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China Maroc #2
Shan
A novel of suspense and mystical adventure in China from the New York Times –bestselling author of Jian and the Nicholas Linnear series.
A martial arts expert and former agent of the top secret US government agency known as the Quarry, Jake Maroc has experienced great betrayal and tragedy. Caught up in a game of shifting loyalties, assassins, and power hungry nations, he knows there are few he can trust.
Now part of Hong Kong’s yuhn-hyun , the inner circle that will someday control all of Asia, Jake is poised to lead China to fulfill its ancient destiny. On a plateau in the heart of the Burmese highlands lies Shan, the holy site where men are tested and the deepest secrets of Eastern mysticism are revealed. It is here that Jake will face his greatest challenge as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
From a master known for his continuation of Robert Ludlum’s legendary Jason Bourne thrillers, as well as numerous other bestsellers, Shan is “a Far East Arthurian epic, laden with . . . dragons, mountains, fire . . . and a story line mined with mystical aphorisms” ( The Wall Street Journal ) .
A martial arts expert and former agent of the top secret US government agency known as the Quarry, Jake Maroc has experienced great betrayal and tragedy. Caught up in a game of shifting loyalties, assassins, and power hungry nations, he knows there are few he can trust.
Now part of Hong Kong’s yuhn-hyun , the inner circle that will someday control all of Asia, Jake is poised to lead China to fulfill its ancient destiny. On a plateau in the heart of the Burmese highlands lies Shan, the holy site where men are tested and the deepest secrets of Eastern mysticism are revealed. It is here that Jake will face his greatest challenge as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.
From a master known for his continuation of Robert Ludlum’s legendary Jason Bourne thrillers, as well as numerous other bestsellers, Shan is “a Far East Arthurian epic, laden with . . . dragons, mountains, fire . . . and a story line mined with mystical aphorisms” ( The Wall Street Journal ) .
658 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1986
145 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
Eric Van Lustbader
168 books1,227 followersEric Van Lustbader was born and raised in Greenwich Village. He is the author of more than twenty-five best-selling novels, including The Ninja, in which he introduced Nicholas Linnear, one of modern fiction's most beloved and enduring heroes. The Ninja was sold to 20th CenturyFox, to be made into a major motion picture. His novels have been translated into over twenty languages.
Mr. Lustbader is a graduate of Columbia College, with a degree in Sociology. Before turning to writing full time, he enjoyed highly successful careers in the New York City public school system, where he holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education, and in the music business, where he worked for Elektra Records and CBS Records, among other companies.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ericva...
Mr. Lustbader is a graduate of Columbia College, with a degree in Sociology. Before turning to writing full time, he enjoyed highly successful careers in the New York City public school system, where he holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education, and in the music business, where he worked for Elektra Records and CBS Records, among other companies.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/ericva...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 27, 2020
DNF.
This was sitting on my parents' bookshelf so I decided to give it a go. I tried. I didn't want to give up. I made it through 50% of the book but it was impossible for me to go on.
IT'S SO BORING. And confusing. One second we're in Hong Kong with the Chinese mafia and somehow the Japanese yakuza is involved and there's some kind of gang war. Then we're in Russia with a woman who turns out to be a spy. Then in the USA with a crooked DEA or something like that. Then in China where something spiritual and mystical seems to be going on. Everything was all over the place (and takes place all over the world apparently). I just couldn't follow any of it.
This was sitting on my parents' bookshelf so I decided to give it a go. I tried. I didn't want to give up. I made it through 50% of the book but it was impossible for me to go on.
IT'S SO BORING. And confusing. One second we're in Hong Kong with the Chinese mafia and somehow the Japanese yakuza is involved and there's some kind of gang war. Then we're in Russia with a woman who turns out to be a spy. Then in the USA with a crooked DEA or something like that. Then in China where something spiritual and mystical seems to be going on. Everything was all over the place (and takes place all over the world apparently). I just couldn't follow any of it.
November 30, 2012
I was not able to finish this book as I became disgusted with all the gratuitous sex and violence. This was a continuation of another book by this author. This book is decently written, but the story line was not as interesting as that of the previous book. It was disappointing after the first book. It was a very superficial and inaccurate portrayal of the Communist takeover of China with a very simplistic view of Mao Zhi Dong. I only read about 100 pages of the book before setting it aside.
December 28, 2009
If you haven't figured it out yet, I was really hooked on Eric Van Lustbader. I kept them all and reread them occasionally. Another great story. A U.S. spy working for China? Is he a traitor or are our (U.S. and China) destinies really linked?
June 20, 2012
It was okay. I kind of got lost in the incredibly complicated stories that Lustbader writes.
March 19, 2013
An very muddled and at times confusing sequel to Jian.
February 15, 2021
This was fun, and had everything you want out of a Cold War era spy novel: action, hand-to-hand battle/combat, intrigue, global political and financial implications and interconnectedness, sex, double agents, mysticism... on and on. Was it the best writing ever? No. But the plot was complex and interesting, and I really enjoyed it.
I also had no idea it was the second in a two-part series when I picked it up. Reading reviews, it sounds like people like the first one even more. I didn't feel like I was missing any info by starting with the second, although I'm not sure I'll read the first now that I know what happens in the second.
I also had no idea it was the second in a two-part series when I picked it up. Reading reviews, it sounds like people like the first one even more. I didn't feel like I was missing any info by starting with the second, although I'm not sure I'll read the first now that I know what happens in the second.
October 6, 2018
Bel seguito, forse anche migliore del primo nonostante ci sia meno azione.
In questo romanzo si sciolgono le fila dei personaggi scoprendo così i loro destini.
Mi è piaciuta l'evoluzione positiva di Daniella Vorkuta, quella di Bliss e anche la crisi che Jake affronta prima di mutare definitivamente e trasformarsi nello Shan.
Lustbader non delude!
In questo romanzo si sciolgono le fila dei personaggi scoprendo così i loro destini.
Mi è piaciuta l'evoluzione positiva di Daniella Vorkuta, quella di Bliss e anche la crisi che Jake affronta prima di mutare definitivamente e trasformarsi nello Shan.
Lustbader non delude!
August 15, 2024
KInda good
Word salad! There is a good story here but WOW Lots of words! Readers Digest could chop the hell out of it. I like Lustbaders work and will no doubt read more but this was difficult.
Word salad! There is a good story here but WOW Lots of words! Readers Digest could chop the hell out of it. I like Lustbaders work and will no doubt read more but this was difficult.
February 7, 2022
Great, intricate story with lots of strong characters. Plenty of action.
July 20, 2022
Kinda like Taipan
Easy reading, a bit much on the intercourse scene, but overall a good story. There is a happy ending which is always nice.
Easy reading, a bit much on the intercourse scene, but overall a good story. There is a happy ending which is always nice.
September 30, 2025
Bigly!
*** 3 Stars.
*** 3 Stars.
January 7, 2026
Shan intenta ser una novela épica, espiritual y política, pero a mí me pareció más cercana a una película de acción que a una reflexión profunda. Y eso, personalmente, me desconectó. No disfruto los géneros que se apoyan en el espectáculo, y esta historia está llena de escenas que parecen escritas para el cine: combates coreografiados, sacrificios melodramáticos, poderes casi sobrenaturales.
La trama tiene elementos interesantes —el espionaje, los dobles agentes, el conflicto entre tradición oriental y ambición occidental— pero se diluyen entre giros exagerados y personajes que actúan más como símbolos que como personas. Me costó empatizar, y aunque reconozco el esfuerzo por construir un universo complejo, sentí que la forma se impuso sobre el fondo.
Lo que más rescato es el uso del wei qi como metáfora estratégica, y algunos momentos donde el espionaje se siente real, sin glamour. Pero en general, la novela me dejó con la sensación de que quería decir mucho, pero lo hizo con fuegos artificiales en lugar de con profundidad.
La trama tiene elementos interesantes —el espionaje, los dobles agentes, el conflicto entre tradición oriental y ambición occidental— pero se diluyen entre giros exagerados y personajes que actúan más como símbolos que como personas. Me costó empatizar, y aunque reconozco el esfuerzo por construir un universo complejo, sentí que la forma se impuso sobre el fondo.
Lo que más rescato es el uso del wei qi como metáfora estratégica, y algunos momentos donde el espionaje se siente real, sin glamour. Pero en general, la novela me dejó con la sensación de que quería decir mucho, pero lo hizo con fuegos artificiales en lugar de con profundidad.
October 5, 2010
The continuation of "Jian" (this book) made me really sad. The general fabula direction was to be expected if you read the first part, but the way the author serves is, and the details around it, surely make it worth reading!
Even though it doesnt have a "happy ending", it again shows some lessons in hardcore strategy and tactics which one can only respect. I found the book very educating, amongst all the small pleasures of reading it.
Even though it doesnt have a "happy ending", it again shows some lessons in hardcore strategy and tactics which one can only respect. I found the book very educating, amongst all the small pleasures of reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2015
I Love these books on the Eastern Cultures. This like Jian is a mix of international espionage, intrigue, fast past chases and politics all thrown together in a fascinating read than takes you around the world and back in time all in a logical and structured order to keep you guessing.
It has some extremely poignant moments and some finger biting cant put the book down moments.
Great read, and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
It has some extremely poignant moments and some finger biting cant put the book down moments.
Great read, and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
December 17, 2010
The story is fast paced, dealing with International intrigue, double agents, treachery, double cross. The author includes a rich dose of Chinese culture and the rise of Communism in China including the roles of the United States and Russia. The book is steamy and characters get involved in some brutal fights. I look forward to sampling some other books by this author.
September 19, 2016
The book talk about spy´s, mafia and power. In my opinion this book try to be vast about the content but ended with a weak history.
In my opinion the book have a good begining and have some parts brilliant written, but the main history never catch me
In my opinion the book have a good begining and have some parts brilliant written, but the main history never catch me
April 17, 2008
Good read.
June 20, 2010
The second book in the series, this one is just as strong as the first book in the series. Might even be a little stronger as they background is already set.
September 19, 2012
Read decades ago.
May 10, 2015
Also read this back in the nineties (97 I think?)- recall I wasn't as enamored of this series as much as his White Ninja books but was still majorly impressed at that age.
August 31, 2015
four different agencies working the same ground.
exotic beutys as spies
an exttremly comolex plot to unite china and japan a definite cauldron of intrigue
5ive stars
exotic beutys as spies
an exttremly comolex plot to unite china and japan a definite cauldron of intrigue
5ive stars
December 7, 2007
Too chopped up.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews