12.21.12 by Killian McRae REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

12.21.12 by Killian McRae

review requested by the author


Synopsis from Goodreads
The only way to save the future is to decode the past. The only way to decode the past is to save the future.

Archaeologist Sheppard Smyth has staked his career and the honorable memory of his wife and partner on proving his widely panned theory: Cleopatra VII, the last sovereign pharaoh of Egypt, was not a victim of suicide as history suggests, but of a well-concealed murder. When a statue of the doomed Queen is unearthed in a pre-Columbian excavation site in Mexico, Shep rushes to investigate and, hopefully, find the proof that has evaded him for so long. The statue, however, is only the first clue suggesting a mysterious connection between Mesopotamia and Mesoamerica, and possibly - beyond. Suddenly thrust into the heated rivalry between sexy and enigmatic antiquities thief Victoria Kent and the infamous Russian mafioso Dmitri Kronastia, Shep finds himself a common pawn played by forces working to see out a quest older than the pyramids and cloaked in the Mayan Doomsday prophecy of 12.21.12.

 Amazon  US/UK | Amazon kindle US ($1.00)/UK (£0.77) | The Book Depository US/UK |  Smashwords 
 

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That was one hell of a great book! Honestly, guys, if any of you liked Stargate, Lara Croft, The Mummy and stories about gods and godlike creatures, this book is for you.



Immensely entertaining paranormal mystery, intriguing characters, really good world-building, fast pace... What else do you want? I  gobbled up 12.21.12 in just a few hours, and felt really satisfied afterwards. There was no cliffhanger. The story was nicely rounded up, and you sort of knew what to expect from book #2. The romantic line wasn't overwhelming despite being the moving force behind the action of the main characters, all the side-characters were interesting as well.


The cast was just WOW. 

Dmitri Kronastia, - what a charming villain, who was so much more than you assume in the beginning.

The smile that crossed over Dmitri’s face was one of pure amusement. “Now, doctor, what did you expect? Big burly, sweaty Russian, balding, big vodka gut and thick, sausage fingers? Someone who would shoot you as well as look at you? A hostile, hardened criminal?”
Almost shamefully, Shep confirmed that that was exactly what he had expected.
“Then, yes, I can see why you’re surprised,” Dmitri said with a chuckle. His smile only enhanced his youthful appearance, reminding Shep of the mismatch between his looks and his history. “Truth is, Dr. Smyth, I’m not even Russian.”

Victoria - a mysterious world-famous art thief and Dmitri's arch-enemy.

“Christopher, I understand you’re just doing your job. I’m really sorry about this,” she apologised, though her tone hardly seemed remorseful. “You do seem like a really nice guy.”
He was perplexed, and shivered when he felt Victoria’s fingertips bend around his wrist. “What the... ”
He looked down at the joining of their hands in confusion. It should have been impossible, but the pallor of his skin seemed to be getting more pale by the second. Was it shock? Was she squeezing so hard that she was actually forcing the blood from his hand?
Then the feeling of ice began to flow up his arms, slowly snaking its way towards his chest. Trying to reclaim his hand, he found it useless. She had him pinned, and he could not negotiate his release. Instead, he looked at her with a confused expression.
“Teleportation is a difficult thing, takes lots of energy, and I’m already cruising on fumes,” she said simply. “I’m so sorry that you have to die, but I’m just doing my job.”

Then there is an archaeologist Shep Smyth whose theory that Cleopatra was killed got him into this mess; Alex - an acolyte of Sekhmet cult; Priest... Ancient Egypt, Machu Picchu, London, Cairo... and so much more.


I find it actually quite hard to write a coherent review when there is so much goodness which you don't want to spoil for other readers. The characters felt genuine, the questions got answered and the story itself was pretty unique. I'm very impressed!


Highly recommended.

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Очень даже прекрасная книга, из которой мог бы получится превосходный фильм. Тут вам и некоторое сходство со Звёздными Вратами, Мумией и Ларой Крофт, боги или же неземные существа, пророчества и тайна смерти Клеопатры.


Учитывая как книга набита занимательной информацией и всяческими приключениями главных персонажей, скучать определённо некогда при её прочтении.


Главные герои: Дмитрий Кронастия - русский мафиози и миллиардер, Виктория Кент по кличке Ягуар - знаменитый вор, разыскиваемая Интреполом, Шеп Смит - археолог  с безумной теорией смерти Клеопатры и Алекс - служитель культа Сехмет, хорошо развиты, и развитие их отношений показано в их противостоянии и движении к единой цели.


Любовная линия, хоть и присутствует как движущая сила всей книги, практически никак не проявляется. Главной целью здесь является - остановить апокалипсис.


В целом, книга уникальна своим сюжетом и неординарными находками в построении мира. Клиффхангер отсутствует, однако вполне понятно о чём будет книга номер два, когда Киллиан её допишет.


Очень рекомендую.

9/10

Lovely Killian generously agreed to give away a copy of her ebook 12.21.12 to ONE reader.

Giveaway is open worldwide and ends 4th April 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway