Katherine Neville

Reader Comments about THE FIRE

Ballantine Books
ISBN: 9780345500670
(October 14, 2008)

• About the Book
• Critical Praise
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• Read an Excerpt

Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Katherine Neville's THE FIRE.

Gail from Matthews, NC

Have you previously read a book by Katherine Neville?
No.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read Jonathan Kellerman, Nelson DeMille, Ken Follett and Dan Brown.
 
What did you think of THE FIRE?
This was a very complex book, rich with historical detail, interesting characters and with a storyline spanning several centuries.
 
I appreciated the historical detail, but sometimes found the back story hard to follow and too involved. The contemporary characters and plot line were more engaging.  
 
Would you ever read a future book by Katherine Neville?
Yes.

Julie from Medford, NJ

Have you previously read a book by Katherine Neville?
No, this is a new author for me. But, THE EIGHT was on my reading list when I won this book.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Joseph Finder, Caleb Carr, Mathew Pearl, Stephen King and John Grisham.
 
What did you think of THE FIRE?
I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's in the same vein for me as ANGELS AND DEMONS and THE DA VINCI CODE. I couldn't put it down.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Katherine Neville?
Absolutely. I can't wait to read THE EIGHT now.

Karen from Daytona Beach, FL

Have you previously read a book by Katherine Neville?
Yes. I read THE EIGHT, but it was so long ago that I reread it prior to THE FIRE. At the time, I remember that as a chess lover, I had enjoyed it even more for that aspect than just the fact that it was a superb thriller. Reading it a second time took me back to when I so loved THE DA VINCI CODE and then went on a craze, reading all the wannabe novels that followed. I had forgotten how much I liked THE EIGHT and was glad I took the time to read it again before picking up THE FIRE.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
James Patterson, David Baldacci, Steve Berry, Daniel Silva, Dean Koontz and Kathy Reichs.
 
What did you think of THE FIRE?
I loved the book. I think people who like historical fiction as well as suspense novels would enjoy it. It moved so fast that I hated to stop reading. I like the way that the two stories intertwined. Often, when an author does that, it can be confusing; but I think Ms. Neville did a wonderful job, and it was very easy to jump back and forth. It was also nice that some of the original characters (from THE EIGHT) as well as new ones were in the story. Also, the beginning showed me that even though I reread THE EIGHT, it would not be necessary to do that to enjoy this book, as there was enough background to make THE FIRE a stand-alone novel.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Katherine Neville?
Most definitely --- and does that mean there will be another one to follow THE FIRE "in the fire" already?

Michelle from Ames, IA

Have you previously read a book by Katherine Neville?
Yes, THE EIGHT.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Harlan Coben, Lisa Gardner, John Grisham, Michele Martinez, Sandra Brown, and Iris Johansen.
 
What did you think of THE FIRE?
I just finished THE FIRE. Wow. I still feel like I am in a speeding car and the scenery, characters, and clues are rushing past while I am holding on for dear life. What a ride! What a finish!
 
Would you ever read a future book by Katherine Neville?
Yes. Her books are complex puzzlers, which I enjoy.

Pamela from Westmont, IL

Have you previously read a book by Katherine Neville?
No.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I have been trying to broaden my fiction reading (I tend to read history or classics), so I have read very few suspense/thriller authors. I've read Lawrence Block, Mary Stewart, Wilkie Collins, P. D. James, and Perri O'Shaughnessy. I don't know if any of these authors qualify.
 
What did you think of THE FIRE?
It kept me reading to see where it was going next. It was complex --- I felt like I could have used a "road map" to keep all the characters and their relationships straight. I enjoyed the fact that so many people frequently were not who or what they seemed. I did think the constant use of foreign vocabulary was unnecessary, however.
 
I was a bit concerned that --- with so much going on --- it might end up like a couple of other books I've read where it seemed like the author realized the book was getting long, so she ended it, but the ending was not at all satisfying. It didn't fit the rest of the book. But, THE FIRE’s ending was logical, and I loved The Swan's rescues.
 
One of my major attractions in books is the descriptions of places, and Ms. Neville fulfilled all my hopes --- I could "see" where the characters were, even though I'd never been to any of the locations. While I wouldn't recommend the book to all my reader friends, I would to a select few who would definitely enjoy it.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Katherine Neville?
Yes.

Phoenix from Eclectic, AL

Have you previously read a book by Katherine Neville?
Yes, I read THE EIGHT when it was first published. The characters and history were so  intriguing. I was so pleased to get a copy of THE FIRE and see these old friends again.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
Jeffery Deaver, Stephen King, James Patterson, James Lee Burke, Steve Berry and Michael Crichton.
 
What did you think of THE FIRE?
This was even better than THE EIGHT. Ms. Neville did an excellent job of giving the background of the game from generaton to generation without confusing the reader. I was holding my breath in many of the scenes. I was drawn into the story line --- it was an exciting journey.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Katherine Neville?
Please place me on Ms. Neville's mailing list.

Danielle from Pequot Lakes, MN

Have you previously read a book by Katherine Neville?
No, I have not.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I usually stick with romantic suspense authors from Harlequin (like Harlequin Intrigue). I don't have specific authors I read, though --- I just choose the book by reading the back blurb, or if the cover looks good.
 
What did you think of THE FIRE?
I honestly have to say I chose to read this book because the cover caught my interest. I had never before heard of this author, since I didn't get into reading until January of 2007 and because Neville's previous book, THE EIGHT, was published the year I was born. I really didn't like this book --- it just didn't catch my interest, but I am not surprised because I usually don't read these types of books. On an impulse, I decided to read something new for a change. I did enjoy learning some new words in a different language, though (I'm assuming they were Russian). I do plan on passing this book on to family and friends to read because I know a few people who do like suspense/thriller novels and are really eager to read this book.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Katherine Neville?
I'm going to have to say maybe.

Gretchen from Waltham, MA

Have you previously read a book by Katherine Neville?
Yes, THE EIGHT.
 
What other suspense/thriller authors do you usually read?
I read Lee Child and F. Paul Wilson.
 
What did you think of THE FIRE?
This was a disappointing jumble. The author's desire to "squeeze [in]" "fascinating knowledge" is clear, but did not help the plot at all. A much more stripped down narrative would have been more enjoyable. There was also a surprising (and terribly distracting) number of grammatical errors --- even for an ARC.
 
Would you ever read a future book by Katherine Neville?
No.

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