|
|
|
 Customer Reviews 
Arrogant.
Rating: 1
The author thought a lot of himself thinking that we would be interested in hearing his exploits in the steam tunnels (for example) at his school. Potential here, but this work needed a good editor.
not sure how this book got published. Can't believe that it was listed anywhere around the Di Vinci book. First mistake that I have ever purchased on Amazon.
The Rule of Four
Rating: 5
What a wonderfully written, intriguing novel! The storyline revolves around an actual book from the 1500's called Hypnerotomachia Poliphili. Having a very unusual storyline filled with lust and brutality, the book is said to contain, in code, concealed directions to an ancient tomb that had been filled long ago with precious treasures that had been doomed to be demolished.
Four college students, who strive to decode the book, find that the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili takes over their whole lives. Not only this, but the ancient book is also linked to murder, theft, deceit, and betrayal, filling this book with excitement and intrigue.
This well-written book is clear and easily read. The characters are well-written and rapidly become "acquaintances" of the reader. The reader easily finds herself involved in the action. I highly recommend this book.
Dull, Drab and Awful
Rating: 1
This was a good idea for a book, but it was very poorly written. The effect of this unfortunate combination is a boring book hardly worth the trouble of reading. I wish that I would have done what others reviews did and stopped after 50 pages.
There are insipid chase scenes devoid of suspense; feigned scholarly discussions that are lacking insight or purpose and a pointless central mystery plot with no hint of cleverness. The characters are shallow, dull, uninteresting, boring, lifeless and just plain drab and awful. While in some professions these attributes might be considered an asset; in a modern mystery novel they are in fact a real detriment. None of the principal players are at all interesting. The four main characters are not at all likeable and I couldn't sympathize with any of them on any level. Count yourself as lucky if you have none of these manikins for friends.
The historic references to the "Hypnerotomachia Poliphili" are the only bright spots in this pathetic waste of a book. The reader will have to force himself through a sluggish plot with boring characters and a slow pace to learn a little about this renaissance love story. There is a modern translation of the original book in question. I wish that I would have read the modern English translation of the "Hypnerotomachia Poliphili" and never heard of "The Rule of Four".
I have the feeling that "The Rule of Four" is for an early adolescent audience while the serious books are left for the grown-ups.
On the positive side, the cover of the book is a very pretty shade of red.
|
