that we get a nicely fleshed-out background on both of these wonderful characters.
As their search begins, forces who want the staff for themselves are on their trail. They want to buy the staff, instead of murdering for it. However, there is a faction that wants to destroy the staff – seemingly at any cost.
I want to thank Netgalley and Pine Ten for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
May 17, 2017
This book has all the elements of a real thriller, and some highly imaginative plot twists as well. The mystery item is a package containing the staff used by Moses, hidden in the Arabian desert. After a brief introduction, the players begin a cobra dance that never seems to end. The story takes place in several locations, which are all well described and add to the sense of danger. One story element contributes greatly to a sense of weirdness, and it carries the reader into unexplored territory If you are into thrillers with a historical bent, you will really like this book.
March 25, 2017
Thanks to NetGalley I spent a few wonderful days reading this book.
Mr Luzzatto is an excellent writer with a sharp eye for details. Furthermore, although the story is not really very ‘new’ (this is not the first book that handles with the finding of the staff of Mozes), he took the idea and made it into something new. There are a lot of interesting twists and turns in the book, although some of them may seem a little far-fetched (read it an you’ll know what I mean). Just as you think you know who is going to act a certain way, something happens… But the story ends with all loose ends nealy tied. This is a great book for people who like this kind of adventure stories.
Mr Luzzatto is an excellent writer with a sharp eye for details. Furthermore, although the story is not really very ‘new’ (this is not the first book that handles with the finding of the staff of Mozes), he took the idea and made it into something new. There are a lot of interesting twists and turns in the book, although some of them may seem a little far-fetched (read it an you’ll know what I mean). Just as you think you know who is going to act a certain way, something happens… But the story ends with all loose ends nealy tied. This is a great book for people who like this kind of adventure stories.
December 29, 2017
I received this free from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.
I had high hopes for this book. There is nothing I love more than an archaeological/ historical thriller, but this was only a thriller. True it was fast-paced and had some interesting twists, but the people were not really fleshed out and I felt cheated at the ending. I just think it could have been a little better. But that's just my opinion.
I had high hopes for this book. There is nothing I love more than an archaeological/ historical thriller, but this was only a thriller. True it was fast-paced and had some interesting twists, but the people were not really fleshed out and I felt cheated at the ending. I just think it could have been a little better. But that's just my opinion.
July 2, 2017
This book is a thriller, event hough it has a Biblical premise of sorts. Moses's staff has been found and the chase is on. It's a treasure hunt, a chase, with a "The Librarian" type feel to it too. It's well written, with strong voices and full of action and adventure. If this is a series, I might well read more of it.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
September 23, 2020
The idea of finding Moses’ staff is all intriguing, but the story relates to that only in a superficial way. I found it a little disjointed to begin with but worth continuing. Then it went in a whole other direction it really turned me off. I did finish hoping there would be something redeeming later in the book, but alas, not to be.
May 26, 2020
Interesting read
A bit of a far fetched story, but it was rather intriguing. You are left right to the end to find out if the female character was on the right side. It was a worthwhile lead though.
A bit of a far fetched story, but it was rather intriguing. You are left right to the end to find out if the female character was on the right side. It was a worthwhile lead though.
September 21, 2020
Intriguing
Well written story about a treasure hunt for a religious symbol that may or may not exist. Wonderful characters weave between multiple countries and many interesting locations. Great read
Well written story about a treasure hunt for a religious symbol that may or may not exist. Wonderful characters weave between multiple countries and many interesting locations. Great read
January 29, 2021
Fun read
Page Turner. Twists and turns galore. Fun read. You cannot put this book down, always striving to find d out what will happen next and if you guessed the next twist or was it a turn.
Page Turner. Twists and turns galore. Fun read. You cannot put this book down, always striving to find d out what will happen next and if you guessed the next twist or was it a turn.
July 26, 2017
Not bad, good read to kill time
June 28, 2020
Exodus 95
I liked this book , a good read.The characters were entertaining. The plot was fast paced. Very very good read.
I liked this book , a good read.The characters were entertaining. The plot was fast paced. Very very good read.
September 27, 2020
Needs less sci-fi
There was more Twilight Zone than i expected, but by and large enjoyable. Looking forward to their next adventure together.
There was more Twilight Zone than i expected, but by and large enjoyable. Looking forward to their next adventure together.
February 24, 2021
Hmmm
Very original. Kept my interest. Interesting characters. No morality in these people. They didn't have any qualms killing anyone, sad.
Very original. Kept my interest. Interesting characters. No morality in these people. They didn't have any qualms killing anyone, sad.
September 8, 2021
Action!
Wow, what a wild ride! If you like suspense and excitement, you will love this story! From New York to Tel Aviv, its spread over the world! Great read!
Wow, what a wild ride! If you like suspense and excitement, you will love this story! From New York to Tel Aviv, its spread over the world! Great read!
April 15, 2017
Claire Williams is a young graphic designer in New York City whose kindness to a dying neighbor leads him to reward her with a long-kept secret: the whereabouts of Moses' legendary lost staff. But is his secret really safe with her? She harbors a secret of her own that might not make her the best choice for keeping his, and even though she has assistance for what turns out to be an international journey of discovery, this secret may eventually betray everything.
But, why is Claire privy to this information? Jack makes her legacy - and his choices - quite clear. And, her own actions and reactions are equally clear.
Exodus '95 is an edgy thriller that spices its espionage and international romp with a sexual flavor that draws readers in to Claire's lifestyle and choices.
An ingenious machine, a complicated set of surprises involving the KGB, and ruthless enemies and high stakes are all faced by Claire, who maintains a feisty conviction that the staff will lead her out of her drab life much as Moses used it to lead his followers to freedom. But in any journey, there are costs, and these penalties are outlined in an adventure story packed with intrigue, twists, and turns.
One of the twists (without giving away the plot) is that Jack is not what he seems, and is using Claire and taking advantage of her trust. Another twist involves Claire's strange hold over Dan.
As relationships and plots evolve, Exodus '95 challenges the reader with many powerful, thought-provoking moments that take the story of a legendary staff and its powers and accelerate it to new levels of intrigue and interpersonal connections. Thriller readers who enjoy the spicy edge of
sex and romance will find this an intriguing story of mistakes, dire consequences, and change.
But, why is Claire privy to this information? Jack makes her legacy - and his choices - quite clear. And, her own actions and reactions are equally clear.
Exodus '95 is an edgy thriller that spices its espionage and international romp with a sexual flavor that draws readers in to Claire's lifestyle and choices.
An ingenious machine, a complicated set of surprises involving the KGB, and ruthless enemies and high stakes are all faced by Claire, who maintains a feisty conviction that the staff will lead her out of her drab life much as Moses used it to lead his followers to freedom. But in any journey, there are costs, and these penalties are outlined in an adventure story packed with intrigue, twists, and turns.
One of the twists (without giving away the plot) is that Jack is not what he seems, and is using Claire and taking advantage of her trust. Another twist involves Claire's strange hold over Dan.
As relationships and plots evolve, Exodus '95 challenges the reader with many powerful, thought-provoking moments that take the story of a legendary staff and its powers and accelerate it to new levels of intrigue and interpersonal connections. Thriller readers who enjoy the spicy edge of
sex and romance will find this an intriguing story of mistakes, dire consequences, and change.
February 28, 2017
Claire is given a secret from her dying elderly neighbor about where Moses’ Biblical staff is hidden.
With Dan's assistance, they attempt to retrieve the staff for Leskov while also being chased by Bshari who wants it destroyed. The plot was interesting, suspenseful and the action moved at a good pace. The characters were well developed with convincing dialogue. The part about Jack and Claire was not in line with my tastes but it was well done for those that like that type of story.
I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good read.
With Dan's assistance, they attempt to retrieve the staff for Leskov while also being chased by Bshari who wants it destroyed. The plot was interesting, suspenseful and the action moved at a good pace. The characters were well developed with convincing dialogue. The part about Jack and Claire was not in line with my tastes but it was well done for those that like that type of story.
I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good read.
April 7, 2017
**I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley for reviewing purposes.**
This was a good read, with an interesting plot and good character development. Definitely recommend to readers who enjoy adventures.
This was a good read, with an interesting plot and good character development. Definitely recommend to readers who enjoy adventures.
April 19, 2017
Claire Williams is willing to take on a dangerous mission just to get out of the rut that her life is in; Dan Ze’evi is desperate to save his failing company. Brought together by equal amounts of chance and design, they set out to recover the mystical staff of Moses, the secret of which was divulged to Claire by her dying neighbour, Jack Jones, an ex-KGB agent. Soon, Dan and Claire are caught up in a perilous game with the various vested parties, which takes them all over the world and forces them to use every resource available to them just to make it out with their lives.
Folks, this book is a one-sitting read. The quick pace and rapid change of events will keep you on your mental toes.
Dan and Claire are easily likable characters. Dan has a certain amount of dry wit going for him while Claire is so unapologetically determined that you’ll be rooting for her before she even has a name. I think that’s what I enjoyed the most in this book- the characters. None of them were caricatures. They had personalities, motivations and unique voices. The only time I couldn’t hear them in my head was when the going got romantic. The dialogue there felt a little too corny for my comfort.
The story was amazing. It had all the twists and turns of an once-in-a-lifetime adventure story. It had none of the melodrama that sometimes gets unnecessarily tacked on to this genre and best of all, the underlying tone throughout the book was one of pragmatism. No misplaced declarations of anger, revenge or love. No stupid decision-making that makes me want to bang my head against the wall. The characters all knew what they wanted and would do anything to get it and this put paid to any annoying sentimentalities.
BOTTOMLINE: It’s an easy book to read, with fluid descriptions, simple dialogue, heroes to root for and a truly crazy villain. Its short length of 250 pages ensures a quick pace and rapid changes of scene that will keep you entertained through that long plane journey or short train ride. The only other thing you need to know to be sure that this is the perfect travel companion is that the ending will blow your socks off. So, my recommendation: take it along.
Happy reading!
For more reviews check out my blog: https://overratedsensibilities.wordpr...
Folks, this book is a one-sitting read. The quick pace and rapid change of events will keep you on your mental toes.
Dan and Claire are easily likable characters. Dan has a certain amount of dry wit going for him while Claire is so unapologetically determined that you’ll be rooting for her before she even has a name. I think that’s what I enjoyed the most in this book- the characters. None of them were caricatures. They had personalities, motivations and unique voices. The only time I couldn’t hear them in my head was when the going got romantic. The dialogue there felt a little too corny for my comfort.
The story was amazing. It had all the twists and turns of an once-in-a-lifetime adventure story. It had none of the melodrama that sometimes gets unnecessarily tacked on to this genre and best of all, the underlying tone throughout the book was one of pragmatism. No misplaced declarations of anger, revenge or love. No stupid decision-making that makes me want to bang my head against the wall. The characters all knew what they wanted and would do anything to get it and this put paid to any annoying sentimentalities.
BOTTOMLINE: It’s an easy book to read, with fluid descriptions, simple dialogue, heroes to root for and a truly crazy villain. Its short length of 250 pages ensures a quick pace and rapid changes of scene that will keep you entertained through that long plane journey or short train ride. The only other thing you need to know to be sure that this is the perfect travel companion is that the ending will blow your socks off. So, my recommendation: take it along.
Happy reading!
For more reviews check out my blog: https://overratedsensibilities.wordpr...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews