Novel idea stretches one's belief at times!
588749
I am just over half way through reading this novel, so I can't give a full review at this time. So far, the story has an interesting and unusual slant on the idea of being dead and yet NOT dead.
Your powers of imagination will be put to the test, particularly when later on the characters are enabled to enter live peoples bodies!
I sympathise with the main character as he watches an ingrate son wreck his pathetic life.  So true to what happens all too often in this permissive society.
Has lots of funny moments, and so far it's been a story to keep my interest perked. Not great though - just a three star novelty!
3501841
The reason I gave it two stars instead of one were the points made about the science regarding the finite future of this planet our sun, etc. This is an inventive novel but not too savvy about physics and other scientific disciplines!

This novel attempts to explore the possibilities of aliens arriving on Earth to search for God! That is their purpose for coming here!  Numerous beings are dropped off in numerous areas around Earth to explore our obsession with God!  Their knowledge of us is from radio broadcast.

The main alien (Hollus) lands in front of the ROM in Toronto. That is a good choice of locations but, I doubt that any government including Canada would be willing to take a hands off position and not do something stupid to the creatures in the name of gaining scientific knowledge. But, after a brief conversation with Hollus explaining she is here as a scientist and  she is willing and able to go to the USA if Canada has a problem with her scientific investigation with a Canadian paleontologist...governments around the world sit back and for the most part are uninvolved in this experience.  If you can suspend your intellectual functioning on this issue you may find the rest of the book entertaining.

The reason for my title is Sawyer takes huge liberties with the known theories in biology and physics.  He does present a novel and perhaps not impossible way for us and all other intelligent life to live forever... someday.  His take on a "creator" being responsible for the giant evolutionary leaps in the fossil record is beyond suspect.  I don't doubt that drastic climate changes, bombardments from asteroids, and other nasty factors had an effect on leaps in the fossil record. The idea of a "creator" being the cause and purpose for these events is too far fetched for me to embrace. In our case the leaps were beneficial... for the dinosaurs not so much.

I feel the author had an opportunity to develop an interesting idea of God verses "creator" but doesn't get there.  There are are huge holes in the logic and storyline of this novel. Questions of why and how are good questions for us to ask...Why is better answered by philosophers and question of How should be answered scientifically.  Sci-fie should be "what if"  questions and this novel doesn't get there either.
11184
I enjoyed reading this book even though the premise of two strangers looking enough alike to fool their family and friends is extremely far-fetched.  Amish fiction is not my favorite genre, so that may account for my lack of enthusiasm for this book as well.  Fans of Amish literature might really like this one!
100912
THE LURE kicks off in the Tatra's, in an underground laboratory which detects signals that could only have come from an extra-terrestrial intelligence. How do we authenticate it? Do we respond to it? And most importantly, what consequences could this have for us? Indeed, several governments suddenly take a big interest in the matter, and they have somewhat different view about how to deal with this situation. The result: scientists on the run! Getting chased by none other than the CIA hit squads and other unsavory characters!
This novel takes us to some fascinating locations in Eastern Europe, and I enjoyed the trip. However, this book requires considerable suspension of reality, so fair enough: it is a novel after all. In fact, I found the idea very original, which was a refreshing change from most of the re-hashes I have read lately. Furthermore, the author is clearly a scientist. Indeed, he is a Professor of Astronomy! It is absolutely evident from his writing, and you do not encounter a string of scientific "blunders" as you do for example with Matthew Reilly's novels. Which is a good thing. However, on the down side, while his idea is excellent, the story leaves a bit to be desired. There are too many boring stereotypes. Somewhat forward Norwegian (read Scandinavian) women with long blond hair; Russians who never stop smoking and who could drink endless amounts of hard liquor. They tend to make the plot seem a little shallow and unoriginal. The key political figures, for example, the US president, seem to be simple and somewhat dim; although given the current incumbent, this is probably right on the mark. There is also perhaps an overdose of physics and astronomy, but these are well-worked into the story. While I still recommend THE LURE without hesitation, I certainly preferred NEMESIS, REVELATION and SPLINTERED ICON, and would direct prospective readers to those novels first.
1487452
Wow, is this ever a tough book to review and rate!! The premise (a crime-writer is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and begins to confess to murders matching the plots of his books) is a unique one with lots of promise. It sucked me in right away. Did the writer actually commit the murders, or do they just feel real to him in his dementia? When people he is acquainted with in his current life begin to die, things really get interesting! But it is also where things get confusing/hard to believe: how is he always escaping the secure facility where he is kept, ending up miles away (supposedly walking), and keeping momentos from each crime scene? Has he always been a killer, is he really demented, or is someone setting him up? If so, who? He keeps a journal (NOT a diary as he explains hundreds of times) to help him remember his life before the Alzheimer's get worse. This journal is used as a primary tool to advance the story. Yet, while there are entries that show his confusion and dementia, there are also entries that are very well thought-out. Although I know in dementia, there are good days and bad, the predominance of the thoughtful entries in the journal are hard to reconcile with the diagnosis. Now you see my conundrum! A very interesting premise, but you must be willing to suspend believability throughout a large part of the book. Rather than "Trust No One", I think the title should have been "What Should You Believe?"

An enjoyable read, I thank NetGalley for giving me a copy of the book to review
110148
A weird combination of sci-fi, philosophy, and mysticism... but it works!
2374690
I found this book very fascinating and really enjoyed the idea behind the book. It's a very interesting idea and the moral dilemma that arises gave me something to think about throughout the day.
I enjoyed the sites and descriptions that Brown provides but the reason that I didn't give it the glorious five star rating is because of the in-depth descriptions at the wrong times.  I do enjoy a description of where the characters are and all of the fascinating architecture but some descriptions were provided in areas of the book where something really exciting was happening and then there's a page about the architecture/history that almost had me skimming just to find out what happened!

Overall a very good book and interesting premise. I am/would recommend it.
247029
Premise slightly convoluted, but overall a very good read
2858892
Very interesting premise in this Sci-Fi offering.  What happens in the far distant future when people are driven by 1 of four religious beliefs?  Beliefs you are born into, not chosen. What happens when an outside entity get thrown in the mix?  The novel was a slow start due to the background needing to be set, however, it is worth staying with it.  In true David Beers fashion we have a story that gives something to think about and another mic drop ending.
2074266
The overall premise for the book makes for a good conspiracy story. If the reader can get beyond some things that I felt were distracting, then it will be successful for future digital reading--or perhaps give an idea to some evil genius? It did make me consider the possibilities!

A story about a simple, everyday guy who is a plumber by trade, enjoys reading The Book as does everyone else it appears.  This seems to be the one and only method of receiving news in these times.  The Book is constantly updating as to create a society where everyone is peaceful and not considering the possibilities of what or who is really in charge--nor knowing that books within The Book are even being revised.  It is either the doing of Homeland Security or the Publishing House--or maybe they are the same, I am not clear on that.

May be some spoilers, read at your own risk if you don't want to know.
The problems I had with The Book:
I think this book probably did need a little more editing to smooth out the timeline and plot development.  I had problems placing this story so far into the future when the present was so openly placed in today's time.  The structures, bus system, the van for example when this story was suppose to be taking place hundreds of years from today did distract me and I had a hard time really seeing this story being placed so far into the future. Also, the final ending of the story being 30 years later, is Winston still alive??  Finally, I don't know who that boy is at the very end that everyone else seems to know, no clues?  Not my favorite way to end a story (and I have been googling to try and get an answer w/o much luck).
4889376
A fun short read that when combined with some imagination is fairly accurate!
2825058
Every so often an author comes up with a unique idea for a story that does not conform to the usual, predictable template of so many fiction novels.  This book is written by one of those authors.  The story is based on the unique premise of a woman being "chosen" by "someone" or "something" omnipotent to write an addendum to augment the world's holy books, like the Bible, Q'uran, and Hindu and Buddhist texts.  A major part of the story's appeal is the air of mystery that permeates the entire story.  The reader is never entirely sure what is real and what isn't and where the whole story will end up until the end.  There is also a psychological tension throughout the story as the reader finds him or herself experiencing the confusion, the insecurity, and uncertainty of the main character as she tries to get to the bottom of a situation both surreal and unpredictable, always wondering whom, exactly, she is employed by, what their real motive is, and what the outcome will be, both for her and other characters in the story.
3794338
Great idea, great premise, well realized. My reasons for 4 stars instead of 5: a couple of places read like the author was a bit of a beginner, with two many secondary characters that were too much alike and could be combined and the book would be much stronger. Also the main character seemed to change a touch sometimes, without reason, especially in the romances.

Still, overall I enjoyed this fantasy and will read more by the author.
3370371
The concept was interesting and unique, but a bit implausible. The novel held my interest and was deinitely worth reading, but I did guess the outcome well before the climax of the plot.
933764
The author took liberties for sure, alleging people were thinking things at any given time. Based on public behavior, even wild anecdotes seem plausible. Thats part of its draw - if the events in this book happened, I wouldnt be surprised. If they facts were stretched, Id expect they were only stretched a little.
2711746
An interesting and well written book but some of the proposed alien scenarios were a bit of a too far out.  He does have quite an imagination!
4900035
I think I have found my next book discussion selection. Exploring the concept of whether we are truly our physical body or our thoughts and dreams. Four terminally ill people are given the chance to transplant their intangible self into a perfect clone of themselves, minus any imperfections! They are monitored and attend followup group meetings. Each has his or her own challenges to overcome, and we get to hear their experiences in their own voices. The changing viewpoints can be disconcerting at times. The overall premise of the novel is intriguing, and the promise of the premise is kept.
I look forward to lively discussion and debate regarding this one!
*I received my copy through NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.