Customer Reviews

Domain

5 star:		(90)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

There are three science fiction authors whose works I enjoy that can be entertaining while weaving a bit of science and historical fact into a story. They are: Steve Alten, Michael Crichton, and Neal Stephenson.

DOMAIN is the third book I've read by Steve Alten. After reading the thrilling deep sea shark stories MEG and the sequel THE TRENCH, I was eager to read another Steve Alten book. DOMAIN did not disappoint me.

There are several key plots in DOMAIN that make it a difficult book to put down. A crooked politician, the world on the verge of nuclear war, a hero wrongly imprisoned in a mental institution, a female psych grad student intern (of Mayan heritage), and ancient prophecies of impending doom all tightly woven into a remarkable story.

Thanks for the exciting ride, Steve. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

My association with Steve Alten's books started a few years ago when I grabbed a copy of 'Meg'. His sequel ('The Trench')was even BETTER...but these were novels of underwater terror involving a prehistoric megolodon (just imagine a fierce shark the size of the largest whale and you get the idea...)--b-u-u-t the BIGGEST and BEST surprise was that 'Domain' was a complete and amazing departure from his first two novels. I can't remember if I have EVER read a book that contained nearly as much detailed research as I found within the pages of 'Domain'. The amount of work Mr. Alten put into this story was absolutely staggering.

The story starts off with the speed of a runaway meteorite (literally) and just picks up from there. What exactly hit the earth 65 million years ago and decimated the dinosaurs...if it WASN'T a meteor as the scientists claim, what WAS IT??? Steve Alten attempts to answer this in a most creative way. To me 'Domain' is very much like a modern-day Indiana Jones meets the X-Files. Have you ever heard about the ancient Mayan prophecy of doom that predicts the end of humanity on December 21st in the year 2012? This part of the story is actually based on fact. Yes, the Mayan's DID predict this...will it actually happen? That is another story--but what if it were TRUE? That is the adventure you will find here. From Stonehenge to the Great Pyramid of Giza to the Temple of Kulkukan in the Yucatan to the Nazca Plains in South America, 'Domain' heads in a dozen directions at once--but don't worry, Mr. Alten is in COMPLETE control of what is happening, and at no point do you feel he has lost direction--even IF you have absolutely NO idea where he plans to take you. Inter-mixing Mayan facts with the Myth's of half-a-dozen cultures--with a plot that is as creative as it is entertaining, 'Domain' succeeds on ALL levels. It really IS facinating to be entertained as well as educated at the same time. Just exactly how DID the Egyptians build such incredible structures even though engineers readily admit that the Great Pyramid of Giza would be impossible to construct using the modern mechanics available to us TODAY...how did the Maya build their amazing pyramids without even mastering the wheel? These are all questions that even the most educated historian cannot answer with any certainty--however if you have a good imagination, you can come up with an explanation worthy of a bestseller. I cannot recommend 'Domain' highly enough.

On a side note, I interviewed Steve Alten recently about 'Domain' and not only is he talented, he's a really nice guy who very much appreciates feedback, and rewards his readers in unique ways. Easilyone of the most down-right entertaining novels I have read in a long time. 'Domain' deserves to be a HUGE success for Mr. Alten. Pick this one up and read it before someone makes it into a movie (it'd make a GREAT one, too).

I have been a fan of Steve Alten's since I read his first book "Meg" back in 1997. I am a huge lover of sharks, and that is what first attracted me to this book. I was very impressed after reading it, so when "The Trench" was released of course I was anxious to buy it and start reading, needless to say I was equally impressed. I recently finished reading Steve Alten's latest book "Domain", and I just had to write and tell you what an excellent novel this is. Like Steve's first two books "Meg" and "The Trench", "Domain" puts the reader right in the story. It reads just like a movie, and Steve's incredible research and attention to detail make this a book you just can't put down. If you are a fan of Steve Alten I highly recommend you pick up "Domain" if you don't already have it. If you are not familiar with Steve's work, and are looking for a real page turner, then this is definately the book for you. I have read a sneak preview of "Resurrection" which is the sequal to "Domain" and I am anxiously awaiting it's release sometime next year. It promises to be just as exciting. If Steve keeps writing them, I'll keep reading them. They just keep getting better and better. Congratulations Steve, and good luck with your next book. Diane Tanner.

I have been a big fan of Steve Alten's books MEG and THE TRENCH so I dove into DOMAIN ready for an exciting tale. In the first 250 pages or so Alten does not disappoint. The amount of research in the novel is astounding. I loved the fact that I didn't know what was real and what had been "doctored" for the sake of the storyline. Alten mixes in research, the journal of explorer scientist Julius Gabriel, and the adventures of Michael Gabriel together nicely to keep the story moving at a staggering pace. The scenes involving Michael in the asylum (and the potential for escape) were my favorites.

So why only 2 Stars? Well...Domain takes a serious stumble in the last 50 pages or so. What started off as a great storyline devloves into a series of cliches that if you read or watch movies you will be able to identify all too easily: nuclear war (aborted at the last second), a giant monster that is very 'B' Movie-like in description, dream sequences (do people ever dream like this in the real world), and a climax that leaves a lot to be desired. After all of his adventures, when the main character reaches the ending...he basically just stumbles around and lets others guide him along, it certainly would have been nice to see the portagonist handle something on his own. The antagonists are also let off way too easily in this novel, robbing the reader of the "pay-off". By the way, why is it that characters in books or movies always have twins when they are impregnated...after that one-time only romantic encounter? Of course, these same parents also have that special "mental bond" with said progeny. Oh yeah, and the story doesn't end here...or at all. Instead we end with a sequel blurb on the last page. That really robs you of any feelings of completion.

Kudos for Mr. Alten for all of the work he put into this story (especially the first 250 pages), and hopefully in the future he'll avoid the easy ending and the highway to clicheville and give us an original ending worthy of his efforts.

Domain has to be one of the best novels I have read in the past half century of reading! Steve Alten has meticulously researched his subject and has cleverly interwoven fact with fiction to produce a tour de force in adventure/sci fi literature.

On the surface, the story could so easily be mistaken as a von Daniken fairytale spinoff. But this is no fairytale adventure. The son of a late, world-renowned, archaeologist holds the key to the mysterious ruins of Chichen Itza, the Egyptian Pyramids, Angkor Wat and the Nazca Plains. And the Doomsday Prophesy of the Mayan Calendar. Never hear of the latter? This book will make the events predicted to occur on December 21st, 2012 frighteningly real.

Alten has crafted his story so finely, ably supporting his narrative with a cast of strong, well-developed characters, that the reader is effortlessly drawn into the nailbiting, chilling, breathless, believably real quest by his lead characters to forestall the end of humanity.

Domain will make a blockbusting movie but read the book first and buy your copy today!

Alten obviously expended a tremendous amount of time researching the Mayans, the Nostradamic and Biblical prophecies, etc. to produce such a tight and suspenseful book. Like one reviewer pointed out, DOMAIN had the feel of an Indiana Jones movie, yet I found it much more fascinating on all levels. There wasn't a boring page in this book.

The characters were well drawn out and interesting, especially Michael Gabriel and his father, Julius. Alten depicted their relationship well. The storyline was smooth and highly imaginative. I'm looking forward to the sequel, The Resurrection.

In a departure from his first two shark thrillers, Steve Alten explores the implications and mystery behind the Mayan Doomsday Prophecy. A massive amount of research went into creating the ingenious plot, and it shows on every pulse-pounding page. Alten's characters are fascinating, and his ability to blend conscious thought into character dialogue adds even more realism to this intensely exciting thrill. For me, reading a Steve Alten book requires no suspension of disbelief at all, as he puts so much forethought into the research that his stories are completely believeable; an element that makes Domain an incredible and intelligent read from start to finish.

With Domain, Steve has once again improved his style. THose who have read Meg and The Trench will know what I mean. The difference between his ability in those books is amazing, and this story is even exponentially greater. This is truly a page turner. I could not put it down until I had to go to work. The combination of fact and fiction was amazing. In some parts I could not tell where reality ended and fiction began! I would definitely recommen this to anyone and everyone who is looking for a great book. The ideas he had in this story were pure genious, and when you learn more about whats going on, you will be totally blown away. And the secret revealed beneath the Kukulcan pyramid makes you realize just how important it is to pay attention to everything in the story. When you read this, be sure to imagine just what you will be doing on December 21, 2012...for it may be your last day!

Steve Alten is a guy with really big ideas. He has certainly done his homework in coming up with the premise of this very ambitious novel. Alten works with the documented theories of the students of "forbidden archeology," who have come up with all sorts of wild speculation about connections between ancient cultures such as the Mayans and Egyptians, along with alien overlords, energy fields, and ancient prophecies. Alten utilizes this outlandish knowledge to build an epic novel that has everything - natural disasters, divine intervention, political treachery, aliens, giant monsters, supernatural phenomena, war and destruction, and the epic battle between good and evil. This novel is a real page-turner and the plot elements are certainly intriguing. Unfortunately things start to get out of hand during the very busy climax of the story, which Alten turns into an increasingly ridiculous attempt at a biblical-scale epic, with a rather cheesy love story in the background. The supernatural phenomena are especially lacking in credibility. This novel is recommended for its sheer ambition, though you will also see that Alten is a little low on subtlety, and needs to rein in his huge ideas a little more effectively. [~doomsdayer520~]

Dan Brown must be wondering how to turn out his 3rd Robert Langdon book without copying too much from this book. Domain is very much Da Vinci Code-esque in terms of symbology and ancient cover-up. Steve Alten has done his homework and I appreciate all the research that went into this book.

This book isn't a classic. It's just a good read. Worth every penny if you buy paperback.

If you are going to Cancun for a vacation, this would be a perfect book to take with you. Enjoy