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The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary | Raymond Khoury
16 posts | 11 read | 1 reading | 4 to read
More than 250 years after a pretender marquis escapes the decimated palazzo of his vengeful prince, an American Army unit discovers a secret lab in Baghdad where dozens of victims have been subjected to torturous experiments, a finding that places two bold women on the trail of an ancient mystery. By the author of The Last Templar. 150,000 first printing.
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blurb
Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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There are some games that I can‘t rely on receiving a reminder by @RamsFan1963 😃 – #Two4Tuesday by @TheSpineView is one.

1️⃣ The last book I received by mail, is the one I tagged. This was double joy back with them, because it was a surprise gift.

2️⃣ No, no book mail gifts for me this past week. In general, and there is really really few bookish mail for me.

You wanna join @dodgygothbint @ravenlee @megzlynn

TheSpineView Thanks for playing! 😊📚 4y
RamsFan1963 Did I not tag you on this one?? My bad!! 😯😯 4y
Buechersuechtling @RamsFan1963 No, no, no‼️ Please excuse me‼️ My (iPhone‘s) fault‼️ Since I dictate most of my posts, comments and stuff I said “can” but Siri understood and posted “can‘t”. Those misunderstandings happen quite often but in 80% I discover them. In the above post I obviously did not. I‘m really sorry for the confusion, Kevin. 🤗 4y
wildwoodreads Thanks for the tag! Sorry I‘m late! 💕💕💕 4y
14 likes4 comments
review
Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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Mehso-so

First I loved it because it has a Dan-Brown-like treasure hunt. It got more and more gripping the more the different time periods fitted into the frame plot. Then Khoury revealed the core element – and I was completely hooked even though some twists were obvious.

But towards the end it kinda trailed off. This twist! And that one! …

The motivation of one helper is just lousily scribbled.

So it all ends overwinded with one turn too much.

quote
Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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“If I have understood it correctly, [...] identical twins do have exactly the same genes, but that doesn‘t mean they die at the same time, and out of the same reasons [...]. Haven‘t studies shown that each twin‘s DNA develops its own harmful mutations? If aging were genetically encoded, they would age in the same way, but that‘s not the case.” (p. 405)

⬆️⬆️⬆️ Oh, I see Internet research coming. Interesting‼️😍

julesG Epigenetics. Very interesting stuff. 4y
15 likes1 comment
quote
Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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“Nature had evolved us, but it didn‘t know what was aging, in other words, aging wasn‘t genetically programmed in us. [... ] If we weren‘t programmed to die, if we were only destroyed by wear and tear, [...] then we were perhaps [...] to repair.” (p. 400)

⬆️⬆️⬆️ The more I think about it the less I am convinced that there isn‘t no ageing in nature. I mean: elephants 🐘❓🤔 But anyway, that view kind of triggers me. Interesting concept.

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Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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Wow, I am just fascinated by the pages 399/400. They explain that almost nothing in nature grows old. Animals, plants and early human mostly died of diseases, hunger and unfortunate weather. No chance to become old. So because nature‘s first aim is to secure the continued existence of the species, it‘s “better” to reproduce early (and die quite young, see the before mentioned). Which is why getting old might not be evolutionary – but a disease …

jenniferw88 If you end up giving this a 'pick' I can recommend this one - similar themes. 4y
13 likes1 comment
blurb
Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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Needed to research twice concerning this quietude-quote.

First: Who E. B. White is.

Second: If it was the architect‘s or the author‘s saying.
(It was the author‘s.)

quote
Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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“She looked for a quiet corner and soon afterwards she felt the cosy warmth of a martini. »Elixir of quietude«: White had called this drink [...]”(p. 393)

⬆️⬆️⬆️ Martini ? used to be my favourite drink as a young adult, until, well, until I found out the hard way that one bottle might have be too much of this good thing. Now I (still) have revulsion at it.

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Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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This is so sicko that I absolutely believe it‘s true. A protagonist (CIA man) states that during Apartheid in South Africa a scientist tried to develop a biological weapon that kills BPOC only. That was “after they had started putting substances into the drinking water that made them*) infertile.”

*) BPOC

Excuse me, I‘m sick. 🤢

blurb
Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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Needed to look him up.
Had never heard of him before.

🇩🇪 https://bit.ly/3kuJ4Ak
🇬🇧 https://bit.ly/33IhlGj

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Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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Temperatures low enough to air my apartment, my balcony (😍), my book, a coffee and weed pollen allergy.

What more could a heart desire❓

Today, I feel much more at ease than the whole weekend long, so I really kind of look forward to a few hours of “cozy” unwinding.

Thank you so much for your kind, uplifting words and hugs, Littens. Made a difference to me. 😘

Ruthiella Glad to hear it! 😀 4y
Centique I‘m so glad you‘re feeling better 💕 4y
Jari-chan You're doing it right! Keep strong (and reading) 👍 4y
18 likes3 comments
quote
Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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🇬🇧 “It‘s not about you at the moment. Those guys were gunning for your mom, [...]” (p. 180)

🇩🇪 „Im Moment geht es nicht um Sie. Die Kerle hatten es auf ihre Mom abgesehen, […]“ (Seite 180)

⬆️⬆️⬆️ Is it only me who feels the use of the word “Mom” and the German phrase is/sounds very American❓🤔 In my language to use I‘d have chosen “mother” in this case instead.

Ruthiella Maybe the translator wants to remind the reader that the characters are Americans (assuming that they are)? 4y
veritysalter Does German have a diminutive for ‘Mutter‘? Is it a translation of an American book or American characters? 4y
12 likes2 comments
blurb
Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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Littens, you have no idea how arduous my Friday has been. In my job, promises given to me were sudden- and unexpectedly taken away from me. I am in pieces. Devastated. This made my whole weekend miserable. 😩. No concentration, rivers of tears, bad sleep with bad dreams, lots of inner unrest.

Under these circumstances 122 pages and counting isn‘t that bad.

Still like the plot. No fireworks but solid. Keeps me not nosey but interested enough.

Sharpeipup Big hugs. 4y
Jari-chan I'm terribly sorry to hear that 😢 If you need one, here's a hug ❤️ Hopefully, your life will be in order soon again! 4y
Ruthiella Oh no! I hate it when work ruins your weekend!!!! Hope you are able to work it out soon! ❤️ 4y
Leftcoastzen I‘m so sorry! I‘ve felt all those things and it‘s just a miserable feeling, I hope reading or something gives you some peace and joy! Hugs to you . 4y
Centique Commiserations and hugs! Those work moments are the worst. Go easy on yourself as you recover from it - it‘s quite a trauma in its own way being let down like that. 💜💕💜 4y
14 likes5 comments
blurb
Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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No clue what to expect from this bookish gift. But I like the cover. It‘s a bit of a relief.

Let‘s go‼️📖

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Buechersuechtling
Immortalis | Raymond Khoury
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It‘s time for another #MarvellousMay-entry‼️ I found this surprise gift on my doormat. 😍 The saying on the card goes:

“Those who discover the beauty of the moment find the happiness of everyday life.“

I was so happy this morning I almost cried.

(And in the afternoon my walking sticks were accidentally overrun by a car. One is broken, so I need to use my spare pair now, which doesn‘t quite fit as well as the other one. 😤😭)

JoScho What a wonderful surprise. That is lovely ❤️🤗 5y
15 likes1 comment
review
MariaSolArg
The Sanctuary | Raymond Khoury
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Pickpick

Terminado libro #5
Santuario de Raymond Khoury
Reseña: qué decir?? Es un libro bastante fluido, que no se hace tedioso, sino que te mantiene entretenido. Tiene un poco de locura.. algunos personajes los odie a pesar de todo y otros los ame. Lo que hace el delirio de riqueza.

#santuario #raymonkhoury
#leeressexy #libros #libro #amoleer #amoloslibros #bookaddict #book #books #book📖 #bookaholic #read #reading #lovebooks #lovereadingbook

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MariaSolArg
The Sanctuary | Raymond Khoury
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"El animal que aparecía en la imagen era más una serpiente: tenía escamas y colmillos exagerados, se asemejaba más a un dragón... Era una imagen siniestra que rememoraba un miedo primario, una copia amarillenta y desgastada que despedía maldad."
La búsqueda de un oscuro secreto, escondido entre páginas de un libro de 1700, llevará a una generosa y un agente de la CIA a embarcarse en una aventura mortal que les obligará a viajar por Europa, Ame....