Friday, December 19, 2008

Book Review and Giveaway: The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose

After barely surviving a terrorist bomb, Josh Ryder starts to have visions of 4th century Roman life which are so vivid and disturbing, he turns to a foundation specializing in past-life regressions for help. It is through them that he ends up at an archeological dig in Rome that not only contains the mummified remains of a vestal virgin/past-life lover but also some pagan memory stones which may help prove the validity of reincarnation once and for all. Naturally, these stones are stolen and Josh becomes one of many players in a high-stakes race to get them back.

Many other reviewers have compared this to Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, and I have to admit that’s the first comparison I made while reading as well. Both focus on a controversial topic, have antagonists from the Catholic Church and feature exotic locations. This novel didn’t flow nearly as well as the Da Vinci Code, though the plotting is more believable.

I have always had an interest in archeology, and I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this novel – the forays into ancient Rome as well as the 1800s were rich with detail and interesting characters. It’s the present day story that could have used a bit more polish. Josh comes off as a strange combo of boring and creepily nuts and pretty archeologist Gabriella pretty much spends the entire novel reacting to tragedies by freaking out.

About midway through, I woke up in the middle of the night with an epiphany about where the novel was headed, based on the assumption that the memory stones were what the book was all about. I don’t want to go into spoilers, so I will just say that my assumption turned out to be wrong and I thought the resolution suffered for it.

Who do I think would like this? Fans of high concept thrillers, those interested in the idea of reincarnation, and yes, people who liked The Da Vinci Code (whether they admit to it or not).

And guess what? I have some copies to give away! The grand prize winner will get a two book prize pack with a paperback copy of The Reincarnationist and a hardcover copy of MJ Rose’s latest release The Memorist (which I am in the middle of now and enjoying even more). I will also give away one paperback of the Reincarnationist for every 20 people who enter the giveaway (up to 5 copies!). All you have to do is comment on this review. Comment on Author MJ Rose’s guest post later today for a second entry. The grand prize is open to US/Canada residents only, but I will send the paperbacks internationally. Enter by Saturday, December 27 at 9 pm CST. CONTEST EXTENDED TO JANUARY 6th!

80 comments:

Beth Kephart said...

Hey. Aren't you supposed to be on vacation? Your output scares me.

Anonymous said...

I've had my eye on these books for a while now - I'd love to win!

nnjmom at yahoo dot com

Margay Leah Justice said...

I, too, have been wanting to read these books since I first read blurbs about them.

Anonymous said...

You got me - thriller, reincarnation and The Da Vinci Code. I'd love to be entered. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

Karin said...

Sounds fascinating....

Anonymous said...

Sounds awesome. I haven't had a chance to read Da Vinci Code yet, so I guess now they're both on my TBR list. haha.
Please enter me in the giveaway. I would love to win the books to read. =) Thanks.

The Giveaway Diva said...

wow sounds good! would love to win!

Heidi Willis said...

I'm ashamed to say I'd never heard of this book, but it sounds absolutely fascinating. I love archeology and the idea of reincarnation. I'm glad you didn't find it predictable, but now I'm wondering why it wasn't as good a resolution as you'd hoped!

This is now definitely on my TBR list!

Thanks for coming by my blog! I'm glad to have found yours!

Anonymous said...

Enter me please ^^ i'd love to win this book

something_maybe(at)live(dot)com

Kristen M. said...

I'm in! I'm going to need some action-packed reading after I finish Bleak House!

ElleVee said...

I want a book!

jocelyn said...

Oh, wow, this sounds like a really interesting book--enter me!

Eva @ One Swede Read said...

It sounds great - please enter me. Thanks!

sarirose said...

I have read the Memorist and am really wanting a copy of the Reincarnationist!

Colleen said...

For at least three year in grade school, I was determined to become an archaeologist when I grew up. Seomtimes I still find myslef wondering why I didn't pursue it...

Anyway, I'd love to be entered to win this contest- the books sound great!

Colleen
Foreign Circus Library

Anonymous said...

archeology has always interesting, and what better than a book that combines archeology and suspense.

Please enter me (I am international)

Darlene said...

I have wanted to read these books for a good long time now. I'd love to be entered. I'm fascinated with reincarnation and I'll admit to really liking The DaVinci Code-we read it in our book club and we all liked it.

Anonymous said...

I never read The Da Vinci Code but I read The Rule of Four and liked it.

amber at amberstults.com

Amber said...

I am entering, but just for the paperback copy since I am international. Thank you for the giveaway!

Meredith said...

This book sounds soo very good. I would love to win any copy that you have!

~Meredith

allisonmariecat said...

I've had my eye on both of these books! Great review. I'm not sure I won't be disappointed in The Reincarnationist, but it sounds like a fun ride, anyway!

caite said...

Not a subject I would normally be interested in, but after reading your comments my interest is peaked.

Throw my hat in the ring, please!

Serena said...

I will be doing a January tour with MJ Rose and I received my copies this week. I can't wait to get started.

Sheri S. said...

These books sounds so interesting! Please count me in. Thanks!

Book Sp(l)ot said...

This sounds like a very interesting book. I would really love a chance to read it (or them).

And I've already commented on the other post :)

Kathleen said...

Ooh count me in. I really want to read these books.

callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca

Kaye said...

I freely admit to liking the Da VInci Code and Angels and Demons. I'm also a believer in reincarnation so would love to win this book. lease enter me in the drawing.
florida982002[at]yahoo dot com

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

No need to enter me, Lenore. I'm just dropping in to say thanks for the mail and I've got this listed at Win a Book.

Wendy said...

I would love to win either or both of these books! Thanks for the giveaway.

caribousmom (at) gmail (dot) com

Stephanie said...

Sounds great, sign me up! :)

Anonymous said...

I have been wanting to read both of these books ever since I first read reviews on them. They are so my type of read.
traymona[at]aol.com

Alessandra said...

I'd love to win! I can't compete for the grand prize, but thank you for offering the paperbacks to international readers!

Alessandra
outofblue1[at]gmail.com

thebluerose said...

This book sounds great. I would love to enter.

ttt1612 AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

Sounds like two great books!
I'd love to win :)

Gwendolyn B. said...

I've only heard good things about these books - I'd love to read them. Thanks for the chance!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

Anything involving Rome gets my interest. This sounds fascinating and I'd love to read it to write about its historical accuracy.

Valorie
morbidromantic{@}gmail.com

allire said...

Wow. It seems really interesting.
= ]
Please, enter me.

allyssasmith@gmail.com

And I'll go comment on MJ's guest post as soon as I'm done posting this comment. ^_^

Teddy Rose said...

Thanks for the another opportunity to try to win these books! I think I have entered just about every giveaway so far but with no luck. Maybe I'll have better luck here. Fingers crossed.

I blogged about your giveaway here:

http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/12/this-weeks-giveaways-galore_21.html

teddyr66 at yahoo.com

Blodeuedd said...

Sounds really good, and a paperback I would love :)
blodeuedd1@gmail.com

Penelope said...

Sounds like a great book to read! Thanks for the wonderful contest!

Wrighty said...

Please include me too! These both sound good and I haven't had a chance to read either one yet. It would be great to win them, thanks for the opportunity. Happy holidays!

5wrights1@verizon.net

Passages to the Past said...

Please sign me up! Thanks!

passagestothepast at gmail dot com

Anya said...

Sounds like a good read. Thanks for the chance to win.

Janece Suarez said...

Sounds like in interesting read! I think my hubby and I would both get a charge out of these books!
Thank you for such a generous contest! =)

Anonymous said...

I have a copy of the Memorist I haven't read yet but would love tio win The Reincarnationist. Both sound great. thanks for entering me.

Melissa said...

I keep looking at these books and wondering if I would like them...Your review has me convinced I will! Thanks for the contest.

Juicebox.mom said...

I'd love to read this! Thanks for the giveaway :-)

K Giardina said...

Liked DaVinci Code - looks intriguing. I'd love to read these!
Thanks for the contest!

Amanda said...

I've been wanting to read these. Thanks for the chance!

Anonymous said...

wow i'd love to be entered! thanks!

glittergurl04@hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

wow this sounds like a great read! enter me in pleas!

glamorchick_007 @hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

this sounds like a great book! i would love to be entered!

papalum(at)hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

oo please enter me! i am so intrigued by your awesome review!!

swt_babe321 @hotmail.com

Carol M said...

I'm really interested in reincarnation and would love to read these books! I'm a big fan of high concept thrillers, too. Thank you for the chance to win!
Carol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com

Andi said...

I am sooooo interested in reincarnation!

Nikki in Niagara said...

oh, oh, oh, please enter me! Thanks!

Asylumgirl said...

I loved Da Vinci Code and I Indiana Jones is my hero, so I think I would love to read this! LOL

Deidre
deidre_durance at hotmail dot com

Liviania said...

I've read the Da Vinci code. It was okay, but flawed, and certainly didn't deserve the attention it got.

tanabata said...

I've been hearing such great things about both these books!
I'm in Japan so I'd love to have my name in for a chance to win one of the paperbacks. Thanks.
tanabata2000 at gmail dot com

Kristi said...

Please sign me up. I would love the chance to win these books.

kherbrand(at)comcast(dot)net

Unknown said...

I used to want to be an archeologist when I was younger! Happy Holidays!

bridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Amanda said...

I have heard great reviews of these books! I would love a chance to win one!

mindy said...

sounds intriguing thanks for the contest minsthins(at)optonline(dot)net

Sheila Hickmon said...

Please count me in!!

Rebecca said...

Her books do sound interesting. Please enter me in your contest. My email address is rmsacks at hotmail dot com.

Amanda said...

I've heard great things about these books and I was big fan of the DaVinci code and other books similar to this. I'd love to read both of them. Enter me:
awalworth19@gmail.com
Thanks!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

The review of The Reincarnationist really drew me in. This book sounds great in all aspects. Please add me to the contest entries. I live in Canada.

bgelean@xplornet.com

Unknown said...

I would love to win this!

Thanks for the chance!

Lexi

lexihenshel at gmail dot com

Ladytink_534 said...

I just love the premise for these books. I can't wait to read them!

The Tome Traveller said...

Oooh, I have soooo been wanting to read these, the reviews have been great everywhere! Please enter me!

Carey

stacey @ bookthirty said...

Thanks for extending the deadline! Now I can squeeze in. :)

stacey(dot)bookthirty(at)gmail(dot)com

Riva said...

I'm so glad you extended the deadline. I somehow missed this notice the first time around. Please enter me.

dulcibelle (at) earthlink (dot) net

Meg89 said...

Sounds great, please enter me!

Amanda said...

O please I've been wanting to read these!! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Awesome! It's been extended! Yahoo! I get to participate in this one! These M.J. Rose books sound great!

email: thekbseries@yahoo.com

juiciliciousss reviews said...

omgg, i heard soo much about this series :)
please enter me

stephanie

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. I have the e-book of the first in the series when MJ Rose was allowing a free download before the release of the sequel, but haven't started it yet though it looks interesting.

sharon54220 said...

Please enter me in this great giveaway.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Heather said...

I'm always looking for new reads. Please enter me as well!