Lenka S. reviewed on 3/14/2009 + 840 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

A manly hero. A damsel in distress. An evil set of Nazis. And everyone smokes. A decent retro adventure, "Sheba", like many of its counterparts, takes place in 1939, before the invasion of Poland sets off World War II. From a Nazi plot to blow up the Suez canal via souther Arabia, to the search for the temple of the legendary Queen of Sheba, Higgins packs in all the standard elements: treasure, romance, violence, and lots of cigarettes. Gavin Kane is a textbook hero: intelligent, resourceful and mysterious. The two female characters are right out of a 1930s movie: one is a wife looking for her missing archaeologist husband; the other, half-French and half-Arabian, who runs a multi-national business with an iron fist, yet melts into Kane's arms when needed. It's a fun read, but there's not a lot of suspense, and some of the retro attitudes, such as the women being too physically weak to walk too far or escape captors, is a little annoying. The description of the Arabs is a little stereotypical, especially Selim, one of the villains, who is prone to dramatic statements, both verbal and physical. Canaris, a German officer, is the one character I wanted more of (and was a real person); he's witty and seems to be the only character with sense. Okay, but derivative for modern readers.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details