Customer Reviews

The Covenant of the Flame

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I give the author credit for a decent plot, but what could have been a great story, wasn't. The book missed the mark, in my opinion, for three reasons. First, the dialog, at times, was a little too juvenile. The dialog read like a mistake that a first time novelist would make--phony, stilted, just plain unreal. The second problem involved the contrived romances. While I'm not sure whether or not I believe in love at first sight, I am sure that having it occur twice in one book is a bit much. I got the feeling that that romances were thrown in to explain why a particular character would go to the lengths he/she did to help out another. Finally, while parts of a mystery were revealed to one of the characters, the author made comments like, she felt as if she were going insane, etc. I'm sorry, based on what was happening at the time and what the character had been through, going insane at those particular moments just seemed unbelievable at best.

As mentioned, the story was okay, but had I been reading the book rather than listening to the unabridged audio book version, I don't know if I could have made it to the end. Sorry, this is one Morrell book I can't recommend.

The book was enjoyable, but doesn't compare to the gripping success of Morrell's finest (i.e. "Brotherhood Of The Rose", "Fraternity Of The Stone", and "The League Of Night And Fog", with the three being somewhat of a trilogy). Morrell is an exceptional author, but he seems less than inspired on this one...still, Morrell at his mediocre best is still much better than majority of writers on the scene today

Could have been well done, the topics were interesting but the author did little in-depth research that would have made the book more authentic. The dialogue was not believable, real people do NOT say these things to each other. Background is given in the middle of the action to justify the heroine's behavior. This interupts the flow of the action and distracts the reader

Daid Morrell's books are full of action and thrills but this one from 1973 is a little on the tame side. BUT if you are interested in the save the planet theme you will find this story very good and you may even agree with action taken by the heretics or you might like the beliefs of the members of the Inquistion. WHAT?? Heretics? Inquisition? In this day and age? Lest you think Morrell has lost his touch, wait until you come to the fantastic ending ! The story plods along with all sorts of earth saving actions and the leading character, Tess Drakewho works for Mother Earth magazine finds herself in the middle of all sorts of attacks on her life and those whom she loves. The mystery surrounding all this dates back to pre=Christian history of the Mithraism movement and if you don't want to test your faith don't read this one 1 The action really heats up when Tess and her police lt. friend find themselves aboard Air Force 2 headed for Spain. Who can save them now? You won't put the book down until the very end which will leave you wondering about your soul and the future of all mankind and this planet earth we so glibly ride.

I read The Covenant And The Flame in 2000, coincidentally, while studying about Riots & Revolutions (including the Environmental Movement) in college. I found the book to be a fun and informative historical read. I see that other readers who are familiar with the author may not feel this is his best work. However, I found it to be fast-moving and an suspenseful! I especially enjoyed the historical references to Mithraism and Catholicism in Medieval Europe, and the environmental extremist aspect of it. I highly recommend! the book as casual reading/historical fiction. I see it as similar to Morris West's novels with its use of politics/religion/action. Formulaic? so what!...Enjoy.

Mystery, religion and action surround our heroine, Tess Drake as she struggles to hold on to her life while trying to solve a murder. Mysterious religious organizations, environmental disasters whereby the culprits' punishments fit the crime, trying to pick out the "good guys" from the "bad" and a strong female character leading the way are the elements that stood out. Morrell's style of writing is straightforward, suspenseful and has some interesting ideas. History and religious battles are intriguingly weaved in his story. The lead character is down-to-earth, but with conviction on her ideals. An enjoyable read -- it's my first book by David Morrell... I've read it several times already... then went out and bought The Fifth Profession and look forward to checking out more by him.

During my service in the army I've read some of Morrell's books,and liked most of them . I have to mention the title "Assumed Identity" as the best work of the author,to my opinion . I never thought there would come a day in which I'd have to write about a bad work of Morrell,but today is the day . Reading this book made me feel like I've been in this movie before.I am sorry to say it, but this is a formula book . I wasn't surprised at the revelations,and the action taken by the heros,they are all shallow and predictable . More than that , I couldn't feel like I'm readind a z-class action movie script!It's that bad . Eventually ,I am sorry that the author gave a green light to a book that is so regular,hoping this setback is the first and the last ,but not sure about this having recognised the formula .

I loved all the religious good vs. evil information - I'm surprised in today's Da Vinci Code media world, people haven't gone back to this book, cause Mr. Morrell was talking about this stuff way before Dan Brown. Loved how he wrote the Inquisition was still happening - All very interesting stuff...

I will say that some of the dialogue was wooden, fake sounding and unrealistic. But it was few and far in between. The interesting characters - gray eyes in particular - and the non stop action more than made up for it. All in all, a great religious/political/environmental thriller that never let up! Mr. Morrell is one of my favorites and he didn't disappoint with this one.

Totally ridiculous plot, dialogue, and actions by everyone involved. A beautiful woman manages to shoot better than everyone else and kill about a dozen men trying to shoot her, while her attackers manage to kill supposed professionals around her. If that appeals to you, then by all means, get this book. I would be embarrassed to have my name as author of this novel.

Loved this book! Have recommended it to everyone I know that likes to read. This book actually got me back into reading for pleasure. I was so enthralled by this book that I've read every David Morrell book published. I wish that he would go back to formats like The Covenant of the Flame for his inspiration instead of his new material. Any of Morrell's early publications great reading material.