Title: The Emperor’s Tomb
Author: Steve Berry
First published November 23, 2010
436 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780345505491 (ISBN10: 0345505492)
Rating: 3.97
Overview
Included in this edition are exclusive features such as a dossier on Cotton Malone, an excerpt from Steve Berry’s The Columbus Affair, and a gripping short story, The Balkan Escape. Former Justice Department operative, Cotton Malone, receives a cryptic message with a Web address.
What he discovers when he logs on is harrowing: Cassiopeia Vitt, a woman who has saved his life on numerous occasions, is being held captive and tortured by an unknown assailant. The captor has one demand – bring me the artifact that Cassiopeia entrusted to you.
The problem is, Malone has no idea what the object is, since Cassiopeia never gave him anything. Thus begins Malone’s most dangerous quest yet, one that leads him on a thrilling journey filled with astonishing historical revelations.
His journey takes him from Denmark to Belgium and Vietnam, finally culminating at the tomb of China’s First Emperor, where he finds himself face-to-face with a ruthless ancient brotherhood and an army of terracotta warriors guarding the tomb. Join Malone as he unravels the secrets of the tomb and uncovers the truth behind the sealed terracotta army that has remained hidden for over two thousand years.
About the Author
Steve Berry is a renowned author who has written twenty best-selling novels, including The Omega Factor, The Kaiser’s Web, The Warsaw Protocol, The Malta Exchange, The Bishop’s Pawn, The Lost Order, The 14th Colony, The Patriot Threat, The Lincoln Myth, and The King’s Deception. His books have been translated into 41 different languages and have sold over 25 million copies in 52 countries.
It’s safe to say that his novels consistently appear at the top of bestseller lists worldwide, from mainstream to indie.
History plays a crucial role in every Steve Berry novel, a passion he shares with his wife, Elizabeth. Together, they founded History Matters, a foundation dedicated to historic preservation.
Since 2009, Steve and Elizabeth have traveled across the United States to save at-risk historical treasures, raising money through a variety of events such as lectures, receptions, galas, luncheons, dinners, and workshops for aspiring writers. Over 3,500 students have attended these workshops, raising more than $1.5 million dollars to date.
Steve’s dedication to historic preservation earned him recognition from the American Library Association, who named him their spokesperson for National Preservation Week. He has also received numerous prestigious awards for his philanthropy, including the Royden B.
Davis Distinguished Author Award, the Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, the Anne Frank Human Writes Award, and the Silver Bullet from International Thriller Writers. He has been named both the Florida and Georgia Writer of the Year and is an emeritus member of the Smithsonian Libraries Advisory Board.
In 2010, a survey conducted by NPR named one of his novels among the top 100 thrillers ever written.
Steve was born and raised in Georgia, where he graduated from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University.
He spent thirty years as a trial lawyer and held elected office for fourteen years. He is a founding member of International Thriller Writers and served as its co-president from 2009 to 2010.
Editoral Review
The Emperor’s Tomb by Steve Berry is a captivating blockbuster novel that will satisfy readers of historical fiction and thrillers. Berry, a lawyer and former political advisor, is a master of mixing fact and fiction to create a riveting story that takes place in the present but is deeply rooted in the past.
The Emperor’s Tomb is the sixth book in Berry’s Cotton Malone series, and it starts with an explosive prologue that sets the tone for the rest of the book. Malone, a former U.S. Justice Department agent, is dragged into a dangerous game of intrigue when he receives a cryptic message from a Chinese scientist who claims to have discovered the secret burial chamber of China’s first emperor, Qin Shihuang.
The story moves back and forth between China and the U.S., as Malone tries to uncover the truth behind the emperor’s tomb and the powerful forces that want to keep it hidden. Along the way, he encounters a cast of compelling characters, including a beautiful Chinese archaeologist, a ruthless Chinese official, and a mysterious American billionaire.
Berry’s writing is taut and suspenseful, and he expertly weaves in historical details about Qin Shihuang and the terra-cotta army that guards his tomb. The book also touches on themes of power, legacy, and the role of the past in shaping the present.
One of the strengths of The Emperor’s Tomb is its character development. Malone is a complex and flawed protagonist who is driven by a sense of justice but also haunted by his past mistakes.
The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, and their motivations and backstories add depth to the story. However, the book’s pacing can be uneven, with some slow sections that drag on before the action picks up again.
It also relies heavily on coincidence and unlikely events to move the plot forward. Overall, The Emperor’s Tomb is a solid addition to the Cotton Malone series and a satisfying read for fans of historical fiction and thrillers.
It may not be the most original or groundbreaking book in the genre, but it delivers on its promise of a riveting adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. For those who enjoy fast-paced action and intricate plots, The Emperor’s Tomb is definitely worth picking up.
It offers a thrilling ride through Chinese history and a glimpse into the murky world of international politics and espionage. With its mixture of fact and fiction, it may also inspire readers to delve deeper into the real-life mysteries that Berry explores in the book.
Overall, it earns a solid three out of five stars.
