The Ape Who Guards the Balance

Rating:
Summary: I laughed, I cried - Amelia and Emerson are back
Review: Now that Peters has gone beyond the original romantic-suspense parody premise, the resonance of 20th century issues is felt within these books. Yes, still funny, and the romance between the long-married Emersons is present, but the realities of Europeans living/working in the middle east is significant in this plot. I'm not sure that I like Ramses very much in his adult incarnation, but his continuing romantic predicament is still developing. (Or maybe it's that I don't find Nefret as interesting as he does.) Still, I had to put this book down to cry repeatedly in the last few chapters. Fans have lived with these characters for 20 years, so I hope Ms. Peters is flattered that we care.

Rating:
Summary: Better and better
Review: I simply feel that these books get better and better. I feel a part of the Emerson family and enjoy the humor, drama and adventure of it all. This was the best yet and I can't wait for more. I hope Vicki Bliss returns someday soon, but as long as Amelia is here I'll wait!

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: I found this book to be enjoyable, but not quite as good as the previous books in the series. Amelia and Emerson have paled, and the only thing that really held my attention was the activities of the younger characters. I did like the section where the Emersons come up against their prejudices. I will read the next book just to see what happens with ramses and nefret. I do agree with a previous reader who wanted more Vick Bliss books!

Rating:
Summary: Delightful!!
Review: This book was delightful. I love all of the Peabody mysterys, because they really amuse me. This book certainly had some unexpected twists though. I enjoyed the active sub-plot of Ramses Nefret and David. This book even made me cry at one point!! That does not happen all the time. All-in-all I think that this book was a fun ride and a delightful experience.

Rating:
Summary: Ramses and Nefret promise to be as intriguing as Peabody.
Review: I've really enjoyed the focus on the younger characters in the last couple of books, and I'm rooting for Ramses and Nefret to get together. We already know what made Amelia tick. Now it's time for her son to shine a little bit. I wouldn't mind reading a book only about Ramses, who I enjoyed from his first appearance in this series. I think David will probably end up with "little Amelia," daughter of Walter and Evelyn.

Rating:
Summary: absolutely awful.
Review: I was very disappointed in this book. I really liked the Amelia Peabody installments up to the time when Ramses and Nefret became more active. I think Elizabeth Peters is stretching herself too thin, and should stop with this series. I could not focus on this book, and every time I picked it up, I couldn't remember what had been happening. It was very incoherent and the plot was lame. Don't buy this book!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Please-no more Amelia!
Review: It is very clear that Ms. Peters enjoys writing Amelia books. I see also from the reviews posted here that a lot of other people enjoy them. I like them too. But please - can we see more of Jacqueline Kirby or Vicky Bliss? Those are the characters I love! This book was just too much to get through; I found myself skipping whole sections and hoping the next Elizabeth Peters book will be about Jacqueline or Vicky, which unfortunately I see will not be the case. Forgive me, but the Amelia books have turned into rehashes and repeats.

Rating:
Summary: yay
Review: i'm in love with ramses!!!!!! i can't wait to see what happens between him and nefret. i liked manuscript H, and enjoyed the children's larger importance in the story. amelia and emerson are not the same, however, and i liked them better in previous books. i can't wait for elizabeth peter's next book.

Rating:
Summary: TEN STARS!!!!!!
Review: WONDERFUL!!! I adore all of the Amelia Peabody books. I have read them many times, but this is my favorite so far. (I say that every time!) They just keep getting better. I love the way she now includes the thoughts of the younger members of the family. Ramses has developed into quite a character. I am interested to see what develops between he and Nefret. I anxiously await more of Manuscript H. Can Elizabeth Peters top herself after this one? I can't wait to find out!!

Rating:
Summary: A "must read" for the avid mystery lover
Review: Well, Ms. Peters, you've done it again. I could hardly put this bookdown. This episode was another tantilizingly brief encounter with the Emerson family, and in some respects, it raises more questions than it answers. Everyone who has followed the stories of both the Emersons and Vikky Bliss have probably noticed that there are clues as to a possible relationship between John Tregarth and the Emersons. Could "Sir John" be a great grandson of Ramses and Nefret? Maybe... And as for Ramses and Nefret, I've enjoyed seeing how these two have developed very real personalities- influenced by Amelia and Emerson, but not identical to them. There really isn't any way for me to discribe 'The Ape Who Guards the Balance' without stealing or recycling well-known phrases such as, "It had me on the edge of my seat..." or, "A thouroughly entertaining romp...", so I'm not going to try. My advice to anyone familiar or unfamiliar with the Amelia Peabody series is: READ IT! I promise you won't regret it!