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The Vault
When billionaire philanthropist Sam Montgomery announces that he will not seek a bone marrow transplant from his estranged sister, journalist Leni Diamante sits down and soon discovers there is more than priceless artifacts within his personal impenetrable vault. What lies inside may be what saves or ends Sam's life; it all depends on if Sam can accept his past or not in time.
330 pages, ebook
Published March 6, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 6, 2018
Billionaire philanthropist Sam Montgomery is dying of leukemia and refuses to accept a bone marrow transplant from his sister, with whom he had not been in contact since their father died. He asked journalist Leni Diamante to interview him and show her his famous and highly secured vault. During the interview, he tells the study of his life and especially the circumstances that led him to hate his sister so much.
This is a very interesting story, the philanthropist who does so much good to the world but is unable to get close to others and especially to forgive his sister, seeing that he supposedly has little time left to live.The plot it's well developed as are the characters. It's a very profound story about how he sees things about his family
This is a very interesting story, the philanthropist who does so much good to the world but is unable to get close to others and especially to forgive his sister, seeing that he supposedly has little time left to live.The plot it's well developed as are the characters. It's a very profound story about how he sees things about his family
May 27, 2018
"Don’t live trying to re-create the butterflies in our stomach but live being the butterflies for the world"
Samuel Montgomery is a multi-billionaire, a philanthropist genius, who just diagnosed with leukemia. He announced to the world, that he would rather die than receive bone marrow transplant from his sister, the only family member he has. He then allowed a journalist, Eleni Diamanté, to make exclusive interview in his home on the small island in Greece. The home which contains The Vault, that hide the most precious things all human beings could only imagine.
While we're mysteriously taken to the mysterious home, with no assistant, minimum electricity, and marvelous design, we're introduced to our billionaire's life and past. The writing style is unique, there are parts when Leni read Sam's journal which contains photographs from his childhood. There are real photographs that I assume from the author's own family album, there are screenshots from facebook status, messaging, and tweet.
As a character, Sam is too perfect, too unreal. He's described as an angel that keeps donating his unlimited money, he tried negotiate with terrorists to help making the world peace, he's also a genius with degrees in pharmacy and business, leads a research company and finds cures to a bunch of diseases, guarantees people could receive medications with low price, and keeps high wages for his employees. It bothers me that all the research seem could work well by flooding it with unlimited funds, while ignoring the facts about the complexity of scientific processes.
As Leni gets deeper into Sam's life, she found the reason for his anger towards his sister. I think this is the most interesting aspect of the book, family issue. Starting from his childhood, each of their relationships gives us clues about how all things happened and his character grows. I like his conversations with Leni about life and its mystery. They tickle us to think more about life, our surroundings, our purposes, the past, the present, and the future. The ending is predictable and unpredictable at the same time. This book doesn't give us tense or adventure, but it's a fine reading for contemplating.
"I think finding beauty and accepting whatever it is we find is what the meaning of life is truly. Whatever I accept as meaningful and beautiful is going to be different from your view, and it makes no difference in how we live our life, but why we live our life. Beauty is what we work for, what we fight for, what we protect and would die for in order to keep that meaning alive, to keep the beautiful living and thriving."
Samuel Montgomery is a multi-billionaire, a philanthropist genius, who just diagnosed with leukemia. He announced to the world, that he would rather die than receive bone marrow transplant from his sister, the only family member he has. He then allowed a journalist, Eleni Diamanté, to make exclusive interview in his home on the small island in Greece. The home which contains The Vault, that hide the most precious things all human beings could only imagine.
While we're mysteriously taken to the mysterious home, with no assistant, minimum electricity, and marvelous design, we're introduced to our billionaire's life and past. The writing style is unique, there are parts when Leni read Sam's journal which contains photographs from his childhood. There are real photographs that I assume from the author's own family album, there are screenshots from facebook status, messaging, and tweet.
As a character, Sam is too perfect, too unreal. He's described as an angel that keeps donating his unlimited money, he tried negotiate with terrorists to help making the world peace, he's also a genius with degrees in pharmacy and business, leads a research company and finds cures to a bunch of diseases, guarantees people could receive medications with low price, and keeps high wages for his employees. It bothers me that all the research seem could work well by flooding it with unlimited funds, while ignoring the facts about the complexity of scientific processes.
As Leni gets deeper into Sam's life, she found the reason for his anger towards his sister. I think this is the most interesting aspect of the book, family issue. Starting from his childhood, each of their relationships gives us clues about how all things happened and his character grows. I like his conversations with Leni about life and its mystery. They tickle us to think more about life, our surroundings, our purposes, the past, the present, and the future. The ending is predictable and unpredictable at the same time. This book doesn't give us tense or adventure, but it's a fine reading for contemplating.
"I think finding beauty and accepting whatever it is we find is what the meaning of life is truly. Whatever I accept as meaningful and beautiful is going to be different from your view, and it makes no difference in how we live our life, but why we live our life. Beauty is what we work for, what we fight for, what we protect and would die for in order to keep that meaning alive, to keep the beautiful living and thriving."
April 17, 2018
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
When faced with a life threatening illness, life seems to take a new dimension. We begin dying from the second we're born and manage to live in relative ignorance of the fact, until something pops up to remind us. In the case of Sam Montgomery, that something is leukemia and in light of his newly defined mortality, he entertains an interview about the things that matter. Family, Business, and a Mystery Vault. This felt like a very promising plot, unfortunately for me, it fell flat in the delivery, and unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as a result.
The sequence of events was at times confusing, coming off in the present at some times then awkwardly seeming reminiscent at others. I also had problems with its feasibility. This shouldn't have been an issue as the book is labeled 'fiction', but when your fiction pulls very strongly from real life people and events, who are depicted in a real life way, then it's a big ask to just throw off reality and veer off into widely improbable fiction. The characters are also poorly defined, a lot of time was put in to show the emotional and humanitarian aspects of the main character while little effort was put into explain the brilliance of the main character which would justify his billionaire status, and while I don't personally know any billionaires, I find it very hard to believe that the MC could be one given his portrayal in the book. The interviewer herself also didn't fit my expectations of a world class journalist and kept making distracting and unnecessary judgements of herself and the main character. A good portion is spent in philosophising that does little for the story, except for allowing the journalist to refine her opinion of a man we're already told is incredible. After all this, the reveal of the vault itself feels anticlimactic and weightless. The book does do a good job of highlighting the authors idea of a perfect world, and it provides some thought provoking quotes which it then comments on. In summary, a promising plot, but little in the way of characters and a story.
When faced with a life threatening illness, life seems to take a new dimension. We begin dying from the second we're born and manage to live in relative ignorance of the fact, until something pops up to remind us. In the case of Sam Montgomery, that something is leukemia and in light of his newly defined mortality, he entertains an interview about the things that matter. Family, Business, and a Mystery Vault. This felt like a very promising plot, unfortunately for me, it fell flat in the delivery, and unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as a result.
The sequence of events was at times confusing, coming off in the present at some times then awkwardly seeming reminiscent at others. I also had problems with its feasibility. This shouldn't have been an issue as the book is labeled 'fiction', but when your fiction pulls very strongly from real life people and events, who are depicted in a real life way, then it's a big ask to just throw off reality and veer off into widely improbable fiction. The characters are also poorly defined, a lot of time was put in to show the emotional and humanitarian aspects of the main character while little effort was put into explain the brilliance of the main character which would justify his billionaire status, and while I don't personally know any billionaires, I find it very hard to believe that the MC could be one given his portrayal in the book. The interviewer herself also didn't fit my expectations of a world class journalist and kept making distracting and unnecessary judgements of herself and the main character. A good portion is spent in philosophising that does little for the story, except for allowing the journalist to refine her opinion of a man we're already told is incredible. After all this, the reveal of the vault itself feels anticlimactic and weightless. The book does do a good job of highlighting the authors idea of a perfect world, and it provides some thought provoking quotes which it then comments on. In summary, a promising plot, but little in the way of characters and a story.
April 13, 2018
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from BookTasters. Imagine being so angry with a sibling that you couldn’t bring yourself to ask for help when dying. Multi-billionaire Sam Montgomery is dying and needs a bone marrow transplant. He refuses to reach out to his sister, preferring to hold onto a decades old grudge. Sam is an interesting blend of intelligence, charisma and quirkiness. He buys things he thinks are beautiful and protects them in a vault in his home on a small island. He is particular about his appearance and has no close friends. But as a humanitarian he gives many of his discoveries away for free to the public. Facing death, he gives an exclusive no holds barred interview to a reporter of his choosing. Brian Harrison has created more than a book; it is an experience. There are emails, texts, family photos and websites all part of this book. I am impressed with how seamlessly the story is interwoven with the various types of media. It is obvious that this is a well crafted and well researched novel. The book is full of information about watches, safes, and a multitude of other things too numerous to list. The information doesn’t overwhelm the reader, it merely gives credibility. I became frustrated with the main character, Sam, and his refusal to forgive yet how typical is it? Many people do hold on to some slight and find forgiveness difficult. I won’t give away the ending. It is unexpected and fitting. This book is not something you can skim through in an evening. To do it justice, take the time to savor it, much like a good meal. You won’t be disappointed. Well done Brian Harrison!
April 15, 2018
"The Vault" by Brian Harrison, is the first ever book I read of this writer. The book is mainly on a billionaire Samuel Montgomary, who was nearing his death and refused help from his only family alive, his sister. His strong rejection drew attention of the world and of course people wanted to know more. This led, Eleni Diamanté, a rising journalist to have an opportunity to have an exclusive interview from "Sam". However, what we see. both from Eleni and Sam's view, is rather a deep insight of Sam's past life and his inner conflicts.
The story kind of tells about many people, all of them might not be a millionaire, but may have this kind of struggles as a part of their lives. The way how the writer describes it is what charmed me most. Sam needed help with his thoughts and conceptions he had of his surroundings, specially his sister. Eleni, later called "Leni" tried it.
In my thoughts, this book shows how a human tends to see and explain things his/her way and often realizes at the end, that his/her belief might not be right, which I really agree with. In parts it seemed a bit monotonous, but the thorough details and pictures helped to cope up I guess. It's worth a try if someone has the patience and mentality to see the final picture after a run for a while. Happy reading!
The story kind of tells about many people, all of them might not be a millionaire, but may have this kind of struggles as a part of their lives. The way how the writer describes it is what charmed me most. Sam needed help with his thoughts and conceptions he had of his surroundings, specially his sister. Eleni, later called "Leni" tried it.
In my thoughts, this book shows how a human tends to see and explain things his/her way and often realizes at the end, that his/her belief might not be right, which I really agree with. In parts it seemed a bit monotonous, but the thorough details and pictures helped to cope up I guess. It's worth a try if someone has the patience and mentality to see the final picture after a run for a while. Happy reading!
May 4, 2018
This book's got me emotionally divided. I liked it but part of me was not so thrilled when it ended. I loved the complexity of the main character. He was just SO PERFECT OMG!!!!!!! He was sensible, humble, handsome, and a billionare (though I think it is wrong to be with a man just for his money). He was very imperfect as well, quirky even. Sam was dreamy and lovely. Leni was also very funny and super relatable to every woman. Or almost. The book was very well written and had a very nice sequence of events, very smooth, seamless. It has many beautiful quotes that I'd love to have stuck on my walls for inspiration. However, there are some things that I did not like that much. I think it had just a little bit too much background history. This is only from my personal point of view of course. I kind of felt like reading a biography and I felt tempted to skip some parts to be very truly honest with you. The other thing it is that it was a little predictable. Part of being so smooth is that it had no major plot twist or unexpected event. Something would happen, or the other (no spoilers for you), and those could have been the only results. It might be because I am used to a more keep-me-on-edge sort of reading, but it needed a bit more drama.
Overall, it was a good book.
Overall, it was a good book.
March 25, 2018
Sam pictures his leukaemia as the unbeatable limiting factor of his life which inevitably would lead to his death. In other words, he views leukemia as the new 'time'. Sam was never in favour of time.
Driven by no moral clause but the kindness of his own heart, he thrives to eliminate diseases, terrorism and all that is evil. Shockingly, he claims that he would rather die than accept a bone marrow transplant from his sister because he doesn't want her to have that kind of leverage over him. The question that first came to my mind was 'why?'.
Why would an altruistic philanthropist dedicate so much time and energy hating his own sister ?
Well, why is a matter of when.
And when is a matter of Sam's eventful past.
Leni's interview shows that Sam is just like any of us, with strength and weaknesses. The interview also taps us into the unanswered questions buzzing inside Sam's mind and makes us contemplate them ourselves.
I had fun revealing not only Sam's mindset but Leni's as well. I loved the history behind the vault's contents.The plot was well developed and the details were immensely enjoyable.
All in all, a brilliant read.
Driven by no moral clause but the kindness of his own heart, he thrives to eliminate diseases, terrorism and all that is evil. Shockingly, he claims that he would rather die than accept a bone marrow transplant from his sister because he doesn't want her to have that kind of leverage over him. The question that first came to my mind was 'why?'.
Why would an altruistic philanthropist dedicate so much time and energy hating his own sister ?
Well, why is a matter of when.
And when is a matter of Sam's eventful past.
Leni's interview shows that Sam is just like any of us, with strength and weaknesses. The interview also taps us into the unanswered questions buzzing inside Sam's mind and makes us contemplate them ourselves.
I had fun revealing not only Sam's mindset but Leni's as well. I loved the history behind the vault's contents.The plot was well developed and the details were immensely enjoyable.
All in all, a brilliant read.
April 16, 2018
The Book gives light about life behind of those multi-millionaires. After Sam diagnosed with leukemia he thought that was the end of everything and engaged a rising popular journalist to give her an exclusive about his famous inbuilt vault at his private home which was not known to the whole world. Sam gives Leni about much of his history how he love his mother and dad and how much he hurt her blood sister to the extend he chose death that transplant of born-marrow from her sister. Leni was surprised because of the works Sam as philanthropist, has done for other people and how good he was to the world but he couldn't just forgive her sister....
This book is about Realistic, Love, Trust, Hatred and forgiveness.
I thought Sam would fall for Leni and end up in love.......Its very interesting book which you wont put down until you read the last full stop.
This book is about Realistic, Love, Trust, Hatred and forgiveness.
I thought Sam would fall for Leni and end up in love.......Its very interesting book which you wont put down until you read the last full stop.
June 28, 2018
When I first started reading this book I was curious about the vault, what could be kept there? After a while of reading, I started to feel very connected to the thoughts and feelings of the characters. The author goes to a deep side in one's feelings and thoughts yet in a very simple way. Though some details at the beginning might get you bored, this book is very good and will inspire you somehow.
April 7, 2018
Wow this book is something! I expect the ending but I didn’t expect the way of how the story goes to ending will like that 👍🏼
April 25, 2018
Slow in the beginning, but quite interesting to know that Sam has a vault of unforgiveness.I love the way he sees his parents,but also hate the way he doesn't see how his grudge has held him back.How can you hate a sibling that much?It means something is very wrong with him and his billions can't buy him forgiveness,its something he has to work on by himself, not using money.
He had a great father though,a loving Father,pity we can't really say the same thing about him.
He had a great father though,a loving Father,pity we can't really say the same thing about him.
March 23, 2018
Young billionaire Sam Montgomery has a big heart. He loves every human and animal except his sister. He actually hates her so much that he refuses to accept a bone marrow transplant from her and ready to die from leukemia just not to give his sister a chance to take a credit for saving him. All book I was wanting to know the reasoning behind it, totally forgetting about the treasures of the vault.
The story has a bit slow start, but it'll gradually become better. I like how interactive some parts of the book are which gives the feeling of presence to a reader. Sam Montgomery feels like a real person with his strength and peculiarities, in particular, his obsession with clocks, watches and time itself. Stories of Montgomery family won't let any reader indifferent because we all can relate.
Main themes of the book are love, acceptance, forgiveness and sentimental value of things.
The story has a bit slow start, but it'll gradually become better. I like how interactive some parts of the book are which gives the feeling of presence to a reader. Sam Montgomery feels like a real person with his strength and peculiarities, in particular, his obsession with clocks, watches and time itself. Stories of Montgomery family won't let any reader indifferent because we all can relate.
Main themes of the book are love, acceptance, forgiveness and sentimental value of things.
March 19, 2018
It was tricky at the beginning to think that I was before a more romantic version of 50 shades of Gray but as I got deeper in the reading you realize it is more real, and that the main character has some pretty creative (in the way they're introduced) vulnerable part. I liked to read an honest and not at all forced writing of a female character from a male author, something tricky but I think he did it fantastically. One thing that I absolutely loved is that the kind of sibling-relationship is relatable to everyone who at some point had a little issue with a sibling, and that's what makes it easier to empathize with.
Although I enjoyed the reading all the way through it I felt that some parts needed some editing in the sentence structure but it adds to the honest part of the writing, in my opinion, it is not forced but fluent and in some parts, it might feel as if we were in the conversation.
Although I enjoyed the reading all the way through it I felt that some parts needed some editing in the sentence structure but it adds to the honest part of the writing, in my opinion, it is not forced but fluent and in some parts, it might feel as if we were in the conversation.
April 16, 2018
The book is an interesting read takes you on a journey, mostly down the memory lane, describing the life and struggles of the protagonist. He is a billionaire philanthropist suffering from leukaemia, where in his relationship with other family members and how they have in a way moulded him, is the crux of the novel. However the part where the author talks about the childhood memories and explains individual photos, texts etc seems to be a bit long.
As the plot progresses the discussion about economic morality does give you a different perspective about things. The book clearly shows that the author has done a lot of research in gathering some great historical facts.
Overall a good read.
As the plot progresses the discussion about economic morality does give you a different perspective about things. The book clearly shows that the author has done a lot of research in gathering some great historical facts.
Overall a good read.
March 23, 2018
A brilliant read.
The book sets off with the journalist meeting the gentleman billionaire Sam who's suffering from leukemia.
Relax and let the author lead you through series of pertinent life questions.
What is time ?
What is love ?.
Top top read.
Recommended
The book sets off with the journalist meeting the gentleman billionaire Sam who's suffering from leukemia.
Relax and let the author lead you through series of pertinent life questions.
What is time ?
What is love ?.
Top top read.
Recommended
March 14, 2018
A Picture of a Thousand Words!
Samuel Montgomery is a young business billionaire with a beautiful heart to everyone but everything turns down when he diagnoses with leukemia and refuses to accept a bone marrow transplant from his sister. Despite the good, he did to the community the hatred he put to his sister is so deep that no one can describe how is that happen. He asked a famous journalist Leni Diamante to interview him and show him the most intriguing and highly secured vault. During the interview, he tells Leni about his life, his family and the reason why he hates so much his sister. That interview also shows what kind of person is Sam is from the outside world as a businessman and a man of their family, a son to his father whom he adored so much and to his mother whom he misses so much.
This book is quite intriguing to me in the first place, a very interesting story which leads me to the end of the book. A funny story with a thrilling one. I thought Sam and Leni become a lover in the story, I'm little disappointed (hehehe). And the forgiveness of Sam towards his sister for me I am not satisfied I want them to have face to face but things happen unexpectedly. Still, it's very beautiful books, where you as a reader gives you a realization from negative to positive, from immoral to moral, that money can't buy happiness and forgiveness.
Realistic, love and forgiveness.
Samuel Montgomery is a young business billionaire with a beautiful heart to everyone but everything turns down when he diagnoses with leukemia and refuses to accept a bone marrow transplant from his sister. Despite the good, he did to the community the hatred he put to his sister is so deep that no one can describe how is that happen. He asked a famous journalist Leni Diamante to interview him and show him the most intriguing and highly secured vault. During the interview, he tells Leni about his life, his family and the reason why he hates so much his sister. That interview also shows what kind of person is Sam is from the outside world as a businessman and a man of their family, a son to his father whom he adored so much and to his mother whom he misses so much.
This book is quite intriguing to me in the first place, a very interesting story which leads me to the end of the book. A funny story with a thrilling one. I thought Sam and Leni become a lover in the story, I'm little disappointed (hehehe). And the forgiveness of Sam towards his sister for me I am not satisfied I want them to have face to face but things happen unexpectedly. Still, it's very beautiful books, where you as a reader gives you a realization from negative to positive, from immoral to moral, that money can't buy happiness and forgiveness.
Realistic, love and forgiveness.
May 7, 2018
All billionaires have their peculiarities, and Sam Montgomery is not the exception, he is 32 years old and has everything that many people could only dream, and also has a good heart his fame is due to all the philanthropic activity he has done and how much he has helped people, however not everything is going as it should, Sam has leukemia and prefers to die before giving his sister the chance to save him, this statement has everyone shocked especially because no one knows he has a sister, his peculiarity is his Vault, which contains in a very particular way objects of all kinds, and that has been built so that if you want to destroy something, everything is destroyed, this vault is under the jealous eye of Sam and only one person, a journalist will be the one who can see it, and make known to the world not only its content but aspects of Sam's life that nobody else knows.
The book is written in first person from the perspective of the journalist, Leni Diamante, a journalist with a lot of experience chosen specifically by Sam, she is debating how to carry out the interview, she has been waiting for so long and now she doesn't know what to ask, or how to do it, what she should do? to give the public what they want? Show her point of view? What does Sam Montgomery have that makes him so interesting? What is hidden? Why that deep hatred towards his sister, who is his sister? as we get into the book, the relationship of these characters is developing very interesting and the plots are pretty good (no spoilers, sorry).
I must admit that I developed a crush for Sam from the first moment, I do not know if it was the intention of the author, but I loved the character, he is interesting, very intelligent, caring, and of course handsome and wealthy, and definitely someone who you would like to know about especially for the big heart and how deep his thoughts and feelings are, another thing that I like is the references that the book makes to the time, his perspective on this subject is quite interesting
Without a doubt, if you like books that leave you thinking, and with enough substance, you will like this one. I give it 5 out of 5 stars
I got a free copy from the author through Booktasters to make this review, I loved reading it, I hope to read something else by this author soon
The book is written in first person from the perspective of the journalist, Leni Diamante, a journalist with a lot of experience chosen specifically by Sam, she is debating how to carry out the interview, she has been waiting for so long and now she doesn't know what to ask, or how to do it, what she should do? to give the public what they want? Show her point of view? What does Sam Montgomery have that makes him so interesting? What is hidden? Why that deep hatred towards his sister, who is his sister? as we get into the book, the relationship of these characters is developing very interesting and the plots are pretty good (no spoilers, sorry).
I must admit that I developed a crush for Sam from the first moment, I do not know if it was the intention of the author, but I loved the character, he is interesting, very intelligent, caring, and of course handsome and wealthy, and definitely someone who you would like to know about especially for the big heart and how deep his thoughts and feelings are, another thing that I like is the references that the book makes to the time, his perspective on this subject is quite interesting
Without a doubt, if you like books that leave you thinking, and with enough substance, you will like this one. I give it 5 out of 5 stars
I got a free copy from the author through Booktasters to make this review, I loved reading it, I hope to read something else by this author soon
July 10, 2018
Everyone has their secrets, and so does Multibillionaire Sam Montgomery. The hero of so many people who cured many deseases so far got diagnosed with leukemia and shocked the whole world with this one sentence: "I'd rather die than taking a bone-narrow transplantation from my sister". And so, he contacts a journalist that's quiet different to the most others- Eleni Diamanté.
As she visits him, actually most because of his mysterious vault that keeps things of millions of dollars of worth, she soon finds out what he tried to hide from everybody else- a family-drama full of hatred, pain, love, fear and so much more.
While she leeds us through the book in her perspective, she introduces us to the story of "Sam" from its very beginning. From the life as a family of 4, with a sister, a loving mother and a caring father until it's just him. She explains us his story without missing a thing. What remained from his mother, what his relationship with his father was like and what happened to the siblings that he is so full of hate against her.
With her good heart and her sharp mind, she tries to reach him like no one ever did. She tries to help him understand, and tries him to forgive, so that she becomes a part of his story- in her very own way.
The book is great from the first to the last word, and it's a pleasure to read it. The characters are great, have their very own characters, quirks and issues. They feel and they think and to recognize that is one of the most impressive things of this book. Also, the storyline goes some unpopular ways and makes the story refreshing and enjoyable. At some parts, it is quiet poetic and gives charme to the characters. All in all, it is fantastic.
A big thank you to bookreads for giving me the chance to read this, and a even bigger thank you to the author hisself, it was a pleasure to read this piece of art you made.
As she visits him, actually most because of his mysterious vault that keeps things of millions of dollars of worth, she soon finds out what he tried to hide from everybody else- a family-drama full of hatred, pain, love, fear and so much more.
While she leeds us through the book in her perspective, she introduces us to the story of "Sam" from its very beginning. From the life as a family of 4, with a sister, a loving mother and a caring father until it's just him. She explains us his story without missing a thing. What remained from his mother, what his relationship with his father was like and what happened to the siblings that he is so full of hate against her.
With her good heart and her sharp mind, she tries to reach him like no one ever did. She tries to help him understand, and tries him to forgive, so that she becomes a part of his story- in her very own way.
The book is great from the first to the last word, and it's a pleasure to read it. The characters are great, have their very own characters, quirks and issues. They feel and they think and to recognize that is one of the most impressive things of this book. Also, the storyline goes some unpopular ways and makes the story refreshing and enjoyable. At some parts, it is quiet poetic and gives charme to the characters. All in all, it is fantastic.
A big thank you to bookreads for giving me the chance to read this, and a even bigger thank you to the author hisself, it was a pleasure to read this piece of art you made.
June 24, 2018
I wavered on the star choice for The Vault. On one hand, Brian Harrison has given readers a really strong character driven novel, on the other hand, there are only two characters interacting for the majority of the book. The wonderfully complex and layered billionaire is a tortured soul with family drama. The journalist he chooses to interview him before he dies, has her own personal dramas to contend with as well as some ulterior motives. I really appreciated that Mr Harrison went to great lengths to create "background" for our billionaire, including Twitter for him and his company, Facebook, LinkeIn profile, emails, text messages and print and electronic articles.
What caused me to waver was that the plot seemed unbalanced to me, I kept waiting for twists and surprises, based on the synopsis, and they just weren't happening. The solutions to the "mysteries" of our billionaire's family life/death and the contents of his (im)famous vault weren't strong enough. The book is entertaining, it held my interest, I couldn't stop and start at will, and I definitely wanted to read to the end, so I went with 4 stars.
What caused me to waver was that the plot seemed unbalanced to me, I kept waiting for twists and surprises, based on the synopsis, and they just weren't happening. The solutions to the "mysteries" of our billionaire's family life/death and the contents of his (im)famous vault weren't strong enough. The book is entertaining, it held my interest, I couldn't stop and start at will, and I definitely wanted to read to the end, so I went with 4 stars.
May 22, 2018
The all-too-perfect multibillionaire, Sam Montgomery, sounds too perfect to be real. Everything that has been revealed so far gets everyone to love and adore this philanthropic multibillionaire who seeks only to help others. But right when his life takes a twist downhill, Eleni gets an exclusive interview with Sam which reveals the deepest secrets in his life. From the most cherished treasures in the whole wide world to family relationships that have turned sour. It's a different twist from all the cliche novels and keeps you thinking even after finishing it. I strictly believe in no spoilers per se but I'd like to quote my favourite line from the book. "Don't live trying to recreate the butterflies in our stomach but live being the butterflies for the world." Well done Brian Harrison!
December 11, 2018
Sam is probably the richest man in the world, but he’s dying and won’t talk to the one person who could probably save his life. But he does ask a writer to his home where he shares his life story and philosophy on just about everything under the sun (past, present, and future). The author really tries to do too much in a single book. Photographs, screen captures of text messages, newspaper articles, and lots of quotes are used which are very creative, and show tremendous research. I feel the concept would have been better served had the author saved some of his research for sequels using the characters introduced in this novel. I received an advanced digital copy through #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2018
Reading and finishing this book was quite a challenge to me due to personal reasons. Notheless, The Vault exceeded my average expectation. Aside from the only book to probably explain the intricates of watches and showing the world of horology, Brian Harrison surely knew his history to current events.
Truly unique and intriguing in his story - billionaire Sam Montgomery dwarfs previous and present tycoons. One would be perplexed how the author weaves the emotions within the main character and presents us with picturesque details of the Greecian island.
Tech readers and nature lovers should taste the work of Brian Harrison!
Truly unique and intriguing in his story - billionaire Sam Montgomery dwarfs previous and present tycoons. One would be perplexed how the author weaves the emotions within the main character and presents us with picturesque details of the Greecian island.
Tech readers and nature lovers should taste the work of Brian Harrison!
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