The story was decent. I guess that is why I got back to these even as they frustrate me. The concepts are good, and there is even some good, like the background written as flashbacks. But the dialogue continues to turn into lectures: "Rembember when in profesor so and so's class""Oh yeah,...." for the next several pages. There are other ways to get that same message across.A few other comments:Note to David Gibbins' editor. It is not necessary to repeat Jack's great, great, grandfather every 5th page. we get it. we got it the last 30 times. Unless you are trying to add page count, there is no reason for this.Note to Mr. Gibbins: A child you met just a few months ago that is in their late teens won't call you Dad. They will call you anything but. It takes years to establish the bond that gets you there, not a couple of months on a boat.You also don't need to name every brand and recite the spec sheet (unless of course, you are selling those particular models.) I'm all for details, but this gets tedious (kind of like paying $12 to go to the movies and then being forced to watch 20 minutes of commericals.) I love oceanic archeology, land archeology, tomb raiders, ancient mysteries - you name it. I had never heard of the lost Roman Legion that is believed to have travelled into Asia after losing a hopeless battle, so with a title that promised all I loved, how could I resist?Never read a book by this author either, so I was plunged straight into unknown territory. It's an archeology geek's book. Short on characterisation, long on history. More talk than action. But for all that, I enjoyed it. I preferred it when Gibbins was going into the past - his chapters following the legionaires were riveting, the chapters on the hero's ancestor who started following the trail of the lost legion in the 19th century simply splendid. Even the characters had more depth and charisma. In the modern day, Gibbins didn't fare so well - the characters were flat and dull, the relationship between the hero and his lady love had about as much spark as a damp firework, and there wasn't enough ocean archeology. I was actually reminded of the Jackie Chan movie The Myth, which also dealt with a Chinese Emperor seeking immortality, and kept hearing the hero (whose name was Jack) talk with Jackie Chan's accent. Lent the whole thing quite a bit of spice.Overall, one star short of greatness. A good read, a very interesting premise, and I'll be looking out for other Gibbins books.
What do You think about Tigres De Guerre (2000)?
I don't believe I've reached the interesting part of the book yet.
—callbug
Very interesting historical facts and integration of archaeology.
—Kait6_21
I think I'd like to start with his first book and move forward.
—terra_m_2000
