The Eight: A Novel
 

The Eight

by Katherine Neville

Katherine Neville's debut novel is a postmodern thriller set in 1972 ... and 1790. In the 20th century, Catherine Velis is a computer expert with a flair for music, painting, and chess who, on her way to Algeria at the behest of the accounting firm where she is employed, is invited to take a mysterious moonlighting assignment: recover the pieces of an old chess set missing for... (read more)

Top tags: mysteryhistorical fictionfictionthrillerchess (all tags)

 

Member Reviews

  • Charlie A
    1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
    • Rated 5 stars

    An intriguing double tale of reimagined history. With a playful premise and spunky female protagonists that delight, The Eight's take on historical characters and their "true" motivations is a pleasing journey through time.

    Charlie A wrote this review Sunday, November 18 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • Meladel B
    1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
    • Rated 0 stars

    Haha! Glad my friend recommended this to me. A verrry good story...
    the writer really spent time researching this stuff. I almost believe that Napeleon really meet the Black Queen.
    Love reading it again and again. I almost want to see this on film... though, will the screen do justice to the story?

    Meladel B wrote this review Thursday, November 8 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • Sandra K
    • Rated 3 stars

    unrealistic at times but fun read

    Sandra K wrote this review yesterday. ( reply | permalink )
  • Sam B
    • Rated 4 stars

    Well it was a touch confusing but in the end it really got going, with a clever twist. Sadly the ending was a bit lame but it does hold out for a sequal. Defiantly good vacation reading!

    Sam B wrote this review 5 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • BeckyL
    • Rated 5 stars

    What a fantastic read! Published in 1988, The Eight is a pre-Da Vinci Code literary puzzle that everyone should read.

    King Charlemagne was awarded a strange chess set by the Moors after helping them in Spain. The set itself houses a secret that has been cherished for ages. In fear, Charlemagne gives the set to a knight who hides the pieces in his estate. In 1790 the estate has become the Montglane Abbey. With the political turmoil in France and the precarious situation of the church, the abbess believes it would be best to disperse the pieces setting in motion a game that will last generations.

    1972, Catherine Velis has unknowingly become a pawn in the Game. She will travel from New York to Algeria in search of the pieces and holds the fate of the world in her hands.

    BeckyL wrote this review 5 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Justin M
    • Rated 4 stars

    The Eight is a lot like The Da Vinci Code but much better and instead of Jesus we have a chess set.

    The Eight tells the story of two young women, separated by 2 centuries, who must protect and reunite the pieces of a mysterious chess set. The set, when all pieces are together, can give the owner a formula that will give them unfathomable amounts of power. Understandably, it has a dark history, causing many wars and royal deaths. As the story moves on more of its history is revealed and the ones who must scatter the pieces are placed in great danger from the people who wish to gather the pieces and have the power to themselves.

    If you love mysteries, this is the book for you. I found myself not being able to stop reading this book as I was intrigued to hear what would happen next. This book definitely counts as one of my favourite mystery books.

    It's funny because chess as never been an interest of mine but now, after I've read The Eight, I want to play it the moment I can find I chess set and a person to play it with. It's amazing what books can do.

    The book did have a bit too much romance for my liking but overall it is an excellent book that I may consider reading again if I get the chance. But first I have to have a good game of chess.

    Justin M wrote this review 10 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • maydiwayatangnawawala
    • Rated 5 stars

    cliff-hangers galore! this book almost killed me. now that i'm finished it i'm terrified at the extent of my expectations for its sequel!

    maydiwayatangnawawala wrote this review 11 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • sixpalz
    • Rated 3 stars

    I'm actually in awe that I plowed through this almost 600 page paperback. The story goes back and forth between a young nun in Europe in the late 1700's and a twenty-something woman in New York who are tied together by a group of characters throughout the world who are caught up in a real life game of chess. Whichever team finds all of the pieces of the ancient Montglane Service chess set can possess the power of an eternal formula. The book is well written and would have been more understandable had I known more about European history, especially the French revolution. It kept my interest for the most part, although I think the last 150 pages of the book were the best. There were a few instances of strong language, but overall it was not too offensive.
    I originally picked this book because I loved the Da Vinci Code. I liked this one a lot, but I don't think I loved it.

    sixpalz wrote this review 12 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • muque and shylock tomes
    • Rated 3 stars

    She provides detail and a good story. I was not expecting much and was pleasantly surprised.

    muque and shylock tomes wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
Displaying 1-10 of 84 reviews
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