tunnels

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Tunnels

Roderick Gordon

Tunnels, by Roderick Gordon, is one of the most well written books in the past ten years. It is an international bestseller and has been published in seven different languages. On a par with Harry Potter, Tunnels is one of the most intriguing books ever, with a plot that twists and turns so quick that you will never know what will happen on the next page, let alone the next chapter.

Tunnels takes place in 17th century Rome, when tensions were high in Europe about the colonization of South America and its rich resources. In this turmoil there thrived a secret society known only as Nummulariorum, or The Changers. They changed life to death, happiness to sorrow, friends to enemies, aristocrats to paupers and trust to suspicion. They were basically freelance intelligence agents. In this society was a young apprentice who was destined for greatness.

Durante made the mistake, when he was thirteen, of pickpocketing one of the senior members of Nummulariorum. Recognising his skill, the man took him to become an apprentice. At the time, the Nummulariorum were conducting an operation to stop a shipment to one of the Spanish colonies in South America. The merchant was Venitian, which made it easier for the Nummulariorum to stop, since it was going out from Italy. This was Durante’s first assignment with his master.

In Venice, they used a system of tunnels to navigate through the city without being seen. They burned down the boat but their tunnel collapsed making it impossible to escape. There was a big chase through the city during which they split up and finally regrouped at the mouth of a different tunnel. They then made the journey back to Rome where Durante continued his training. The book ends with the capacity for a sequel.

Tunnels is truly one of the best books ever written. Tunnels combines bravery and innocence in a fabulous way that makes the reader love every moment of the book. Entrancing anyone who enters its pages, Tunnels is definitely worthy of its popularity.

5 out of 5 stars.

Contributed by D. Ozesmi.

June 1st, 2011