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The DaVinci Code brought the Holy Grail and the secrets of the early Catholic church back into popularity, and I have jumped right on that bandwagon, which is why Labyrinth appealed to me. Alice Tanner, a volunteer on an archaeological dig in Carcassone, France, discovers a cave containing two ancient skeletons and other objects, including a ring with the symbol of a labyrinth. She soon realizes that she has drawn the unwelcome attention of unscrupulous people who would do anything to get their hands on the objects contained in the cave. The narrative shifts back in time to the 13th century, where a young woman named Alais has been entrusted with the objects and pledges to keep them safe. This is played out against the backdrop of the Catholic crusade against the heretic Cathar sect in the French region of the Languedoc. As the story unfolds, the reader learns the nature of the Holy Grail, the books which lead to its location, and the people who have protected it throughout history including Alais in the past and Alice in the present. This is the kind of book that makes you feel a bit self-satisfied in that you're reading pure fiction but you're getting a bit of real history as well, so that the next time the subject of the Albigensian Crusade creeps into the conversation (well, it COULD happen!), you'll remember this book and will be able to speak intelligently about it. The pace was a bit slow, so much so that I was ready to stop reading in in the beginning, but it soon picked up and held my interest until the last exciting moments. All in all, I think it's a good read for anyone who likes to speculate on these ancient mysteries.Read full review
What started out as a promising story was quickly dispelled for me in a couple of pages. When a writer unsettles the reader in various small unprofessional ways in the opening pages, as Kate Mosse did me at the start of this 700-page tome, he or she should never write a sentence like: “Abruptly she does not want to go on.” on page 7 of the text (page 9 of the book). This telling phrase stuck out wildly and I could but agree with the author: “Nope. Neither do I.” This book was recommended by Diana Gabaldon, a writer in full command of the wordsmith’s trade, and I assume she was trying to be kind. Kate Mosse is very much a beginner in comparison and her book simply has too many errors per page. Why these issues are not picked up at the editing stage is beyond me. Some highlights: “drinking down great gulps of warm water…”; don’t buy it and there is no other info to suggest why this is remotely important. Although she is “not a trained archaeologist, just a volunteer…” she nevertheless “knows her instincts are right…” and, just after a runaway boulder has narrowly missed crushing her (and mysteriously come to a halt “further down the mountain…”, in spite of its obvious momentum, rather than careering on dangerously towards the other group of diggers below, as one cannot help thinking might have happened), “She can’t believe she made such a basic mistake as not securing the boulder.” I mean, come on: she’s a volunteer. It’s obvious why she could make such mistakes. And if the dig is so dangerous, what is she doing digging alone anyway. In fact, why the hell would a volunteer be left alone on a dig in the first place. Perhaps you can see, by my own rambling, just where such a failure to get details right can lead to: complete lack of trust in the author quickly followed by more or less complete disinterest. Then, all this business about how the area “is a place of secrets...,” and “Hopefully her luck’s about to change…” and so on, is too obvious a build-up for something. The text lacks subtlety, with the words getting in each other’s way. Yes I’m being picky, but only because I feel I’ve been robbed! I mean, this was potentially a long read and I was ready to enjoy it. What a shame. Mind you, the writing itself is a step up from Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, which hovers aimlessly around the old Cathar histories as well and is genuinely poor writing. Kate Mosse's writing has spark, but unfortunately no ignition.Read full review
I found this rather unknown book by accident. I am glad I did. I must admit that it took about 100 pages for me to get into the book, but it was a quick read from there on. Kate Mosse weaves this story of the past and present beautifully. She reveals only enough to allow you to start forming a guess about what will happen next; then she side-swipes you and has you changing your mind all over again. The characters were well designed, the plot was driven (after the 1st few chapters) and the backdrop was vividly described. I only hope that I can find more books by this author; if her other offerings are as good as this book, she will be very successful.
This series of books by Kate Mosse pull you into a deep cave and you can’t get out until you read the final page of the third book. But, ah-ha! I know who is still alive and that leaves it open for a possible fourth! Anyone who is fascinated by the history of southwest France will be hooked: Cathars, Albigensian Crusade, Carcassonne, Rennes-Le-Bain… oh, the secrecy and mystery of it all! Beautifully written, compelling plot and characters, I am hooked indeed. I’d love to take a tour of the area with Kate Mosse and hear her own stories. Thank you, Miss Mosse, for your contributions to the world of historical fiction.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I really loved this book. It was written well and descriptive.
Verified purchase: No
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