Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Thomas Nelson (2012), Edition: Reprint, 400 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Science Fiction & Fantasy. Historical Fiction. HTML: Kit Livingstone met his great-grandfather Cosimo in a rainy alley in London where he discovered the truth about alternate realities. Now he's on the runâ??and on a questâ??trying to understand the impossible mission he inherited from Cosimo: to restore a map that charts the hidden dimensions of the multiverse. Survival depends on staying one step ahead of the savage Burley Men. The key is the Skin Mapâ??but where it leads and what it means, Kit has no idea. The pieces have been scattered throughout this universe and beyond. Mina, from her outpost in seventeenth-century Prague, is quickly gaining both the experience and the means to succeed in the quest. Yet so are those with evil intent who, from the shadows, are manipulating great minds of history for their own malign purposes. Those who know how to use the ley lines have left their own world behind to travel across time and spaceâ??down avenues of Egyptian sphinxes, to an Etruscan tufa tomb, into a Bohemian coffee shop, and across a Stone Age landscape where universes collideâ??in this, the second quest to unlock the mystery of The Bone House. The Bright Empires seriesâ??from acclaimed author Stephen R. Lawheadâ??is a unique blend of epic treasure hunt, ancient history, alternate realities, cutting-edge physics, philosophy, and mystery. The result is a page-turning, adventur… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member TheLogo
One year ago, less one week, I posted my review of Stephen Lawheads The Skin Map, which is the first book in the "Bright Empires" series. Here, then, is the second book in that series. The Bone House continues the story of Kit Livingston in his quest for the skin map. One piece has been found, but
This book was a pleasant surprise. It is an incredibly rare series which gets better in the second book, but Lawhead has done just that. He has maintained the depth of character development, excellent descriptions of the scenes, and at the same time upped the pace and removed my one qualm with the first book in this series: the confusion of jumping from time to time. In this book, he is much more careful to place cues at the beginning of each chapter so that you know where you are, in the story at least.
Conclusion: 4 Stars. Conditionally recommended. The only condition is that you like a mix of history, science fiction, and fantasy. Really though, you should like it, it's fun reading.
This book was provided by Booksneeze for review.
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the stakes have been raised. Kit has inherited this quest from his grandfather, Cosimo, but Kit is now on the run, and, except for the help of his surprisingly resourceful girlfriend Mina, on his own. This book was a pleasant surprise. It is an incredibly rare series which gets better in the second book, but Lawhead has done just that. He has maintained the depth of character development, excellent descriptions of the scenes, and at the same time upped the pace and removed my one qualm with the first book in this series: the confusion of jumping from time to time. In this book, he is much more careful to place cues at the beginning of each chapter so that you know where you are, in the story at least.
Conclusion: 4 Stars. Conditionally recommended. The only condition is that you like a mix of history, science fiction, and fantasy. Really though, you should like it, it's fun reading.
This book was provided by Booksneeze for review.
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LibraryThing member JanaRose1
This book continues the story of Kit Livingstone, who is on a mission to recover the "Skin Map." The Skin Map was created by a ley traveler, one who travels, not in time, but between universes.
I am reviewing this book for Smashwords. When I choose the book I did not realize that it was the second
I am reviewing this book for Smashwords. When I choose the book I did not realize that it was the second
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book in a series. As such, I found it a little difficult to follow the storyline and characters at first. However, once I became more familiar with the storyline, I found the plot to be intriguing and interesting. The characters are interesting and dynamic. Just enough intrigue and back story is thrown in to keep the reader interesting. Overall, I would recommend reading the first book before this one, but this was a very good read. Show Less
LibraryThing member shayrp76
*This is the second book of the Bright Empires series*
Kit and Mina have become allies in the search of the skin map in this book. Neither understands exactly what they are looking for or where it will lead them. Mina’s having a firmer grasp of traveling the ley lines will give them an advantage
There are a lot of elements to these books so far. There’s adventure, time travel, multi dimensions, and mystery all rolled into one. I did enjoy the first book slightly better, only because it didn’t seem as hard to keep track of everything going on. I found myself back tracking a couple of times to orientate myself. I like the fact that I am not sure about where all of the characters stand in the sense of good or bad guy. The pacing is pretty fast and the pages turn quickly. I do recommend this, but with the reminder that this is the second book. I don’t think that this is a series you can read out or order.
Kit and Mina have become allies in the search of the skin map in this book. Neither understands exactly what they are looking for or where it will lead them. Mina’s having a firmer grasp of traveling the ley lines will give them an advantage
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to more successfully evade their enemies, who also want to get their hands on the map. There are a lot of elements to these books so far. There’s adventure, time travel, multi dimensions, and mystery all rolled into one. I did enjoy the first book slightly better, only because it didn’t seem as hard to keep track of everything going on. I found myself back tracking a couple of times to orientate myself. I like the fact that I am not sure about where all of the characters stand in the sense of good or bad guy. The pacing is pretty fast and the pages turn quickly. I do recommend this, but with the reminder that this is the second book. I don’t think that this is a series you can read out or order.
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LibraryThing member jmleduc
Stephen R. Lawhead has the unique ability to combine fantasy with mystery, stir them up and produce a spellbinding read. “The Bone House,” the second in the Bright Empires series, is no different. You will be reacquainted with the characters that were introduced in “The Skin Map,” the first
Kit Livingston met his great grandfather, Cosmo in a rainy alley in London. There he discovered the truth of alternative realities. Along with Wilhelmina, he is now deeply entrenched in a treasure hunt for the skin map and the answers to life that it holds. Using ley lines, they travel through astral planes to other lands and times. Their adventure will take you from present day London to seventeenth century Prague, to nineteenth century Egypt all the way back to the stone age and then forward to the future.
As they search for the map and the secrets it holds, they must constantly be on guard for their nemesis, the Burley Men. They are constantly lurking in the shadows and manipulating great minds from the past for their own malign purposes as they too search for the elusive Skin Map.
Every step along this journey will bring Kit closer to the climax of unlocking the mystery of The Bone House and ultimately closer to finding the next piece of the map.
“The Bone House” combines ancient history, alternate realities, philosophy, and mystery. Lawhead has truly woven a page-turning adventure that continues to ramp up the excitement right until the very last word.
Reviewed by J.M. LeDuc, author of “Cursed Blessing,” published by Suspense Publishing an imprint of Suspense Magazine
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book in the series.Kit Livingston met his great grandfather, Cosmo in a rainy alley in London. There he discovered the truth of alternative realities. Along with Wilhelmina, he is now deeply entrenched in a treasure hunt for the skin map and the answers to life that it holds. Using ley lines, they travel through astral planes to other lands and times. Their adventure will take you from present day London to seventeenth century Prague, to nineteenth century Egypt all the way back to the stone age and then forward to the future.
As they search for the map and the secrets it holds, they must constantly be on guard for their nemesis, the Burley Men. They are constantly lurking in the shadows and manipulating great minds from the past for their own malign purposes as they too search for the elusive Skin Map.
Every step along this journey will bring Kit closer to the climax of unlocking the mystery of The Bone House and ultimately closer to finding the next piece of the map.
“The Bone House” combines ancient history, alternate realities, philosophy, and mystery. Lawhead has truly woven a page-turning adventure that continues to ramp up the excitement right until the very last word.
Reviewed by J.M. LeDuc, author of “Cursed Blessing,” published by Suspense Publishing an imprint of Suspense Magazine
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LibraryThing member Rosenectur
These books are so unique I don't quite know how to classify them. Sci-fi, adventure, fantasy, mystery, history... time twister, all wrapped into one.
The stories revolve more or less around Kit Livingston who one day sees his great-grandfather in an alley that turns out to be a conduit into
The threads of the books also get split and lost in time as the chapters weave in and out of several connected stories and times. I can't wait to see what the third book is like. There are so many unanswered questions, I still don't quite know where this is all going, and that makes it all the more exciting.
The stories revolve more or less around Kit Livingston who one day sees his great-grandfather in an alley that turns out to be a conduit into
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another time in a parallel dimension. Turns out that there are ley lines all around us leading to other times. Kit's great-grandfather has been seeking a map of the ley lines that one early ley explorer had tattooed on to his body, the "Skin Map." It has been split into piece and lost in time. The threads of the books also get split and lost in time as the chapters weave in and out of several connected stories and times. I can't wait to see what the third book is like. There are so many unanswered questions, I still don't quite know where this is all going, and that makes it all the more exciting.
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LibraryThing member lamb521
Titles: The Skin Map The Bone HouseAuthor: Stephen R LawheadPublisher: Thomas Nelson PublishersYear: 2010 & 2011 How does one define such novels that have many diverse genres? Are the novels based on science, history, Bible, archeology? There are authors who write in the fiction genre that seem to
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have to basis in either reality or facts, just the imagination is involved it seems. Then there are others who write novels that include a host of facts and various fields of known study. So what about this series known as The Bright Empires? I bought both books simultaneously and now can’t wait till book three comes out in September of 2012. Generously weaved in these novels are aspects of distant lands, science, archeology, past ages, scientists, and characters who out to do both good and evil. Within these novels are many threads that the author uses to weave together a captivating story. At the end of Bone House the author shares which character was based on an actual person with a specific field of study. Stephen Lawhead shares what is on his reading table and why he wrote these novels. If I told you what he wrote would you read it? I don’t want to ruin the surprise for you so I won’t reveal what Stephen did write. The moment I picked up Skin Map, I couldn’t put it down. I kept trying to figure out where I was being led in the story. There are several climaxes in the books, many themes, captivating ancient places and people, and lives interweaved in different ways. In the midst of it all, there is the aspect of time travel. The main characters travel through time seeking understanding of that period, learning to blend in all of whom are in search of the key which would break the code of the map. What map? All I can tell you is this is no ordinary map. These novels are not just the run-of-the-mill at all! They excel in captivating the reader and tell an excellent story. I can’t recommend this series high enough. Buy them, get your favorite beverage and settle in for the ride of your life. The journey is awaiting; it is inviting; are you coming along? I hope so because it is awesome! Show Less
LibraryThing member TheLostEntwife
The Bone House is the book that made reading The Skin Map worth it. I loved this book, for its adventure and its characters. My only complaint? It feels as if the story is being drug out for the series sake.
This is a problem that occurs when there are many storylines happening at once. When you
I hope that all made sense.
Still, The Bone House took off running from where The Skin Map left off and left me wanting more answers at the end. Lawhead is definitely a master when it comes to spinning a good tale, I have to say. I’ll be right there on the list waiting for the next installment to come out.
This is a problem that occurs when there are many storylines happening at once. When you
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skip from character to character and pieces are put together. Speaking of pieces put together, that’s another of my pet peeves – when characters are added into the book in such a way it seems as if they were added last minute in order to keep the story moving. Does it make the story less exciting? No. It just gives it that element of… “eye-rolling, whatever”, you know.. the unbelievable (even when reading about science fiction/fantasy things like time travel and magic).I hope that all made sense.
Still, The Bone House took off running from where The Skin Map left off and left me wanting more answers at the end. Lawhead is definitely a master when it comes to spinning a good tale, I have to say. I’ll be right there on the list waiting for the next installment to come out.
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LibraryThing member herdingcats
This is the second book in the Bright Empires series following The Skin Map. Once again, Kit and Mina travel through different times and worlds via Ley Line travel. It is not only time travel, "Rather, Kit and companty are bouncing around a multidimensional universe in the equivalent of a
That being said, Kit, Mina and company travel the ley lines searching for the mysterious skin map and for a way to decipher it while trying to evade Burleigh and his goons. Kit lands for an extended stay in the stone age with some cave men, which is quite interesting. I found this book a bit disjointed and confusing, but still a good story and concept and if you liked the first book, I think you will enjoy this second one as well.
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helicopter that can travel in any of a thousand different directions. Ane if that hypothetical helicopter is a vehicle that can also zoom off into hidden dimensions and lands in any possible alternate world - with a dose of time slippage thrown in for good measure - then we have..." the situation described in this series of books. It kind of reminds me of : "There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man it is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity it is the middle ground between light and shadow between science and superstition and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge this is the dimension of imagination it is an area which we call- the Twilight Zone."That being said, Kit, Mina and company travel the ley lines searching for the mysterious skin map and for a way to decipher it while trying to evade Burleigh and his goons. Kit lands for an extended stay in the stone age with some cave men, which is quite interesting. I found this book a bit disjointed and confusing, but still a good story and concept and if you liked the first book, I think you will enjoy this second one as well.
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LibraryThing member debs4jc
Book 2 in the Bright Empires series, you must read book 1 first to enjoy this one. The time travelling adventures of Kit and Mina continue, with Kit bumbling his way through the techniques of leaping through time and avoiding the Burley men, and Mina having mastered them quickly. In fact, it is
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Mina who comes to Kit's rescue at the beginning of this story and who directs him to his next destination. I started to feel really sorry for Kit and I hope he begins to show more Moxy. It seemed a bit too much on a "oh I want to make my female character the hero instead of the male" contrivance. Otherwise an enjoyable listen for fans of fantasy quests. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bill.Bradford
This is the second book of a planned ?? book series (I believe the original intent was four but I can see it going longer than than that, and the author's website has no definitive number).
Like the first in the series, the book is composed of a number of short to medium length chapters. As the
Not as good as the first in the series, but well worth your time. And I will soon be picking up the third in the series.
Like the first in the series, the book is composed of a number of short to medium length chapters. As the
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first book introduced new characters, the chapters switched viewpoints quickly and the second continues this - what happens at the end of one may be picked up in the next chapter or several chapters later. There are advantages and disadvantages to this (one of which is that it lends itself to reading before bed - you can read a chapter and put it down). Overall, it works - but by the very nature of the book (switching between multiple universes with multiple time frames) it can be somewhat disjointed. The second book also goes back to fill in back-story from the first book. It was nice to have the back-story but in the first half the story drug a little because of this. Having said that, the action and interest pick up substantially ion the second half, and the reader is left with a number of unanswered questions (some, no doubt, to be resolved in book three).Not as good as the first in the series, but well worth your time. And I will soon be picking up the third in the series.
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LibraryThing member debs4jc
The series continues. I found that this installment, while it had good moments, dragged in places. Cosmo and Mina are still trying to unravel the mysteries of traveling through other dimensions while collecting pieces of the Skin Map. Burley and his men are still after them. Parts of the book give
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us more of the backstory of Burley and of Lord Flanders Petrie. Mina and Cosmo are briefly reunited, then Cosmo gets somehow trapped back in prehistoric times. That was the part that kind of dragged to me--there was a lot of detail about his interactions with the "cave-men" of that time and their construction of the mysterious Bone House. It didn't seem to be advancing the plot very much, though perhaps as the story continues in future books we will see how it ties in more. I was more interested in the scenes where either Burley or Mina's actions were being followed. Show Less
LibraryThing member longhorndaniel
a good 2nd novel in a series but leaves too many questions for me
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2019-09-24
Physical description
8.39 inches
ISBN
1595549366 / 9781595549365