Customer Reviews

The Atlantis Code

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The newly released archaeology thriller The Atlantis Code, anonymously penned by Charles Brokaw who is a pseudonym for some famous author, academic, scholar, was a tremendous disappointment. I've always been entranced with the Atlantis myth and usually enjoy all the various twists that authors of this genre are able to concoct around this ever-fascinating lost world. Unfortunately, Atlantis Code didn't offer up anything out of the ordinary.

The premise of this suspense novel revolves around a world renowned archaeologist and linguist named Thomas Lourds. While excavating in Egypt for the lost library of Alexandria, he is shown a mysterious ceramic bell with inscriptions in an ancient language he has never seen before. Unable to find any documentation, he contacts an associate in Russia, who has also found an ancient ceramic musical instrument, a cymbal with the same elusive markings. When the Russian scientist turns up dead with the cymbal stolen, and when Lourds himself is attacked and his bell gone as well, all hell breaks loose as he slowly learns these two musical instruments, along with three others, are the key to the archaeological find of all time, the location of Atlantis.

Other key players that tag along with Lourds on his hunt for answers are a beautiful Russian police woman who is the sister of the Russian scientist seeking revenge, and a pair of young television journalists seeking the story of a life-time. The police woman has the personality of a pit-bull, both journalists are naïve, immature and clueless. I felt throughout the entire book that this motley crew added nothing to the story and felt they often were annoying with their bickering and immaturity. The Russian policewoman offers some humorous entertainment but on the whole, I couldn't find anything really redeeming in any of the characters. Lourds himself is quite the Robert Langdon rip off. He is so close to Dan Brown's character that they could be twins. The jacket blurb touted that Lourds' character was "Indiana Jones without the whip" but I'm sorry to say that I found Lourds so far from Indiana it wasn't funny. He is lifeless, naïve, boring, and impetuous to the point one thinks that for a professor he is just not too bright. Lourds is a womanizer, a bit of a wimp, self absorbed, and a character devoid of a likeable personality.

The writing style of the author is talented, his command of the language reveals he has written other books of some kind. However, the plot is very mediocre, nothing new, and lacked innovation. There are hundreds of these archaeology thrillers being penned now and I felt the Atlantis Code was severely formulaic and predictable, ending with an anti-climactic finale. As most of these stories go; archaeologist finds relic that is a key to a lost artifact of myth, bad guys and the Vatican both want this item and will kill to get it, archaeologist is tracked and hunted, many chase scenes abound, puzzles and codes to decipher, wonders are found, etc.etc. The Atlantis Code follows this formula outline to the max and offers no surprises, deviation or creativity. If you are a reader who is new to this genre, then for sure you will enjoy this action ride. But, if you have read many others in this theme of artifact hunting thrillers, my guess is you will feel as I do, that this is just average and mildly entertaining.

The ending too was a tremendous let down. The author's presentation of what Atlantis was, and his religious attachment to it was odd. In addition, without giving you details that would be considered a spoiler, the meaning of what is found is not 100% revealed to us at the story's end which just added to my not so positive experience and opinion.

For those of you who love this genre, and crave a creative new twist that shows ingenuity and talent, I strongly suggest reading Terence Lee's Time Camera. Better than The Da Vinci Code and offers a story you will not forget. It's a cut above all the rest at a time when these archaeology novels are being written by the hundreds each year. I just can't say that about The Atlantis Code.

Setting aside preconceptions from The DaVinci Code, The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw is about a Harvard linguistics professor, Thomas Lourds, who stumbles across an ancient artifact wanted by a secret group of Cardinals from the Vatican. Together with television journalist Leslie, and Russian police officer Natashya, Lourds and a few other characters travel the globe in search of five ancient instruments inscribed with an untranslatable language, somehow linked to the lost city of Atlantis. Where did the instruments come from? Are the ruins in Spain really Atlantis? And how can Lourds and his women escape the evil Cardinal Murani with their lives intact? These are the types of plots and action and conspiracies which I adore in a book. Running for your lives, secret languages, ancient artifacts, evil dudes wearing robes. I eat these things for lunch, and I like them.

Brokaw's twist on an often used stock-plot (Catholic Church hides something, and someone else must discover it) was new and unique and I was thankful that it kept me entertained. Lourds is searching for five musical instruments that unlock Sacred Texts which the Chuch does not want known. This is the reason I kept reading, I wanted to know the key to the mystery. Did they really discover Atlantis, and would Lourds be able to translate the artifacts in time? Sadly, it's the only thing I really liked about the book.

Before I get started on the things I didn't like, I will confess something: I'm a woman. I know, shocking. But I'm saying that now because in case some guy reads this and thinks I'm biased because of my sex, I will also say that I'm not a moron. I know how the male brain works, but I also know how books should work and they're not supposed to placate to the male fantasy of travelling across the globe while two hot chicks fight over you. Less is more, but Brokaw's sexual undertones were blatantly obvious and annoying. From the first time Lourds meets Leslie and appreciates her trim figure, to the second time he sees her, wearing a crop top and a belly ring, to the time they're on a boat together heading toward Venice and "the chop of the waves rolled their bodies together in a manner that was altogether too pleasing and too tempting," (177)*. It became way too frequent, and way too sickening. Especially when Natashya enters the picture, complete with trench coat and pockets full of guns. I believe Brokaw enjoyed turning her from a masculine character smoking a cigar, into a feminine vixen wearing pajamas with no panties later in the novel. It's a shame it was more for his own pleasure than that of the reader's. He's not a misogynist, he does not hate women, but he certainly enjoyed making them into stereotypes for his own entertainment. He used the phrase "grind him into dust"* and he wasn't talking about a fist fight, people. Lourds is supposed to be middle-aged, but sexy; intelligent and kind. But he's a pig. He can't possibly understand why two women fight over him? And Leslie can still find time to be jealous when she's running for her life? And Natashya, really? I had faith that you of all of them would remain normal, but no. Sadly, the only character who lived up to my expectation was the evil Cardinal Murani. He knew what it meant to be a villain.

I'd give this book 1 star for the character of Thomas Lourds
1 star for the character of Leslie
2 stars for Natashya
3 stars for the bad guys
3 stars for the writing
4 stars for the plot and twist on religious conspiracy
1 star for the ending with the women
3 stars for the ending with the plot resolution
Average: 2.25 which rounds down to 2

So there you have it folks, 2 stars. I am sad for that. I received this book from GoodReads First Reads program and I was so very excited to start it. I love these types of books. I do not enjoy giving bad reviews, and I'm sorry that I have to, but it's necessary. We don't read books just for the plots, we read them because we enjoy the characters and we can relate to them. I thought Thomas Lourds was going to be a great character, he had all the beginnings of one, but he decided to think with his libido more than he should have, and I can't enjoy that when it happens every ten pages.

If you've read this book, leave a comment to your review, I'd love to hear what you thought of The Atlantis Code.

*My copy is an uncorrected ARC, so quotes and page numbers may be subject to change in final version.

I just finished reading my library's brand new copy of "The Atlantis Code," the finished book, not the ARC. Here's my take on it:

PROS:

1. I enjoyed the descriptions of the main characters: the brilliant (and arrogant) archeologist, the self-centered, often clueless journalist, the cold but effective Russian detective, and the suprisingly bright camera man. Each one came alive for me because each was a flawed human. The bad guys made less sense -- they appeared to be bad simply to move the action along.

2. The plot moved quickly, keeping me reading to see what happened next. In addition, moving the action from location to location kept it fresh and added to the interest.

CONS:

1. The ending of this novel was less than satisfying. Within a few pages, the bad guys were dispatched, the main characters saved -- as you would expect. However, not all the loose ends were tied up. What was the knowledge that so many died for? Where was the resolution? What will happen to the prize now in the hands of the church?

2. I was willing to suspend disbelief about the story of the destruction of Atlantis, but I just couldn't do it. It was too thin for me.

3. The ending appeared rushed. Where the first three-quarters of the book entertained me with characterization, action, and motive, the last quarter had new characters added without much information as to why they would participate in a scheme that could spell the end of the world.

Recommendation:

This novel is light reading that maintained my interest through most of the book. With many locations and some good characterizations, it might be coming to your local cinema soon. However, don't expect another "DaVinci Code." This one's not it.

3.5 stars

"The Atlantis Code" is an interesting, rather suspenseful read. Yet, it suffers from the same problem every book before it (and those who will come after), that is, a certain level of predicatility and popularism.

To explain what I mean, let's look at the book. Thomas Lourds is drawn into a TV show on linguistics for a major international network. Right off the bat, he 'discovers' a bell with writing on it. DING DING DING. Hey, what's this? Bad guys come in and steal it. His co-researcher, finds a disc that happens to have the same writing on it. Bad guys come, kill, and piss off Yulia's sister (a Russian cop with a fetish for weapons). Here they come....Yoruba people? Run. Run. Run. Bad guys find them. Duh....cell phones idiots! Discover there are more of these style of artifacts...all show up at the same time...stolen/given away at the same time....the bad Catholic Church searches for Atlantis at Cadiz. Surprise, they find something that shares the same writing. Gee, what does "Praise the Lord" mean???

Okay. Action. Adventure. A little sex. Some serious archeological research and conniving. Some discovery that disappears. Man leaves romantic shrapnel behind.

Well, Brokaw writes well, yet this whole book seems a little too contrived. Great shades of Thomas Gates! Deaths occur over two trinkets, and three just show up? The CSIesque approach to serious archaeology research is too far to believe.

This is escapism that will probably turn into a mediocre film. 4/5 stars for the cool cave at the end.

Cardinal Stefano Murani and his allies believe archeologist Thomas Lourds has found a priceless artifact in Alexandria, Egypt that they want and plan to take from him. Apparently Lourds has found a relic that links the lost continent of Atlantis with the Old Testament.

Meanwhile TV reporter Leslie Crane interviews Lourds for a documentary. However Murani's thugs murder the show's producer and go after the reporter and the archeologist. Lourds and Crane barely escape, but are on the run with Murani's horde in pursuit. As they flee from Africa to Europe, their adversaries chase after them with orders to retrieve the find and kill the finders; collateral damage is no issue to Cardinal Murani or his followers.

THE ATLANTIS CODE is a hyperspeed thriller that races through two continents at a breakneck pace. Filled with action as the pursuers constantly catch up with the lead couple, but like a Houdini, they manage to escape from one peril after another. This is fun to read sort of like a pulp thriller as the constant bad guys' assault attacks on the heroes dramatically overwhelm the biblical archeological premise.

Harriet Klausner

While on location for a film documentary, Harvard linguist Thomas Lourdes stumbles upon the find of the century: a mysterious bell inscripted with a language that Lourdes is unable to translate. When the bell is taken from Lourdes and the film crew by gunpoint, he goes on a quest to discover the origins of the bell.

In Russia, a colleague of Lourdes is trying desperately to get in touch with him, knowing she has discovered something ancient and wondrous. Before she can reach him, she is murdered and the artifact (a cymbal) in her possession is stolen.

In Spain, the Catholic Church has funded an archaeological dig that is thought to be the ancient remains to the lost city of Atlantis. Are the bell and the cymbal artifacts of this lost nation? Just what does the Catholic Church have to do with Atlantis?

The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw should have been a quick read. It's an action/adventure/quest novel peppered with romance and mystery, and best of all, Atlantis! Instead, this book took me several weeks to read. It was about 50-100 pages too long and at times really dragged. The writing and dialogue was often weak and unbelievable, and the two female protagonists often got on my nerves.

Thomas Lourdes is a combination of Indiana Jones and James Bond, minus the whip and cool gadgets. His good looks are mentioned too much in the novel, especially all in one clump. When Leslie Crane is attempting to banter with him, Lourdes is totally oblivious and spouts off lots of intelligent conversation that made my eyes glaze over.

Leslie and Natasha are both far too perfect, the male fantasy come to life in this novel. Leslie, a small petite blonde in her early 20's, can wield a gun flawlessly. Natasha is a hard-ass police officer with exotic beauty and a sharp tongue. Both vie for Thomas's attention, and both get it.

The plot itself is fascinating, and an interesting take on what the civilization of Atlantis may have been like. Had some of the characters been written differently, I may have rated this book higher. I'm not sure if I will continue to read the series, but might give it another chance, especially if the Atlantis plot is continued into the next book. Everything seemed tidied up too quickly toward the end, and it was an unsatisfactory ending.

I'm a reader who enjoys Dan Brown's Novels. I can understand if you're not, but the fact is, I usually feel like I learn a lot through the process of unravelling his thillers. I don't take what he says as fact, it's just that there really is history flowing through his work. That's what gives the story it's gravity. The Atlantis code has no pull because you're conciously aware that there isn't a grain of truth flowing through the narrative. It takes almost the same type of story, but nothing anchors it to reality. The best lies are mostly true, but this one didn't feel real to me at all, and that's why I didn't enjoy it.

Is that Mr. Brokaw's fault? Hard to say, because I love fantasy. However, I think when you so blatently try to copy another authors style and structure (like the way Terry Brooks did with "The Sword of Shannara"), you inevitably come across as sounding false, and that pulls the reader out of the writer's spell.

When the ancient ruins of what could be Atlantis are discovered along the Spanish coast, linguist and archaeologist Thomas Lourds joins a violent competition to be the first to find five artifacts that would desipher the mystery that is Atlantis.
In this highly researched novel, Charles Brokaw put together an adventure that will please most readers of the genre. It's been compared to Dan Brown style writing but doesn't quite make the cut. Sure it involves secrets from the Catholic Church as well as other secrets from around the world, but it just didn't seem as satisfying as I felt it could have been. Maybe it was the characters or the easy way that everyone follows each other around the globe. Still as an adventure it was overall entertaining.

The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw

Move over Da Vinci Code, another new Vatican centric novel. Mix together a hidden secret, a rogue Cardinal, a world renowned linguist, a TV producer and a Russian cop and you get a mélange of excitement. A simple translation assignment thrusts a college professor into a maelstrom of intrigue.

Brokaw paints vivid characters with strong characteristics. His main protagonist, Thomas Lourds, is a world famous linguist of immense sex appeal who unlike Indiana Jones attempts to avoid any physical confrontation outside of the bedroom. Lourds avoids being a caricature by being rescued from harm by his female companions. Initially Leslie, the TV producer, appears to be violence accomplished and a prime protector of the good Dr. However Natashya, the Russian cop, arrives on the scene and brings new meaning to the words lethal weapon. The evil villains show no redeeming characteristics. In spite of the broad brush, I thoroughly enjoyed this rollicking novel. Don't anticipate a great deal of cerebral activity just lean back and relish the action.

I recommend the book.

This book kept me up all night. I just didn't want to put it down. I'm a big thriller fan, so I picked the book up on the basis of the quotes on the cover, even though the author was new to me. Now I'm putting Charles Brokaw on my must read list and waiting anxiously for the next book in the series.

The gist of the book is that Professor Thomas Lourds is an expert in ancient languages. When he's called in to evaluate an unusual and very ancient artifact, it blows his mind because the writing on it is in a language he's never seen before. If it isn't a fabulous forgery, he's holding a piece from an advanced lost civilization--one with a writing system that's never been studied. But before Lourds can really sink his teeth into the new find, a band of well-armed thugs bursts in to the studio in Alexandria, Egypt, where he's examining the piece. They are prepared to kill to get the find, and Lourds is forced to hand it over. But his curiousity is piqued. He begins a search for related artifacts, one that puts his life and the lives of everyone he knows in danger, and leads him and his team halfway around the world. Before he's done, he's got his eyes on lost Atlantis, and the many treasures that could be buried there. But what Lourds doesn't know about those treasures is that they brought the civilized world down once before, and could do so again.

As I said, I really had fun with this one. It's fast paced, intense, and yet very amusing in places. There's a lot of unusual trivia to learn from it, and the characters are well drawn and convincing. Good book!