Choices... evil and good. Ends and means.
(this blog to be replaced by review. Trying to catch up from vacation). This is my second Rogue Angel read. I have them all on my shelves but as always, I am so far behind so I just jumped in with The Serpent's Kiss. Oh, I am really loving this series! Like I said, I am really in the mood for action and suspense lately. This book is different in tone and style than The Serpent's Kiss. The Serpent's Kiss has richer characterization and and intriguing structure, rich in history and myth. This one has more action, lots of action and intersecting and conflicting interests. At the same time, PROVENANCE is more philosophical (but never pedantic) with reflections on moral codes --- choices, evil and good and ends and means. I found this book a very well timed read.
When I finished the book, my first thought was that I wish the author had included more descriptions of the relic... but then I got to thinking about how the author wrote the relic in connectin to the book and I have to say, it was brilliant. Any other way he could have described the relic wouold have watered down the power of this book.
This book deals with the excesses and fanaticism that sometimes goes along with politics, religion and all things in life although no specific political parties or personalities are mentioned. 9/11 and sanctioned torture are mentioned although, at least to me, I felt the author was using these references to get at a more general philosophical issue rather than a critique of recent politics. However, this book might not appeal to those who see the world in more black and white, right or wrong terms or lean toward one end of the spectrum. I think this book will appeal very much to readers who find themselves on the moderate side, in between extremes, and those who like to look at both sides of issues. Personally, I love books that make present the dangers of excess or fanaticism on any subject---politics, religion, women, parenting, and really anything. it's one of those timeless themes in literature that I love. I was quite intrigued by how this author combined fast paced action and a richer philosophy right in the very heart of the plot
Rating: 4.5-5
Blurb:
When a mysterious man orchestrates an attack on archaeologist Annja
Creed and then offers her an assignment, Annja is baffled. But the
mission is too intriguing for her to refuse. She must find an object
that possesses a sacred and powerful secret offering atonement to
anyone who uncovers it—or wreaking havoc on the world.
Stolen
from an ancient order of knights, the relic is now in the clutches of a
band of pirates sailing the South China Sea. When a government leader
threatens to destroy the pirate ship—along with the artifact—rather
than let it get into the wrong hands, Annja must decide at what cost
the sacred prize should be protected. Destroying it would defile
history. But saving it could bring about apocalypse.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
This
is the only Rogue Angel book I haven't yet read. I just realized who the author is, though, and I believe this is the same author who wrote the only Rogue Angel book I didn't really enjoy. Now I'm curious to know what I'll think of this one....
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
Jean-Paul Sartre
I will be interested in your take on this one. I think it might go either way for you... politics aside, there is one aspect or train of thought arising from this book that I think will be particularly appealing to you. We gotta have a spoiler discussion on this one! This book really grabbed me the more I stepped back and thought about it. It's probably one of those books I will remember a long time. That is true of SERPENT's KISS too, but for different reasons.
This one made me think of Jean-Paul Sartre's discussion of torture with reference to the Nazis even though I think his point was a bit different and this book does not have graphic torture or anything in the plot.. He was talking about people who had committed grievous crimes and the deesire for revenge. He said that the problem with torture with revenge is that a person could never torture someone enough to receive satisfaction because at some point the tortured dies and escapes punishment whereas the person who was wronged still lives with the wrong. PROVENANCE is not really about revenge or torture but only uses it as an example for a larger concept....but it did make me remember Sartre and even our discussion of Sartre last year.
It was fun for me to see philosophy in an action kind of book---nice mix that is a lot more enjoyable reading than straight philosophy.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus