The Eight by Katherine Neville

The novel is a thrilling blend of historical fiction and contemporary adventure, revolving around a mystical chess set that has been sought after for centuries. The story unfolds across two timelines, one set during the French Revolution and the other in the 1970s, as two women, separated by time, become embroiled in a dangerous quest to find the chess pieces. The chess set, once owned by Charlemagne, is said to hold immense power and knowledge, and as the protagonists delve deeper into its mystery, they must navigate a web of historical figures, cryptic puzzles, and global conspiracies. The narrative weaves together an intricate tapestry of fact and fiction, challenging the characters to unravel the secrets of the past in order to control the game's outcome in their own times.

The 6451st greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 75

Since this book was first published in 1988, there is a penalty of 22.4%. The age adjusted score is 58.2.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.