The Prometheus Deception

Rating:
Summary: Action packed with all the bells and buzzers
Review: "Prometheus Deception" is a very good thiller by Robert Ludlum. I'm a relatively new reader of Ludlum novels and am pleased to find this book consistent in quality with some of his others. I've read "The Road to Omaha" and the Bourne series. This one is very much akin to the Bourne series in that the main character is double crossed by those he trusts most. Deception is a very apt title qualifier because that's basically what happens throughout the novel in this multi-twisted plots. This books' plot would be a screenwriter's nightmare, yet the twists are done tastefully, creatively and with credibility. Our leading character and spy runs around so many places it almost makes the reader tired trying to catch up with him. I loved Ludlum's knowledge of the high-tech arms that his character's use to fight and defend. This lends to the authenticity of the novel. Most of the characters are fleshed out adaquately. The villians are contemptuous and without mercy. Ludlum describes his violent scenes with much bloodshed which adds to the excitement of the moment. If his book was a movie, it would definately be rate NR-18. It's not for the faint-hearted. I've found that Ludlum typically winds up the climax quickly ending the novels with the hero on some sandy beach in the Bahama's, but the pleasure of a Ludlum read, "Prothemeus Deception," not withstanding, is in the journey to the end. This book is a fast read with action on every page turn. You'll like it if you like political intrigue and action. Solo.

Rating:
Summary: A Spectacular Thriller
Review: After reading the Bourne Identity series, I felt impelled to read other books by Robert Ludlum. I picked this one up completely by chance, since both the title and the cover appealed to me. I am extremely interested in spy novels, so I checked it out of the library once I skimmed through the introduction. At first, I have to admit, I was contemplating putting it down because it seemed a but lengthy, but since I always have to know the ending, I kept my eyes peeled. Towards the middle of the book, I realized what an action-packed read this was. I literally had to tear myself away from it. I actually enjoyed The Prometheus Deception just as much, if not more than The Bourne Identity.

Rating:
Summary: Amazingly bad
Review: Dear me. This was the first Ludlum book I have read and I am afraid to say it will definitely also be the last. This book would probably make a good film, in much the same way as "The Bourne Identity", however the book quickly becomes tiring as Bryson careers from one ultra violent setpiece to the next. He also seems to be both the stupidest and the luckiest man alive as time and again some unbelievably lucky occurance saves his back-side at the last minute, rather like those old black and white Saturday morning flicks when the hero was last seen plumetting over a cliff - only to find out the following Saturday that he had in fact, unseen by the camera, jumped out of the doomed car at the last minute.

Another BIG problem with this book is Ludlum's insistence on having two characters elaborately explain things to each other (on subjects that they would already know inside out - rather like two car mechanics elaborately explaining to each other the reasons and benefits of putting oil into a car engine) just for the sake of informing the reader. This makes for pathetically unrealistic dialogue, is extremely tiring and is the mark of a very bad writer. There are several very tedious examples of this littered throughout the book and they quickly grind you down.

This is simply not a good book. It may be exciting in so far as it is little more than action scene after action scene however if this is what you want then your time would be much better spent watching a "Die Hard" movie or even "The Bourne Identity". As far as a demonstration of writing skills go this book is an absolute turkey of the highest order. If you still don't believe me fair enough, but do yourself a favour and borrow this book from a public library before buying.

Rating:
Summary: I'm trying so hard to like it.
Review: I keep waiting for something to spark my interest and make me feel my time has not been wasted. Finally!! This book has been the very best book I have read since "The Bourne Identity ".To me, he reached his peak with "The Bourne Identity". I consider "The Bourne Identity" to be the greatest "thriller" I ever read.
After some of his posthumous books have been a little shaky, but this really shines.
Having read almost all of Ludlum's work, "the Prometheus deception" is clearly among Ludlum's best. Ludlums ideas of interrogation, planning and confusion are really what makes this book great to read . I simply can't say enough positives about this fantastic read.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I've read most of Ludlum's so this one was a bit disappointing. Too formulaic and downright lazy in parts. The dialogue was sloppy. One too many "oh my gods" made me think the characters were more wowed than I was.
Aquitane Progression and the Bourne trilogy rules.

Rating:
Summary: Whoever edited this book should be spanked.
Review: In Austin Powers, Scotty says "You've got a time machine, why don't you just go back and shoot him when he's on the crapper!" That's how I felt after reading this book.

--SPOILER ALERT-- Can someone please explain to me why Manning and Waller allowed Bryson to set up and trigger the disruptor that caused Manning's estate to burn and foil their plans? The scene where Bryson's learns he's been under surveillance for the past 10 years negates the whole plot! The bad guys not only know everything he's done, but everything he's planned to do.

And this is just one of many inconsistencies in the book. I give it two stars because finding so many inconsistencies in a best-seller it made me feel so superior.

Rating:
Summary: Strong start, weak ending
Review: Once again Robert Ludlum delivers his usual mix of espionage action and excitement. As always he puts the readers on the edge of their seats. I read The Prometheus Deception a second time and it is one of the best written by this outstanding author.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome!!!
Review: Outstanding thriller and one of Ludlum's best! Action, drama, suspense, lost love, double crosses...all the trademarks of this master of international espionage.