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On the day that Dan Ryan is visited by the Greek God, Hermes, he is sure he is losing his mind. Recently widowed, Dan believes his grief may be hindering his sanity. As Hermes explains to Dan how the ancient Gods are not dead, but are trapped on the mythical island of Atlantis, Dan is sure he has gone completely crazy.
Having not much left to live for, Dan agrees to head to Akrotiri in order to find a leading Atlantean archaeologist there who would be better able to help his quest. Convincing Professor Theoden Constantopolus wasn't too hard, the Professor needs funding and Dan seems to have an unlimited source of it.
After Dan meets the Professor's granddaughter, Mina, he believes that the journey may be worth the while after all. As their friendship grows, Dan becomes to realize that Mina may have some dangerous secrets and Dan fights his growing attraction to a women so soon after his wife's death.
As the group follow the trails lead by Hermes, they have to uncover the clues at each of the locations, Egypt, Spain and even Atlantis before time runs out. And they are not the only group looking, another archaeology group wants the power and prestige that will come from finding the lost city and nothing will stand in their way to get it.
I thought this was a well presented book. I loved the historical aspects of Atlantis that was shared with the reader and I enjoyed the final location of where Atlantis could be found. I was VERY pleased to see that the author didn't place it in Crete and clearly understood Plato's account and planned its location accordingly. Without ever disclosing a destination; your imagination is left to locate Atlantis.
I had mixed feelings about Dan, sometimes I liked him and sometimes he was unappealing to read. I did not like his romance with Mina, especially when you read how long has passed since his wife's death. It was almost disrespectful in nature. I'm not even sure why a romance was needed in this book, not all books require such and it just didn't work for me.
I was able to predict the outcome of the ending, if you read between the lines one can easily glean the situation that is about to occur. I would have liked to have seen more of Hermes, instead of him popping up just when it was needed.
I liked the suspense and the adventure the author wrote. It kept you turning the pages to find out more and I found it to be an easy read. I read it in a few hours and found it to be entertaining.
I would give this 3 and a half stars out of five. I love the concept of the story and that the setting is Atlantis but I truly had problems with Dan and his "adventures" with Mina. I also had issues with the wisdom and logic that the group incorporated, it seemed to come to quickly and I would've liked to have seen more depth in the explanations and advancements they completed.
If you love Fantasy Adventure then you will enjoy this read and look forward to continuing on with the saga. I know I am looking forward to the next segment and see what the outcome of Dan's choices have left the world to live with.
SYNOPSIS:
The JC De La Torre classic is back and better than ever. In 2005, Ancient Rising introduced the world to Dan Ryan, the hunt for Atlantis and the Greek Gods. Called by reviewers as "breathless, moving at a breakneck speed" and "fast moving adventure that fits into the Clive Cussler/Dan Brown mode," the novel has become a cult phenomenon that endures. The author is re-releasing this novel as a companion to the 3D audiobook experience that features award winning radio theater personality Joe Bevilacqua and has been listened to around the world on Sirius/XM. This new version of Ancient Rising offers a tighter, better paced story and a new foreword by the author giving intimate background on the genesis of the Rise of the Ancients saga. A must for sci-fi readers and action/adventure enthusiasts.
** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **
Get my audobook production in 3-D audio! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004TJOQV2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=joebevexp-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B004TJOQV2&adid=1M7HXRNB15Q3ZE3NHHXA&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.joebev.com%2Fbuy.html
ReplyDeleteEditorial Reviews
ReplyDeleteSix years after its initial publication, Ancient Rising still captures the hearts and minds of adventurous readers (and now listeners) beginning their trek into the world of the Ancients. With Book I of the Rise of the Ancients saga, JC De La Torre puts together a fast paced adventure of a lifetime. Now, award winning radio theater artist Joe Bevilacqua breathes new life into the characters that make Ancient Rising one of the most exciting tales out there.
Bevilacqua introduces you to the Bev-O-Vision 3D audiobook experience, designed to completely immerse you into the story. He weeps when the main character Dan Ryan loses someone close to him. He cries out when Ryan exclaims in pain. He becomes Ryan, Doc Constant, Mina, Hermes, and all of the colorful characters. JC De La Torre takes you on a breathless search for the lost continent of Atlantis and Bevilacqua delivers each and every action packed moment. From the debut of the Greek God Hermes, to the pits of Hades and the rise of Atlantis, Ancient Rising puts you on course for action-packed fun.
Producer: Joe Bevilacqua
©2011 DLT Atlantis Publishing ; (P)2011 DLT Atlantis Publishing
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Who hasn’t been fascinated by the legend of the lost continent of Atlantis? Scholars, adventurers, and readers alike have spent lifetimes trying to get to the bottom of the mystery, and still it enchants us. Now, J C De La Torre takes us on an action-packed thrill ride in search of the legend.
ReplyDeleteBest-selling author, Dan Ryan, is our guide on this tour of the ancient world. Ryan’s life is suddenly turned topsy-turvey when his wife and daughter are killed in a car accident, and he begins to wonder what he will do with the rest of his life. He finds his answer when the ancient messenger of the gods, Hermes, appears to him with a proposition. Zeus and the other gods have chosen Dan to lead an expedition to find the lost world of Atlantis where they have been imprisoned for some 12,000 years.
The journey begins at an archaeological dig in the Greek isles where Hermes reveals the location of an ancient tablet. The tablet provides a clue which leads Dan and his group of experts to the Egyptian city of Alexandria. A daring underwater discovery leads to a secret chamber beneath the Sphinx, and so on. Each new discovery provides another clue, and brings the explorers one step closer to the lost continent. Along the way, they will encounter ravenous sharks, the immortal undead, and greedy claim-jumpers who will stop at nothing to be the first to reach Atlantis. Through their skill, perseverance, and not a little luck, Dan and his group will reach their goal. Then they will finally discover the hidden agenda of the gods.
This audio production of Ancient Rising is touted as a “3-D Audiobook Experience.” I was pretty curious about that; what is a 3-D audiobook anyway? Well, it didn’t take me long to find out. Ancient Rising is performed, and I do mean performed, by long-time theater and radio talent Joe Bevilacqua. Don’t confuse him with other Joe Bevilacqua’s, the name is Joe K Bevilacqua. Joe does great voices for all the characters, and the whole thing is recorded in stereo. The main narration comes through the center channel as usual, but the character voices, along with sound effect enhancements, come from the left or right channels, giving the audiobook a real 3-D feel. With Joe’s voices, the sound enhancements, and the 3-D recording, this is a top-notch audio production.
Ancient Rising is a non-stop thrill ride through the world of the ancients. I found De La Torre’s blend of history and mythology to be fascinating and compelling. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this one. - Steven Brandt, http://www.audiobook-heaven.com/search/label/joe%20bevilacqua