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Rating: 
Summary: Where is Indiana Jones?
Review: I really love Indy. Have the movies, the soundtracks, the books, the comics, the pc games... man, I'm crazy about this archeologist. But, where is Indy in this Martin Caidin's novel? I wonder if he ever saw the films! His Indy looks more like James Bond or McGyver. I know that new stories with Indy need knew enemies, new scenarios and knew plots... but, for God's sake, respect the character! You cam't just create an empty character and call him Indiana Jones!!! But the truth is... true Indy you can only find in the 3 movies.
Rating:
Summary: Where's the action, adventure and wonder?
Review: I'd previously read one other Indiana Jones novel; 'Indiana Jones and The Unicorn's Legacy' which was an OK read if a little heavy on the archeology and light so on the adventure.
I'm a pretty firm believer that Indy belongs on a movie screen - he lives be means of a sublime combination of Harrison Ford's performance, Steven Speilberg's creative genius, John Williams' music and many other assorted factors that make his world and his adventures exciting and entertaining. I didn't really care for the "Young Indy chronicles" TV show. However, this genre interests me. I was a fan of the "Six Million Dollar Man" TV show - based on the novel "Cyborg" by the same author. So, it was with keen interest that I picked this book up. This preamble is to put my thoughts on this book in context. On the plus side, the story opens well with some action, mystery and fantastic ideas, and there is an exciting climax. The secondary characters - many are introduced throughout - are interesting and suitably colorful. However, that's really all I can think to say in a positive vein. The Gale Parker character is under developed. Romance with Indy is alluded to and not fulfilled, it's mentioned that she is descended from a witch, but this doesn't go anywhere, she hunts with a crossbow but this is not really exploited either.
Generally there are none of the key ingredients for an Indiana Jones adventure. In fact this adventure should not even involve Indiana Jones. He is not a spy or crime-fighter. There is an idea related to an ancient metal cube that seems to be the impetus for having Indy involved, but this is weak and is revealed very early on as a mcguffin, dispelling any sense of wonder or any reason to involve an archeologist. What follows is a meandring and complicated tale, which rather than being a fun mystery or adventure is simply confusing. As a reader I felt in the dark, annoyingly so.
There is no real connection to the Indy world we know from the movies. For example, there's a major scene in 'Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom' involving a Ford Trimotor and Indy's inability to fly it and the subsequent crash. A Ford Trimotor features prominently in this book, as does Indy's desire to learn to fly it. Despite all this no reference is made to tie the book to the movie. Adding insult to injury is the number of pages devoted to the Trimotor.. I feel like I could probably fly one myself having read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: What an action packed, smart book!
Review: This book had great chracters for example: Tarkiz Belem- Indy's bodyguard, William Cromwell- pilot and ace war hero, Rene Foulis- another ace fighter in world war I, and Gale Parker- Indy's friend. This book was extrodanerily smart and action packed! The only complaint was that Indy just isn't Indy in this book. But I give it a 5!
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