I like techno thrillers, hard SF and especially hard fantasy. I don't always read conspiracy thrillers, but when I do, I prefer Allan Folsom.
Having read two books from both authors, I considered Allan Folsom the 'good version' of Robert Ludlum (admittedly, The Sigma Protocol was ghostwritten). The Day After Tomorrow (no relation) ties all its plot threads together into an ending that's completely insane out of context, so I won't spoil it here. The Exile has a great opening scene, a strong central theme driving the hero's decisions, a good supporting cast, and a healthy dose of fanservice. The fact that it's internally structured as a trilogy makes me wonder why nobody's tried to film it yet.
Ever come across a sequel that makes you afraid to revisit the original in case it's not actually any good? Allow me to introduce the Machiavelli Covenant. No theme, jettisons the supporting cast of the Exile, without explanation for 600 pages. The protagonist has no defining characteristics. The conspiracy is as generic as possible. Say it with me: a cabal of politicians, scientists and businesspeople run the world from underground lairs. No twists on the concept, no self awareness, no dramatic reversals. The same character arc is repeated three times, and the only actual twist is that one of them was faking.
Here's the drinking game:
- Drink when three or more people are referred to by full name and title in quick succession. Drink again for each that has no dialogue in the following scene. If the heroes are trying to save this person, drink once for each hundred pages since you last heard their name.
- Drink when the same exposition is repeated on consecutive pages.
- Drink when the narrator interrupts dialogue for parenthetical exposition.
- Drink when hyphenation is used to imply clear enunciation, even-though-it-doesn't.
- Drink when an innocent official is conflicted, but then helps the heroes. There is no other possibility.
- Drink when someone uses a BlackBerry.
- Drink when computers are used fairly accurately, but with reverential awe. He clicked Safely Remove hardware! The computer granted him permission to remove the USB drive! (absolutely serious here)
- Drink when "the Middle East" and "the Muslim states" are used interchangeably.
- Drink when two guys are alone in the dark (yes, I was bored enough to see the slash fuel. I wish this weren't a running theme in these rants).
- Drink when you get Christina and Luciana mixed up. Otherwise known as any scene in which either appears.
- Drink when the book runs afoul of Godwin's law.
But the biggest disappointment? This 2006 conspiracy thriller has a minor villain named Langdon. Fingers were crossed for petty ultraviolence. But no, he has no lines and just gets arrested at the end.
