Customer Reviews

The Genesis Code

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

 

 

Wonderful book. As events unfold, you begin to wonder "What if..." Gives you alot to think about as well as being a darned good story. This book kept me glued from start to finish, I never put it down. I am already anticipating a rumored sequel or second book by Mr. Forrest. And the ARG that started on the author's web page is thought provoking as well. I have learned quite a bit for the research done for the ARG. A must have for your leisure reading library.

If you're interrested in a fast-paced thriller, and like dealing with numbers, and science to solve the puzzle, then this is a good book for you. It is an easy, intelligent read, that might go over the head of some of the other reviewers. Its similar action to Digital Fortress: A Thriller by Dan Brown. A great first novel for a new author.

At Triad Genomics Biotech Company, Nobel Prize winner research geneticist Joshua Ambergris has discovered a coded text hidden in human DNA. He is euphoric with his find, but is a bit confused as to whom, why, and how they planted this as there had to be a previous more advanced race than humans of today. However, before he can announce to his peers what he has found, members of the ancient Order kill him as they want the DNA code kept secret.

Ambergris's two assistants, Christian Madison and Grace Nguyen, are stunned by his death; they vow to complete his last work as homage to the late great geneticist. However, the Order is taking no chances that Ambergris's lab rats will learn the truth so plan to kill them too.

The segments that focus on the math and science of coding and genetics are superb fascinating looks at DNA and a host of cryptic mythos. When the story line turns action thriller the tale feels too commonplace as this has been frequently done before. Likewise when the two heroes work on coding they seem human; when they dodge bombs and assassins they seem more like James Bond than scientists. Still overall THE GENESIS CODE is an interesting combining of the DNA code with a who's who of mystical coding.

Harriet Klausner

Just finished reading The Genesis Code, the debut novel by Christopher Forrest. Having read it cover to cover, it's definitely a page-turner. Full of adventure, but it's got smarts too - lots of Global Conspiracy stuff that draws on such diverse elements as the I-Ching, Mayan cosmology, and modern research into genetics and DNA coding. But it never gets too smart for its own good, so don't let the science intimidate you.

Stands on its own as a great read - couple it with the online Alternative Reality Game (ARG) now in progress at www.thegenesiscode.com and you're in for some real excitement!

Also recommended: Anything by James Rollins

It was an interesting idea for a book, but the writing and the characters were lacking. It kind of read like a soap opera, very predictable.

I agree with some of the other reviewers. The characters are one-dimensional and lacking in development. There could have been so much more done with the concept. I initially had thought it was developed for a screenplay which explained the lack of depth, but after seeing that there was a video game released with it, that pretty much explains the poor dialogue, predictable plotline and abrupt ending. If you're looking for a good read that makes you think, find another book.

I picked up this first novel by Christopher Forrest in the Science Fiction section. As a first novel it is not bad. As a matter of principle trimming usually results from additional editing, in this case the pace of the novel is far too fast. The plot could have been teased out more effectively. Characterizations too are not bad. Settings on the other hand, and there are some nice ones that Forrest has selected such as Yale's library, should have been done in more, richer, detail. Lastly I would say the "science" in THE GENESIS CODE needs a lot of work. The reader will know no more about genetics having read this book. Ergo this is not really a science fiction novel at all but a fiction section historico-techno-thriller.

The idea was interesting but I just don't think he developed the story or the characters fully enough. I also don't think he really explained what was revealed in the code once it was broken. There was speculation about 2012 before the code was solved but this was never really confirmed. I also thought the climax was kind of abrupt and again, not very well developed. It is a first novel so I gave him a little break on the rating, it could have been lower.

This book clearly was written to mimic the DaVinci code, short chapters all ending with the cliffhanger, next chapter starts up with the resolution always in the main characters favor. Reminds me of the childhood game.....and then...and then he fell off the cliff and broke both legs....and then the princess came and saved him.

This book could have been so much more, but alas it is a sad little imitation of DaVinci. Not worth the time it takes you to read it.

For one thing I love scientific thrillers. Books that are well researched and make you think. This was one of those. Giving you everything from the history of Mayans and their culture to a primer on genetics, with a bunch more thrown in between.
That being said I believe it really lacked character develepement and depth. It almost moved too fast where many short chapters could have been one longer one. As a first novel I can deal with that, hoping to see an improvement in the next one.