Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Review and Giveaway - The Last Ember by Daniel Levin



The Last Ember by Daniel Levin





rating: 4.0/5.0










From Goodreads:
Jonathan Marcus was a promising young archeologist studying at the American Academy in Rome when a terrible accident during an illegal excavation resulted in a friend’s death and Jonathan’s expulsion from the academy. Jonathan abandoned archaeology for the law, developing a reputation as a skillful advocate for some of the art world’s less scrupulous antiquities dealers.

When his firm sends Jonathan to Rome to discredit the testimony of a prominent U.N. antiquities official, he’s stunned to discover that the expert is Dr. Emili Travia, a friend and fellow student at the academy who was also at the excavation. This chance reunion prompts Jonathan, against his better judgment, to help Emili as she searches for the fabled Tabernacle Menorah, a priceless historical artifact seized by Roman invaders in the first century A.D. and brought to Rome where it disappeared. As they scour the ancient sites of Rome for hints to the menorah’s whereabouts—deciphering clues to its location left by ancient spies and eighteenth century art restorers—it quickly becomes clear that they are not alone in their quest.

What follows is a treasure hunt like no other, a race to find the menorah in order to control a historical perspective of who can define—and redefine—the past.
The Last Ember is a non-stop thrill ride. There is plenty of action, some romance, a lot of history and archaeology, great characters and a well-developed plot.

It's one of those stories where you have several groups of people converging on one ultimate goal. You have Jonathan and Emily, the Italian police group and of course the requisite bad guy. They are all after one thing - the Menorah that has been hidden for centuries. Two groups have similar goals and the bad guy has the sinister goal as expected.

I enjoyed all of the history and archeology that went into this book, I fell it was researched and that the subject matter was important tot he author. I never really had a desire to visit Rome before, and now I am dying to go. What a fascinating city with a rich history. The story moves from Rome to Israel and back and kept me on the edge of my seat. I learned little tidbits, I was entertained, and I really liked the characters.

This is a wonderful book by a debut author and I will definitely be picking up the next book that he puts out.

Binding: Hardcover
On-sale Date: August 6, 2009
Publisher: Riverhead Books
Pages: 432

Also I would like to give away my copy which is an arc. I will open the contest today through September 11th. US and Canada residents only please. Please enter by:

  1. Commenting on my blog, make sure I have a way to contact you. (+1)
  2. Become a blog follower or let me know if you are already a follower (+1)
  3. Tell me any other books set in Rome or Israel you have read and enjoyed (+1)
  4. Tweet about this review and giveaway, use @cfulcher in the tweet so I can find it (+1)
  5. Follow me on Twitter (or let me know if you are a current follower) (+1)
  6. Blog about this contest and let me know the link (sidebar or post is fine) (+1)
So there you go - 6 ways to get an entry into this contest. You can leave them in separate posts or one post, it doesn't matter, I will make sure you get your entries, just make sure to let me know what you do.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your review of The Last Ember made the book come alive. I'd love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Another book I enjoyed that's set in Rome is: Pope Joan: A Novel by Donna Woolfolk Cross

wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

The Bookworm said...

This sounds really good. No need to enter me, but great review :)

http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Sue said...

This looks great!! Thanks for sharing.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

M.A.D. said...

Mary D
zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Okay, now after reading your vivid review, I am drooling to read this! The Last Ember is forthwith on my Want List LOL

Please enter me to win and thank you so much for the chance :)

M.A.D. said...

Mary D
zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

I just signed up to Follow in Google :)

M.A.D. said...

Mary D
zenrei5 7(at) hotmail (dot) com

I loved Angels & Demons by Dan Brown :) It is set at the Vatican in Rome and is a terrific MUST READ!

serendipity_viv said...

Sounds like a real thriller. Glad to hear you enjoyed. No need to enter me as I am way over here in England.

throuthehaze said...

count me in please

throuthehaze at gmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

i enjoyed Angels and Demon which is set in Rome
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

throuthehaze said...

follow on twitter @throuthehaze

throuthehaze at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

need a good end of summer read,,thx for contest..
thehighflyer3(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I would love to win this, please enter me in the giveaway, thanks!
Great blog!

roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog!
roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Lost Tribes Of Israel was excellent, it is a 4-book set!
roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/coolcanucks/status/3772354075

roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow you on Twitter! (roxxyroller,coolcanucks)
roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I own CoolCanucks.ca, which is a Canadian Contest and Freebie site. This giveaway is posted here!

http://forum.coolcanucks.ca/21402-my-reading-room-last-ember-daniel-levin-book-giveaway-sept11-canada

roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com

Debbie F said...

Please include me! Thanks
+1 I'm a follower!
+1 I follow you on twitter
Thanks!
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Anonymous said...

need a good fall read..thx for the contest...
thehighflyer3(at)hotmail(dot)com

carol said...

The book sounds like it would make a great movie! I'd love to read it.

renee said...

I would love a chance to read this, please enter me
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca

renee said...

I am i follower
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca

renee said...

I follow on twitter(nicjosemm)
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca

cherdon said...

Your review sure helped me to decide to want to give this book a try.


Please enter me...thanks

cherdon@sympatico.ca

cherdon said...

Became a blog follower :-)


cherdon@symapatico.ca

cherdon said...

A book that I enjoyed that's set in Rome is: Leaving Winter by Kathleen A.S.Quinn

cherdon@sympatico.ca

cherdon said...

tweet

http://twitter.com/iamcherdon/status/3927432316

cherdon@sympatico.ca

cherdon said...

I follow you on twitter

ID - iamcherdon


cherdon@sympatico.ca

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