jbronderbookreviews

The Eight by Katherine Neville

(Excerpt from Goodreads) Computer expert Cat Velis is heading for a job to Algeria. Before she goes, a mysterious fortune teller warns her of danger, and an antique dealer asks her to search for pieces to a valuable chess set that has been missing for years…In the South of France in 1790 two convent girls hide valuable pieces of a chess set all over the world, because the game that can be played with them is too powerful….

My Review

4 stars

A jeweled chest set called The Montglane Service is given to Charlemagne. It is believed to have a code that will give the person that solves it great power. The set is broken apart and the pieces are spread through the four corners of the world during the French Revolution. In present day, Cat Velis is a computer expert that is hired to find the pieces and complete the chess set. But it is a race against time to get all of the pieces. Cat is not the only one looking for them.

This book is told in two parts. The first part starts during the French Revolution and the second is in the 70’s. You can tell there is a lot of research put into this book for the first part as there are a lot of historical people mentioned relating to this chess set. In the 70’s we follow Cat as she is hired to find all of the pieces.

Unfortunately I have to admit that I have read The Da Vinci Code and I find myself being drawn back to that book. There are many similarities in how The Eight unfolds. I have to remind myself that The Eight came out first and it is quite the opposite. I admit that the story bouncing back and forth in time did get a bit over whelming. It would have been better if we just followed along with Cat and a couple hints to the past.

This is not a bad story. I do recommend reading it, it was an enjoyable read and one that I had on my TBR list since I first saw it released years ago. If you liked The Da Vinci Code and other books that followed I think you will like The Eight.

To purchase The Eight, or for more information, make sure to check out Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and Katherine Neville’s website.

I received The Eight for free from A Meryl Moss Media Production in exchange for an honest review.