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Labyrinth
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Labyrinth
Author: Kate Mosse

Book Information
Publisher: Putnam Adult
Book Type: Hardcover
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780399153440 - ISBN-10: 0399153446
Publication Date: 3/7/2006
Pages: 532

Book Description:
In this extraordinary thriller, rich in the atmospheres of medieval and contemporary France, the lives of two women born centuries apart are linked by a common destiny.

July 2005. In the Pyrenees mountains near Carcassonne, Alice, a volunteer at an archaeological dig stumbles into a cave and makes a startling discovery-two crumbling skeletons, strange writings on the walls, and the pattern of a labyrinth; between the skeletons, a stone ring, and a small leather bag.

Eight hundred years earlier, on the eve of a brutal crusade to stamp out heresy that will rip apart southern France, Alais is given a ring and a mysterious book for safekeeping by her father as he leaves to fight the crusaders. The book, he says, contains the secret of the true Grail, and the ring, inscribed with a labyrinth, will identify a guardian of the Grail. As crusading armies led by Church potentates and nobles of northern France gather outside the city walls of Carcassonne, it will take great sacrifice to keep the secret of the labyrinth safe.

In the present, another woman sees the find as a means to the political power she craves; while a man who has great power will kill to destroy all traces of the discovery and everyone who stands in his way.

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Top Member Book Reviews

Ruth Ann wrote on 3/11/2009...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

This was very difficult for me to read. The writer includes liberal (and annoying) doses of French and Occitan words. There is a glossary at the back of the novel, so you find yourself constantly interrupting your reading (sometimes several times a page) to flick to the glossary. I got about 1/3 of the way through and stopped. Just couldn't take anymore. I say don't waste your time.

Jeannine W. (jrelehw) wrote on 2/16/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book isnt what the author says on the back. It is well written, beautifully descriptive, but a bit confusing. There were times when I just couldnt figure out where things came from. A character seduses another for information, I dont know where he got the info, because the other characters swore not to tell him! We trip back and forth between the past/future. I would have liked a straight story, it would have made more sense, and I could have gotten attached to the characters more. I think the author was suggesting reincarnation, holy grail quest, and crusade history. I am assuming her details are correct. I havent heard things this way before.
AND everyone knows that mosquitos bite more during dawn/evening hours than in the the heat of the day....still "bugs" me!

Karen R. (karendawn) wrote on 7/20/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

The book started off a bit slow, taking its time to really build up the story - then it became really intense right near the end but ended rather quickly. The very last chapter was satisfying (and left a bit of a lump in my throat), but it did feel a bit rushed right before then especially with the slow lead-up prior to that. But I liked the story and the history so it was definitely worth reading.

Gail P. (grammiegail) - Montara, CA wrote on 2/9/2007...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

A very interesting book weaving the past and the present. The lives of a Middle Ages woman and her family have ramifications to the present. All in the name of a secret society meant to protect the Grail.

Angela C. (AngelaMO) wrote on 8/20/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Terrific Book!! Transported me back in time...

From Publishers Weekly=
Mosse's page-turner takes readers on another quest for the Holy Grail, this time with two closely linked female protagonists born 800 years apart. In 2005, Alice Tanner stumbles into a hidden cave while on an archeological dig in southwest France. Her discovery—two skeletons and a labyrinth pattern engraved on the wall and on a ring—triggers visions of the past and propels her into a dangerous race against those who want the mystery of the cave for themselves. Alaïs, in the year 1209, is a plucky 17-year-old living in the French city of Carcassone, an outpost of the tolerant Cathar Christian sect that has been declared heretical by the Catholic Church. As Carcassonne comes under siege by the Crusaders, Alaïs's father, Bertrand Pelletier,entrusts her with a book that is part of a sacred trilogy connected to the Holy Grail. Guardians of the trilogy are operating against evil forces—including Alaïs's sister, Oriane, a traitorous, sexed-up villainess who wants the books for her own purposes. Sitting securely in the historical religious quest genre, Mosse's fluently written third novel (after Crucifix Lane) may tantalize (if not satisfy) the legions of Da VinciCode devotees with its promise of revelation about Christianity's truths. 8-city author tour. (Mar.)


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Kim P. (sheltiesheba) wrote on 2/20/2009...


This is a wonderful book about 2 women who live parallel lives in separate centuries. (I know we've read about this type of thing before). BUT--this novel includes the discovery of mysterious religious relics, French noblemen, the Catholic Inquisition as well as a couple of romances and a French chateau. What more could a reader possibly want?? Mosse manages to pull it all together to give us a satisfying ending. Bravo!! Don't miss it!

Robin H. (nerdgrrl) wrote on 3/3/2008...


I just could not get into this book, I read the first 50 pages and put it down.

Valerie P. (vprosser) wrote on 10/18/2007...


I liked this book -- I found it to hard to put down at times. I liked the two connecting story lines too. One from present day, one from the 1200s, set in France. I also found the female protagonists refreshing.

Joyce W. wrote on 6/22/2007...


This book was interesting to me, but quite slow in the reading with the switching to different languages (Occitan and French are littered throughout the book). Sometimes the is no clear translation for what the characters are saying, atleast it was not obvious enough for me. Most times the author clearly translates in English at the end of the phrase and she does it in style, not in a boring way. I think this is a good story and I would recommend for others to read it who are interested in historical fiction which I have come to love.

Diane R. (pjmom8025) wrote on 5/29/2007...


I wish I knew more about this time in history. This book dragged for me and I pretty much figured out the ending by page 350. I guess I have read too many books where one of the characters has lived forever. It did grab me in parts, but most of the history was lost on me.

Jeannine W. (jrelehw) wrote on 2/16/2007...


This book isnt what the author says on the back. It is well written, beautifully descriptive, but a bit confusing. There were times when I just couldnt figure out where things came from. A character seduses another for information, I dont know where he got the info, because the other characters swore not to tell him! We trip back and forth between the past/future. I would have liked a straight story, it would have made more sense, and I could have gotten attached to the characters more. I think the author was suggesting reincarnation, holy grail quest, and crusade history. I am assuming her details are correct. I havent heard things this way before.
AND everyone knows that mosquitos bite more during dawn/evening hours than in the the heat of the day....still "bugs" me!

Anna D. (Cavalier) wrote on 2/1/2007...


A lot of characters and French names to keep track of, but worth the read.

Idell H. (Alacornlady) wrote on 1/14/2007...


Took me a while to get in to it, but enjoyed it. good plot

Pam L. (bookworm1952) wrote on 12/9/2006...


GREAT READ!!!!!!!!!!!

Linda P. (katknit) wrote on 10/8/2006...


Cathars, Carcassonne, the Grail, and 2 historians.


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