I was recently recommended to try Daniel Silva’s books and read 12 in quick succession. Great reads. However I just couldn’t get through this one. It felt like a different author and the plot and subject never really grabbed me like the previous books. Moving on to the next one and hope it is better.

I have loved every book in this fantastic series until this one. All of the others deserved 5 stars. But this whole book is built on destroying the Christian gospels - their words, their doctrines, their veracity, everything. The writer rightly hates anti-Semitism, but attacks it by relentlessly spewing anti-Christianity from beginning to end. He cops out by saying it’s only a work of fiction. Well, so was the “Elders of Zion” monstrosity. Does Mr. Silva know that there are 100 million evangelical Christians in America, most of whom heartily support Israel? And a vast majority of Catholics who are not anti-Semitic? The author owes his fans, many of whom are Christian/Catholic, a deep and heartfelt apology for this travesty. And he should quietly remove this disastrous effort from further sales.

Another fast paced well written Allon adventure that keeps you up reading past your bedtime! Silva continues to be one of the best ‘spy novel’ writers out there.

Too woke. Threw it in the Goodwill bag after 30 pages.

Silva went of the deep end and I will not be following him, avoid this book. It is his right to use his bully pulpit but my right to avoid listening. Recommend taking a pass on the order, sadly Silva has become too political, he attacks Christians who for the most part are Israel’s best ally!

Daniel Silva has proved he is woke and he is an extreme Catholic hater. In previous books, which I loved, his fringe hatred of Catholics was there but to this extreme. Totally disappointed will not read another Silva book.

Not as good as some but still an interesting read

I am always impressed by the massive amount of research that goes into the Gabriel Allon series. It seems I am always made aware of real life events I was unaware of and other books I need to add to my reading list. I have read every Silva novel written and I always eagerly anticipate the next release.

It seems funny that this author has made several overt references to the political right and blow hard world leaders that use Twitter (like trump) as anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant. A lot similarities to how our left media and politicians reference republicans as far right. I know in my republican heart, I have no hate to legal immigrants and the Jewish people. The left / liberals use them as causes for political gain and power only. I read all the Allon series. If this author continues with incendiary writing, this will be my last. Keep politics out of your books, I want an escape left wing agenda.

After reading some of the virtue signaling in just the sample, I suspected the first 40 pages were an accurate reflection of the entire book. While I’m fine with different opinions, I’m not willing to pay someone who trades away a good story for moral lectures and condescension. Rather than purchase the book, a friend lent me his. I stopped after 100 pages. Not worth it and it was free. I’m glad I never wasted my money and now I know to cross Silva off my list. If I could have reviewed with zero stars, I would have.