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30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great adventure, January 11, 2001
Once again, Preston and Child have not only proven that they write a great story, but that they write truly original ones. Riptide succeeds on many levels, but the character development is particularly strong. Preston and Child lead you throught a maze of pertsonalities, cross-purpose and deceit without ever missing a beat. There is no true "bad guy" in this novel, bu there are many people who fall victim to some of the less savory aspects of human nature. That's really what makes "Riptide" so enjoyable, it has an end, but it's not as neat and tidy as many might hope. As in many of Preston/Child's books, the nemisis isn't a who, but a what. In this case it's the most diabolical treasure trove since Oak Island, which contains an artifact with a sinister, irresistable allure. I enjoyed this book immensely, it's only downside is that you can't read it on a week night because you'll never sleep.
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43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
100% Fun!, February 4, 2003
I've read other books by Child/Preston (Relic and Reliquary) and found them fun but the writing just a little rough. But Riptide, now--Wow! They have really hit their stride on this one. The pacing is great and the thought they put into how to approach the diabolically clever puzzle of the treasure pit is impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed this book right to the end, even sneaking out to sit in my car at work to finish it! In the first few pages of the book, we are introduced to the main character, Malin Hatch, as a boy, and see the gruesome tragedy that shadows the rest of his life, but that will not be fully explained until the end of the book. Then we skip forward 30 years. Ladies and gentlemen, THAT's what I call a "hook!" I was certainly hooked until the very end. I'm certain you will enjoy this roller coaster ride of a book.
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fun and wild ride!, December 9, 1999
I'm usually bored with formula novels and I expected to be disappointed by this one as well. The buried pirate's treasure angle has been done numerous times since "Treasure Island", but never quite as well as the original. This novel, however, gave the story a unique twist that was entirely exhilarating and fresh. The story follows the latest (of many) attempts to retrieve the unheard of treasure of the pirate "Red Ned" Ockham. The book begins by giving a 200-year history of the fates of treasure-seekers and explains why they have all failed. The reason is the devious "Water-Pit" trap, designed by the architect Macallan, a man known for his church steeples and not for his booby-trapping ability. The story is believable and fun. The main character, Malin Hatch, is a lovable little schlep who occasionally grows cajones when they're needed. Unfortunately, his run-ins with Streeter and his bizarre love-life are laughable at best. His first-love, Claire, is a one-dimensional character easily forgotten. The exotic Isobel Bonterre is also easily forgettable, though much more interesting than the aforementioned Claire. The town preacher, Woody Clay, is as dynamic a character as Captain Niedelman, the leader of the treasure hunt. Both of them keep you guessing, which is odd, because zealots are usually uninteresting to read about. I don't want to spoil the book or the eventual movie for the reader. Just read it and tell your friends about it. This was my first Preston and Childs book and I'm sure it won't be my last. I enjoyed the mix of history, archaelogy, geology, computer science, medicine, cryptography, and architecture. This book made me feel much more well-rounded intellectually. Read it!
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