Friday, March 28, 2008

The Venetian Betrayal By Steve Berry


Steve Berry takes us on a roller coaster adventure throughout Europe and Asia with the final destination - the tomb of Alexander the Great. Rare manuscripts, ancient parchments enhanced by x-ray technology, esoteric clues including symbols on medallions struck during Alexander The Great’s time provide the means of finding the elusive final burial place. The story has a lot of interesting history about Alexander’s time, the countries he conquered, the people he surrounded himself with and gives insight into the vision of this remarkable man.
There is a strong subplot relating to a notorious woman, leader of a new and powerful nation created by combining former Soviet nations into "The Central Asian Federation". The woman, Zorina Zovastina who is the Supreme Minister of the former countries of Kazakhstan, Uzebekistan, and Turkmenistan has a plan to conquer more land using biological weapons she secretly developed.
Another subplot relates back to Alexander’s personal physician who supposedly had a "miracle potion" that according to history was able to cure certain diseases. Alexander was supposed to have killed the man in anger because he failed to use the cure on Alexander’s closest advisor and lover, Hephaestion. A major character in the novel who is an associate of Zorina has discovered the source but has withheld the cure from the world preferring to wait until Zorina’s plans come to fruition.
Exciting climax I, really, enjoy Steve Berry novels - be sure to read his notes where he separates fact from fiction.

1 comment:

Middle Ditch said...

Hi Alan, I haven't been here for a long time. That book sounds an interesting read and I might have a look around. Take care