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Decipher
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Plot Summary of Decipher
"

Dunne, Sep 2002, 24.95, 400 pp.
ISBN: 0312280750

In 2012, the world has plenty of trouble to contend with already when the signal begins. Something is coming from underneath the Antarctic ice and it is emitting world wide as ancient artifacts that ignore artificial man-made boundaries are activated. The millenniums old monuments connect to one another via low frequency sound waves, but no one knows why the activation started or what the intent is. Many feel it is the end of the world as predicted by the Mayans.

Scientists from all walks of life turn to the once dormant ancient artifacts seeking to interpret a recurring symbol that will either prove the final devastation of humanity or its savior. As China and the United States stand ready to battle over possession of this arcane force, humanity has one week to uncover a truth from the sunken depths of Atlantis that has been ignored for twelve millenniums.

DECIPHER is the blending of myths and ancient history inside an action packed modern day science fiction thriller. The story line never slows down as the pace is at a rate faster than the speed of light. None of the key players really stands out as they seem to all behave in a standard heroic script manner.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Decipher
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Tech./$$$/Info hunt Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying - info about lifeform(s)/society/phenomena
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - scientist
Age: - 40's-50's
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - scientist
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
Earth setting: - near future (later in 21st century)
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - a fair amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
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Stel Pavlou Resident Scholar Profiles

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