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The Sign
Another cutting-edge thriller set at the intersection of science, religion, and history from the bestselling author of The Last TemplarIn Antarctica, a scientific expedition drops anchor for a live news feed. As the CNN journalist begins her report, a massive, shimmering sphere of light suddenly appears in the sky, enveloping the ship in luminous white light before disappearing as mysteriously as it arrived, the entire event witnessed by an incredulous world audience.New York Times bestselling author Raymond Khoury, whose debut novel, The Last Templar, has sold more than a million copies in the United States, and whose second, The Sanctuary, was also a major national bestseller, returns with The Sign. Like the first two, this new thriller combines gripping contemporary suspense with a high-concept mystery rooted in history, philosophy, religion, and science. And like those novels, it is bound for bestseller lists nationwide.
Meanwhile in a dusty bar in Egypt, a dozen men are lazily discussing the state of the world when the brilliant, glowing symbol on the television stops them cold. One man breaks out in a sweat, crosses himself repeatedly, and rushes out of the bar muttering the same phrase over and over again: It can't be.
Across the Internet and around the globe, a stunning controversy threatens to consume the world: Has God finally decided to reveal himself? Or is something more sinister at hand?
464 pages, Hardcover
First published May 19, 2009
142 people are currently reading
3,309 people want to read
About the author
Raymond Khoury
60Ìýbooks1,234ÌýfollowersRaymond Khoury is the author of five consecutive New York Times and #1 international bestsellers, starting with his debut novel, THE LAST TEMPLAR. His books have been translated into 38 languages, with over 10 million copies in print.
Raymond came to writing thrillers from a career in screenwriting, which including the BAFTA award winning BBC series SPOOKS (aka MI:5 in the US) and Waking The Dead. It partly explains why his novels are often described as cinematic and very visual. As fellow bestselling author Steve Berry puts it: "his expertly chosen verbs cause the scenes to leap from the page. You can literally feel the blows as they're landed; wince as the bullets find their marks. He has an intense brand of storytelling all his own."
THE LAST TEMPLAR began its journey to print as Raymond's third original screenplay, written for film in 1996. At the time, a book agent suggested turning it into a novel, and a major NY publisher, the first to read it, offered Raymond a huge advance for the as-yet-unwritten novel, with one condition: "Lose the religion. It's boring. Change the Templars' secret to gold, diamonds, a physical treasure." After much tortured consideration, Raymond turned the offer down, his first potential check from writing. Almost exactly ten years later, his novel, based on that screenplay--religion included--became a global bestseller, hitting #1 in multiple countries and getting adapted into an NBC miniseries.
Raymond's thrillers are based on big themes that interest him such as international politics and conspiracies, fact vs faith, why we age and die, what do we really know about reincarnation, about mind control. He explores these themes in depth, with heavy emphasis on research, and often combines a historical angle to his stories. As such, some of his novels (THE LAST TEMPLAR, THE SANCTUARY, THE TEMPLAR SALVATION, RASPUTIN'S SHADOW) feature dual timelines: the bulk of the stories are set in the present day, interspersed with chapters that take place in the distant past. As Booklist puts it, "Khoury's thrillers engage the reader's mind, even as they move at a breakneck pace. Readers who like their thrillers to have a solid intellectual component will enjoy Khoury's books very much. Given the high quality of each of his novels, it seems fair to say that he may be around for a while."
Raymond's 8th novel is an epic alternate history and time travel story that Publishers Weekly called "ingeniously inventive" and "a classic of the genre": It is already out in the UK as THE OTTOMAN SECRET, and is out on Oct 1 in the US under a different title, EMPIRE OF LIES.
To find out more about him and his work, visit his website at raymondkhoury.com or connect with him on his Facebook page or on Instagram (@author.raymond.khoury).
Raymond came to writing thrillers from a career in screenwriting, which including the BAFTA award winning BBC series SPOOKS (aka MI:5 in the US) and Waking The Dead. It partly explains why his novels are often described as cinematic and very visual. As fellow bestselling author Steve Berry puts it: "his expertly chosen verbs cause the scenes to leap from the page. You can literally feel the blows as they're landed; wince as the bullets find their marks. He has an intense brand of storytelling all his own."
THE LAST TEMPLAR began its journey to print as Raymond's third original screenplay, written for film in 1996. At the time, a book agent suggested turning it into a novel, and a major NY publisher, the first to read it, offered Raymond a huge advance for the as-yet-unwritten novel, with one condition: "Lose the religion. It's boring. Change the Templars' secret to gold, diamonds, a physical treasure." After much tortured consideration, Raymond turned the offer down, his first potential check from writing. Almost exactly ten years later, his novel, based on that screenplay--religion included--became a global bestseller, hitting #1 in multiple countries and getting adapted into an NBC miniseries.
Raymond's thrillers are based on big themes that interest him such as international politics and conspiracies, fact vs faith, why we age and die, what do we really know about reincarnation, about mind control. He explores these themes in depth, with heavy emphasis on research, and often combines a historical angle to his stories. As such, some of his novels (THE LAST TEMPLAR, THE SANCTUARY, THE TEMPLAR SALVATION, RASPUTIN'S SHADOW) feature dual timelines: the bulk of the stories are set in the present day, interspersed with chapters that take place in the distant past. As Booklist puts it, "Khoury's thrillers engage the reader's mind, even as they move at a breakneck pace. Readers who like their thrillers to have a solid intellectual component will enjoy Khoury's books very much. Given the high quality of each of his novels, it seems fair to say that he may be around for a while."
Raymond's 8th novel is an epic alternate history and time travel story that Publishers Weekly called "ingeniously inventive" and "a classic of the genre": It is already out in the UK as THE OTTOMAN SECRET, and is out on Oct 1 in the US under a different title, EMPIRE OF LIES.
To find out more about him and his work, visit his website at raymondkhoury.com or connect with him on his Facebook page or on Instagram (@author.raymond.khoury).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 462 reviews
March 14, 2010
Some reviewers here and elsewhere of Raymond Khoury's engaging new thriller, The Sign, focus attention on Khoury's alleged attacks on certain political and/or religious beliefs they assume he belittles. I see the novel as something other and more abstract than mere vilification of George W. Bush, religion, or global warming skeptics.
The Sign examines the power of iconography and symbology in a conflicted world teeming with deeply held and seemingly irreconcilable political, bureaucratic, religious and sociocultural ideologies. The thematic battle in the story is only superficially between one set of believers and another. Rather, the true battle over the sign in the sky is within the reader. All of us respond to various symbols one way or another, more often than not in a Pavlovian manner inculcated in us since birth by self-interested forces far beyond our control. The Sign encourages us to scrutinize the origins and mythoi underpinning each icon, symbol and sign we encounter. It urges us to contemplate how, by whom, and to what end such powerful images are used all around us, every day.
Khoury's message in The Sign is important and thought-provoking, and it's presented in a story well told. Khoury is adept at bringing settings exotic or ordinary to life. The action is crisp and clean, as befits an author skilled at screenwriting. The dialogue rings true, in that it reads the way people actually talk to one another. The characters are intriguingly duplicitous, realistically flawed, and struggle to varying degrees to contain or exploit their own and each others' rapacities.
It's a very good book. I had fun reading it and thinking about it, and I recommend it.
The Sign examines the power of iconography and symbology in a conflicted world teeming with deeply held and seemingly irreconcilable political, bureaucratic, religious and sociocultural ideologies. The thematic battle in the story is only superficially between one set of believers and another. Rather, the true battle over the sign in the sky is within the reader. All of us respond to various symbols one way or another, more often than not in a Pavlovian manner inculcated in us since birth by self-interested forces far beyond our control. The Sign encourages us to scrutinize the origins and mythoi underpinning each icon, symbol and sign we encounter. It urges us to contemplate how, by whom, and to what end such powerful images are used all around us, every day.
Khoury's message in The Sign is important and thought-provoking, and it's presented in a story well told. Khoury is adept at bringing settings exotic or ordinary to life. The action is crisp and clean, as befits an author skilled at screenwriting. The dialogue rings true, in that it reads the way people actually talk to one another. The characters are intriguingly duplicitous, realistically flawed, and struggle to varying degrees to contain or exploit their own and each others' rapacities.
It's a very good book. I had fun reading it and thinking about it, and I recommend it.
June 4, 2010
I didn’t like ‘The Last Templar� so why read another pulp novel by a hack? Well . . .made curious by the cover blurb and 50 cents at a yard sale, I found it hard to resist. Thank God I didn’t pay 75 cents or you would still be hearing my screams.
I don’t mind bad writing. I sometimes reread things I write—and I tolerate myself (on even days). What gets my goat is having a really good idea totally fucked by someone with the literary style of a twelve year old.
This was so bad, I actually started reading passages to my friends for their amusement. I wanted to make a drinking game out of Khoury’s ineptitude but we would have been quite shitfaced after three pages and that just takes all the fun out of it.
Yet, damn it, the story of ‘The Sign� is solid science fiction, or mystery, or quasi-rapture(ish), or what ever you want to call it. What would the major religions do if there was an unexplainable sign from God (or an alien with god-like sense of design)? And it was irrefutable. It is fun to imagine. There are lots of ways you can go with this and the author chose conspiracy of the man made kind (as opposed to the monkey kind).
The story, situations and characters are consistent to the end and they all work well within the context of the story. I finished the book to see where this would lead and how Khoury would end it. But over and over and over I kept asking myself, is this an outline for a book waiting to be written? If so, then, hey, not bad.
Some of the action sequences are inane and so stupid you can’t help laughing. I doubt it is meant to be funny. You think I am ragging harshly? Here my children, try this:
“Drucker had absorbed the information with admirable detachment. Maddox didn’t like much about Drucker. The man was a politician, after all. A Washington insider. But he liked that about him.� (I swear I didn’t edit.)
The whole friggin book is written this way. If you were to take ‘Uncreative Writing—How to Write Bad 101� this could be the textbook.
I don’t mind bad writing. I sometimes reread things I write—and I tolerate myself (on even days). What gets my goat is having a really good idea totally fucked by someone with the literary style of a twelve year old.
This was so bad, I actually started reading passages to my friends for their amusement. I wanted to make a drinking game out of Khoury’s ineptitude but we would have been quite shitfaced after three pages and that just takes all the fun out of it.
Yet, damn it, the story of ‘The Sign� is solid science fiction, or mystery, or quasi-rapture(ish), or what ever you want to call it. What would the major religions do if there was an unexplainable sign from God (or an alien with god-like sense of design)? And it was irrefutable. It is fun to imagine. There are lots of ways you can go with this and the author chose conspiracy of the man made kind (as opposed to the monkey kind).
The story, situations and characters are consistent to the end and they all work well within the context of the story. I finished the book to see where this would lead and how Khoury would end it. But over and over and over I kept asking myself, is this an outline for a book waiting to be written? If so, then, hey, not bad.
Some of the action sequences are inane and so stupid you can’t help laughing. I doubt it is meant to be funny. You think I am ragging harshly? Here my children, try this:
“Drucker had absorbed the information with admirable detachment. Maddox didn’t like much about Drucker. The man was a politician, after all. A Washington insider. But he liked that about him.� (I swear I didn’t edit.)
The whole friggin book is written this way. If you were to take ‘Uncreative Writing—How to Write Bad 101� this could be the textbook.
January 2, 2022
I've read this book twice since it came out. I was blown away. Khoury is my modern day Robert Ludlum. But, Khoury has a deeper side. While I'm not usually one who gets caught up in that. This tale was just wonderful. "Put simply."
I appreciated the almost mystical ending.
I appreciated the almost mystical ending.
October 9, 2011
The 3rd of Raymond Khoury's books I have read - after the 1st one, I made a point to find the others. My ideal rating for this was 4.5 but since only 4 or 5 were available, I decided to boost the rating as this was an exceptionally enjoyable book. Khoury's stories are all imaginative, well written and have different themes than the usual run-of-the-mill mysteries. An interesting mix of fantasy/religion, fanatics and heroes in this one. I look forward to his next book.
March 1, 2009
As you might expect from the plot summary, The Sign is a fast-paced tale of life-changing prophecy and global events. Therefore with such a premise, the plot is not exactly un-ambitious, but it is competently written to satisfy most thriller readers. So we have here many of the aspects expected from such a novel: a fast pace from the start, broad global range, a large range of typical characters (hot female reporter, concerned innocents unwittingly dragged into increasingly significant events, nasty military hit-men, corporate innovators and entrepreneurial power-players) but without great depth or emotional intensity. Whilst unravelling the plot, the book zips the reader around from Boston to the Antarctic, from Houston to Egypt, and also from (short) chapter to chapter, as events unfold.
On the positive side of things, this is a good, solid blockbuster that will be liked by fans of Tom Clancy or Michael Crichton, and one which stands up very well to the inevitable comparison with Dan Brown. There’s some nice contemporary touches here, with topical mentions of the credit crunch, iphones and global climate change that create a credible plot environment. There’s also some tangential musings on society, environmental change and some possible consequences for the future. But really, that’s not the point. What readers really want (and get) here is lots of fast-moving action and a steadily increasing dead body count, whilst silently cheering on the heroes and booing the baddies.
In summary, this is a great big widescreen read, which will satisfy many a reader. Fans of his earlier books will like, though it is probably something that’ll not remain in the brain too long. Nevertheless, it is very entertaining, nicely surprising in places and by the end, a real page turner. It would be a great holiday read, or perhaps one for being engrossed in, whilst in those airport queues.
Mark Yon
On the positive side of things, this is a good, solid blockbuster that will be liked by fans of Tom Clancy or Michael Crichton, and one which stands up very well to the inevitable comparison with Dan Brown. There’s some nice contemporary touches here, with topical mentions of the credit crunch, iphones and global climate change that create a credible plot environment. There’s also some tangential musings on society, environmental change and some possible consequences for the future. But really, that’s not the point. What readers really want (and get) here is lots of fast-moving action and a steadily increasing dead body count, whilst silently cheering on the heroes and booing the baddies.
In summary, this is a great big widescreen read, which will satisfy many a reader. Fans of his earlier books will like, though it is probably something that’ll not remain in the brain too long. Nevertheless, it is very entertaining, nicely surprising in places and by the end, a real page turner. It would be a great holiday read, or perhaps one for being engrossed in, whilst in those airport queues.
Mark Yon
May 13, 2023
Well- developed characters. Build up of each character in the story was flawless. I became a fan of Raymond Khoury after reading this book. Unrelenting action from start to finish. Matt fights all odd to reunite with his brother, Danny the programming genius. Shady billionaire and self righteous extremist in the pretext of fighting for global warming were preparing to manipulate religion to suite their purpose. Poor father Jerome was used only to be disposed later on but the twist towards the end and how father Jerome used the platform for his advantage was point on. Religion to be respected, all religions r great. Love and be kind to each other, the meaning behind is deep and beautiful. Solid intelligent components on sci-fic. nanotechnology being used to create groundbreaking technology to fool the world. The play of words, the vocab. I love it all. I became super imaginative in my dreams while reading this book. One day I was a CIA agent and the next I dreamt I was sent by secret agents to remove father ameen to free father Jerome. It
was fun and thrilling all at the same time. Made my imagination run wild. Luv this book.
was fun and thrilling all at the same time. Made my imagination run wild. Luv this book.
July 22, 2009
Sheesh. This book exemplifies why I despise reading "The latest heart-stopping thriller from the best-selling author of [fill-in-the-blank:]!!!" types of books.
I imagine somewhere next to or under Mr. Khoury's writing desk sits a cardboard box full of cardboard people. There's the cardboard hot chick who's got some smarts to go with her other, umm, assets. There's the cardboard ex-con turned legit businessman and part-time hero who can't possibly contact the authorities since they won't believe a guy with his rap sheet. There's the cardboard bad-ass ex-military enforcer dude, complete with disfigurement from past bad-ass fights. Mr. Bad-Ass of course works for the cardboard evil genius who has all the money in the world and nothing better to do than fuck with people. There's even the cardboard fat computer geek who, ya know, provides, like, some comic relief, dude.
You don't get to find out what's behind the various "unexplained phenomena" until about 250 pages in, when the author lets you witness a conversation between some of the bad guys wherein they reveal their master plan to take over the universe. And that's when I just couldn't take it anymore. I found myself thinking, so that's it? THAT is the best the evil mastermind could come up with? THAT is what he's trying to accomplish? THAT is why he's willing to lie, cheat, kidnap, steal, and murder? I mean, really? At that point I proceeded to roll my eyes and sigh loud enough to annoy my wife. I shut the book, put it in my pile of things to return to the library, and wished I could get that portion of my life back.
I imagine somewhere next to or under Mr. Khoury's writing desk sits a cardboard box full of cardboard people. There's the cardboard hot chick who's got some smarts to go with her other, umm, assets. There's the cardboard ex-con turned legit businessman and part-time hero who can't possibly contact the authorities since they won't believe a guy with his rap sheet. There's the cardboard bad-ass ex-military enforcer dude, complete with disfigurement from past bad-ass fights. Mr. Bad-Ass of course works for the cardboard evil genius who has all the money in the world and nothing better to do than fuck with people. There's even the cardboard fat computer geek who, ya know, provides, like, some comic relief, dude.
You don't get to find out what's behind the various "unexplained phenomena" until about 250 pages in, when the author lets you witness a conversation between some of the bad guys wherein they reveal their master plan to take over the universe. And that's when I just couldn't take it anymore. I found myself thinking, so that's it? THAT is the best the evil mastermind could come up with? THAT is what he's trying to accomplish? THAT is why he's willing to lie, cheat, kidnap, steal, and murder? I mean, really? At that point I proceeded to roll my eyes and sigh loud enough to annoy my wife. I shut the book, put it in my pile of things to return to the library, and wished I could get that portion of my life back.
August 25, 2011
Okay, so now I know Khoury is an author I will regularly be frustrated with. Premises that pique my interest, uneven execution of the story. The Sign started very slowly. By the time he'd established his characters and direction, I saw where the story was heading. I know there was a study published very recently that indicated a spoiler of the ending did not ruin the story for most people, but by around halfway through The Sign, I had a very good idea how it would end. While it wasn't the worst story I've ever made myself read, it was easy to put down.
I thought The Sanctuary was marvelous. I thought the villain in the Templar Salvation was on of the best I've read in the last 5 years. The Last Templar started with a bang, limped to the finish. The Sign crawled out of the box, was in cruise control before halfway, and took a straight line to the finish without twists and turns. So, Khoury will probably come up with another premise that catches my eye, and I'll read it with hope of a high rather than a low.
I thought The Sanctuary was marvelous. I thought the villain in the Templar Salvation was on of the best I've read in the last 5 years. The Last Templar started with a bang, limped to the finish. The Sign crawled out of the box, was in cruise control before halfway, and took a straight line to the finish without twists and turns. So, Khoury will probably come up with another premise that catches my eye, and I'll read it with hope of a high rather than a low.
October 19, 2014
Gracie Logan, a TV.News Reporter, chases a big story, from The South Pole to the Egyptian Dessert. Why? because of a shimmering ball of light, that shape shifts into a mysterious symbol. then just vanishes.
Is this a prophecy or as Matt Sherwood, reformed car thief, thinks, not all that it seems. The symbol, begins to show up, in other places, should we believe, it's a sign God? or is it something else?
Once again, Raymond Khoury, like his international best seller The Last Templar, has left me, wanting more books, He knows, how, to reel you in, and not let go, until the very last page is turned,,
If any writer deserves to have his books, turned into movies, then he does,
So come on, Spielberg, Cammeron, what you waiting for?
Is this a prophecy or as Matt Sherwood, reformed car thief, thinks, not all that it seems. The symbol, begins to show up, in other places, should we believe, it's a sign God? or is it something else?
Once again, Raymond Khoury, like his international best seller The Last Templar, has left me, wanting more books, He knows, how, to reel you in, and not let go, until the very last page is turned,,
If any writer deserves to have his books, turned into movies, then he does,
So come on, Spielberg, Cammeron, what you waiting for?
October 11, 2010
Well said. Perhaps a bit painful for many with strong religious views - but totally "on the mark" regarding parts of the Christian Evangelical movement. Especially grateful for the opinion offered by the author on the Religious Right Political Propaganda.
June 8, 2023
What happens when a political strategist wants to use religious fervor to shape the world to their preferred image?
Interestingly enough, this book was published in 2009. But, feels eerily familiar today.
Interested in a thriller set at the intersection of science, religion and history?
Interestingly enough, this book was published in 2009. But, feels eerily familiar today.
Interested in a thriller set at the intersection of science, religion and history?
April 25, 2019
An diesem Thriller wird manch einer zu knabbern haben, kann ich mir vorstellen.
Ein Sakrileg! - werden sie schimpfen. Häresie!
Aber so ist das mit der Wahrheit. Sie ist unbequem. Und es ist allemal einfacher, sich hinter irgendwelchen Glaubensbekenntnissen zu verstecken, als selbst die Verantwortung für das eigene Handeln zu übernehmen. Es ist hart, wenn die letzte Illusion zerstört wird. Die Menschheit muss endlich kollektiv den nächsten Schritt in ihrer intellekten Entwicklung machen. Sonst geschehen immer wieder solche Desaster, wie hier in diesem Roman.
�"Wer nichts weiß, muss alles glauben." ~~~ Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach
Spoiler!
Auszug einer Rede Pater Hieronymus' zum Schluss des Buches:
"Wir leben in einer zersplitterten Welt... vor mir sind andere gekommen... mit weisen und edlen Gedanken... um den Menschen zu helfen... Aber dabei ist nicht mehr heraus gekommen, als dass einer den anderen bedrängt. Ihre weisen und edlen Worte und ihre selbstlosen Taten sind falsch gedeutet worden, verdreht worden, missbraucht worden* - von anderen zum Zweck der eigenen Überhöhung für sich beansprucht worden. In ihrem Namen*² sind Institutionen errichtet worden, protzige Tempel der Intoleranz, die allesamt von sich behaupten, den wahren Glauben zu verkörpern, und einen gegen den anderen hetzen. Die aus ihren Worten Werkzeuge der Macht schmieden. Werkzeuge des Hasses. Werkzeuge des Krieges."
Spoiler Ende
*Das fünfte Gebot besagt ganz eindeutig: "Du sollst nicht töten!" Trotzdem wurden und werden immer noch Menschen autorisiert, andere zu töten. NIEMAND hat das Recht und die Befugnis, dies zu tun. Und Priester segnen/segneten sogar Waffen!
*² Johann Tetzel und seine Ablassbriefe, die er im Namen Papst Leo X. für den Neubau des Petersdoms verkaufte. Den armen Menschen damals redete man ein, dass sie sich durch den Erwerb von besagten Ablassbriefen von ihren Sünden freikaufen konnten. Was für ein Schwachsinn. Der Papst wollte eine schicke Datscha und Geld und dachte sich da was nettes für die dumme Bevölkerung aus. Sowas nennt man heute Machtmissbrauch.
Der Roman erschien das erste mal 2009, doch in den 10 Jahren hat er nichts an Aktualität verloren. Ganz im Gegenteil. Inzwischen sind unsere Sünden an der Umwelt bereits sehr deutlich zu spüren. Der Klimawandel kann nicht mehr wegdiskutiert werden. Man sieht seine Konsequenzen überall.
Die Zugvögel ziehen mitunter nur noch bis nach Deutschland statt nach Afrika.
Der Flieder blüht bereits Mitte April statt zu Pfingsten.
Der Wasserspiegel sinkt in Teilen Deutschlands auf Grund fehlenden Regens, so dass Gemeinden im letzten Sommer Probleme mit dem Trinkwasser hatten.
Wie heißt es so schön:
"Wer Blumen liebt, muss Regen mögen!"
Dass es nicht regnet, ist unsere Schuld.
Ein Sakrileg! - werden sie schimpfen. Häresie!
Aber so ist das mit der Wahrheit. Sie ist unbequem. Und es ist allemal einfacher, sich hinter irgendwelchen Glaubensbekenntnissen zu verstecken, als selbst die Verantwortung für das eigene Handeln zu übernehmen. Es ist hart, wenn die letzte Illusion zerstört wird. Die Menschheit muss endlich kollektiv den nächsten Schritt in ihrer intellekten Entwicklung machen. Sonst geschehen immer wieder solche Desaster, wie hier in diesem Roman.
�"Wer nichts weiß, muss alles glauben." ~~~ Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach
Spoiler!
Auszug einer Rede Pater Hieronymus' zum Schluss des Buches:
"Wir leben in einer zersplitterten Welt... vor mir sind andere gekommen... mit weisen und edlen Gedanken... um den Menschen zu helfen... Aber dabei ist nicht mehr heraus gekommen, als dass einer den anderen bedrängt. Ihre weisen und edlen Worte und ihre selbstlosen Taten sind falsch gedeutet worden, verdreht worden, missbraucht worden* - von anderen zum Zweck der eigenen Überhöhung für sich beansprucht worden. In ihrem Namen*² sind Institutionen errichtet worden, protzige Tempel der Intoleranz, die allesamt von sich behaupten, den wahren Glauben zu verkörpern, und einen gegen den anderen hetzen. Die aus ihren Worten Werkzeuge der Macht schmieden. Werkzeuge des Hasses. Werkzeuge des Krieges."
Spoiler Ende
*Das fünfte Gebot besagt ganz eindeutig: "Du sollst nicht töten!" Trotzdem wurden und werden immer noch Menschen autorisiert, andere zu töten. NIEMAND hat das Recht und die Befugnis, dies zu tun. Und Priester segnen/segneten sogar Waffen!
*² Johann Tetzel und seine Ablassbriefe, die er im Namen Papst Leo X. für den Neubau des Petersdoms verkaufte. Den armen Menschen damals redete man ein, dass sie sich durch den Erwerb von besagten Ablassbriefen von ihren Sünden freikaufen konnten. Was für ein Schwachsinn. Der Papst wollte eine schicke Datscha und Geld und dachte sich da was nettes für die dumme Bevölkerung aus. Sowas nennt man heute Machtmissbrauch.
Der Roman erschien das erste mal 2009, doch in den 10 Jahren hat er nichts an Aktualität verloren. Ganz im Gegenteil. Inzwischen sind unsere Sünden an der Umwelt bereits sehr deutlich zu spüren. Der Klimawandel kann nicht mehr wegdiskutiert werden. Man sieht seine Konsequenzen überall.
Die Zugvögel ziehen mitunter nur noch bis nach Deutschland statt nach Afrika.
Der Flieder blüht bereits Mitte April statt zu Pfingsten.
Der Wasserspiegel sinkt in Teilen Deutschlands auf Grund fehlenden Regens, so dass Gemeinden im letzten Sommer Probleme mit dem Trinkwasser hatten.
Wie heißt es so schön:
"Wer Blumen liebt, muss Regen mögen!"
Dass es nicht regnet, ist unsere Schuld.
June 20, 2009
Having enjoyed "The Last Templar" and "The Sanctuary" I had high expectations for "The Sign." Unfortunately The Sign didn't live up to those expectations. The text was written in a similar style and voice as the previous books, making it an easy and quick read. However, this book featured too many characters, following too many story lines to truly keep up with the actual plot. I kept waiting to get past the set-up to the actual story. When the book actually did get to the story, all was revealed and unlike the previous books where the protagonists were searching to unravel a mystery, in The Sign the book was about preventing a conspiracy from achieving its goals. On the whole still a good beach read, but I wouldn't seek it out.
July 26, 2017
No le darán el Nobel ni el Cervantes de literatura (cosa que me da igual, porque dudo que yo lea a uno de los premiados) pero a mi me ha ganado. Vale que si analizamos el argumento tiene cabos sueltos (flagrantes) ligados a la resolución de la trama, pero es una lectura muy entretenida, de ritmo trepidante, repleta de acción con un hilo que mezcla ciencia, religión, historia y polÃtica (con las tres primeras a mi me atrae en principio como un imán) creando un thriller muy cinematográfico cuyo fin final es la diversión, aunque no queda exento de una profunda critica a la sociedad (americana en especial) y a los poderes facticos de las religiones monoteÃstas.
June 9, 2009
I was torn between whether to make this a three or four star. I chose four stars because the last 1/3 of the book was really good. The first 2/3 were ok and interesting but something kept me from being 100% into it. It wasn't until near the end that I really started to push myself to read. Bottom line is that I agree with Khoury's message. What he writes at the end is the epitome of everything I believe about religion and science. It was a well thought out book and includes several interesting ideas regarding the future of warfare.
October 28, 2013
Yet another book that I have read previously - it was an engaging read the second time around also.
A sign is seen in the sky, a reclusive priest is found to be connected. A new religious attitude is being formed and then we find that it is an international conspiracy to promote the USA.
The story is about how a bunch of unrelated people figure out and stop the conspiracy. A large bit not real but good story anyway.
A sign is seen in the sky, a reclusive priest is found to be connected. A new religious attitude is being formed and then we find that it is an international conspiracy to promote the USA.
The story is about how a bunch of unrelated people figure out and stop the conspiracy. A large bit not real but good story anyway.
May 26, 2011
When the CNN crew stationed in Antartica was reporting about the ice shelf breaking up. The crew looked up with the camaras to see a shimmering disk hovering in the sky. When the whole world saw what they saw noone knew what to think but to stare in awe. Religion, mystery, and action drive this book on to the very end....
April 18, 2012
Another talking book "read" for me - excellent book, fast paced and well written, I stayed up way beyond my usual "flop time" because I just didn't want to stop the story. Thought provoking in the way it dealt with the extremism, the treatment of ex-military, religious fervour etc. The plot drags you in and doesn't let you surface til the last words of the book.....!
April 15, 2019
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. A couple parts were extremely far fetched such as the Texas sized ice shelf breaking off and you watched it a couple hundred yards away???? Something as big as TEXAS??? and no waves are mentioned??? but I did get over it. It does provoke some thoughts on religion and politics and God in general.
October 9, 2009
Wow!! What a good book! Couldn't put it down. Exciting, thought-provoking and a really enjoyable read. A mix of possible present day, religious history and science fiction (maybe?).
Would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers of any type.
Something completely different!
Would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers of any type.
Something completely different!
September 12, 2016
Has an incredible understanding of today's society. This is one of those book that is totally believeable; I could see it happening just as he's written it, although I don't think the ending would be quite as nice.
A WOW read.
A WOW read.
April 15, 2016
I got this book at a used book exchange at work and really wasn't expecting much. However, after the first couple of pages I was hooked. This book has twists and turns and it is one of those books that makes you think "what if this could actually happen?" I highly recommend it!!!
December 30, 2014
This was the first book I read from him and I am definitely hooked. The ending is definitely not what you expect!! I have read this more than once even though I know how it ends. Really well written and keeps you guessing the entire time.
September 6, 2010
This is the best book so far that I have read from Raymond Khoury. It's a really nice and fast faced story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
July 28, 2011
Great story! Like being on an action packed roller coaster ride.
Wish I could have been able to read faster. : )
Wish I could have been able to read faster. : )
February 24, 2012
A very thought provoking story about how religion is about power, control and manipulation. Enjoyed it very much.
October 25, 2015
"The Sign" by Raymond Khoury couldn't be more timely. It is an absolute "must read".
March 1, 2016
Started really slow but by it's middle it grows on you :)
August 24, 2023
RELECTURA #2
"La gente halla consuelo en la religión porque no ve esperanza en nada de lo que la rodea. No tienen fe en los polÃticos. Están cansados del tráfico, la contaminación, la subida de precios, la bajada de los sueldos y la corrupción. No les queda nadie en quien confiar, mas que en Dios".
¿Que es lo que sucede cuando en un momento crÃtico de la Tierra, de repente aparece una señal en el cielo ante los ojos del mundo?
Raymond Khoury (autor de La Orden del Temple) plantea este escenario en un mundo al borde del colapso, tanto natural como espiritual. La gente no tiene un guÃa. Las personas solo buscan el bien propio y solo un segundo advenimiento podrÃa ser la solución ¿o no?
-Vamos, Larry. Tu sabes como funciona el mundo. Sólo existen dos maneras seguras de conseguir que la gente haga lo que uno quiere. O te pones un guante de hierro y la obligas, o le dices que Dios desea que lo haga.
He puesto este libro junto a Noah y El Evangelio del mal porque ambos presentan casi las mismas preocupaciones y métodos a la hora de actuar y llevar a la humanidad hacia el lado que los grandes poderes (de los mismos humanos) desean.
Este libro no para un segundo. Es frenético y cargado de acción que lleva muy bien a lo largo de sus 500 páginas. Y con un protagonista con el que me he encariñado mucho: Matt Sherwood. Después de todos los libros que he leÃdo solo tengo dos personajes favoritos😅: Kid Bourbon del Libro sin nombre y Matt Sherwood.
Ambos son totalmente opuestos, mientras que Kid Bourbon siempre tiene sed de sangre y busca cualquier excusa para matar; Matt solo busca no meterse en problemas y defenderse lo necesario, aunque si lo presionan demasiado..., esa es otra historia. Eso si ambos podrÃan tener algo en común: que harán de todo para ayudar a sus seres queridos y pobre de aquellos que se crucen en sus caminos.
Es asà como lo vemos envuelto a Matt en esta trama donde intenta descubrir como murió realmente su hermano mientras trabajaba en un proyecto secreto tiempo antes de que apareciera la señal en el cielo.
"La gente no está acostumbraba a pensar por sà misma. A la gente le gusta seguir y que la sigan. Necesita un guÃa. Un mensajero. Un profeta. Siempre ha sido asÃ, y siempre será".
Disculpen haber escrito tanto pero necesitaba desahogar el placer que me ha generado volver a este libro y lamento que desde entonces no haya leÃdo nada mas del autor, aunque prometo remediar eso también.
"La gente halla consuelo en la religión porque no ve esperanza en nada de lo que la rodea. No tienen fe en los polÃticos. Están cansados del tráfico, la contaminación, la subida de precios, la bajada de los sueldos y la corrupción. No les queda nadie en quien confiar, mas que en Dios".
¿Que es lo que sucede cuando en un momento crÃtico de la Tierra, de repente aparece una señal en el cielo ante los ojos del mundo?
Raymond Khoury (autor de La Orden del Temple) plantea este escenario en un mundo al borde del colapso, tanto natural como espiritual. La gente no tiene un guÃa. Las personas solo buscan el bien propio y solo un segundo advenimiento podrÃa ser la solución ¿o no?
-Vamos, Larry. Tu sabes como funciona el mundo. Sólo existen dos maneras seguras de conseguir que la gente haga lo que uno quiere. O te pones un guante de hierro y la obligas, o le dices que Dios desea que lo haga.
He puesto este libro junto a Noah y El Evangelio del mal porque ambos presentan casi las mismas preocupaciones y métodos a la hora de actuar y llevar a la humanidad hacia el lado que los grandes poderes (de los mismos humanos) desean.
Este libro no para un segundo. Es frenético y cargado de acción que lleva muy bien a lo largo de sus 500 páginas. Y con un protagonista con el que me he encariñado mucho: Matt Sherwood. Después de todos los libros que he leÃdo solo tengo dos personajes favoritos😅: Kid Bourbon del Libro sin nombre y Matt Sherwood.
Ambos son totalmente opuestos, mientras que Kid Bourbon siempre tiene sed de sangre y busca cualquier excusa para matar; Matt solo busca no meterse en problemas y defenderse lo necesario, aunque si lo presionan demasiado..., esa es otra historia. Eso si ambos podrÃan tener algo en común: que harán de todo para ayudar a sus seres queridos y pobre de aquellos que se crucen en sus caminos.
Es asà como lo vemos envuelto a Matt en esta trama donde intenta descubrir como murió realmente su hermano mientras trabajaba en un proyecto secreto tiempo antes de que apareciera la señal en el cielo.
"La gente no está acostumbraba a pensar por sà misma. A la gente le gusta seguir y que la sigan. Necesita un guÃa. Un mensajero. Un profeta. Siempre ha sido asÃ, y siempre será".
Disculpen haber escrito tanto pero necesitaba desahogar el placer que me ha generado volver a este libro y lamento que desde entonces no haya leÃdo nada mas del autor, aunque prometo remediar eso también.
September 19, 2015
The premise of this novel intrigued me so I bought the book with the understanding it was going to be a great adventure and a scientific thriller complete with intrigue and plenty of twists and turns. As I began to read the book I noticed a distinct negative bias towards religious faith, namely that of Christianity. As a Christian, I am deeply aware of the many misgivings people have towards Christians and the Christian faith particularly in America. Understandably so. However, were not perfect people, in fact, were imperfect humans trying to understand a perfect God. We don't pretend to know it all or have it all right. Because we don't. But, please. Rather than write an entire novel denigrating Christians, their families, and everything that we embrace, why not just come out and tell it like it is? Why sugar coat it in the form of a novel?
I read the Author's Notes at the back of the book and realized unequivocally that this author has something against Christianity in particular. Of all the faiths in the world, along with their misgivings, Khoury clearly chose Christianity as his target. And this is reflected in his story. I for one am one of those Christians who is for the complete separation of church and state, for a variety of reasons. But, Khoury is clearly for this separation as well, because he hates Christianity. It is evident in his writings and it is evident in his notes. He regurgitates all the negatives of Christian history, including the Crusades and on and on he goes. We get it. Khoury you don't like Christianity in America and you really hate it when it pervades American politics. Somehow, other faith's involvement in American politics is curiously missing from his rhetoric.
Perhaps were all guilty of integrating faith and politics at some point in our lives. Christians do it in the name of morality. Humanists do it in the name of secularism. Because of the obvious rhetoric emanating from this author, and because I am a Christian offended by the negative bias, this book is worthy of less than a single star. Sorry Khoury. I hope and pray that you will someday see the true Light of Jesus Christ and see Him for what He is, the true Son of God who loves us and has forgiven us all, including us Christians who are unmistakably imperfect. Rather than looking to imperfect people, look to a perfect and holy God. Peace.
I read the Author's Notes at the back of the book and realized unequivocally that this author has something against Christianity in particular. Of all the faiths in the world, along with their misgivings, Khoury clearly chose Christianity as his target. And this is reflected in his story. I for one am one of those Christians who is for the complete separation of church and state, for a variety of reasons. But, Khoury is clearly for this separation as well, because he hates Christianity. It is evident in his writings and it is evident in his notes. He regurgitates all the negatives of Christian history, including the Crusades and on and on he goes. We get it. Khoury you don't like Christianity in America and you really hate it when it pervades American politics. Somehow, other faith's involvement in American politics is curiously missing from his rhetoric.
Perhaps were all guilty of integrating faith and politics at some point in our lives. Christians do it in the name of morality. Humanists do it in the name of secularism. Because of the obvious rhetoric emanating from this author, and because I am a Christian offended by the negative bias, this book is worthy of less than a single star. Sorry Khoury. I hope and pray that you will someday see the true Light of Jesus Christ and see Him for what He is, the true Son of God who loves us and has forgiven us all, including us Christians who are unmistakably imperfect. Rather than looking to imperfect people, look to a perfect and holy God. Peace.
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