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Everything Under The Sky: A Novel
 
 
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Everything Under The Sky: A Novel (Hardcover)

by Matilde Asensi (Author)
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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Review

"What fans will like: international travel, puzzles, secret societies and historical treasures. " (USA Today )

"A riveting journey into a past shrouded in mystery and literary allegory. . . . A thriller to open the eyes and stir the heart." (James Rollins, author of Map of Bones )

"a cross-country race that showcases both the Spanish author's meticulous historical research and her skill at interweaving it into her suspenseful narrative." (Publishers Weekly )

"Asensi delivers fun in new thriller...an adventure that is so engrossing it could compel the reader to skip meals and ignore chores in a mad dash to read the book's ending...Delicious to read." (Associated Press )


Product Description

In the glorious new adventure novel Everything Under the Sky, internationally bestselling author Matilde Asensi turns her genius eye for scholarly thrills to the hunt for the lost treasure of China's First Emperor and to the marvelous cast of characters who will do anything to claim it for themselves.

After receiving word of her husband's death, Spanish painter Elvira De Poulain travels to Shanghai to claim his body and put his affairs in order. Prim and straitlaced, Elvira feels out of place in this exotic city teeming with unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells. She longs to return home to Paris as soon as possible. Her charming but dissolute spouse has left her with massive debts, thanks to his fondness for gambling, prostitutes, and opium, and she has no idea how she will repay the enormous sum.

As it turns out, her ailing husband did own something of extraordinary value, and was mysteriously killed by thugs who wanted it for themselves: a beautifully crafted box that holds clues to the location of the remains of China's First Emperor—and the unimaginable riches buried alongside him.

Joining forces with a colorful Irish journalist, a wily local antiquarian, and a brilliant orphaned servant boy, Elvira is swept up into the journey of a lifetime as these mismatched partners embark on an arduous trek to find the sacred site—with assassins in relentless pursuit.

Despite the ever-present risk, Elvira gradually acclimates to China's language, culture, and geography, while the grueling physical challenges and complex intellectual puzzles required to locate the tomb test her strength, her courage, and her smarts in every possible way.

One of the most successful historical thriller writers of her generation, Matilde Asensi outdoes herself while focusing on a country and culture that, to this day, remain shrouded in mystery.

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2 Reviews
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3.0 out of 5 stars Good Adventure Story, Aug 25 2008
By Luanne Ollivier - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
Elvira DePoulain is a middle aged artist living in Paris in 1923. Although she has not lived with her husband Remy in twenty years, they are on good terms. When she receives notice that he has passed away, she travels to China with her orphaned young niece Fernanda to settle his affairs. When she arrives she is stunned by what awaits her. Remy died heavily in debt and under French law, she is responsible for payment. Still in shock, she is further disturbed when Paddy, an Irish journalist tells her that her husband was not randomly killed by thieves but was murdered by the Green Gang, as they believed he possessed an ancient carved box. They did not find the box, but Elvira does. A Chinese antiquarian- Lao Jiang - explains the box holds clues to a wealth of treasure. He persuades her to accompany him on the quest. She agrees as she needs the money to pay off Remy's debts.

Asensi does a wonderful job with descriptions of China and it's culture. Particularily fascinating are the explanations of the concepts of Tao and Feng Shui. Her puzzles are well thought out and rival any adventure book of this type- The Da Vinci Code for example.

Where I found myself wanting more was in the characters themselves. Although Elvira is portrayed as a strong, independent woman who grows even more along the trek, I just didn't buy it. Her pronouncements seem forced and awkwardly placed, especially those dealing with her niece. Much more interesting was Fernanda and the young servant boy Biao. Their youthful enthusiasm and intelligence came across as much more realistic. Lao Jiang seems to be written as a bit of a caricature, as does Paddy the Irishman. We know Lao Jiang is not quite what he seems with his brooding silences and taciturn manner.

All in all, not a bad read, but not as good as I would have hoped. Looking for something similar? Try James Rollins.

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4.0 out of 5 stars An Enjoyable Read!, Aug 10 2008
By MacFly (Regina, Saskatchewan) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   
Everything Under the Sky by Matilde Asensi is a book of adventure and culture in China in the 1920s. Steeped in Chinese culture, the reader follows a woman who goes to China to retrieve her dead husband's body. Instead of a brief trip, she becomes involved in a hunt for a treasure of immeasurable value. This book reminded me of a Lara Croft movie - lots of potential dangers and great treasures in a tomb untouched for centuries. The characters were well rounded and interesting. It took me about 75 pages to get into the story but, once reaching that point, I found the book hard to put down. I expected some things to be predictable - but they weren't - which made me want to keep reading to see what would happen next. Given I read this during the 2008 Summer Olympics taking place in China, I enjoyed the crossovers in what I was reading and what I was learning about China through the media coverage of the games. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about Chinese culture and those who enjoy the adventure genre.
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