The Eight

Rating:
Summary: Fun read until the end
Review: The Eight is a truly exciting and amazing story. The eighteenth century portions are enthralling. There are stories within stories within stories. As for the twentieth century plotline, it's helpful to remember when one is reading the book today, that it is set in the '70's--a full generation ago. Women doing the kind of work the heroine does were rarer then than they are now. However, I was very disappointed in the solution to the mystery. As I read the last few pages of the book, I thought, is that all there is? I found The Magic Circle's ending more satisfying, and The Calculated Risk remains my favorite Neville book.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't resist the subject matter.
Review: I love chess. I enjoy fantasy fiction(among other genres). I work with computers. So I couldn't resist picking up this book when I saw the subject matter involved all three.

The story line is enjoyable -- a lot of cameos from great historical figures like Catherine the Great, Napolean, and Voltaire (just to name a few). Neville weaves a nice plot with some interesting ideas. Had it not been for the subject matter keeping my interest, I would have given the book 2 stars.

What is lacking? Craft. Her writing is mechanical and reads like an ameteur detective novel.

Rating:
Summary: Ridiculous!
Review: Ms. Neville appears to think that a plot that barrels along at top speed, throws in a couple dozen historical figures, changes locations, time periods and players with regularity makes for fine fiction! The primary characters are caricatures of the intrepid heroine, the mysterious hero(es), and the amusing side-kick. Don't waste your time with this one.

Rating:
Summary: almost a one star
Review: I can't give this book an one star like I'd like to only because I finished it. You see, if it was truly awful I would not have got to the end at all. The only saving grace for me was the descriptions of the exotic lands this book took me to, Algeria and the Sahara Desert especially. The descriptions were much better than the story. Heck, the more I think of it, if I wanted descriptions of settings, I could have read a tour guide and have been entertained. I have changed my mind, I will rate it one star after all.

Rating:
Summary: Please DO NOT buy this book!!!
Review: I am unfortunately a slow reader, so can often take a month to get through an average sized novel. I'm also the sort of person who, having started a particular book, will always look to finish it. So having spent a good few weeks reading this TRIPE (& moaning continually to my girlfriend about how bad it is) I really wish I hadn't. I enjoyed Da Vinci code (but don't agree with the hype) and on that basis a friend recommended this to me - I just don't see the link, as this is boring, poorly written nonsense. I'm having a barbecue tomorrow night & already know how I'm gonna get that fire started...

Rating:
Summary: Not a good read
Review: The premise of this book intrigued me (I like the genre), but I found the story both boring and laughable. Basically, there is this magic chess set that has these super powers. Everyone that is notable in history (I mean EVERYONE) has sought after them. I book the book thinking that the premise was based on a real world legend (like the Da Vinci Code). It is not.

There are 2 plot lines. 1 takes place in the past where these 2 women helped save the chess set from some evil person. There is also a plot line in the present where 2 women are seeking the chess set to save it from evil people. I did not find the women to be likeable nor realistic characters. They seemed to take everything without much surprise. (Oh, a magic chess set. We can find it after a glass of Chardonnay). They also get naked a lot.

I feel that the author attempted to be clever by relating the plot back to an actual chess game. For me, it did not work. I found it amusing that everyone in the book seemed to accept that they were pieces of a chess game without much questioning.

If you are interested in finding another Da Vinci Code, this is not the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: One of the worst books I have ever read.
Review: I suspect that most of the 5 star reviews for this book come from readers of Harlequin romances who think that "The Eight" is great literature. After reading the first few chapters, I knew that the writing was horrible, but I continued reading with the hope that the plot would become interesting. Unfortunately, it only became absurd. For example, the characters meet many historical figures, from Napoleon to Benedict Arnold to Catherine the Great, who all know something about the "secret" of the Montglane Chess Service. And every historical figure has a "tale" involving other historical figures, who know "formulas", "solutions", and "secrets" that nobody else has been able to find. After a few hundred pages, this gets to be very boring and repetitious. The few "action scenes don't provide any excitement, since there is never any doubt that the heroine will escape. Please, unless you're a Harlequin reader, don't waste your time with this book.

Rating:
Summary: Smart Page-Turning Fun
Review: Complex and sometimes difficult to keep track of, this book incorporates all my favorite topics of trivia, knowledge and simple curiosity. The strong female lead was refreshing and the adventure she goes on is engaging.

Yes, there may be some flights of fancy, factual inconsistencies and a few literary liberties - but it's still one heck of a fun read.

Bottomline: A fabulous read that was nearly impossible to put down.

Rating:
Summary: A Real Dazzler, if a Bit Fantasy Inspired!
Review: Where are the legendary chess pieces, the ones that may open the door for the always hidden holy grail!? Are a group of French nuns right before the 1789 Revolution on the road to this amazing clue that may answer the questions of history and philosophy, perhaps Christianity itself?! You won't know till you read this lengthy, fun, connect the dots fantasy that weaves the lives of a present day computer whiz kid (much like author we may presume) and the mysterious exploits of nuns and many others (including historical personages like the painter JL David, among many others). So relax by the fireside and dig into this minor masterpiece for a trip thru some strange and wild journeys through time!

Rating:
Summary: A few too many errors
Review: This was a good book; well-written, etc....just as many other reviewers have stated. However, there were a few too many factual errors.