This book offers a truly excellent blend of fiction with real life historical people.

The plot is absolutely fascinating, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish.

On the cover of the book, they compare it to The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. However, this is a grave disservice to Katherine Neville as she is a far superior writer.

Her ability to craft a story that seamlessly weaves together fact and fiction is truly remarkable.

Twenty years after writing this book, she has just released a sequel called The Fire. I am really looking forward to reading it soon and seeing how the story continues to unfold.

I have a feeling that it will be just as captivating as the first book.

Katherine Neville has truly created a world that readers will want to explore again and again.

Her unique writing style and attention to detail make this series a must-read for any fans of historical fiction.

I highly recommend this book and its sequel to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging read.

The Eight - Ex
Kathleen Neville

The Montglane Service, an exquisitely ornate and jeweled chess set, was bestowed upon Charlemagne by the Moors. Legend has it that this set holds a code which, when deciphered, will unlock great power. Nations and individuals alike have hatched devious schemes to obtain all the pieces. During the French Revolution, the set is scattered, and a young novice courageously risks her life to safeguard it.

Alternating with her story are the present-day endeavors of a U.S. computer expert and a Russian chess master to assemble the set and solve its mystery. The study of the code involves a fascinating blend of musical notation, chess strategy, Fibonacci numbers, and mysticism.

I have an absolute passion for this book and have reread it several times. Fans of the story seem to be drawn either to the narrative set in the past or the contemporary one. I firmly fall on the side of the contemporary story. I adored the character of Cat and her romance, even though it was a relatively small part of the overall plot, with the Russian. Additionally, her friend Lily, along with the Rolls and the poodle, added an extra layer of charm. Overall, it was an utterly captivating adventure and a truly remarkable read.

I first read this slightly paranormal, somewhat sexy suspense novel about ten years ago. It was after I completed a similar book, The Da Vinci Code. Keep in mind, The Eight was published in 1988, more than a decade before TDVC.

In my view, Neville is the better storyteller. Comparatively, she is more interesting than Dan Brown. While their books share several similarities - a frenzied, globe-trotting hunt for clues, themes of immortality and immense power, and a man and woman teaming up and falling in love - Neville crafted a more complex plot. Set in both the past and the present, with the point of view hopping like a jitterbug, it's not a lazy read.

The language itself is easy enough to follow. There's nothing overly sophisticated about Neville's writing style. There are no wondrous turns of phrase, and clichés are easy enough to spot. Nonetheless, the plot is good, and I'm okay with plain speaking, as long as there are few typos. Here is an excerpt:

The following morning, in the dim gray light, two women dressed in traveling clothes left the Abbey of Montglane and climbed into a wagon filled with hay. The wagon passed through the massive gates and started across the back bowls of the mountains. A light mist rose, obscuring them from view as they passed down into the far valley.

They were frightened and, drawing their capes about themselves, felt thankful that they were on a mission of God as they reentered the world from which they had so long been sheltered.

But it was not God who watched them silently from the mountaintop as the wagon slowly descended into the darkness of the valley floor below. High on a snow-capped peak above the abbey sat a solitary rider astride a pale horse. He watched until the wagon had vanished into the dark mist. Then he turned his horse without a sound and rode away.

From Neville's website:

New York City, 1972 - A dabbler in mathematics and chess, Catherine Velis is also a computer expert for a Big Eight accounting firm. Before heading off to a new assignment in Algeria, Cat has her palm read by a fortune-teller. The woman warns Cat of danger. Then an antiques dealer approaches Cat with a mysterious offer: He has an anonymous client who is trying to collect the pieces of an ancient chess service, purported to be in Algeria. If Cat can bring the pieces back, there will be a generous reward.

The South of France, 1790 - Mireille de Remy and her cousin Valentine are young novices at the fortresslike Montglane Abbey. With France aflame in revolution, the two girls burn to rebel against constricted convent life - and their means of escape is at hand. Buried deep within the abbey are pieces of the Montglane Chess Service, once owned by Charlemagne. Whoever reassembles the pieces can play a game of unlimited power. But to keep the Game a secret from those who would abuse it, the two young women must scatter the pieces throughout the world.

Simply superb!

It is a rousing adventure that is filled with history, mystery, and secrecy, all centered around a fabled chess set. The question that lingers throughout is: what is the secret of the Eight?

This book is truly a tour de force. It is the kind of story that is worth curling up on a cold day and getting lost in. I have had the pleasure of reading it for the second time, and I must say that it was even better this time around!

For any lover of the game of chess, this book is highly recommended. It not only offers an exciting and engaging plot but also delves into the fascinating world of chess, its strategies, and its history.

Whether you are a casual reader or a die-hard chess enthusiast, this book is sure to captivate you from start to finish.

Second reading after many years.

The first time it seemed to me extremely good. Now I have read many more similar ones, so that initial "Wow" wore off. It also seemed to me to drag a bit in some places (nothing terrible). However, I still consider it a good book, one of those that is worth reading. I also remembered many parts of it clearly, which is another positive sign.

I will not mention anything specific about the book, as there are already so many reviews that one more has no value at all.

This book, upon my second encounter, presented a different face. While the initial charm had somewhat diminished due to my increased exposure to similar works, it still held its own. The pacing issues, though minor, were noticeable. Nevertheless, its overall quality shone through. The fact that I could recall significant portions of the story indicated its lasting impact. In a sea of countless reviews, adding yet another specific detail about the book seemed superfluous. It stands as a testament to the diverse nature of literary experiences and the subjective nature of our evaluations.

I was informed by several individuals whose literary tastes I typically hold in high regard that I would absolutely adore this book. Sadly, this was not the case.

I discovered it to be tiresome and difficult to follow. In several places, the writing was nearly impossible to endure. The characters were never fully fleshed out, and I never became invested in any of them. Moreover, I found the book to be overly plot-driven to an irritating extent, with an excessive number of historical elements "inserted" (almost like name-dropping) in an attempt to connect the events to historical situations.

The only portion of the book that I found even remotely interesting and capable of holding my attention was the very first chapter. This book has achieved something like cult status, yet I struggled to follow the plot, with numerous twists and turns that only served to confuse me. Additionally, the ending was highly unsatisfying. I completed it solely because I detest leaving a book unfinished once I have committed to reading it.

Overall, it simply fails to live up to the hype for me.

This phrase "podsjetiše me na ovu knjigu" reminds me of this book.

It is an excellent fantasy published by Polaris (Mr. Živković had a great nose for excellent fantasy publications in the "Rune" series).

If I find it in the police station, I will write a note and a date, but it was a long time ago.

I rate it more than 4.5 because I have read it at least three times and I definitely recommend it to fans of the genre.

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about the sequels.

I really hope to get more information about this book and its possible sequels in the future. Maybe one day, I will come across it again and be able to enjoy the wonderful world of fantasy it creates.

This is a remarkable book that delves into the world of an ancient chess game.

It explores not only the game itself but also the profound influence it has on the lives of those who come into contact with it.

The narrative skillfully weaves between the end of the 18th century and 1973, creating a captivating and multi-layered story.

At times, the plot is truly riveting, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected ending.

While the story may not be as tightly woven towards the end as it is in the beginning, and the red thread can be a bit difficult to follow at times, it is still definitely worth the effort.

The author's ability to bring this ancient game and its associated mysteries to life is truly impressive, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in history, mystery, or the power of games to shape our lives.

This book was first published in 1988, and that was precisely when I first had the opportunity to read it.

It chronicles the tales of two women. One is set in the 1790s, while the other takes place in the 1970s. Their lives and adventures run parallel, as they both search for the answer to an age-old mystery, all the while facing danger and intrigue. The 18th-century storyline is rich with historical details, transporting the reader back in time. Meanwhile, the 1970s are depicted with a flamboyant and nostalgic charm. Both of these worlds are now but a distant memory.

The author has truly outdone themselves by incorporating a plethora of wonderful elements. There are stories within stories, modern-day conspiracies, ancient secrets, references to freemasons, nuns, Atlantis, the French revolution, alchemy, and even the OPEC crisis. It also features the most audacious cameo by a real person that I have ever encountered.

To top it all off, there is a quest for a mystical chess set, which is neatly tied up in a bow in the shape of the number 8. This book is an absolute delight to read. The only reason it took me so long to finish it was that I had to download a chess game and prove to myself that I could, on occasion, defeat a computer when it is set on level one.

It's a captivating and entertaining read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

This is a book. It has taken almost a year and a half to read. The beginning was so slow! It was really boring. That's why I left the book for so many days. One day, I thought about picking up the book again. After much difficulty, after reading half of the book, I saw that the story was gradually picking up pace. Then I finished reading it in one go.

The story was nothing new and was predictable -_- The slow-paced first half and being able to figure out what the story was about - all these combined forced me to give it 2 stars. I'm disappointed.

This book is truly mind-absorbing. The fact is that I began reading this book prior to my exams, and to be honest, it was a rather poor decision. I can still vividly recall that I would constantly think about the forthcoming scenes and make guesses about them. However, once my exams concluded, I had an intense desire to read it. But, finally, that is, now, my other self emerged, not wanting to part with it at all.

To sum up, if one has a penchant for "The Da Vinci Code," they will surely have an affinity for this book. I wouldn't assert that it is similar in every aspect, but yes, one will be captivated in a comparable manner. It has that certain allure that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The story unfolds in a way that makes it difficult to put the book down. Whether it's the mystery, the characters, or the plot twists, there is something in this book for everyone who enjoys a good thriller or mystery novel.

I work hard on these pieces and truly dislike empty like button clicks. Comments from friends and readers are my ultimate reward.

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“The Eight”, 1988, was an enchanting second-hand bargain approximately 20 years ago. When I felt adventurous, I chose to ignore a peer who low-balled the books I revere. My instinct prevailed, and rightfully so! This is indeed a masterpiece! Katherine Neville aced the essential elements and remarkably, turned the traits I usually avoid on their heads.

It's truly astonishing how she managed to do that.

I know only the bare basics of chess and have no knowledge of chemistry. I am neither keen on historical fiction nor on split narration. If there must be dual timelines, I am always antsy to resume the modern story. No matter how well I enjoy books, I am usually relieved to see my pages progress.

However, this book managed to break all my usual preferences and expectations.

In a very modern 1972, the year I was born, Cat Velis rattles chauvinist colleagues, who exile her to head a gas company tracking project in Algeria. She is asked to buy valuable chess pieces for the uncle of Cat’s friend, Lily. There is something freaky about the tournament they watch of a Russian champion, and intrigue falls into their laps before leaving New York.

The setting and the events here are both captivating and mysterious.

In 1790, teenaged cousins Mireille and Valentine, novices of Montglane Abbey, are charged with urgency. The Abbess closes everything before France revolts, where Charlemagne’s game was stored for 1000 years. Everyone takes pieces to different countries. Friend and foe redevelop unpredictably, and the visible growth of characters is breathtaking! Brave women drive both centuries.

The contrast between the two time periods and the strong female characters make this story even more engaging.

A true mystery quest is bigger than detective nonsense. 600 pages yield questions and some imperfections, but this novel couldn’t get much more magnifique. Multiple plots connect with historic personages, outstandingly original and atmospherically enthralling! I was riveted to every era equally! I am inspired to know historic figures better, but nothing impeded an inch of my loving these two continent racing missions! These mind-stimulating pages are double what I usually read, and they finished quickly! I felt like I had shared years with all of the characters.

The overall experience of reading this book was truly unforgettable and left a lasting impression on me.