I picked this one up wondering what new earthshaking ‘secret’ would Mr. Mc Dermott reveal about a religion and a culture that I have grown up with. The genre of historical fiction has never ceased to excite me since I read The Da Vinci Code. Delving into the past, unearthing artefacts and relics (even if imagined) and exploring possibilities different from commonly held historical accounts is quite exhilarating. The depth of research done by the author adds to the fun as it does to knowledge. In this respect The Vault of Shiva was disappointing. What held the promise of a revelatory adventure soon morphed itself into a high-octane action-packed series of misadventures. From New York to the urban hills of San Francisco to the mighty peaks of the Himalayas and finally the barren icy wastes of Greenland, Mc Dermott takes you on a roller coaster ride where every moment is fraught with unseen dangers-wild animals, saw-toothed humans, ruthless mercenaries, crazy megalomaniacs and crazier flunkies, ancient contraptions and a lot more. Of course our heroes are the only ones left standing (when most around them are getting popped off ) since they have the very enviable mission of stopping the loonies from initiating an apocalypse. Thin on plot and thick on action (have to give Mc Dermott credit for the blow by blow account and details of the action sequences), this film is a cross between Indiana Jones and your hero-to-the-rescue type Bollywood flick. Non-stop action in the Indiana Jones vein. Archaeologist Nina Wilde and her husband Eddie Chase must thwart an evil Indian billionaire who wants to destroy civilization - with the help of the contents of Shiva's vault - avoid the assassination of several heads of state, recover many of the world's most valuable artifacts and stay alive. Flame throwers, rockets, stealth planes, helicopters and ancient gliders abound. The number of near misses strains credulity, but this is a good beach read.
What do You think about The Vault Of Shiva (2011)?
lot of action packed inside a little booktoo much of it jus put me off at times
—rocha
