For the first half of this book I thought it was pretty much the best thing ever. Now it ended and I’m in a bit of shell shock.

I strongly believe that this novel would appeal to those in the Da Vinci Code set. It’s plot-driven and stretches one’s credulity until it kind of breaks. One desires, no, one feels that one must understand what is going on. It’s fascinating, well-written and had philosophical moments that had me–sadly indifferent to most philosophy–on the edge of my seat (well, bed, usually, that’s where I read), almost reaching for a highlighter (those who know me know I also don’t do this either).

It postures itself to be about humanity, reality and the search for identity, but in the end I found that I was still burning with anger on the protagonist’s behalf, not satisfied, and dully, dumbly confused.

Fun times were had with the onslaught of literary, historical and artistic references. Have at; hope you’re better-read than I am!

Had I rated this book at the halfway point, I might have been tempted to give it five stars. Even now I almost want to say 4.5…

Well, hell, OK

Rating: ****1/2 (out of 5)