Forever Art: A Thriller

Rating:
Summary: Good Book!
Review: Daniela Ruiz's thriller is good. She writes about some of last century's blackest moments with confidence and maturity while steering clear of clichés. April Mercier, the book's heroine, is a character of great depth caught in a battle with her past, present and future. Characters, both good and bad, feed the intensifying storm until it boils over into a full-blown hurricane and rips through the art worlds of New York and Paris. I enjoyed every moment of the ride and Forever Art is a good addition to any thrillerphile's collection.

Rating:
Summary: Most pleasant surprise!
Review: If you're looking for something along the lines of Da Vinci code, Forever Art is a book that will surely surprise you. It surely exceeded my expectations! Similar to how Dan Brown draws you into Robert Langdon's exploits, Forever Art's plot blends historical fact that will allow you to be educated in the art world, while the at the same keep you on your toes from the exciting twists throughout the novel. But if you're worried that Forever Art is a mere replica of Brown's style, put your doubts aside. Her background (found on her site http://www.danielaruiz.com/about.htm), allows you to step inside the fanciful world of fashion and art she grew up in, rather than that of an academic observer simply writing about anecdotal experiences. This allows her to speak in her own unique voice, and at the same time, lends credibility to the powerful story she deftly writes.


Rating:
Summary: One Word: Utterly Amazing...
Review: Ok so that's two words, but who cares! This is a thrilling read from page one. The story line grabs your attention from the get go and doesn't let go at any point of the emotional rollercoaster. As many reviewers have already pointed out, Ms. Ruiz has almost certainly created a work of art akin to that of the Da Vinci Code. Whereas Dan Brown focuses on religion and science, Ms. Ruiz focuses on Art and Art History. Nonetheless, the emotions, drama, suspense, action and unpredictable twists are ever the present. As an avid fan of suspense and thriller type novels, I completely recommend this book to any other fan of the genres. Five out of Five.

Rating:
Summary: Splendid thriller!
Review: Seamlessly done, Forever Art displays a cadre of characters whom you would surely both adore and despise. Regardless, you will surely embrace the tenacity and the uniqueness of each one. The story leaves your mouth agape from the first page until the very last.

Indubitably one of the most fascinating thrillers I have read, this novel is filled with conspiracy, passion, and deceit. This book takes you to very exotic places and chills your very bones. It is full of riveting dialogue that keeps you mesmerized. The tone is pleasant, the pace is fast. In other words, this book will leave you at the edge of your seat at all times. For anyone interested in art, fashion, travel, and suspense, this book is very addictive. It will make you probe the topic even further and will leave you with a plethora of interesting facts. Every single chapter includes interesting twists and contains absolutely no frivolous interruptions. The level of intensity is almost unfathomable ... the frightening situations seemingly tangible.

The novel follows April Mercier, New York's most famous art agent, closely as she wanders instinctively into the world and tries to find out who she really is. She is wanted for murder when her most successful artist unexpectedly commits suicide. She discovers the lost Paris Collections, perhaps the most powerful collection of art collection to have ever existed. She loses a deal with New York's wealthiest landowner to manage his new collection and flees New York in disgrace, only one step ahead of the cops, who want her as a suspect in the artist's murder.

And when her sadistic husband Paul dies, he leaves her the world's most sought-after art collection. It's hers - if she can decipher the clues to its location. But once she finds it, April's delight turns to dismay when she realizes the collection is composed of paintings stolen from Jews murdered by the Nazis during World War II. This fabled `Paris Collection' contains over two hundred acknowledged masterpieces long thought to have perished in the war. Now, unless she handles it just right, this notorious collection is sure to destroy the family name.

Daniela Ruiz's polished and powerful prose is not only flawless but depicts an enigmatic topic in a very lucid manner. Her skills as a novelist prevents this thriller from becoming hackneyed, making it a refreshing change from books of the similar topic. Ruiz is witty and writes from the heart. She is one of the best up-and-coming novelists around in this genre and certainly follows critically acclaimed top novelists such as Dan Brown. I would not be surprised if this story were made into a movie. My library is relatively large but this book stands out from the rest. I cannot wait to read her subsequent books!


Rating:
Summary: The next da vinci code
Review: The novel is fraught with excellent prose, eccentric characters, and an exciting story. For the faint-hearted - BEWARE! There are a myriad of twists and turns that will leave you hanging each time. Forever Art is a fantastic debut by a very promising author.