Quantum Silence by John Viviano
-
lnygaard
- Posts: 52
- Joined: 28 Jul 2014, 19:38
- Bookshelf Size: 5
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-lnygaard.html
- Latest Review: "SCRUMstudy-SBOK-Guide-2013" by Scrumstudy
Official Review: Quantum Silence by John D. Viviano
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Quantum Silence" by John D. Viviano.]
Share This Review
The world’s largest gems are in peril. Flint Marquette, a talented, ego-centric, billionaire is after the seven largest gems to complete a super computer called Quantum Silence. Designed to by-pass any computer security protection, Quantum Silence will give Flint the ability to financially blackmail anyone including the US government. He will have the world at his fingertips. Flint is determined to buy all seven gems to make his super computer or steal them if necessary.
Clay St Claire is back in this sequel by John Viviano and ready to jump into action. Occasional contractor for the FBI, Clay is contacted about the disappearance of a hessonite garnet in Mexico. As more gems go missing, it becomes a race to discover the identity of the thief before the rest of the precious stones are gone.
I had several problems with Quantum Silence. In fact, halfway through it I gave myself a breather before finishing it so I could make sure I wasn’t building up frustration and give it an unfair review. My biggest problem was the long passages of research stuffed into the middle of the story. Several times it felt like I was reading an encyclopedia instead of an international thriller. I understand as a reader I need background information about the next exotic location, but this does not mean that the author should put every minute detail unless it moves the story along. This is a rooky mistake that is easily corrected by an editing team.
Speaking of minute detail, as a reader I’m happy that Clay and Nancy had such a healthy diet, but I’m not so interested in what was in Clay’s persimmon salad. The first time Clay and Nancy go out to eat there was literally multiple paragraphs talking only about the various dishes they order. At first I thought maybe Clay was planning to incapacitate an attacker with an artichoke, but this occurred again and again throughout the book. There is actually an entire paragraph of a meal described at a particular restaurant and when they go back to eat at the same place later in the story, Viviano literally cut and pasted this paragraph again. What is up with that?
Another beef I had was the way Clay and his love interest, Nancy, thought about each other. I’m all for loving, secure, thoughtful relationships, but being in one myself, I know that people do not think that way about their significant other. Allow me to quote directly from the book:
“’Nancy, this pistachio is really good...wanna taste?’ Clay inquired. He always enjoys sharing his desserts with Nancy, as it is just another way that he feels he can connect with her.” Pg45
Cue eye roll. I believe the author was trying to convey how deeply in love Clay and Nancy are and how much they wanted to make the other comfortable. A selfless love. Good idea, poorly written.
Alright, so what did I like about the book?
I liked the story. It’s a good idea and original. Stolen precious gems to make a supercomputer that could blackmail governments and large corporations? Excellent.
I liked the bad guys. Flint, Tattoo and Raven were all human people with realistic stories. Or at least stories that made sense and gave them color. I was, of course, rooting for the good guys to win, but Clay was just too perfect. He didn’t have human flaws or weaknesses (unless you count a fetish for big river nursery leaf lettuce and candied spice pecans). When reading what the antagonists were thinking it was never awkward or uncomfortable. Their thoughts flowed easily and if Viviano could let Clay and Nancy be real people for just a second, he would have a great book.
All in all, I think this is a book that has great potential, but really needs to be gone over again with an editing team. I don’t think it is ready for public consumption. Clay needed an Achilles heel and the research wasn’t well integrated into the story.
I would rate Quantum Silence a 2 out of 4 stars, in its current form. I would be interested in re-reading it if some serious edits were made. You’ve got something here, Viviano! Work on it a little more.
***
Buy "Quantum Silence" on Amazon
Buy "Quantum Silence" on Barnes and Noble
Share This Review
Clay St Claire is back in this sequel by John Viviano and ready to jump into action. Occasional contractor for the FBI, Clay is contacted about the disappearance of a hessonite garnet in Mexico. As more gems go missing, it becomes a race to discover the identity of the thief before the rest of the precious stones are gone.
I had several problems with Quantum Silence. In fact, halfway through it I gave myself a breather before finishing it so I could make sure I wasn’t building up frustration and give it an unfair review. My biggest problem was the long passages of research stuffed into the middle of the story. Several times it felt like I was reading an encyclopedia instead of an international thriller. I understand as a reader I need background information about the next exotic location, but this does not mean that the author should put every minute detail unless it moves the story along. This is a rooky mistake that is easily corrected by an editing team.
Speaking of minute detail, as a reader I’m happy that Clay and Nancy had such a healthy diet, but I’m not so interested in what was in Clay’s persimmon salad. The first time Clay and Nancy go out to eat there was literally multiple paragraphs talking only about the various dishes they order. At first I thought maybe Clay was planning to incapacitate an attacker with an artichoke, but this occurred again and again throughout the book. There is actually an entire paragraph of a meal described at a particular restaurant and when they go back to eat at the same place later in the story, Viviano literally cut and pasted this paragraph again. What is up with that?
Another beef I had was the way Clay and his love interest, Nancy, thought about each other. I’m all for loving, secure, thoughtful relationships, but being in one myself, I know that people do not think that way about their significant other. Allow me to quote directly from the book:
“’Nancy, this pistachio is really good...wanna taste?’ Clay inquired. He always enjoys sharing his desserts with Nancy, as it is just another way that he feels he can connect with her.” Pg45
Cue eye roll. I believe the author was trying to convey how deeply in love Clay and Nancy are and how much they wanted to make the other comfortable. A selfless love. Good idea, poorly written.
Alright, so what did I like about the book?
I liked the story. It’s a good idea and original. Stolen precious gems to make a supercomputer that could blackmail governments and large corporations? Excellent.
I liked the bad guys. Flint, Tattoo and Raven were all human people with realistic stories. Or at least stories that made sense and gave them color. I was, of course, rooting for the good guys to win, but Clay was just too perfect. He didn’t have human flaws or weaknesses (unless you count a fetish for big river nursery leaf lettuce and candied spice pecans). When reading what the antagonists were thinking it was never awkward or uncomfortable. Their thoughts flowed easily and if Viviano could let Clay and Nancy be real people for just a second, he would have a great book.
All in all, I think this is a book that has great potential, but really needs to be gone over again with an editing team. I don’t think it is ready for public consumption. Clay needed an Achilles heel and the research wasn’t well integrated into the story.
I would rate Quantum Silence a 2 out of 4 stars, in its current form. I would be interested in re-reading it if some serious edits were made. You’ve got something here, Viviano! Work on it a little more.
***
Buy "Quantum Silence" on Amazon
Buy "Quantum Silence" on Barnes and Noble
Latest Review: "SCRUMstudy-SBOK-Guide-2013" by Scrumstudy
