Dave Stern

Let me just say that I've already watched the actual movie this is based on several times and that I would only really rate that one a 2. Maybe a 3 at most. How's about we compromise it to 2.5? That sounds good. It's not a horrible film or storyline by any means, it just isn't one of the better movies made and the story could've definitely been better. Its good, but I feel like it really lacks something important. When I figure out what, I'll let you know.

So lets skim through a few show more characters really quick:
Lara Croft- Tomb Raider/Photographer; main character (obviously, her name is part of the title)
Bryce- Lara's techie, one of her closer friends
Hillary- Another of Lara's friends, works at Croft Manor to keep things ship shape
Kosa- An African of the Mombasa tribe, friend to Lara who has been on some travels with her in the past
All of the characters mentioned above, I'm totally okay with.

Now let's pick a couple more:
Terry Sheridan- Has history with Lara, which is more explained than in the movie (thankfully), but who I still can't quite figure out. I definitely don't like him and I would've liked to know a bit more about why he's the way he is.
Dr. Jonathan Reiss- the villain guy! The one we need to hate, and yes I don't much like him. There are parts where he's completely understandable, but then others where I'm just shaking my head thinking: "What are you even thinking? What are you doing? Are you really all that smart?"
I think that'll do it.

Moving on.

Here's the basic story: Dr. Jonathan Reiss is a well known and respected guy who won a Nobel Prize. He is also, secretly, the biggest bioweapons dealer known. He sells to everybody who is willing to pay his price. Lara Croft finds the Luna Temple (Alexander the Great's hidden temple, the location of which was never recorded and the contents of which are not specific). Lara finds an orb inside and ends up meeting up with some goons. After much talking and research, we finally discover what the whole movie is about. To make it short, Reiss wants Pandora's box. That scary old myth about the box unleashing bad stuff? Yeah, that one. The orb is the key to finding out where Pandora is (The Cradle of Life). Reiss and Croft are in a race against time to find the box before the other, one wants to keep it safe and the other wants to use it to wipe out the weaker members of the human race with an intense disease type deal.

It's not a bad story at all. It seems pretty intriguing actually. The execution though. Lara has to team up with Sheridan, who turns out to be kind of an opportunist. Their relationship is never too developed in my opinion. The book, unlike the novelization for the first Tomb Raider movie, doesn't do too much extra. It doesn't provide a lot of background insight, or at least not as much. It does have a little, but not as much as it could've used to be a really good story.

Going in, I knew that Cradle of Life wouldn't be as good as the first Tomb Raider was (stereotypical sequel), but I was really expecting more than I got. Its nice that we got to know more about Reiss and his habits, his thoughts on some things, but then other moments just....didn't deliver. I'd also like to add in that the shark segment just felt like total bogus. I've read about sharks and the shark could've easily been left out, as it didn't add a whole lot. Just give her a way to fix one of the underwater vehicles instead. Much more impressive in the long run.

Overall, Cradle of Life is a satisfactory book that is a pretty good time, but its not going to be one of the greatest movie novelizations ever. Come for a good time, but one read through will be enough. show less

A really enjoyable, well written Star Trek novel (shock horror).I actually found this book a lot better written then many of the recent episodes. The characters are believable and actually sensible and there weren't any major plot holes. The bouncing around in the timeline of the story got a little irritating at times, but for the most part was handled quite well.

Synopsis
The Power...
An ancient relic called the All Seeing Eye that grants the owner the ultimate power in the universe. A power so immense that those who possess it could rule the world.
The Illuminati...
A secret brotherhood hell-bent on finding the All Seeing Eye and taking over the world. A sinister band of men who will stop at nothing to fulfill their diabolical plot.
The Hero...
Lara Croft! The greatest tomb-raiding high-flying adventurer of all time, who just so happens to hold the key to show more finding the All Seeing Eye.
Through the living jungles of Cambodia to the frozen wasteland of Siberia, Lara Croft takes you on her greatest adventure. The clock is ticking and time is running out....

So what do I think?
I am a huge fan of the game, the movies, and now this book. I have read this book back when I was in high school and did a full book report on it. This book is amazing. I could not put it down. It is very closely related to the movie and even includes the deleted scenes in this book. I enjoyed this book very much and would love to read it again on occasion. I highly recommend this book to all fans of the game and action lovers. This book is very exciting and it is very hard to put down. It really keeps you on your toes as it is also very thrilling. show less

Meh. It was ok but nothing to write home about.