PATHS OF GLORY (Jeffrey Archer) - April 30/09

This typically entertaining book from Jeffrey Archer certainly possesses a number of fascinating true-life tidbits about mountain climbing, though the book does sporadically get bogged down in the minute details of the admittedly inexplicable pastime. Still, Archer is a master at this sort of thing and Mallory undoubtedly becomes a thoroughly compelling central character. *** out of ****

ECLIPSE (Stephenie Meyer) - April 21/09

Though there was a bit of a lull in the middle as Meyer explored the backstories of various characters - ie the whole thing with Jacob's pack, Jasper's origins, etc - Eclipse is ultimately as entertaining and enthralling as its two predecessors. ***1/2 out of ****

TERMINAL FREEZE (Lincoln Child) - April 10/09

I was trying to figure out why I wasn't thoroughly enjoying Terminal Freeze - especially since it boasts an absolutely irresistible premise (a prehistoric "killing machine" goes on a murderous rampage after being inadvertently thawed out by a group of scientists) - until it finally dawned on me that the book is almost entirely lacking in compelling figures, which makes it awfully difficult to care about the dwindling survivors' efforts at battling the monster. There are some good death scenes, sure, but the last 100 pages or so become awfully repetitive, with the creature stalking the remaining characters through overly-descriptive hallways. I think Child is better off collaborating with Douglas Preston when it comes to these kinds of stories. **1/2 out of ****