Customer Reviews

Sins of the Fathers: A Gabriel Knight Novel

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Gabriel Knight is an owner of rare books store in New Orleans and his life is quite normal, quiet and with no exciting or even dangerous events. But everything changes when he decides to take his chance on a field of horror novel writers and starts to gather information about mysterious Voodoo murders which begin to appear in the city. With a help of his pal, inspector Mosely of New Orleans police, Gabriel finds out more and more details about the murders and Voodoo religion but he also starts to feel strange about horrible dreams he faces every night and memories of his ancestors. When he finally unleashes the whole truth about the relation of him and the old Voodoo curse, it is too late to return back and Gabriel will have to prepare to fight even worse evilness he could ever imagine.

I strongly recommend to play the game first and then read the book, your impression will be much stronger and you will be pleased how the game and the book can precisely lead you to the mystery in its particular way. But even if you do not want to play the game, the book is definitely worth reading.

This book was an absolute best-seller. I had played and beaten the game before I read the book, so I knew what was going on, but the way it was written still kept me in suspense and on the edge of my seat. One part, near the end, is about 6 or so pages of a journal entry. This part is not in the game, so it allowed pretty much a full movie sequence in my head. This was one of the best parts of the book. This is an excellently written book, and I highly reccomend it.

Probably I didn't properly appreciate the book because I've played the game. The book feels like a detailed walkthrough and doesn't really add anything to the gaming experience, it doesn't contain almost any new details. (in comparison, the Myst books are valuable addition to the Myst games, because they cover parts of the story not mentioned in the games...) I think one should buy either the game or the book, according to the degree of interactivity one prefers. I love the Gabriel Knight - Sins of the Fathers *game* and it is my all-time favourite adventure game; probably the book can become somebody's favourite book, too...

I really enjoy supernatural detective stories, but I don't think there are that many good ones in the market today. That's why it was a real pleasure to read Jane Jensen's 'Sins of the Fathers'.

Jensen, creator of the simply awesome 'Gabriel Knight' series of PC games, puts her video game characters to paper and does a fine job of it. Gabriel Knight, the roguish hero of this first book in the series, is written well and is a decently worked-out character. The supporting cast is also very likable, especially Knight's spunky assisten Grace Nakamura.

I don't, however, get the feeling that Jensen had a good grasp of writing a novel. Her storytelling gifts are evident in her games, but in the medium of novels the writing seemed a little juvinile, as if aimed at a much younger audience. If it didn't contain so much profanity (almost seemed to have been thrown in to 'adult' up the book) I'd probably suggest it for kids.

This criticism does not get in the way of the story, though. As said earlier, Jane does have a gift for storyteling and I am looking forward to reading her other books. This is a good read for those who enjoy the supernatural mixed in with a little treasure hunting.

This is the best book I ever read! If you have played the game but haven't read this you don't know what you're missing! Never have I read a book before that I loved from the very first page! This book is more than a mystery or horror novel, it has everything: comedy, tragedy, you name it! No library should be without it!

Jane Jensen speaks intimately into her reader's ear, and lets us into the character of her main character, Gabriel Knight. The more we learn about him, the more interested we become. He seems to be a "bum" at first, but we learn in snippets about his haunted past, and frightening legacy-- to be a force against evil, whether it be ancient evilness such as voodoo powers, or modern "psychics". Graphic details make the scenes come alive, and involve all the senses--even the sixth! The fact that GK was first an adventure game does not make this an automated read. The author simply kept the plot of the computer mystery in mind and wrote a good book. Clues are not as obvious as in some mysteries. Sorry, readers--you'll have to THINK! And delightfully, in the midst of all the terror and pressure Jensen injects a bit of humor to jog you into realizing that you were taking this all too seriously. Novel readers of the world-- here is a book written by someone who loves to read. Way to go, Jane! Watch for her next novel-- How do Germam werewolves strike you?

I knew this first as a computer game by Sierra. I was beautifully done, animated, the subsequent Knight game had real actors, places, very well done. The stories are intense, puzzle.

Fate steps in, Gabriel Knight writer and owner of a book store, in Louisana, is led, almost pushed-proded to his destiny that won't take "no" for an answer.

It turns out, that he comes from a long line of "Shadow Hunters" and his father who came to America, fled what he called the family curse. It is their duty, and priviledge to be Schattenjager.

The book is good, I can carry it with me, and read my favorite passages.

Awesome story.

Sins Of The Father is a truely wonderful read. Jane Jenson takes you on a wonderful ride of thought and intrigue as well as an interesting education of New Orleans culture through voodoo, mystery and romance. I can definitely see this book as a movie and this is how I saw it in my mind. Although Ms Jenson has written two sequels to this original computer game series set in other countries, I would love her to return Gabriel to New Orleans. A must read.

First of all, I am aware that people compare this to the game a lot. I will write this without reference to the, admittedly brilliant, CD Game. Mrs. Jensen displays in her book an incredible knowledge of the subject, voodoo in this case. She has been known to do a lot of research before-hand and it shows. The book is about a writer who owns a bookstore. He isn't exactly a famous writer or very rich, he hasn't paid his assistant in over a month and the only person who seems to go into his store is Bruno who wants to buy his father's painting. With the help of a connection on the local police force he is reaching local murders which seem to be commited by a voodoo sect called the Agris for a book that will hopefully do better than his others. Meanwhile, a mysterious man from Germany keeps calling, claiming he's a relative and saying something about a family resposibility.... This book has everything, A Hero, a plot, well developed characters, romance, a big guy called Doctor John and a mime! BUY THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW!!!!!!

I was first introduced to Gabriel Knight when I was about 11. At the time, I wasn't into games that were heavy on plot or filled with mystery. I was an action freak. However, as the years rolled on, I became more convinced that this game had lots to offer, so I decided to try it. I never regretted that decision! The game provided plenty of gameplay without sacrificing the story! When I heard that a novel about the game was to be released, written by Jane Jensen herself, I eagerly awaited the date of arrival. Once again, I was not disappointed. Game fans will be glad to know that this is the same plot (with a few MINOR changes) but provides a deeper understanding of the main characters which was only hinted at in the game. Mystery and horror fans should not be discouraged by the fact that the story was first a game. The mystery behind "The Voodoo Murders" is nothing short of suspensful, and the discovery is eloquently revealed by Ms. Jensen. However, I would avoid telling this story to one who is easily terrified or squeamish, the voodoo aspect is nothing short of real, Ms. Jensen researched the history of voodoo to the most insignificant degree, and the result is nothing short of realistic! If you are a gamer that doesn't like reading much, or a reader who is uncertain of computer games, get this book! It will make players out of readers and vice-versa