As an avid fan of the games, I had long been intrigued by the idea of sitting down and reading the books. Finally, I took the plunge, and I'm so glad I did. The first installment was an absolute delight.

It unfolded beautifully, gradually leading me down into the captivating world of global espionage. The story was filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

Personally, I found that the Intel gathering portions were particularly engaging. They added a layer of depth and complexity to the narrative that I really enjoyed. While the action portions were exciting, I thought the Intel gathering scenes were what really set this book apart.

Overall, it was a thrilling ride from beginning to end. I can't wait to dive into the next installment and see where the story takes me.

Splinter Cell, a captivating spy fiction series penned by David Michaels, is truly a gem that I hold dear and would eagerly read multiple times.

Before delving into all the aspects that I adore about this book, I must admit that my opinion is somewhat biased as I have a profound love for the video games and the character himself. Sam Fisher, the protagonist and a highly skilled splinter cell, is a solemn individual who will stop at nothing to safeguard the well-being of all. He endeavors to do his utmost best, and he executes it splendidly, remaining concealed in the shadows and piecing together details to unearth more information crucial for mission completion.

For those who have previously played the video game, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you. It offers a deeper understanding of all the characters and provides an in-depth portrayal of what transpires in Sam Fisher's mind and the actions he undertakes. Although the book may experience moments of slowness, it more than compensates with its intense action sequences and nail-biting suspense. When the story reaches its gripping parts, it becomes an absolute page-turner. I am truly enamored with this book and look forward to continuing my journey through the rest of this series. I can hardly wait to witness how Sam Fisher saves the world once again.

Predictable. I've read an abundance of thrillers and engaged in countless games.

As a result, this no longer holds any element of surprise for me.

The patterns and tropes have become so familiar that I can anticipate the twists and turns before they even occur.

It's almost as if I have a sixth sense for these things.

Perhaps it's because I've immersed myself in this genre to such an extent that my mind has become attuned to its nuances.

While I still enjoy the entertainment value, the lack of surprise does take away some of the excitement.

Nevertheless, I continue to explore new thrillers and games, hoping to find that one that will break the mold and truly shock me.

Until then, I'll have to settle for the predictability that comes with the territory.

Personal opinion, the story of this book is better than the game.

The book often offers a more in-depth and detailed exploration of the story. It allows the reader to fully immerse in the narrative, imagining the scenes and characters in their own minds. The written word has the power to convey emotions, thoughts, and descriptions in a way that a game may not always be able to achieve.

In a game, the focus is often on the gameplay and interactivity. While this can be exciting, it may sometimes overshadow the story. The limited time and resources available in a game may also force developers to simplify or abbreviate the story.

However, it's important to note that both books and games have their own unique strengths. Games can provide a more immersive and engaging experience through their visuals, sound, and interactivity. They can also allow the player to make choices and influence the outcome of the story.

In conclusion, while the story of this book may be better in my opinion, it doesn't mean that the game is not worth playing. Each medium has its own charm and can offer a different kind of entertainment. It ultimately depends on personal preferences and what one is looking for in a story.

Classique mais efficace.

This simple phrase holds a world of meaning. The concept of the classic is something that has stood the test of time, something that has endured and remained relevant despite the changing tides of fashion and trends. It represents a certain elegance, a timeless quality that never goes out of style.

And yet, the classic is not just about aesthetics. It is also about efficacy. The classic has proven itself to be effective, to work, to get the job done. It is not a passing fad or a trendy gimmick, but a tried and true method or design that has withstood the challenges of the real world.

In a world that is constantly changing and evolving, the classic provides a sense of stability and reliability. It is a source of inspiration and a model for excellence. Whether it is in fashion, design, literature, or any other field, the classic continues to be a powerful force that shapes our culture and our lives.

I first read this book when I was just 13 years old, shortly after it was released into the market. I was an enormous fan of the Splinter Cell videogame, so when I saw this book on display at Boarders, I was truly stoked. I breezed through the book with great ease and read it again less than a year later. It was the very first book I read that had adult themes such as cursing, gore, and sex, which perhaps only added to the excitement for me. I have read it another time since then and decided to read it once more at the age of 31 to see if it was as good as I had remembered it. And for me, it still is.

I am well aware of the negative reviews that this book has received, and some of them do raise fair points. The Shadows, an Islamic terrorist group, and The Shop, Russian arms dealers, are indeed incredibly unoriginal villains. The way the author views and speaks of the world is from an incredibly simple-minded, Americanized lens. However, my defense of this is that the book was never intended to be thought-provoking in the first place. It's a "junk food" read that is meant to be entertaining and nothing more. It's also a product of its time.

One criticism that I will never understand or agree with is the disliking of the first-person style chapters. For fans of the games, getting into the head of one of the most mysterious videogame characters is an incredibly rewarding experience. The author did a remarkable job of bringing Sam Fisher to life and making him a relatable character. These chapters remain my absolute favorite parts of the book. I also love how they brought over Colonel Lambert, the "voice in Sam's head" from the videogames, despite other Third Echelon characters being different. Sam Fisher's daughter being a main character is also a definite plus, and her being college-aged made much more sense than the little girl she was portrayed as in the first game.

Maybe it's simply because this was my first book in this genre, but I never thought the twists and turns that this novel provides were obvious. It's well-written drama that would catch a lot of first-time readers completely off guard. The tying together of different characters and storylines is truly impressive.

For me, this is an adventure that is still most definitely worth taking.

This was surprisingly good.

It was based on the video games, yet it didn't overly emphasize that fact.

The devices utilized and a few of the moves described were directly from the game, but otherwise, the novel was self-sufficient.

To me, it was just technical enough not to become too dull.

I don't require pages of technical jargon to relish a story.

The story wasn't simplistic, nor was it overly complex.

So, you had a pleasant and enjoyable story that was easy to follow.

If you're a fan of the video game, I'm certain you'll appreciate this one.

But even if you aren't, it's still a great read.

Overall, it managed to strike a nice balance between being faithful to the game's elements and offering an engaging and accessible story for all readers.

Whether you're a gamer or not, it's worth giving this novel a chance.

You might be pleasantly surprised, just like I was.

Splinter Cell is an exciting espionage thriller that kicks off the story of Sam Fisher, the best agent of the NSA's Third Echelon. The book is a real page-turner, and I read it in one sitting because the plot was so engaging that it held my attention until the very end. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The story takes readers on a wild ride through a world of international intrigue and shadowy organizations. Sam Fisher is a complex and fascinating character, and his skills and abilities make him a force to be reckoned with. The author does an excellent job of creating a tense and suspenseful atmosphere, and the action scenes are vividly described and full of excitement.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys espionage thrillers or action-packed stories. It's a great read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The story begins with a good start that immediately grabs the reader's attention.

However, as it progresses, it starts to get a bit boring in the middle. The events seem to unfold in a rather predictable manner, lacking in excitement and novelty.

Thankfully, it finishes with a spectacle that redeems the overall experience. The final scenes are filled with drama, action, and visual splendor that leave the reader in awe.

Although the plot is quite cliche, following a familiar pattern that many have seen before, it is still enjoyable. The characters are well-developed and the writing is engaging enough to keep the reader interested throughout.

Overall, it's a decent read that has its flaws but also manages to provide some entertainment.

This one was my pick for week 6.

It's a book that is being released as a movie in 2017.

This particular book has been on my To Be Read (TBR) list for a really long time.

I can't believe it took me this long to finally read it.

Surprisingly, I actually liked it.

In fact, it was better than I initially thought it was going to be.

The story had elements that really engaged me and kept me turning the pages.

The characters were well-developed and the plot was interesting and full of twists.

I'm really glad I finally got around to reading this book and I'm looking forward to seeing how it translates to the big screen in 2017.

I think the movie has the potential to be just as good as the book, if not better.

Overall, it was a great reading experience and I would highly recommend this book to others.

Rosja jest zagadką spowitą nimbem tajemnicy, we wnętrzu nieodgadnionego. ~ Winston Churchill.

I definitely bought this book because of the title. The stories of the Romanovs have always fascinated me. That's why I had to have this book. It waited for its turn for about 7 years, but we'll overlook that issue.

Russia is experiencing an economic decline. The citizens of the country believe that only the restoration of the monarchy can help solve all their problems. But it's not that simple. A new czar can only be chosen from among the distant relatives of Nicholas II. Miles Lord is an American lawyer who knows Russian history very well. His task is to shed light on the past of the candidate his firm is lobbying for. Miles doesn't realize that by chance he has become involved in Rasputin's prophecy and that there is a chance that a descendant of Nicholas II in the first line is living somewhere in the world. By some miracle, did one of Nicholas II's children survive the bloody night in Yekaterinburg in 1918?

I have to admit that I got hooked on the book around the hundredth page. Steve Berry created a new history of Russia. I tried to place it in a certain time period. I found that it was around 2004 - 2005. I have two reasons for this: firstly, the book was published in the US in 2006, and secondly, the characters didn't have mobile phones, which indicates that it wasn't a common technology even for such large and wealthy firms where Miles Lord worked.

As for the action itself, I have to admit that it was interesting and I enjoyed reading this book. Of course, it's not real because there is evidence that the entire family of Nicholas II died in Yekaterinburg. However, the author cleverly combined Rasputin's prophecy, which he slightly modified, with modern times. He skillfully made it into a search for a living descendant of Nicholas II.

Unfortunately, the main character couldn't figure out for the life of him who was really hunting him. It was very obvious, and Miles only started putting the facts together when he came face to face with his pursuer. Besides that, I think Miles is a pretty cool character. He didn't irritate me too much.

"Prophecy for the Romanovs" should be an ideal position for fans of Dan Brown's novels. True, the chapters are much longer than those of Brown, but in my opinion, they keep the tension just as well.

As a first encounter with Steve Berry's work, I consider it quite successful and I will gladly reach for his other books.

Books that are written based on a game never have a good experience. Especially if the reader has also experienced that game.

However, I liked this book. Maybe because I am a fan of Sam Fisher.

The story in the book might have deviated from the game in some ways, but it still managed to capture my attention. It explored the character of Sam Fisher in more depth, revealing his thoughts, emotions, and motives.

The author did a good job of creating a vivid and engaging world, filled with action, suspense, and mystery. Even though I was familiar with the game, the book offered a new perspective and added new layers to the story.

Overall, I would recommend this book to both fans of the game and those who enjoy reading thrilling espionage novels. It's a great read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.