I loved the premise of the book, but I feel like the novel did not have enough follow through as far as the characters. Hopefully, since this is the first book in the series, the author Mark Maguire will go more in depth in character and plot development. Also, there is a companion website that allows readers to get a more action experience with videos, pictures, etc. As previously mentioned, this novel has a really intriguing plot - secret organization tasked with being the keepers of what one can truly define as the Akashic Records. What conspiracy theorist wouldn't appreciate this kind of set up? There was a lot of action in the beginning; the main character Rand was on the run from these mysterious men in black suits. But after he was captured by the Organization, the action went down from there and it became more of a psychological novel with Rand undergoing a series of conditioning test. Even though, I did not exactly fall in love with the characters, I still fell in love with the plot, and I will reading the next books in the series.

Many thanks go to Mark Wallace Maguire, Speckled Leaf Press, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review. Rand's grandfather is hiding something really big from him now that he's dead. Like he's going to get shot and kidnapped big. He was going to have to fight his way out of a serious situation. And figure out the good guys and the bad guys. Not to mention decide whether he wants to believe all the hocus pocus about the rocks. Poor Rand is a drunk so he doesn't always think straight. But he knows this is not right. What was his grandfather into? And did his parents know? Does the world know? Because this is huge if it's true. I immediately requested the second book in the series when I finished this one. I have to know what Tand is getting into next.

This one started out really strongly for me, but then things slowed up A LOT and my interest began to peter out as the story progressed. It's not that there was anything wrong with it, per se, so much as that it felt like I'd read it before... The characters are alright, but not all that distinguishable from others in the genre - ditto the conspiracy/secrets, plot points, quest, and pretty much everything else. Conspiracies are only interesting the first time you read about them, after all, and the idea that "lost" knowledge was never really lost but just secreted away from the masses is not exactly a new or fresh one. The writing is fine but without something unique, the details rather quickly slipped through my fingers and out of my mind. I was hoping for more on the Alexandria concept - as other reviewers have noted, there's not much after the initial reveal. It may well come out in the books after Book One, but I doubt I'll make it there...

Well, I had planned to do something else with my afternoon but once I got about 10% into this exciting and interesting book, that was that, and 5 hours or so later I hadn't moved... I loved it!
Rand O'Neal, the unlikely hero of the book, is tasked by his grandfather's last wish to destroy a secret and mysterious map. A stranger in a smart suit offers him a whole lot of money for it, and he somehow knows everything there's is to know about Rand...What follows is full of action, adventure, intrigue and excitement as Rand tries to work out who to trust and what to believe, as secrets emerge about his family history and the secrets kept from the whole world.
Well written with likable and believable characters, wonderfully descriptive set pieces, and an entertaining plot line with slight hints perhaps of the DaVinci Code, but not so much it's an issue. I love the 'shadowy secret organisation controlling the world from the shadows' type of thing - why yes, I am a fan of the X Files - and there was a nice little hint of a romance without it being as over the top as some of these books can have a tendency to do. All the characters were great, and I could completely visualise a great film being made of this book one day. It bounced along at a great pace and kept my attention throughout - as I said at the start, I was compelled to finish in one sitting! It works fine as a standalone, but equally there is a second in the series, and I look forward to reading the next one as soon as possible. I would recommend this to anyone and might in fact have to buy a copy for a couple of my immediate family, because I know they'd enjoy it!

This was an amazing story featuring Rand O'Neal a reporter with good instincts but little ambition. When his grandfather dies he is thrust in to a dangerous whirlwind of conspiracy, diabolical madmen and gut wrenching decisions. Ultimately Rand becomes more like the grand father who entrusted him to settle his affairs. Very interesting, page turner with interesting plot twists. Can't wait for the next book by this author, I like his style.

This book was not what I had expected. I did not enjoy it as I was waiting for more information or incorporation of the Alexandria connection, which was not forthcoming. Possibly this will be dealt with in the following titles of the series however I will not find out as I will not be reading further in this series.

God, this book was bad. Bad writing. Bad characterization. Bad science. Bad storytelling. About the only thing the author got right in this hellacious want-to-be action thriller was pacing. Beyond that, Alexandria Rising attempts to create an action star on the lines of James Bond and instead gives us a empty shell of a (figurative) Nazi meeting his Nazi destiny in a Nazi castle with a hot Nazi scientist babe while doing amoral unethical things to other (figurative) Nazis.

The head (figurative) Nazi spends all his time expositing: about wine (including how much each bottle costs), music, literature, and the hero Nazi's family, while recruiting the hero Nazi to the Nazi cause, which the Nazi pretends to do even though he's making outrageous personal moral decisions that more or less clarify what a complete Nazi he is. The only thing missing is a fluffy white cat and actual cackling.

From its international scope, starting in Atlanta, making its way to Ireland, and ending up in a cardboard Supervillain's hideout, complete with delicate cuisine, landscaped vistas, and incompetent evil thugs, the "hero" of this story (aka the super-special semi-promised snowflake) does the impossible. He actually manages to make himself less likeable than the Evil™ Conspiracy he hopes to overthrow.

It's extremely hard to find any merit in this volume.

The book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.