I really loved this book, and I guess what I find interesting is that the people who've posted here who clearly didn't like it have also posted a lot of misinformation about it--like they just didn't get the story or something. It makes me wonder if they actually even read it--or just skimmed through what they couldn't understand. Bryony is an archaeologist, and Hamish is a history (not an English) professor. The quest is for the Knights Templar treasure, not the Holy Grail. The historical vignettes are not just there to keep track of the missing book (whoever thought that really missed the whole point of the book). My recommendation is that if you are into intelligent plots and characters, with a dash of wit and romance, you buy this book. You won't be sorry, as it is a wonderful story! Ms. Brandewyne is to be commended for her excellent research, writing and thoughtful conjectures. She just keeps on getting better and better. For me, Destiny's Daughter is definitely a keeper!
A brilliant romance!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
I read all the posted reviews of Destiny's Daughter and was interested enough by them (even the negative ones made it sound very intriguing!) to actually read the book itself. Am I ever glad I did! Destiny's Daughter is a truly brilliant, well-written romance that kept me glued to the pages all the way through! The book follows a single story - a search for the missing Knights Templar treasure (not the Holy Grail, as somebody else posted) - in both contemporary and historical times. Its heroine and hero, Bryony and Hamish, attempt to find the treasure in today's time, while at the same time trying to keep from being killed by a secret group (like the Freemasons or Rosicrucians) of chilling conspirators, who have been manipulating world events for centuries and want the treasure for themselves. Far from wandering around aimlessly, Bryony and Hamish follow a set of clues left behind by Bryony's murdered father, along with other clues they gradually uncover and deduce on their own as they travel from place to place, not at first knowing what it is they are looking for, so investigating whatever they think might be of help to them as the plot unfolds. Their idea to expose the conspirators on the Internet is excellent, not stupid, since the group's entire existence and operations are based on secrecy and keeping themselves unknown to the world at large. Once exposed, they have no longer have any reason to kill Bryony and Hamish. Bryony and Hamish's dialog *is* intelligent but realistic - yes, real people who are interested in all the controversial ideas proposed in this book really do talk exactly this way - and, as someone else posted, Bryony and Hamish do feed off each other in a way that is witty and a lot of fun. The book draws on a number of ideas, everything from mythology to angels and extraterrestrials, and cleverly, through past and present, weaves all these different threads into a speculative but fascinating tapestry. I couldn't put this book down and stayed up all night long to finish reading it! I too gave a thumbs-up for the ending, which tied all the loose ends up beautifully and successfully. I heard the music - and it was both sad and inspiring. How very refreshing to read such an intelligent, suspenseful, and genuinely thoughtful, well-researched and presented romance. If you want something entirely out-of-the-ordinary, ambitious, and outstanding, Destiny's Daughter is a must-read! Thank you, Ms. Brandewyne, for this marvelous book!
Not for High School drop-outs?
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
Although a romantic novel, this is definitely not your average romance. But nothing about Ms. Brandewyne is average. Yet again she is in a class of her own with a rich, complex storyline which this time is cleverly placed in two timelines. Not an "easy" read, but definitely an enthralling one! I was hooked from beginning to end!
Very Intelligent and Thought-Provoking
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
I don't know why anyone has given this book less than a 5-star rating, except that if you want a love story full of a lot of sex scenes, this book isn't that. It is a very intelligent and thought-provoking book that speaks to the human condition and seems more than ever appropriate in today's world. The quest described in this book should be everyone's quest. This book was not just entertaining. It was magical! I would highly recommend this book to everyone who is interested in where we came from and where we are going in the future as a planet and people.
A fabulous book! I couldn't put it down!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
A wonderful well-written read, filled with many thought-provoking ideas, interesting historical characters and seat-of-the-pants suspense! It was really fascinating to see how the lost treasure book travelled all around the world and how it affected everyone who owned it, including the hero and heroine. Their search for the book took them to a lot of out-of-the-way places that I found very interesting, and their love story was icing on the cake. This was so much more than just a romance. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
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