Saturday 27 August 2011

Review: The Egyptian - Layton Green

Series: Dominic Grey #2
Genre: mystery/suspense
Pages: 327 (ebook)
Date Published: August 27th 2011
Source: For review
Review by Lis

At a mausoleum in Cairo’s most notorious cemetery, a mercenary receives a package containing a silver test tube suspended in hydraulic stasis. An investigative reporter tracking rogue biomedical companies is terrified by the appearance of a mummified man outside her Manhattan apartment. A Bulgarian scientist who dabbles in the occult makes a startling discovery in his underground laboratory.

These seemingly separate events collide when Dominic Grey and Viktor Radek, private investigators of cults, are hired by the CEO of an Egyptian biomedical firm to locate stolen research integral to the company’s new life extension product. However, after witnessing the slaughter of a team of scientists by the remnants of a dangerous cult thought long abandoned, Grey and Viktor turn from pursuers to pursued.

From the gleaming corridors of visionary laboratories to the cobblestone alleys of Eastern Europe to a lost oasis in the Sahara, Grey and Viktor must sift through science and myth to uncover the truth behind the Egyptian and his sinister biotech – before that truth kills them
.


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*Squee* Remember how a while back I reviewed Layton Green’s The Summoner? Remember just how much I loved it and recommended you read this book too? Well a while back B. was contacted by the author to do a pre-release of the author’s latest book: The Egyptian. Let me tell you, I was one happy happy woman when she got me that request. Needless to say I got right down to reading, but the knights put me of from writing the review. So here I am with my notebook full of squee about this book. Let’s see if I can get you to squee right along with me.

To tell you the truth, this book is not a girly, squee, romantic kind of book. It’s quite the thoughtful and scary story, full of details of myths and history, occultism, background and world building, and a mystery to rival The DaVinci Code.

Remember Dominic Grey? In The Summoner he worked for the Diplomatic Service, but since then he started working for our other hero: Professor Viktor Radek, who specializes in religious phenomenology. Basically, he consults high ranking clients on dangerous, obscure cults. Grey is James Bond to Viktor’s Indiana Jones and together they make one heck of a team.

This time the mystery involves a mummy. Alright, I’m kidding. There is a mummy but the mystery goes much deeper than that. Initially Grey and Radek are hired by an Egyptian company to locate stole research on something oh so interesting – I’ll let you find that out for yourself – but it isn’t long before they run into a dangerous cult and things get real interesting real quick. You know how cults, religion and science make a very bad mix? Well you ain’t seen nothing yet!

Like in the first book there is a lot of information in this book. There is a lot of background on myth, history and the occult and cults (and the cult featured in this book actually made my skin crawl). The flow of information in this book is well balanced by both the story and the characters. Grey is just as interesting and rogue as in the first book and Radek is just as mysterious. While they are the main characters in this story, they are supported by a well-balanced cast. These characters are not just your average story characters. They are complex, interesting and mysterious. The author gives you just enough to keep you wondering as to what they role in the story really is. One character I found most interesting was Veronica.

The setting in The Egyptian is breathtaking. Layton knows how to write the characters’ surroundings in such a way that it almost feels as if you’re actually there. Just like in The Summoner this story takes you places: from Egypt to Eastern Europe. It’s nice to see a setting that doesn’t feature America predominantly.

The Egyptian is a rare gem that puts the DaVinci Code to shame. It’s a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, makes you want to grab your teddy bear and hide under the covers just as it keeps you from putting it down because you want to know what happens next. I sure hope this author keeps writing!




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A quick Note from me regarding this weekend and a great deal. The Summoner (which is the first book) and this book, The Egyptian will be
On Sale for $.99 for The Release Weekend Only!

20 comments:

  1. I am a sucker for everything Egyptian so yes, yes and once again yes!!!

    Thanks Lis for a great review, I must have this book for sure!!!

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  2. I LOVE the sound of this book! I have an obession with all things Egyptian and I love mystery, action, creepy stories. Right I'm off to find a UK copy of The Summoner and The Egyptian! Thanks!

    PS - Can I squee with you! Squee!
    :)

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  3. Great review Lis, thanks! I'm in doubt at the moment, not sure it is my thing or just a tad too scary.

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  4. Wow! It sounds like that is well written and has quite the plot! Thanks for your review.

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  5. I haven't read a lot of Egyptian mytho... Greek and Roman, yes, but not Egyptian. Why, I'm not sure since they sound just as interesting... maybe I ought to read this series...

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  6. Anything Egypt related fascinates me, this book sounds great!

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  7. History, myths, Egypt, and the occult - Oh I am so IN!!!! Going straight to Amazon.

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  8. Girls, if you want The Summoner there is a great deal on Amazon.com till the end of the week - a Kindle copy for less than a dollar.

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  9. Just popping back to say - I've picked up The Summoner on kindle for 86p - or about $1. Bargain! :)

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  10. I love your squees! Just makes me want it now. I think I'm going to see if the first book is still on sale here. Thanks! :)

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  11. Ooooooooh. Sounds like it was a good'n. I love mysteries and of course Egypt. ^.^ Awesome review.

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  12. Thanks for the comments everyone! This book is worth the money you spend on it!!!

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  13. I am also a sucker for anything Egyptian. Throw in some mystery and suspense and I am so there. Thanks Lis :)

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  14. Okay, this sounds like a really cool and great read. :) I like the combinations you mentioned. Thanks!!!

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  15. I still need to get the first book read. I know I have it here somewhere, I'm just not sure where.

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  16. I can see your enthusiasm for this series and it really makes me want to give it a read :)

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  17. Definitely sounds like one I would enjoy. I'll have to put it on my list, along with The Summoner.

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  18. Thanks for the wonderful review Lis :)

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  19. Ana
    I do want to visit Egypt one day :)


    Mel
    Let's go to Egypt :D
    Oh and enjoy the book!


    Aurian
    :)

    Bermuda
    :)


    Cherry
    When I think about it...not sure I have either

    Naida
    Same here

    Steph
    Enjoy!


    Melissa
    I hope you like it

    Carole
    Can't go wrong with it

    Liz
    :)

    Jenny
    It does sound like a great mix


    Melissa
    There is nothing like a good combo


    Ryan
    I hope you enjoy the first book


    Jenny N
    :)


    Carol
    I hope you do :)

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