Cotton Malone

Steve Berry ”The Emperor’s Tomb” (Cotton Malone book 6)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

The tomb of China’s First Emperor, guarded by an underground army of terra-cotta warriors, has remained sealed for more than 2,000 years. Though it’s regarded as one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, the Chinese government won’t allow anyone to open it. Why? 

That question is at the heart of a dilemma faced by former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone, whose life is shattered when he receives an anonymous note carrying an unfamiliar Web address. Logging on, he sees Cassiopeia Vitt, a woman who’s saved his life more than once, being tortured at the hands of a mysterious man who has a single demand: Bring me the artifact she’s asked you to keep safe. The only problem is, Malone doesn’t have a clue what the man is talking about, since Cassiopeia has left nothing with him. So begins Malone’s most harrowing adventure to date — one that offers up astounding historical revelations, pits him against a ruthless ancient brotherhood, and sends him from Denmark to Belgium to Vietnam then on to China, a vast and mysterious land where danger lurks at every turn.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Pagājis gandrīz pusgads kopš iepriekšējās grāmatas notikumiem un Henrika nāves, kad Malons atkal tiek izrauts no grāmatu pārdošanas – jāpalīdz briesmās nonākušajai Kasiopejai. Viņas iemesls, kāpēc nonākusi tādā situācija, atrodams prīkvelā ‘’The Balkan Escape’’. Levs Sokolovs pats nonācis nepatikšanās plus viņa 4 gadīgais dēls nolaupīts; Kasiopejas iespēja atlīdzināt.

Malona ceļš vedīs uz Ķīnu, bet viss nav tik vienkārši. Tur briest varas maiņa, un par to, kurš par nākamo līderi – Ni Jongs vai Karls Tangs – ieinteresētas tādas lielvaras kā ASV un Krievija. Šajā ziņā darbībā atgriežas trešajā sērijas grāmata esošais Viktors Tomas, kurš joprojām ir tikpat neuzticams un nekādīgi nevar saprast, kurā pusē tad viņš ir.

Ni Jongs un Karls Tangs savos uzskatos un vīzijā par Ķīnas nākotni ir ļoti atšķirīgi. Viens vairāk sliecas uz valsts lielāku demokratizāciju~, bet otrs gatavs izmantot militāru spēku un bailes, lai par katru cenu panāktu savējo.

Bet lielā grāmatas tēma, ja nu nafta, kuru tagad vairumā iegūst ir nevis biotiska, tādējādi izsmeļams un ierobežots resurss, bet gan abiotiska, kuru Zeme pati pastāvīgi ražo un rodas stipri vien dziļāk. Šāda apziņa droši vien mainītu šo to pasaules kārtībā un cenu pavisam noteikti.

Sērijā parādās drusku no romantiskā. Ja līdz šim Malons un Kasiopeja savstarpējas simpātijas situācijas spiesti atlikuši otrajā plānā, tad notikumi liek piespiež ne vien apjaust jūtas, bet arī atklāt tās; sava loma tajā arī nesenajai drauga zaudēšanai.

                                                                                                                                                

It’s been nearly six months since events in the last book and Henrik’s death when Malone again is pulled into new deadly adventure – he has to help Cassiopeia. Reasons why her own life is in danger you can find in the prequel ‘’The Balkan Escape’’. Lev Sokolov is in danger, and also his four year old son has been kidnapped. This is a chance for Cassiopeia to repay a favor.

Eventually Malone’s path will lead him to China but not everything is that simple. Soon there will be a change as who will lead the country next and the struggle for that position is between Ni Yong and Karl Tang. Two superpowers of the world USA and Russia are interested in the outcome. In this case I have to mention a recurring character Viktor Tomas from third book of the series. Once again you can’t be 100% sure if you can trust him as he changes sides by the minute.

Ni Yong and Karl Tang are very different in their beliefs and in the vision of China’s future. On tends towards more democratization but the other is willing to use any amount of force and fear to be in the power.

The big theme of this was, what if oil that produced today was not biotic in that way non-renewable resource but abiotic – oil that Earth produces constantly and way deeper than fossil fuel. This kind of knowledge might change world order and definitely the current oil price. But that’s only what if.

In this book the romantic story line appeared a little between Malone and Cassiopeia. If previously events forced them to suppress the feelings they thought they might have then recent events and a recent loss of a mutual friend makes them realize the situation.

Steve Berry ”The Balkan Escape” (Cotton Malone book 5.5)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Steve Berry’s first ever eBook exclusive short story finds an adventurer in a strange and forbidding land, in search of a long lost treasure, and very much in harm’s way.

As a favor to enigmatic billionaire Henrik Thorvaldsen, Cassiopeia Vitt treks into Bulgaria’s Rila mountains in search of a buried stash of exceedingly rare artifacts from a bygone civilization: the ancient tomb of a Thracian king. But when her presence is discovered by a shadowy group of Russians secretly mining the area, she needs a way out. Who to trust becomes the question, and her life depends on choosing the right option.

Includes a sneak-preview of the Cotton Malone thrillers The Emperor’s Tomb.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 3.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Notikums pirms pieciem gadiem dziļi Balkānu kalnos, Bulgārijā. Kārtējo reizi neatklāti dārgumi, šoreiz trāķiešu.

Skatpunkts no Kasiopejas, kura tur devusies pēc Henrika lūguma. Parādītas vēl divas galvenāki personāži – Varga, kurš seko pavēlēm, un arheologs Levs Sokolovs.

Tā kā šis ir prīkvels sestajai sērijas grāmatai ‘’The Emperor’s Tomb’’, tad varbūt vienu no abiem manīsim arī tajā, protams arī Kasiopeju.

                                                                                                                                                

Events from five years ago deep into Balkan mountains, Bulgaria. Once again it’s about treasure, this time Thracians.

The short story is told from POV of Cassiopeia, who went there after Henrik’s request. In the story participates two more characters with names – Petar Varga, someone who follows orders, and archeologist Lev Sokolov.

As this is a prequel for the sixth book in the series The Emperor’s Tomb then we might meet see one of them again, of course not without Cassiopeia.

Steve Berry ”The Paris Vendetta” (Cotton Malone book 5)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

When Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile in 1821, he took to the grave a powerful secret. As general and emperor, he had stolen immeasurable riches from palaces, national treasuries, and even the Knights of Malta and the Vatican. In his final days, his British captors hoped to learn where the loot lay hidden. But he told them nothing, and in his will he made no mention of the treasure. Or did he?

Former Justice Department operative Cotton Malone isn’t looking for trouble when it comes knocking at his Copenhagen bookshop. Actually, it breaks and enters in the form of an American Secret Service agent with a pair of assassins on his heels. Malone has his doubts about the anxious young man, but narrowly surviving a ferocious firefight convinces him to follow his unexpected new ally.

Their first stop is the secluded estate of Malone’s good friend, Henrik Thorvaldsen. The wily Danish tycoon has uncovered the insidious plans of the Paris Club, a cabal of multimillionaires bent on manipulating the global economy. Only by matching wits with a terrorist-for-hire, foiling a catastrophic attack, and plunging into a desperate hunt for Napoleon’s legendary lost treasure can Malone hope to avert international financial anarchy.

But Thorvaldsen’s real objective is much more personal: to avenge the murder of his son by the larcenous aristocrat at the heart of the conspiracy. Thorvaldsen’s vendetta places Malone in an impossible quandary—one that forces him to choose between friend and country, past and present. Starting in Denmark, moving to England, and ending up in the storied streets and cathedrals of Paris, Malone plays a breathless game of duplicity and death, all to claim a prize of untold value. But at what cost?

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.25/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Iemesls, kāpēc Malons aizgāja no dienesta bija pēdējā, šķietami mazsvarīga uzdevuma, traģiska neveiksme, kam par upuri kļuva Henrika Torvaldsena dēls, kas vēlāk rezultējās Malona un Henrika draudzībā. Ja iepriekšējā sērijas grāmatas pamatā Malona interese par tēva likteni, tad šinī Henrika atriebe par nogalināto dēlu (vien par kādu cenu?).

Ar vienu no vainīgajiem Henriks tiek galā jau sākumā, bet, lai tiktu galā ar otru, Greihamu Ašbiju(Graham Ashby), viņš aicina talkā Semu Kolinsu (atlaists no slepenā dienesta savu uzskatu un aktivitāšu dēļ), kā arī Malonu. Bet zinot, ka Kasiopeja visticamāk mēģinātu atrunāt, viņai zvanīts netiek.

Bez atriebes, kā lielais noslēpums izvēlēti iespējamie Napoleona dārgumi, kurus viņš it kā paspējis noslēpt pirms trimdas. Šo dārgumu atrašanā ieinteresēts ir ne vien Ašbijs, bet arī Elīza Larokve. Viņas motivācija vairāk balstās uz ģimeniskām jūtām. Turklāt savākusi kopā pāris bagātu ļaužu ar plānu, kā ar bailēm sabiedrībā, iespējamiem draudiem un aizdevumiem varētu pamatīgi nopelnīt.

Jauniņais galvenākais tēls Sems (juška, ka varētu parādīties tālāk sērijā) likās interesants un labs papildinājums.

Tas, ko Henriks, neparedzēja un neiedomājās, ka arī amerikāņi, un šeit parādās Stefānija, varētu būt ieinteresēti Ašbijā; viņš ir viņu spiegs Elīzas izveidotajā klubiņā.

Diemžēl grāmatas atrisinājums pavisam bēdīgs, un, lai gan maitekļus reizēm neesmu atturējies izpaust, šis tomēr tāds pārāk nozīmīgs, un atliek vienīgi – KĀPĒC?! :/

                                                                                                                                                

The reason why Malone left Magellan Billet was devastating failure of seemingly easy last task which resulted in casualties and one of whom was son of Henrik Thorvaldsen. If the previous books was about Malone and his father than this one is about Henrik’s revenge for murder of his son (but really at what cost?).

One of the perpetrators Henrik kills already at the beginning but to deal with the other one, Graham Ashby, he has to call help – Sam Collins (fired from Justice Department because of his activities and beliefs) and also Cotton Malone. But knowing that Cassiopeia might try to talk him out of it she is left aside.

Without the revenge there are also possible treasure, this time they are treasure that supposedly Napoleon Bonaparte was able to hide away before his exile. In finding them Graham Ashby isn’t the only interested, it’s Eliza Larocque. Hers motivation is based on family-oriented feelings. Furthermore she has gathered together few filthy rich people and she has a plan make them even richer using fear in general public, probable threat and loans.

The new good gut Sam was interesting and a nice addition to the main characters. And I have a feeling that he might show up later in the series.

But what Henrik wasn’t able to anticipate was that Americans (where Stephanie shows up) would be interested in Graham Ashby; he is their spy in Elizas little club.

Unfortunately the book has very sad ending and although from time to time I reveal few spoilers this one is too important. I can just ask WHY?! :/

Pirmdienas teikums #55

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Pirmdienas teikums ir mana versija par Bonespark~ “Sunday Sentence”, kurā tiek izcelts teikums no tā, kas iepriekš izlasīts.

It was familiar territory, expansive and isolated, but its heart remained compact, about two miles long and a mile wide—and had wisely managed for centuries to keep the world at bay.

Steve Berry ‘’The Venetian Betrayal’’ (Cotton Malone book 3)

Steve Berry ”The Charlemagne Pursuit” (Cotton Malone book 4)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

As a child, former Justice Department agent Cotton Malone was told his father died in a submarine disaster in the North Atlantic, but now he wants the full story and asks his ex-boss, Stephanie Nelle, to secure the military files. What he learns stuns him: His father’s sub was a secret nuclear vessel lost on a highly classified mission beneath the ice shelves of Antarctica.

But Malone isn’t the only one after the truth.

Twin sisters Dorothea Lindauer and Christl Falk are fighting for the fortune their mother has promised to whichever of them discovers what really became of their father–who died on the same submarine that Malone’s father captained.

The sisters know something Malone doesn’t: Inspired by strange clues discovered in Charlemagne’ s tomb, the Nazis explored Antarctica before the Americans, as long ago as 1938. Now Malone discovers that cryptic journals penned in “the language of heaven,” inscrutable conundrums posed by an ancient historian, and the ill-fated voyage of his father are all tied to a revelation of immense consequence for humankind.

In an effort to ensure that this explosive information never rises to the surface, Langford Ramsey, an ambitious navy admiral, has begun a brutal game of treachery, blackmail, and assassination. As Malone embarks on a dangerous quest with the sisters–one that leads them from an ancient German cathedral to a snowy French citadel to the unforgiving ice of Antarctica–he will finally confront the shocking truth of his father’s death and the distinct possibility of his own.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.75/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Malonam kopš 10 gadu vecuma nācās uzaugt bez tēvā, jo viņš, būdams jūras kara flotē, mira – pēc oficiālās versijas kopā ar 10 citiem vīriem viņa komandētā zemūdene nogrimusi un nav atrasta. Malons beidzot grib noskaidrot patiesību, nevis samierināties vien ar to, kas atklāts. Tā nu viņš palūdz Stefāniju atgriezt pakalpojumu, un viņa piekrīt nodot viņam vajadzīgo informāciju, bet abi nevar iedomāties, ko tas aizsāks.

Zemūdenes un tēva atrašanā ir ieinteresētas arī māsas Doroteja un Kristla. Lai gan dvīnes, abas ir ļoti atšķirības, turklāt necieš viena otru. Nevarētu teikt, ka māte censtos abas samierināt tieši pretēji. Ne mirkli Malons nevar būt drošs, kam un kurai vairāk var uzticēties.

Tikmēr pāri okeānam Stefānijai iet ne mazāk jautri. Šoreiz kopā ar Edvīnu Grīnu(prezidenta Denija Danielsa tuvs, uzticams padomnieks~) jātiek galā ar Langfordu, admirālis, kurš gatavs radīt(ne personiski) pāris līķu, lai virzītos pa karjeras kāpnēm. Viņa saistība ar kopējo stāstu, ka bijis uz vienīgā kuģa, kas devies meklēt zemūdeni. Atrastais visticamāk šokētu ne vien ASV sabiedrību, bet arī visu pārējo pasauli.

Iemesls, kāpēc bijušas slepenas misijas uz apledojušo Antarktīdu, bijusi kāda varena un ar zināšanām bagāta civilizācija, kas attīstījusies pirms mums un vairākkārt visapkārt pasaulē nodevusi tālāk zināšanas. Tomēr arī pašu viedums šķiet nav bijis neizsmeļams, jo palikuši uz kontinenta pat tad, kad tas pamazām apledojis, pametot vien spiestā kārtā. Prātā nāk dziesma ‘’End of Days’’, kur lirikā vienā minēti vārdi par seno ēģiptiešu piramīdām un elektrību…

To visu varētu, protams, pieskaitīt pie konspirāciju teorijām, bet tik un tā liek aizdomāties.

                                                                                                                                                

Since being 10 Malone was forced to grow up without his father because after the official story his commanded submarine sunk and wasn’t found with ten other in the crew. Malone finally wants to know the truth and not just what has been released. So he asks Stephanie to return a favour and she agrees but neither can imagine what by doing that had started.

Malone isn’t the only one who wants to find father and that sub – sisters Dorothea and Cristl. Despite being twin sister they are very different and resent each other. You couldn’t say that their mother would try to bring them to understanding, just the opposite. Malone can’t be sure for a moment to which he could trust more.

Meanwhile over the ocean Stephanie doesn’t have time to be bored. This time she teams up with Edwin Green (close and reliable adviser for President Danny Daniels). They have to deal with Langford Ramsey, admiral who is willing the create bodies (not himself) so he could move up in his carrier. His connection with the story is that he was on the only ship that went looking for the lost submarine. What was found probably would shock not only Americans but the whole world.

The reason for such secret mission in Antarctica was a mighty civilization, rich with knowledge which developed before us and has travelled all over the planet teaching those societies. Though they may have not been that smart because they left the continent only when forced by the nature (ice). This made me to remember a song ‘’End of Days’’ and words about Egyptians and pyramids – that they had to have electrical power…

This all could be called a conspiracy theory but it makes you think and question things.

Steve Berry ”The Venetian Betrayal” (Cotton Malone book 3)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Locating Alexander the Great’s final resting place-unknown to this day-remains a tantalizing goal for both archaeologists and treasure hunters. Now the quest for this coveted prize is about to heat up. After narrowly escaping a fire that consumes a Danish museum, Cotton Malone-former U.S. Justice Department agent turned rare-book dealer-learns from his friend, the beguiling adventurer Cassiopeia Vitt, that the blaze was part of a campaign of arson intended to mask a far more diabolical design.
From the ashes of the U.S.S.R., a new nation has arisen: the Central Asian Federation. At its helm is Supreme Minister Irina Zovastina, a cunning despot with the single-minded desire to surpass Alexander the Great as history’s ultimate conqueror. The Federation has amassed a harrowing arsenal of biological weapons, and only one thing keeps Zovastina from setting in motion her death march of domination: a miraculous healing serum, kept secret by an ancient puzzle and buried with the mummified remains of Alexander the Great-in a tomb lost to the ages for more than 1,500 years.
Together, Cotton and Cassiopeia must outrun and outthink the forces allied against them in order to unravel a riddle whose solution could destroy or save millions of people-depending on who finds the lost tomb first.

Apraksts: 323. gadā p.m.ē. Aleksandrs Lielais, iekarojis Persiju un gatavodamies doties uz Arābiju, pēkšņi krita par upuri savādam drudzim. Līdz pat mūsdienām nezināmās viņa pēdējās atdusas vietas atrašana ir kārdinošs mērķis gan arheologiem, gan bagātību medniekiem. Tagad sacensība par šo iekārojamo balvu uzliesmojusi ar jaunu spēku. Tikko izglābies no bojāejas postošā ugunsgrēkā, Kotons Malone, bijušais ASV Tieslietu departamenta aģents, no pievilcīgās un drosmīgās Kasiopejas Vitas uzzina, ka šī ugunsnelaime nebija nejaušs gadījums… Kotons un Kasiopeja dodas bīstamās patiesības meklējumos, kas aizvedīs no Dānijas krastiem uz Venēcijas senatnes pieminekļiem…

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Jau trešais piedzīvojums Malonu par spīti tam, ka oficiāli kļuvis par grāmatu tirgotāju. Arī šoreiz viņam neiztikt bez palīdzības no Stefānijas, Henrika un Kasiopejas.

Ja pirmās divas sērijas grāmatas bija par tīri materiālu vērtību un arī svarīgas informācijas meklējumi, tad ‘’Nodevība Venēcijā’’ vēsta par aizraujošu un bez šaubām ļoti bīstamu Aleksandra Lielā jeb Maķedonijas Aleksandra pēdējo atdusas vietu. Bet papildus bez paša Aleksandra pastāv iespēja atrast dabiskas zāles, kas pēc vēsturiskiem avotiem liecina, ka tas spējis dziedēt no dažādām (bīstamām) slimībām.

Bet ir tādi, kas nekautrētos atrasto izmantot savtīgu interešu realizēšanai. Par grāmatas ļaundari varētu dēvēt Centrālās Āzijas Federācijas vadoni Irinu, kura varu notur ar nežēlīgu un dzelžainu spēku. Viņa spējusi ātrā laikā apvienot vairākas teritorijas, bet ar to Irina negrasās apstāties, un, lai sasniegtu plānu realizāciju ir gatava, ka mirst miljoni. Viņas lielākā apsēstība Senā Grieķija un īpaši Aleksandrs Lielais. Kā ļaundaris tiek mēģināts portretēt zāļu kompānijas īpašnieku Enriko Vincenti. Viņa loma saistās tieši ar noslēpumaino zāļu līdzekli, bet patiesībā viņu vada cēli mērķi, pa ceļam vien ar vēlmi vēl vairāk pavairot savu turību. Tas spēj pieveikt pat HIV un AIDS, ņemot vērā šo slimību izplatību nebūtu slikti, ja kas tāds tiešām eksistētu.

Par cik jau šī ir trešā sērijas grāmata, patika, ka autors pievēršas arī galvenāko tēlu personībām, ļaujot viņus iepazīt drusku tuvāk, lai gan ir arī tādi fakti, kas tikuši atkārtoti katrā daļā.

Ja otrās grāmatas faktu skaidrojums bija apbēdinošs, tad šoreiz pretējs efekts. Arī mani fascinējis vēsture par Aleksandru un veiksmīgiem karavadoņiem kā tādiem, piemēram, Atila.

                                                                                                                                                

Despite that Malone has retired from active duty and become a book seller this in a short time is his third adventure. As well as previously also this time he receives help from Stephanie, Henrik and Cassiopeia.

If in the first two books of the series it was about purely material values and also important, valuable information than in ‘’Venetian Betrayal’’ tells about exciting and without doubt very dangerous search for last resting place of Alexandrian the Great. But besides of his body there’s a possibility to find mysterious draught which after historical sources has an ability to cure diseases.

There are parties that would like to use the findings to realize their selfish and vicious plans. Supreme Ministers of Central Asian Federation Irina Zovastina could be villain of this book. She remains in power with cruel strength. In a short time she was able to unite several countries into one but she doesn’t plan to stop with that and she is ready to kill millions. Irina is obsessed with Ancient Greece and especially Alexander the Great. Other character that is portrayed as a villain is Rico Vincenti. His role is connected with the draught but actually he is motivated by noble purpose. Just with innocent want to get even wealthier along the way. The draught (bacteria) is so powerful that it can cure HIV and AIDS; only if that would be true in a real life not just in this book. : )

As this the third in this series then I liked that author allows the reader to get to know the main characters more closely. Although there are facts that are repeated in each book.

If revelation of the real fact were disappointing in the second book then this time it had opposite effect. I’m too fascinated by the history about Alexander and successful military leaders in general like Attila.

Steve Berry ”The Alexandria Link” (Cotton Malone book 2)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Cotton Malone retired from the high-risk world of elite operatives for the U.S. Justice Department to lead the low-key life of a rare-book dealer. But his quiet existence is shattered when he receives an anonymous e-mail: “You have something I want. You’ re the only person on earth who knows where to find it. Go get it. You have 72 hours. If I don’t hear from you, you will be childless.” His horrified ex-wife confirms that the threat is real: Their teenage son has been kidnapped. When Malone’s Copenhagen bookshop is burned to the ground, it becomes brutally clear that those responsible will stop at nothing to get what they want. And what they want is nothing less than the lost Library of Alexandria.

A cradle of ideas–historical, philosophical, literary, scientific, and religious–the Library of Alexandria was unparalleled in the world. But fifteen hundred years ago, it vanished into the mists of myth and legend–its vast bounty of wisdom coveted ever since by scholars, fortune hunters, and those who believe its untold secrets hold the key to ultimate power.

Now a cartel of wealthy international moguls, bent on altering the course of history, is desperate to breach the library’s hallowed halls–and only Malone possesses the information they need to succeed. At stake is an explosive ancient document with the potential not only to change the destiny of the Middle East but to shake the world’s three major religions to their very foundations.

Pursued by a lethal mercenary, Malone crosses the globe in search of answers. His quest will lead him to England and Portugal, even to the highest levels of American government–and the shattering outcome, deep in the Sinai desert, will have worldwide repercussions.

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Vērtējums/Rating: 4.5/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Zudusī Aleksandrijas bibliotēka un milzīgais informācijas daudzums, kas pēc oficiālās versijas pilnībā zudis, bet, ja nu tomēr, kāds būtu paspējis izglābt vismaz daļu? Arī otrā daļa koncentrējas uz reliģijas tēmu, bet šoreiz saistībā par Vecajā Derībā ebreju tautai apsolīto zemi, un, vai Izraēlas teritorija atbilstu oriģinālajos tekstos minētajai, vai arī tā būtu kur citur.

Ir organizācija super-bagāta austrieša Alfrēda Hermana vadībā, kas būtu gatava gūt grandiozu peļņu, ja tāda informācija nonāktu atklātībā. Ieinteresēti būt gan kristieši, gan musulmaņi, gan minētie ebreji.

Savu intrigu piedod politisko līderu aktivitātes ASV, ar kurām mēģina tikt galā Stefānija un Kasiopeja (Cassiopeia Vitt) – abas jau drusku iepazītas pirmajā grāmatā. Vēl viens tēls no ‘’The Templars Legacy’’, abu dāmu un Malona sabiedrotais – ar savām interesēm (vecā nauda) un arī lielu bagātību apveltītais Henriks Torvaldsens.

Alexandria Link – misijas nosaukums pirms pieciem gadiem, pēc kuras Malons ir vienīgais, kurš zina par sargājamā subjekta pašreizējo atrašanos, un nav nemaz pagājis tik ilgs brīdis kopš saskares ar templiešiem, kad Malons jau spiests atkal iesaistīties dzīvību apdraudošā piedzīvojumā. Spiests, jo nolaupīts dēls Garijs.

Bibliotēkas meklējumos Malons nav viens, to laikā iespēja nogludināt attiecības ar bijušo; kā arī līdzās ienaidnieks, kurš jāpieciešas.

Beigās no autora puses izdomātu un reālu faktu skaidrojums, kas pat vairāk sarūgtināja : )

                                                                                                                                                

The lost Library of Alexandria and the vast amount of information and documents which officially has been completely lost but what if it wasn’t? The second book of this series also concentrates on religion but this time it’s about Israel, its territory and is it the correct one. Does match the one mentioned in the Old Testament?

The Order of the Golden Fleece led by Alfred Hermann is surely ready and willing to take economical advantages if the information that the promised land is elsewhere would become public.

Some intrigue to the plot comes from political leader activities in USA, with whom Stephanie Nelle and Cassiopeia Vitt tries to tackle – both were active in the first book. The other know character and participating on Malones side with his own agenda – the rich Henrik Thorvaldsen.

Alexandria link was a mission five years ago after which Malone was the only one to know where his protected subject lives. Malone didn’t have much time to rest after the interaction with Templars. He is forced in the action because his Gary gets kidnapped.

Malone isn’t alone in his search for the lost library, he is accompanied with ex-wife Pam – a chance to repair relationship; also they have to tolerate the company of an enemy.

At the end there are explanations about imagined and actual facts which were a bit disappointing : )

Steve Berry ”The Templar Legacy” (Cotton Malone book 1)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

The ancient order of the Knights Templar possessed untold wealth and absolute power over kings and popes… until the Inquisition, when they were wiped from the face of the earth, their hidden riches lost. But now two forces vying for the treasure have learned that it is not at all what they thought it was–and its true nature could change the modern world.

Cotton Malone, one-time top operative for the U.S. Justice Department, is enjoying his quiet new life as an antiquarian book dealer in Copenhagen when an unexpected call to action reawakens his hair-trigger instincts–and plunges him back into the cloak-and-dagger world he thought he’d left behind.

It begins with a violent robbery attempt on Cotton’s former supervisor, Stephanie Nelle, who’s far from home on a mission that has nothing to do with national security. Armed with vital clues to a series of centuries-old puzzles scattered across Europe, she means to crack a mystery that has tantalized scholars and fortune-hunters through the ages by finding the legendary cache of wealth and forbidden knowledge thought to have been lost forever when the order of the Knights Templar was exterminated in the fourteenth century. But she’s not alone. Competing for the historic prize–and desperate for the crucial information Stephanie possesses–is Raymond de Roquefort, a shadowy zealot with an army of assassins at his command.

Welcome or not, Cotton seeks to even the odds in the perilous race. But the more he learns about the ancient conspiracy surrounding the Knights Templar, the more he realizes that even more than lives are at stake. At the end of a lethal game of conquest, rife with intrigue, treachery, and craven lust for power, lies a shattering discovery that could rock the civilized world–and, in the wrong hands, bring it to its knees.

                                                                                                                                                

Apraksts: Senajam Tempļa bruņinieku ordenim piederēja neiedomājamas bagātības un absolūta vara pār karaļiem un pāvestiem, līdz inkvizīcija un Francijas Filips IV viņus noslaucīja no zemes virsas, bet viņu paslēptās bagātības tika nozaudētas. Mūsdienās vairāki spēki sacenšas, meklējot Tempļa ordeņa Lielo mantojumu, kas, iespējams, ir daudz nozīmīgāks par jebkādiem pasaules dārgumiem un var pat pārvērst mūsdienu pasauli. Kad noslēpumam pietuvojas kādreizējais specvienības kaujinieks Malons, viņa dzīvība ir mata galā…

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Lejuplādēju no torenta

Vērtējums/Rating: 3.75/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Cik nu patiesi, vai drīzāk pieskaņoti literārajam darbam, tad vēsturiskie fakti minēti ļoti daudz. Vēl viena interesanta versija par Templiešu ordeni, kas ļāva viņiem kļūt tik vareniem, kur palika lielā bagātība, viņu sagrāves laikā.

Malons jau vairāk kā gadu nav aktīvajā dienestā, tā vietā pieder antīku/senu grāmatu veikals Kopenhāgenā. Šķietami nevainīga bijušās priekšnieces Stefānijas vēlme satikties iesaista viņu mežonīgā piedzīvojumā un senu mīklu risināšanā uz augstām likmēm.

Ja kādam šķiet, ka Templieši tika sagrauti, tad viņš kļūdās. Vadoņa nāve un jaunā ievēlēšana, kurš jau personīgi bija centies atrast zudušo, paātrina notikumu gaitu. Bet arī pašā ordenī nav vienprātības, kas, ja bagātības un zināšanas tiktu atgūtas, būtu darāms tālāk.

Stefānijas motivācija ir vienkārša. Kamēr viņas vīrs (pētnieks, vēsturnieks) bija dzīvs, Stefānija neko no viņa darīta neņēma par pilnu, kas arī viens no iemesliem, kāpēc atsvešinājās arī no dēla. Šajā ziņā būs necerēta otrā iespēja (abiem). Savas atziņas arī Malonam tiks.

Netrūkst ‘’spēlētāji’’ no malas, kas gan agrāk, gan stāsta darbības laikā mēģina iesaistīties.

Protams, par iemesliem ordeņa varenībai tiek minēts, ka Jēzus bijis vien parasts cilvēks bez jebkādas brīnumainas augšāmcelšanās. Kā būtiskas ik palaikam tiek piesauktas pretrunas reliģiskajos tekstos. Personīgi galīgi neesmu reliģiozs un arī ne no ticīgajiem, bet žēl par dažu tēlu rīcību grāmatas beigās. Toties bagātības vismaz būs pielietotas kaut cik lietderīgi.

Cepure nost mīklu un piedzīvojuma sastādītājam! : )

                                                                                                                                                

As to how truthful the historical facts mentioned in this book I don’t know but they’re a lot. Another interesting version about Templars, what allowed them to become so powerful and where all their treasure remained.

For more than a year Malone has retired from active duty and become an antique book seller in Copenhagen. But seemingly innocent visit from ex-boss Stephanie throws him back into action on high stakes.

If anyone thought that Templars were completely destroyed then they are wrong. Recent death of the master and election of a new one, who were already searching for the Great Devise, accelerates the events. But even between themselves in the order there are disagreements about what to do if and when it is found.

Stephanie’s motivation is very simple. While her husband Lars was alive she considered his work and passion as foolishness. Which was on of the reasons why her relationship with son Mark departed. There will be chances for both of them to make things better. Few realizations for Malone too.

There are plenty side players that would be happy to have some piece from treasure.

The reasons why Templars were so strong of course are religious (Christianity) and considers Jesus himself, that he was just a man to which I agree. Frequently there are mentioned contradictions in the religious texts. Personally I’m not a religious person or a believer but I hoped that characters would have done something different with that information. But at least the value of those treasures will be used usefully.

Steve Berry ”The Admiral’s Mark” (Cotton Malone book 0.5)

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Grāmatas apraksts no Goodreads/Synopsis from Goodreads:

Eight years ago Cotton Malone was an agent for the Justice Department, handling the toughest and most sensitive international investigations. But sometimes things became intensely personal. In his latest eBook original short story, New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry lays out just such a tale—one with shocking historical implications.

Cotton Malone never cared for the shady dealings of his brother-in-law, Scott Brown. But when Scott dies while scuba diving, Cotton’s wife and her grieving sister demand more than just a secondhand police report. So Malone heads to Haiti. There, beneath crystal clear waters, he learns that Scott found the sunken wreckage of the Santa Maria, the fabled flagship of Christopher Columbus, and he paid for the discovery with his life. Setting out to piece together what happened, Malone quickly realizes that he’s not the only man there with questions. An Israeli intelligence agent is in top secret pursuit of what Scott died trying to protect. And a sinister Austrian with a hidden agenda has no qualms about killing for the mysterious prize. On the hunt for something that has been lost for 500 years, Malone is suddenly enmeshed in a deadly cat and mouse game being played across the north shore of Haiti and beneath the Caribbean Sea—and he’ll have to fight just to get out of there alive.

Features an exciting preview of Steve Berry’s much-anticipated new thriller, The Columbus Affair

Izdevniecība/Publisher: Ballantine Books

Kā tiku pie šīs grāmatas?/How I got this book?

Kā bonuss ‘’The Columbus Affair’’ beigās

Vērtējums/Rating: 2.75/5

Mana recenzija/My review

Malona sievas brālis Skots miris noslēpumainos apstākļos nirstot netālu no Haiti, tieši tāpēc viņa sieva mudina noskaidrot kaut ko vairāk, nekaitē, ka Malons ir aģents.

Malons tiek ieintriģēts, jo darbībā parādās gan Izraēlas slepenais dienests, gan arī Saimons, kas vien liecina, cik dziļi nepazīstamā teritorijā bija iekūlies Skots. Toms pieminēts vien dažos teikumos tā starp citu.

Notikumi risinās astoņus gadus pirms ‘’The Columbus Affair’’, nebūt neprasās būt lasījušam šo stāstu, vien kā interesants papildinājums.

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Brother-in-law of Cotton Malone dies mysteriously while diving near Haiti, that’s why his wife urges him to investigate and find something more. It doesn’t harm that Malone is an agent.

Cotton Malone gets intrigued after knowing the involvement of Israel and also Zachariah Simon which makes clear how deep his brother-in-law Scott was. Tom is mentioned only briefly.

This story tells about events eight years ago before ‘’The Columbus Affair’’ but there is no need to read this before, just an interesting addition.

Paldies par atbalstu! – Patreon