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List Price: $5.50 | | Publisher: Roc
Salesrank: 1264945
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| Media: Paperback |
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Editorial Review:
Enlisted by a panicked Renraku Corp, hardened decker Michael Sutherland finds himself face-to-face with an immortal elf, Leo, who has created a sophisticated electronic virus that is capable of destroying any computer system.
Shadowrun 20: Black Madonna (Shadowrun) Reviews:
you guys are taking it too seriously 
2006-03-27 - i found this book to be very entertaining and in very much in the shadowrun vein. i loved the return of this particular set of characters.if you're looking for heavy reading, go check out some ayn rand,{"atlas shrugged", which i think every american should read) ,shadowrun books are supposed to be quick and fun. dont over-anylyze them.
Ahead of it's time 
2005-09-11 - After having read this soon after it came out, has anyone else noticed that this book was redone - minus the Shadowrun Setting - as The Da Vinci Code? Bloodline of Christ discovered by Globetrotting band of eccentrics by examining Renassiance Art. Whereas the Authors of "..Holy Grail.." have sued the Da Vinci Code authors, Carl Sargent has a much better case.
It was also interesting to see the dificulties that this work put on future authors of Shadowrun Universe books - since the Leonardo Charachter is such a force in that world completely un-hinted at until this novel. Not particularly well written - DEFINITELY not the Gritty Cyberpunk Shadowrun of Nigel D. Findley, but an interesting read.
A great mix of fiction, supposed fact, and occult intrigue
2002-07-08 - As part of the Shadowrun-series, this book continues the adventures of some great characters who actually have brains instead of "absolute power". It is indicative of the rapidly increasing number of crossovers between Shadowrun and Earthdawn, but can still be read without insight into Earthdawn.
One of the authors - Carl Sargent - is a professor at Cambrigde Univ. and clearly invested a lot of time and energy in investigating the plot ... which, no matter how far-reaching, is not just a figment of his imagination. For those who like to take an idea further, they should ckeck out non-fiction books like "The Templar Revelation" an "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" ... to get enough foor-for-thought to last months.
Opinion 
2001-07-28 - Short and sweet:
Read the book just because of the character Streak - I ain't kidding, he makes the book worth reading.
Character descriptions are vague. Interactions between main chars and 'enemies' are poor and confusing. The concept of 'shadowrunners' (which these guys definitely are NOT) living in luxury is a refreshing change from the 'live-in-squallor' standard of most runner-types. I hate the Vatican so I took some pleasure in the idea that they would flex their muscle in the world of SR just to prevent the masses from learning something OTHER than what has been spoon-fed to them by Christianity. The writing style conveys the sense of the dark and gritty world of London. This book would have rated a Five had the descriptions and interactions been better.
That's a Shadowrun book, isn't it? 
1999-12-06 - I read the book in German and I was kind of surprised since I had actually expected it to be a Shadowrun book. Well - it's not, at least in my opinion. There are not, as the authors themselves state at one point, any actual shadowrunners in it (apart from the Elf mage, who doesn't really behave like a Shadowrunner). The best part in it is Streak - his comments are definitely the most enjoyable parts of the story! Also, the atmosphere is all kind of wrong - Shadowrunners do not live in the posh part of London. Besides, the book has no real ending - it doesn't explain how it is possible for Leonardo to be an Elf although there weren't any Elves in the Middle Ages. I think the fact that Leonardo is an Elf proves about anything else stated in any other Shadowrun book wrong. So, if you're particularly interested in Leonardo da Vinci or Religion and if you don't mind a Shadowrun book without any Shadowrunners in it, you might enjoy it. Otherwise - look out for the Secrets of Power trilogy (or anything else that has Dodger in it).
