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Таємниче світло
Лихе око, заздрісний погляд, дзеркало душі... За п’ять тисячоліть історії людства складено чимало легенд і створено безліч символів захисту від лиха.
Наталі Ландау, експерт із давньосхідних амулетів, отримує від сестри, яка працює журналістом в Іраку, «скарб із Близького Сходу» — класичне золоте яйце, прикрашене оком з каміння. Від цієї миті життя Наталі перетворюється на кошмар: люди, що дізнаються про амулет, гинуть, а на саму жінку починають полювання релігійні й терористичні організації й уряди кількох країн. Їх усіх цікавить не амулет, створений за часів перського царя Kipa, їх цікавить те, що захищає око, — найдавніша річ у світі, про яку йдеться у перших рядках Біблії...
Наталі Ландау, експерт із давньосхідних амулетів, отримує від сестри, яка працює журналістом в Іраку, «скарб із Близького Сходу» — класичне золоте яйце, прикрашене оком з каміння. Від цієї миті життя Наталі перетворюється на кошмар: люди, що дізнаються про амулет, гинуть, а на саму жінку починають полювання релігійні й терористичні організації й уряди кількох країн. Їх усіх цікавить не амулет, створений за часів перського царя Kipa, їх цікавить те, що захищає око, — найдавніша річ у світі, про яку йдеться у перших рядках Біблії...
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2009
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About the author
Jill Gregory
62 books201 followersNew York Times and USA Today best-selling author Jill Gregory is the award-winning author of more than thirty novels. Jill has been awarded the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence and her novels NEVER LOVE A COWBOY and COLD NIGHT, WARM STRANGER were honored with back-to-back Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice awards for Best Western Historical Romance.
Jill Gregory's novels have been translated and published in Japan, Russia, Norway, France, Taiwan, Sweden, Italy, and Germany. Jill grew up in Chicago and received her bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Illinois. She currently resides in Michigan with her husband.
Jill Gregory's novels have been translated and published in Japan, Russia, Norway, France, Taiwan, Sweden, Italy, and Germany. Jill grew up in Chicago and received her bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Illinois. She currently resides in Michigan with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
January 25, 2024
Reading the book, I've returned several times to the date of publication - 2009. When you compare it with events today, you realize that humanity has not moved forward for 15 years. While reading it, you can freely think that it was written today. Almost the same events, the same race of countries to be number one in the world, religious struggles, manipulation of people, people dying for money. Interesting to read but very sad when you sum it all up...
October 27, 2009
Yet another book about various secret organizations trying to get their hands on a mysterious artifact but I lost patience with it. There were so many different groups "racing" around (they always seem to be racing) that it was almost farcial and few of the characters, even the couple in the center, seemed to develop past cardboard cut-outs. You have "scholar and partner trying to figure out what they have and dodge the bad guys' and very conveniently possessing unusual fighting skills. Other groups milling around include: Middle Eastern terrorists and their top hit man, Christian fundementalist radicals and their top "problem solver" and various official and rogue government agents, from the FBI and other groups.
October 6, 2024
Jill Gregory i Karen Tintori - Iluminacija @nakladauliks
Dana Landau je mlada i perspektivna novinarka dopisnica, a njezina sestra Natalie je kustosica muzeja. Prije godinu dana proriječkale su se zbog tajne koju je Dana sakrivala od Natalie, a ticala se njenog zaručnika. No, kada je Dana odlazila za Irak, Natalie joj je poslala hamsu privjesak sa okom da je čuva.
Dana je, nakon još jednog snimanja punog autobombi i stradalih civila, jedva čekala doći u vilu, otuširati se, večerati i odmoriti. U sjeni masline, pao joj je čep u pijesak i otkrio vrećicu, staru i pohabanu, s nacrtanim okom... i to joj je bio znak. Poslati će ga Natalie u znak pomirenja.
Kako je njena ruka našla privjesak, tako je otvorila i zatalasala nešto nemoguće i nadasve prijeteće.
Natalie je privjesak došao u ruke, ali je Dana izgubila svoj život. Ne samo ona, već i njen kamerman koji ga Natalie donio. A tek pokušaj provale u muzeju...Sve je to Natalie natjeralo da se zapita što ona to posjeduje i tko se toga želi dokopati? Na koja je moguća i nemoguća djelovanja spreman? Je li jedan od tih i njen život?
No, ona još niti sama ne zna što je to Oko i zbog čega je mnogima važno. Jedno je sigurno, uskoro će saznati ali valja i preživjeti.
Izvrstan! Napetica od početka do kraja! Prožet intrigom, dramom, smrti i važnim povijesnim činjenicama za koje bih voljela čuti i naučiti više! Odličan triler!
#iluminacija #Bliskiistok #oko #urokljivooko #smrt #umorstvo #tragedija #triler #drama #bijeg #terorizam #volimčitati #bookstagram #magija #mezopotamskaamajlija #oko #zlooko
Dana Landau je mlada i perspektivna novinarka dopisnica, a njezina sestra Natalie je kustosica muzeja. Prije godinu dana proriječkale su se zbog tajne koju je Dana sakrivala od Natalie, a ticala se njenog zaručnika. No, kada je Dana odlazila za Irak, Natalie joj je poslala hamsu privjesak sa okom da je čuva.
Dana je, nakon još jednog snimanja punog autobombi i stradalih civila, jedva čekala doći u vilu, otuširati se, večerati i odmoriti. U sjeni masline, pao joj je čep u pijesak i otkrio vrećicu, staru i pohabanu, s nacrtanim okom... i to joj je bio znak. Poslati će ga Natalie u znak pomirenja.
Kako je njena ruka našla privjesak, tako je otvorila i zatalasala nešto nemoguće i nadasve prijeteće.
Natalie je privjesak došao u ruke, ali je Dana izgubila svoj život. Ne samo ona, već i njen kamerman koji ga Natalie donio. A tek pokušaj provale u muzeju...Sve je to Natalie natjeralo da se zapita što ona to posjeduje i tko se toga želi dokopati? Na koja je moguća i nemoguća djelovanja spreman? Je li jedan od tih i njen život?
No, ona još niti sama ne zna što je to Oko i zbog čega je mnogima važno. Jedno je sigurno, uskoro će saznati ali valja i preživjeti.
Izvrstan! Napetica od početka do kraja! Prožet intrigom, dramom, smrti i važnim povijesnim činjenicama za koje bih voljela čuti i naučiti više! Odličan triler!
#iluminacija #Bliskiistok #oko #urokljivooko #smrt #umorstvo #tragedija #triler #drama #bijeg #terorizam #volimčitati #bookstagram #magija #mezopotamskaamajlija #oko #zlooko
March 17, 2015
[Warning: lots of backstory spoilers here, but nothing that spoils the main (contemporary) narrative.]
I've long been fascinated by the fact that "Let there be light" occurred on the first day, according to the book of Genesis, while the creation of the stars, sun and moon didn't take place until the fourth day. Even as allegory, it's obvious that the light in question on that first day could not have been our sun. For lack of any better explanation, I've always considered it to be a legacy of the Big Bang even as I failed to find a way to explain how folks in biblical times would have known about this relatively recent theory of the origin of the universe.
At the same time, I had never heard of a tzohar (or sohar) being mentioned anywhere in the Old Testament ark story. But something about it is there, I've since confirmed. And I've also long known about how J.R.R. Tolkien's works were laced with his Roman Catholic beliefs, but I never connected (even as passing theory) this strange primordial light of Genesis with Galadriel's mirror and the phial that she gave to Frodo as a gift before he left Lorien. "May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out."
It is the sum of these tales that forms the basis of THE ILLUMINATION, a fascinating contemporary story that is, essentially, a thriller about the fate of this light. The Israelis wants it and claims provenance from Noah through David and beyond. Muslim and Christian extremist groups want it for their own reasons. The American government wants it for scientific reasons. And caught up between all of these factions are our likable protagonists: Natalie Landau, a museum curator, and Jim D'Amato, an MSNBC journalist who may or may not be something more.
The novel has its share of gaping plot holes (towards the end, in particular), but the premise is so cool and the principals so likable and the narrative so well done that, for once, I was able to ignore a lot of the cognitive dissonance. But honestly, in a lesser story, those plot holes would have been fatal. Here, I found them to be drowned out by all of the good and fun elements of the story.
I've long been fascinated by the fact that "Let there be light" occurred on the first day, according to the book of Genesis, while the creation of the stars, sun and moon didn't take place until the fourth day. Even as allegory, it's obvious that the light in question on that first day could not have been our sun. For lack of any better explanation, I've always considered it to be a legacy of the Big Bang even as I failed to find a way to explain how folks in biblical times would have known about this relatively recent theory of the origin of the universe.
At the same time, I had never heard of a tzohar (or sohar) being mentioned anywhere in the Old Testament ark story. But something about it is there, I've since confirmed. And I've also long known about how J.R.R. Tolkien's works were laced with his Roman Catholic beliefs, but I never connected (even as passing theory) this strange primordial light of Genesis with Galadriel's mirror and the phial that she gave to Frodo as a gift before he left Lorien. "May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out."
It is the sum of these tales that forms the basis of THE ILLUMINATION, a fascinating contemporary story that is, essentially, a thriller about the fate of this light. The Israelis wants it and claims provenance from Noah through David and beyond. Muslim and Christian extremist groups want it for their own reasons. The American government wants it for scientific reasons. And caught up between all of these factions are our likable protagonists: Natalie Landau, a museum curator, and Jim D'Amato, an MSNBC journalist who may or may not be something more.
The novel has its share of gaping plot holes (towards the end, in particular), but the premise is so cool and the principals so likable and the narrative so well done that, for once, I was able to ignore a lot of the cognitive dissonance. But honestly, in a lesser story, those plot holes would have been fatal. Here, I found them to be drowned out by all of the good and fun elements of the story.
September 2, 2014
This book was written in the same style as the previous one, "the book of names", with a lot of action and a very fast pace. The main character, Nathalie Landau, a Jewish museum curator, receives a jewel in the form of an eye, sent by her sister, who gets beaten to death right after having found the jewel, which she thinks is not particularly valuable. What follows is a continuous battle to keep the jewel out of the hands of the malignant people who don't hestitate to kill to retrieve the jewel, which appears to date back to the time of the creation of earth. The story never gets boring, but I feel the constant confrontations with the cold blooded opportunistic ennemies, and subsequent heroism of Miss Landau, do not always make the story credible. A journalist is helping her, but he 's a rather irrelevant character. Moreover, there is little sympathy throughout the story for the innocent people who are ruthlessly slaughtered, as if these are just common facts. I prefer a thriller with more attention for the background and motive behind the crimes. But the story gives us some background history, which is very interesting, for believers as well as atheists. Anyway, am looking forward to reading more books of the duo Tintori/Gregory.
November 3, 2013
I like the premise of a scholar investigating the history of an intriguing artifact and this book definitely had that element.
But, it also had the same scholar running around the world on fifteen minute's notice to follow-up an historical lead;
And, it had the same scholar deftly kicking and tripping and pummeling evil-doers with her mastery of some ancient Israeli self-defense system;
And, our lovely scholar must have been related to the Energizer Bunny (or Wylie Coyote) because she popped back up after every attack and still managed to run down the street or roll under a car to hide.
Yes, I found it all a bit contrived. But the base of the story was interesting and the pace was very lively. I think this is just not my preferred genre.
But, it also had the same scholar running around the world on fifteen minute's notice to follow-up an historical lead;
And, it had the same scholar deftly kicking and tripping and pummeling evil-doers with her mastery of some ancient Israeli self-defense system;
And, our lovely scholar must have been related to the Energizer Bunny (or Wylie Coyote) because she popped back up after every attack and still managed to run down the street or roll under a car to hide.
Yes, I found it all a bit contrived. But the base of the story was interesting and the pace was very lively. I think this is just not my preferred genre.
June 7, 2010
Like DaVinci Code. A couple being chased because they hold the "tzohar" a light, enclosed in a pendant, that is supposed to be a small bit of the light that existed during creation before the sun and the moon. All the religious groups, Muslims, Christians, Jews want it. Lots of people are killed. And as far as I could see, the item was not worth the bother. All that happens when someone uses the item, is a huge light shines and all the power grid goes out. I guess at the end, its existence is known, they are going to study it, and everybody left lives happily ever after.
This book is readable, but there's nothing new, and I've read better books of the same type.
This book is readable, but there's nothing new, and I've read better books of the same type.
January 28, 2009
Not great, but a decent quasi-thriller. I was intrigued by some of the history, but mostly I felt like there was way too much exposition. Also, I thought the dialogue was kind of stilted and unnatural, very much "I am a character in a novel and I must help the plot progress, therefore I will discuss this..."
May 24, 2009
I'm not surely exactly why I tolerated this book, in contrast to the DaVinci Code. Somehow this was more entertaining & less offensive (I mean aesthetically, not ideologically offensive). Whatever. This was a mildly entertaining thriller with an unbelievable plot. I enjoyed it in spite of myself but can't seriously recommend it!
September 8, 2019
The plot is similar to other books but the authors made it something that kept my attention. Good job.
July 30, 2022
Well, this is a hard one. On the cover it was praised endlessly and the topic was intriguing. I hoped for a very good read.
Spoiler-heavy review, here we go ~~~
I'd actually give this book 3.5 stars because as boring and clichéd some aspects of it were (the characters, their general dynamic, the heroine's ridiculously overpowered state considering her job and some common sense, the setting, basically ALL THE TROPES in the world...) it became a fairly exciting and quick-paced action in the end. It felt like a screen-play in the second half and that made it a lot better.
The usual fanatic religious groups, militarists and government agencies hellbent on getting their greedy paws on the treasure aside there were some truly enjoyable parts - I loved the glimpses into every-day life in Jerusalem. I loved the action scenes, they were thrilling and sometimes surprising (although entirely too many people died.) There was a part where the chased-duo seeked help from a catholic priest and a rabbi. AND seriously, those characters, despite their short screentime stole the entire show for me. I loved all the interesting pieces of knowledge, be it religious or superstitious.
The ending was kind of anticlimatic and I'd hate to say much ado about nothing but... Let's just say, this powerful artifact that everyone was running and murdering for ended up being somewhat of a trinket like Dumbledore's Deluminator. Wonderful history and surrounding mysticism aside.
Although it was a quick and relatively enjoyable read, if you're willing to overcome all those things listed above, I need to highlight some personally painful points (for me).
1) The names of the politicians
So bad. So very bad and bland and unbelievable it almost made me cry. I haven't watched all seasons of West Wing and several great politics-centered movies to suffer from these terrible names.
2) The side characters kept dying off like flies
Seriously, if you plan on killing them one page later do not write several paragraph introductions. Just, don't. I don't care about the color of her nails and her whole family-tree, on the next page she dies either way. Murder is generally bad, you don't have to try that hard making the victim sympathetic.
3) Documentary-like explanations
Mainly in the first part. I can't say much about others taste, naturally, but when I want to read an action-adventure-thriller-mysterious artifact-chase around the world type of story whole paragraphs of pedantic commentaries are definitely not the way I'd like to comprehend what the hell is happening. They kick you out from the story and place you in a classroom and that's just not what you want here. In the second half of the book the authors professionally avoided that by the aforementioned priest & rabbi duo explaining the history of the artifact in style. I really liked them.
Overall, I enjoyed it. The book saved itself in the last part. But honestly, I expected a lot more.
Spoiler-heavy review, here we go ~~~
I'd actually give this book 3.5 stars because as boring and clichéd some aspects of it were (the characters, their general dynamic, the heroine's ridiculously overpowered state considering her job and some common sense, the setting, basically ALL THE TROPES in the world...) it became a fairly exciting and quick-paced action in the end. It felt like a screen-play in the second half and that made it a lot better.
The usual fanatic religious groups, militarists and government agencies hellbent on getting their greedy paws on the treasure aside there were some truly enjoyable parts - I loved the glimpses into every-day life in Jerusalem. I loved the action scenes, they were thrilling and sometimes surprising (although entirely too many people died.) There was a part where the chased-duo seeked help from a catholic priest and a rabbi. AND seriously, those characters, despite their short screentime stole the entire show for me. I loved all the interesting pieces of knowledge, be it religious or superstitious.
The ending was kind of anticlimatic and I'd hate to say much ado about nothing but... Let's just say, this powerful artifact that everyone was running and murdering for ended up being somewhat of a trinket like Dumbledore's Deluminator. Wonderful history and surrounding mysticism aside.
Although it was a quick and relatively enjoyable read, if you're willing to overcome all those things listed above, I need to highlight some personally painful points (for me).
1) The names of the politicians
So bad. So very bad and bland and unbelievable it almost made me cry. I haven't watched all seasons of West Wing and several great politics-centered movies to suffer from these terrible names.
2) The side characters kept dying off like flies
Seriously, if you plan on killing them one page later do not write several paragraph introductions. Just, don't. I don't care about the color of her nails and her whole family-tree, on the next page she dies either way. Murder is generally bad, you don't have to try that hard making the victim sympathetic.
3) Documentary-like explanations
Mainly in the first part. I can't say much about others taste, naturally, but when I want to read an action-adventure-thriller-mysterious artifact-chase around the world type of story whole paragraphs of pedantic commentaries are definitely not the way I'd like to comprehend what the hell is happening. They kick you out from the story and place you in a classroom and that's just not what you want here. In the second half of the book the authors professionally avoided that by the aforementioned priest & rabbi duo explaining the history of the artifact in style. I really liked them.
Overall, I enjoyed it. The book saved itself in the last part. But honestly, I expected a lot more.
December 3, 2023
The Illumination
Loved some parallels I found to the real time Israeli/Hamas war going on today, even though this was written in 2008!
The Illumination is a well-written stirring and surprising thriller. It’s a great blend of history and adventure with lots of twists and turns. I couldn’t put it down due to its tightly written plot propelled with betrayal and action. Reading this book alongside the real-time Israeli/Hamas war was especially interesting. I was fascinated that this book written in 2008, had some parallels to today’s war in the Middle East. The extensive research that went into this book is evident and appreciated.
The story begins with a reporter for MSNBC who was stationed in Bagdad. While on an assignment there, Dana Landau accidentally finds a small leather pouch decorated with a painted blue eye. Inside was a most unusual pendant that gleamed with jewels, a classic evil eye, and a symbol of protection rooted in many religions. Dana decides to send this special find to her older sister, Natalie who was a curator at New York’s Devereaux Museum of the Ancient Newar East. Her special interest was protective amulets, charms, and talismans of ancient Mesopotamia. Hours after Dana sends the gift to her sister, she is murdered. When Natalie tries to discover the origin of this gift, she realizes how valuable it is and begins to wonder if this is why her sister was killed. What follows is the adventure of two Americans who try to safeguard this extremely rare relic from falling into the wrong hands which could have dire consequences, since there is an international battle for possession between religions and governments for who will end up with it.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a suspenseful, historical, and spiritual page-turner!
Loved some parallels I found to the real time Israeli/Hamas war going on today, even though this was written in 2008!
The Illumination is a well-written stirring and surprising thriller. It’s a great blend of history and adventure with lots of twists and turns. I couldn’t put it down due to its tightly written plot propelled with betrayal and action. Reading this book alongside the real-time Israeli/Hamas war was especially interesting. I was fascinated that this book written in 2008, had some parallels to today’s war in the Middle East. The extensive research that went into this book is evident and appreciated.
The story begins with a reporter for MSNBC who was stationed in Bagdad. While on an assignment there, Dana Landau accidentally finds a small leather pouch decorated with a painted blue eye. Inside was a most unusual pendant that gleamed with jewels, a classic evil eye, and a symbol of protection rooted in many religions. Dana decides to send this special find to her older sister, Natalie who was a curator at New York’s Devereaux Museum of the Ancient Newar East. Her special interest was protective amulets, charms, and talismans of ancient Mesopotamia. Hours after Dana sends the gift to her sister, she is murdered. When Natalie tries to discover the origin of this gift, she realizes how valuable it is and begins to wonder if this is why her sister was killed. What follows is the adventure of two Americans who try to safeguard this extremely rare relic from falling into the wrong hands which could have dire consequences, since there is an international battle for possession between religions and governments for who will end up with it.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a suspenseful, historical, and spiritual page-turner!
March 15, 2024
I love a good treasure hunt book...thanks to a many year devotion to all things Dan Brown. But, this was treasure hunt light...no clues, thinking, or fleshed out characters required. Just a maycap romp with many guns and lots of running.
January 18, 2018
Nice action thriller to get lost in.
September 1, 2018
3.5 stars
January 15, 2022
Unable to put down. Lots intrigue. Who killed Dana. Her sister Natalie wants to know. Will the histor/future of manking be determine by The Eye?
November 26, 2024
Interesting concept! A lot of what appeared to be gratuitous killing of random people though
February 8, 2013
When Natalie receives a small gift from her sister, from Iraq where Dana is a reporter for a major news station, Natalie feels like there might be hope to salvage their shaky relationship. But when she finds out that Dana was killed, and her cameraman is missing, Natalie cannot rest until she finds the truth behind the antique necklace and pouch. And she's hoping that Joe D'Amato will be able to help her.
I'm a sucker when it comes to action/adventure/intrigue type of stories, and mix religion into it I'm a very happy reader. I absolutely love the genre, and truth be told, I don't think I'll tire of it anytime soon. So it isn't surprising that I was hooked right from the beginning. I couldn't put the book down...good thing it was a P.A. day and the kids kept busy with video and board games...because I needed the time to read.
Compared to the authors' previous book, The Book of Names, is was more violent. Which within the context of the story I found that it wasn't out of place, but in my opinion there was a little too much of it. I think it may have helped my need to finish the book, I wanted the good guys to win. I enjoyed the explanation of the Light, the way it was created and the reason behind the various groups wanting it. I liked both Natalie and Joe, they made a good partnership, but it would have been nice to have more background on other characters.
I'm a sucker when it comes to action/adventure/intrigue type of stories, and mix religion into it I'm a very happy reader. I absolutely love the genre, and truth be told, I don't think I'll tire of it anytime soon. So it isn't surprising that I was hooked right from the beginning. I couldn't put the book down...good thing it was a P.A. day and the kids kept busy with video and board games...because I needed the time to read.
Compared to the authors' previous book, The Book of Names, is was more violent. Which within the context of the story I found that it wasn't out of place, but in my opinion there was a little too much of it. I think it may have helped my need to finish the book, I wanted the good guys to win. I enjoyed the explanation of the Light, the way it was created and the reason behind the various groups wanting it. I liked both Natalie and Joe, they made a good partnership, but it would have been nice to have more background on other characters.
May 28, 2009
Loved it, loved it, loved it!!! Marvelous fictional story of "the Light" ... you know, God said, "Let there be light." And, there was light. This book is about that light! Supposedly, Daniel was the final keeper of the "light", and he hid it inside a golden "evil eye" pendent to keep it safe. It was lost for 3,000 years. This story revolves around the finding of the light and all the countries of the world wanting to own the light. The "Light" is found by a young woman reporter in the sand in the middle east and sends it to her sister in the US thinking its a trinket that someone lost. The journey of the "Light" and the battles, deaths, confiscations, etc. is the story. I highly recommend this fabulous book!
August 16, 2009
I really enjoyed this. I am finding myself more interested in ancient middle eastern legends and myths. I had never heard of the Jewish creation myth about a light source, Tzohar, different from the stellar luminaries. Or of the Tikkum olam,"repairing the world" or "perfecting the world" in which it is believed that each of us places a part in restoring perfection to the earth. And I didn't know that almost all early cultures were afraid of the 'evil eye' and many still are.
This novel has the same problem as most books, movies and TV shows. How do you keep the protagonist alive when in reality the bad guy wouldn't have thought twice about killing him or her at the first run in, but it didn't diminish in anyway the story for me.
This novel has the same problem as most books, movies and TV shows. How do you keep the protagonist alive when in reality the bad guy wouldn't have thought twice about killing him or her at the first run in, but it didn't diminish in anyway the story for me.
June 20, 2019
Novel written about Natalie Landau. She is archaeologist specialized for ancient pendants. Suddenly she has in her hands ancient pendant shaped like eye, also known as firefox. Different strange events occure, her sister dies, novelist/ex field agent D'Amato helps with finding out what is going on, and Natalie is almost sure it is connected with mysterious pendant.
Like fast happening of events and connecting information in everyday life and in this book. (Mentioned movie Lord of the rings, some historical events etc.) Nevertheless, didn't like the ending and whole shifting between events that are happening in the same time, made me a bit confused.
Like fast happening of events and connecting information in everyday life and in this book. (Mentioned movie Lord of the rings, some historical events etc.) Nevertheless, didn't like the ending and whole shifting between events that are happening in the same time, made me a bit confused.
June 4, 2011
I can never seem to say no to my neighbor's offers of books and hey it did turn out to be entertaining. Although I stay far away from organized religion, I did find it interesting to read about biblical history, which this story delved into as museum curator Natalie Landau went on the run, being chased internationally by Muslims and Christians who wanted the 2,000 year old necklace with the blue evil eye she has in her possession. It was fun to fantasize about holding an item that ancient and imagine it's powers could still be relevant in the year 2011.
February 8, 2010
This was my first foray into international spy thriller meets murder mystery meets religious based novel. I will definitely read what else she has to offer. It never got into sloppy romance- the story line was tight but almost believable. Makes you think that we never know what is going on around us.
April 24, 2010
I picked this one up at a discount store on my way to an appointment where I would have to wait and wait....From the minute I started this book, I did not want to put it down. The action was fast paced, the characters mostly believable, but it was the story itself that held my attention. I will look for the first book and any other books from this writing duo.
November 13, 2010
I usually reserve 5 stars for classics. But this page turner really caught my attention. It is cross between the DaVinci Code and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Slow start with background info and gradually got more and more intense. Loved the two main characters. If you like this genre you will love this book.
July 11, 2011
Couldn't stand this book. Too many loopholes and illogical sequences of events. The authors tried for a DaVinci Code style action novel, and probably should go back to reading their romance novels. I'd never recommend this book. But I do plan on making use of this book later when I go camping - fire starter!
June 1, 2009
Another one of those books where the female gets in trouble and has to have a big strong (and of course, good looking) man come along and help her out of it. Very predictable and not really worth the time, in my opinion.
October 24, 2009
This was a good read. The authors did a good job of setting up the characters and the storyline. It was a pretty quick read and in the last 1/3 I was quite interested to know how things would wrap up.
March 6, 2010
The Illumination was a quick read, had a lot of religious and historical information that will interesting and a quick paced plot set in Iraq, New York, Rome, and Jerusalem. It certainly captured my attention and my imagination. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspense and history.
April 27, 2012
The story is fast-paced and exciting. There is historical information mixed with what we Jews call midrash (a method of reading details into, or out of, a Biblical text). The characters are well written. You really care about what happens to Natalie and feel for her loss of her sister.
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