I began reading this book a few days before a trip to visit family in N.C. Only a few before my trip as I followed A.G. Riddle on Facebook/Twitter did I notice from his feed that he would be at Flyleaf books in Chapel Hill N.C. doing a book signing. I had only really payed attention to his Atlantis Gene trilogy, but upon showing up to the signing did I discover that he had a 4th book that was coming out called Departure. I quickly purchased it and had it signed. As a beginning author myself I was happy to pick his brain and find out more about getting into the market of writing books. 
 This book had that element of action and suspense while at the same time scholarly. Not like I just attended a lecture like the later Dan Brown novels, but the kind where you felt like you learned a little something and was entertained by it enough to keep it in the memory banks. 
 Not to ruin the story but there were a few elements I kinda saw coming from the get go, but was pleasantly surprised by others that I didn't see happening. 
 *****Spoilers ahead***** 
 One thing that did slightly take away from my enjoyment was that later in the novel we discover that about 4-5 five characters were formally known as other names and then assume their old names again at the end. I had to pause my reading to think back regarding those previously mentioned characters and attempt to figure who was who back then and who was who now. 
 *****Spoilers ended***** 
 But other than that, this book was the prime example of great story telling, and the spyish factor that played out during the beginning was fun. That combined with the coded messages scenes were cleverly done, and felt fresh in the world where cliche devices are usually employed in books these days. 
 Next I will be reading Riddle's latest book Departure and weighing in with a review and then I will continue the Atlantis trilogy.