Atlantis Code

Sadly, disappointing.

Setting aside preconceptions from The DaVinci Code, The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw is about a Harvard linguistics professor, Thomas Lourds, who stumbles across an ancient artifact wanted by a secret group of Cardinals from the Vatican. Together with television journalist Leslie, and Russian police officer Natashya, Lourds travels the globe in search of five ancient instruments inscribed with an untranslatable language, somehow linked to the lost city of Atlantis. Where did the instruments come from? Are the ruins in Spain really Atlantis? And how can Lourds and his women escape the evil Cardinal Murani with their lives intact? These are the types of plots and action and conspiracies which I adore in a book. Running for your lives, secret languages, ancient artifacts, evil dudes wearing robes. I eat these things for lunch.
Brokaw's twist on an often used stock-plot (Catholic Church hides something, and someone else must discover it) was new and unique and I was thankful that it kept me entertained. This is the reason I kept reading. Sadly, it's the only thing I really liked about the book.
Before I get started on the things I didn't like, I will confess something: I'm a woman. I know, shocking. But I'm saying that now because in case some guy reads this and thinks I'm biased because of my gender, I will also say that I'm not a moron. I know how the male brain works, but I also know how books should work and they're not supposed to placate to the male fantasy of travelling across the globe while two hot chicks fight over you. Less is more, but Brokaw's sexual undertones were blatantly obvious and annoying. From the first time Lourds meets Leslie and appreciates her trim figure, to the second time he sees her, wearing a crop top and a belly ring. It became too frequent, and too sickening. Especially when Natashya enters the picture, with trench coat and pockets full of guns. I believe Brokaw enjoyed turning her from a masculine character smoking a cigar, into a feminine vixen wearing pajamas with no panties later in the novel. It's a shame it was more for his own pleasure than that of the reader's. He does not hate women, but he certainly enjoyed making them into stereotypes for his own entertainment. Lourds is middle-aged, but sexy; intelligent and kind. But he's a pig. He can't possibly understand why two women fight over him? And Leslie can still find time to be jealous when she's running for her life? And Natashya, really? I had faith that you of all of them would remain normal, but no. Sadly, the only character who lived up to my expectation was the evil Cardinal Murani. He knew what it meant to be a villain.
I'd give this book 1 star for the character of Lourds, 1 star for Leslie, 2 stars for Natashya, 3 stars for the bad guys, 3 stars for the writing, 4 stars for the plot and twist on religious conspiracy, 1 star for the ending with the women, and 3 stars for the ending with the plot resolution. Average: 2.25 which rounds down to 2.
So there, 2 stars. I received this book from GoodReads First Reads program and I was excited to start it. I do not enjoy giving bad reviews, and I'm sorry that I have to, but it's necessary. We don't read books just for plots, we read them because we enjoy the characters and relate to them. I thought Thomas Lourds was going to be a great character, he had all the beginnings of one, but he decided to think with his libido more than his brain, and I can't enjoy that when it happens every 10 pages.

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Certainly NOT "The DaVinci Code"

If you like stories with one very strong woman, a poorly defined hero and a race to find a 'treasure', then you'll enjoy this book. For someone listed as an academic, the writing is a little labored and the editing is not up to par (spelling/grammar). The idea for the book is good, some sequences are exciting, if predictable, and the ending just so-so. Thomas Lourds is not Indiana Jones and is constantly chasing clues while expecting others to protect him. What a disappointment! I wasn't expecting Dirk Pitt, but it would have been nice to have more than running around looking for clues and sex to define the character.
I read the whole book, but it's going into the bag of books for the used book store...not one that I would recommend or keep.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

THE ATLANTIS CODE is a hyperspeed thriller

Cardinal Stefano Murani and his allies believe archeologist Thomas Lourds has found a priceless artifact in Alexandria, Egypt that they want and plan to take from him. Apparently Lourds has found a relic that links the lost continent of Atlantis with the Old Testament.

Meanwhile TV reporter Leslie Crane interviews Lourds for a documentary. However Murani's thugs murder the show's producer and go after the reporter and the archeologist. Lourds and Crane barely escape, but are on the run with Murani's horde in pursuit. As they flee from Africa to Europe, their adversaries chase after them with orders to retrieve the find and kill the finders; collateral damage is no issue to Cardinal Murani or his followers.

THE ATLANTIS CODE is a hyperspeed thriller that races through two continents at a breakneck pace. Filled with action as the pursuers constantly catch up with the lead couple, but like a Houdini, they manage to escape from one peril after another. This is fun to read sort of like a pulp thriller as the constant bad guys' assault attacks on the heroes dramatically overwhelm the biblical archeological premise.

Harriet Klausner

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A good but not great piece of literature.

I kept wanting the book to move on. The characters are quite well painted, but the reality portrayed just doesn't quite get there. The bad guys are really bad, the good guys are really good, so there is not much to wonder about while reading this book. I recommend it as a fun read. I won't keep it in my library, in fact, I have already taken it to my local library.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazing

Hi ther this book was the best book ever i dieed over it

0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

sweet

just awesome

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Atlantis

Finding Atlants this is what Lourds is trying to do. I have read "Angels and Demons" from that book to this book wow have to say that Atlantis is a lot more fun espeically adventure wise you go all over the place. You get sucked in to what these people are doing and I could not put the book down did not want to put it down.

With the start of the book you get a sense of what a thrill ride the author is about to begin. The characters take on a personal feel as the pages turn and the adventure begins. There is a definitive mix of familiar themes and old villians.

You start in a simple setting that is far from it once you read the first few pages. The characters, at first seem familiar and comfortable, but that is just the start. Circumstance and luck are able to transform the seemingly mundane into a constant battle to stay one step ahead of the villian. The author pulls the reader in with hints of romance, leaps of sheer thrill, and a great mix of main character strengths - all the while showing their 'human' side too. The locations - together with the history are an integral part of the story as it keeps taking expected and unforeseen turns right to the very end. There are pieces of each situation and character that seem familiar to avid readers, but that only begins to fill in what makes up the story, the characters, and a development of plot as you read further. I found myself sitting down to read for a few minutes and seeing that an hour had passed away without notice. Again and again, I found myself reading and just about closing it for the time when I decided to read for the typical "just a little bit more." Descriptions of people, places, and actions all seemed real - as if I was even there seeing it happen right before me. I must really congratulate Mr. Brokaw on a great book, a thrilling read, and something that I will strongly recommend to friends and family alike. Well done!

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