Customer Reviews

Book of Souls

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Book of Souls is one of those rare great sequels. Library of the Dead, Cooper's smart and heart-pounding thriller, is obviously a tough act to follow, but we quickly go along for the ride as Will tries to unlock the mystery and secrets of the library. I liked the references to the original, which were just enough for someone like me who had read it a year ago and needed a bit of a refresher, while giving newcomers the chance to get in on the action. Plus, in this book, we also get to ponder some fascinating alternative realities for Shakespeare and Nostradamuss! Though this seems to be Cooper's final word on the topic, I can't help wondering what we have in store for us on February 9, 2027. Once again, if you are looking for an intelligent thriller, Book of Souls brings it home. Ignore the one star rating that is only about kindle pricing and has nothing to do with the book.

I know that we are still only in the first few weeks of spring, but I've just finished my first good summer book. "Book of Souls" is the sequel to "Secret of the Seventh Son" (which I read last year, and highly recommend). If you are a fan of Dan Brown, James Rollins, and the like - you are in the right place with "Book of Souls". If you are going to be stuck on a cross-country flight this week, you can easily sing your teeth in to "Book of Souls" and dispatch the time with ease. If you are going to be stuck at a family reunion over the weekend, this book is a perfect balm for hearing about Aunt Matilda's corn surgery for the 3rd time. If you are just sitting at home, feet up, television off, kids in bed, glass of wine on the coffee table next to you - this is a good book to have in your hands.

I really enjoyed this book. It's an interesting take on the religious thriller genre, and raises some great questions about the nature of choice versus predestination in the world. Cooper leaves the end of the story wide open for another sequel and I hope he takes the opportunity to deliver one. I could see that book going quite a few different directions and would be anxious to see what Cooper would do next in the world that he has created.

`Book of Souls' is the sequel to `Library of the Dead.' It follows the same ancient library, listing everyone together with their dates of birth and death, but is particularly focussed on one previously missing volume, for 1527, which has appeared at a London auction.

Two groups particularly want this volume: the government who wants to keep everything to do with the library classified, and a group of former employees who want the world to know about the library, and to discover the truth behind the last date listed in the library (9 February 2027). Through these former employees, Will Piper, whom we met in `Library of the Dead', becomes involved in the hunt for the 1527 volume.

There are three separate, interconnected timelines in this novel and the story moves between them. The earliest of these follows the fate of the Abbott of Vecti's priory, after the fire that he believes destroyed the library. The second follows how the 1527 volume ended up separated from the others, and the third is in the present.

I enjoyed this novel as a fast page turning read - 3.5 stars rounded to 4 - although it didn't engage me quite as strongly as `Library of the Dead'.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

What a GREAT sequel to Secrets, just a terrific book. The first book was SO GOOD I had my doubts whether the sequel would measure up but it did. You MUST read Secrets of the Seventh Son first or this book won't make as much sense or be as enjoyable. He does a nice job of tying the two together with the letters but please read Secrets first, you'll be glad you did. This is an adventure thriller, a fun read. Will Piper is a very likeable hero. He has his faults like all of us but deep down he's a good guy. I guess the best way to describe him is a jock who's smart, tough, likes to have fun and lives by his own set of rules. Basically someone you'd like to hang out with. As far as the book, the transitions from Vectis Abby, through history, to modern day are seamless and provide the answers to the mystery as you read along. The ending was somewhat surprising and a good way to end the story. And like the first book there was a little twist at the end. But there will be no more stories about the Library, this one closes the chapter on that story. There was one item that puzzled me. I thought when Luke returned to the Abby, that he and Felix BOTH had a book that they kept and Felix gave Luke his book before his death. That Luke then possessed two books. I need to re-read that chapter because the second book, if there was one, never resurfaced. Maybe I just misinterpreted what was being discussed. I highly recommend this book but again, to truly enjoy it, you MUST read Secrets of the Seventh Son first. I will definitely be buying The Tenth Chamber.

This book sat on my shelf for quite sometime before I felt I had best read this book before I buy another book.... Amazed! I truely enjoyed every page. Prior to this read, I had not read anything by Glenn Cooper. I am now on Amazon to buy his other titles.

This is the second book in the series and must be read in order to understand it the best. I couldn't put it down. It travels back and forth through time and it is great for adventure readers with historical flare....READ book 1 first Secret of the Seventh Son....you will enjoy this series and look forward to more of Glenn Cooper's work....

Glenn Cooper is an excellent writer and a good storyteller. Book of Souls is one of those books in which the sequel is better than the first book. At times, Book of Souls moves along at a quicker pace than Secret of the Seventh Son because it summarizes the backstory rather than providing all of the less interesting details. The protagonist would have been more interesting if he resisted sexual temptation better than he did. The ending seemed a bit rushed as the author tried to wrap up all the loose ends. If you enjoyed Secret, you should read Book of Souls.

Creative, fast paced, historically interesting, good human drama, and thought provoking. This was first book I read by Glenn Cooper. It wasn't necessary to read the prequel to enjoy this one.

The "book of" series is continued in this novel, part two of Cooper's series based around the "library of the dead", and while it is not in the James Rollins class it doesn't disappoint.

Suspend your disbelief and enjoy a fun ride.

This book is a sequel. You MUST read both books. Do not buy the second first and then go and look for the first book or you will spend a lot of time in frustration land. This book is actually one big book published in two parts.

The first book is "The Seventh Son." Read it first, then "Book of Souls."

It is also, what I call, a kitchen sink novel. And that is any book that has a large plot line including Area 51. But I must say that the author has taken it in a whole new direction. It was so fascinating.

The author had created not only a credible plot, but I love the back and forth in time scenarios. I also found it to be a thoroughly chilling novel. Not as scary as some that I have read, but the type you don't expect to be scary. You expect some type of surprise, but not the one the author calls up and tosses about like a live grenade with no pin.

I gave this 4 stars simply because I had to look for the sequel before I started the first book. That always ticks me off. Or when I buy a book and find out that it is the third or second book in a series and I can't find the first one.

Read both books and be prepared to be massively entertained.

It is a search book, it is a mystery and it is also filled with action and all three items are tightly intertwined.

Good plotting, good characters and good idea.