Monday, October 20, 2014

Review: Forbidden Tomb by Chris Kuzneski (Hunters, #2)

There are secrets and then there are bigger darker secrets. History sometimes can be unrelenting, unforgettable and perhaps even more darker than it looks from outset. Author Chris Kuzneski in his Hunter series takes the story forward from the previous part titled "Forbidden Tomb" on a middle east saga where everything is a blur and still it all lies there to be touched and unraveled. So has the author struck gold? Let's find out.

Millennia ago, Alexander the Great ruled most of the known world. He was revered as a god, and when he was buried, he was interred with the wealth fit for the legend that he had become. The mystery of the his tomb's true location continues to hound treasure hunters to this very day, and it has finally come to the attention of Jack Cobb and his team of hunters. Tasked by Jean-Marc Papineau, the hunters must find the tomb, and the wealth that it holds. However, Alexandria, the original location of the tomb, is now an ancient city. Exploration is banned in the tunnels and cisterns below it, and they are not going to find clues so easily. When they manage to get into the underworld, the hunters discover that they are not the only ones looking for the tomb.




First look at the title and the cover and one can delve deep into the hidden secrets of history. Some in plain sight while some concealed away from the prying eyes of the world. The cover has been done tastefully and adds to the charisma of the book. The blurb talks about a missing piece of history which has not been uncovered even by the best of the lot yet it tempts the inner senses to the full. Though the blurb gives the faintest of ideas of what is going to happen yet it leaves the rest to the book.

The story is set off in Egypt and Sahara desert as the Hunters are on a new trail of locating the missing Alexander's Tomb. But things aren't that easy as it looks from the outside. Once they set out to capture the unconquered they encounter forces which have set in motion a trail blazing fury so as to keep the secret hidden from the world. But it's the Hunter's will against the unknown demonic entity. So will they survive the desert sands or will the enemy will have the last hurrah? Will the tomb ever be discovered? That's what the story is all about. 

When history is in the making then there are endless possibilities. It opens a few doors and shuts many. You might end up in a soup or you might stumble upon unassailable knowledge and wealth. The book traverses a path of both keeping in the mind the nuances of the historical relevance of Alexander the great. The story generally trudges on the long and vicious paths of unknown and fearful but eases it out to met the bitter-sweet treatment. It becomes a thrill cum adventure which maintains a vigorous tempo. The story is a runaway blockbuster with it's mysterious elements as well as the teamwork high octane action and drama far away from the comfort zone. 

The downside of the book is it fails to provide greater leverage to the darker forces and fails to ignite a more passionate and resolute anti hero for the story. The character sketch of the anti forces look pale when it goes out to seek revenge and safety for the dead and buried. The story probably could have done away with some melodrama on the Hunter's side and give the enemy more action to bite and chew on. 

All in all the explosive narration and historical saga comes out unscathed. The story forcing you to be in top gear almost at all times. There is no margin for error and the book churns out the best hidden truth through blending fiction and action and thrill. The story is heart rendering and ruthless yet captivating and scintillating. It's hard to resist the Hunters and the Hunted. 

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5

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