11 Adventure Filled Books like National Treasure

With its thrilling plot and treasure-hunting escapades, ‘National Treasure’ has captivated everybody’s imaginations and left them craving for more tales of hidden secrets and exciting quests. If you find yourself yearning for similar reads that blend history, puzzles, and high-stakes adventures, you’re in luck.

The list that follows explores a selection of books that will satisfy your thirst for 11 thrilling books like ‘National Treasure.’ From ancient artifacts and enigmatic clues to adrenaline-fueled journeys across the globe, these recommended reads will transport you to worlds where danger lurks around every corner and the discovery of hidden treasures is within reach.

Books like National Treasure

Let’s dive into a world of books that will awaken your inner explorer and leave you craving more thrilling escapades.

The Da Vinci Code (2003)

by Dan Brown

When the curator of the Louvre is found murdered, Langdon and Sophie become entangled in a dangerous quest to uncover a secret that could shake the foundations of Christianity.

Following a trail of cryptic clues left by the curator, Langdon and Sophie find themselves on a race against time to solve a series of puzzles and decipher hidden messages, all while evading a relentless pursuit by a secretive organization known as Opus Dei and a mysterious albino assassin.

As they delve deeper into the mystery, Langdon and Sophie discover a hidden code within the works of Leonardo da Vinci, leading them to uncover a controversial and explosive secret that could rewrite history. Their journey takes them through iconic landmarks in Europe, from the Louvre Museum in Paris to Westminster Abbey in London, as they unravel centuries-old secrets and encounter hidden societies.

With the Church and powerful individuals determined to keep the secret hidden at any cost, Langdon and Sophie must rely on their intellect, bravery, and a network of allies to decipher the truth and expose a shocking revelation that challenges the foundations of faith and history.

A fast-paced and intricately plotted novel that combines elements of art, history, and religion with a thrilling and suspenseful narrative, this book will keep you captivated until the very end.

Foucault’s Pendulum (1988)

by Umberto Eco

This one is a complex and intellectually stimulating novel that blurs the lines between reality and fiction. The story follows three editors, Belbo, Diotallevi, and Casaubon, who work for a vanity press in Milan. Their mundane lives take a dramatic turn when they become immersed in a conspiracy theory centred around the Knights Templar, Rosicrucians, and other secret societies.

As the editors delve deeper into their research, they create a fictional grand conspiracy known as “The Plan,” weaving together historical and occult knowledge. However, what starts as a playful intellectual game soon spirals out of control as others become convinced that the fabricated conspiracy is real.

The novel explores themes of human obsession, the blurring of truth and fiction, and the nature of knowledge. It delves into complex philosophical and historical concepts while examining the limits of human understanding and the dangerous allure of conspiracy theories.

People are known to keep notes to keep the conspiracies straight. So, if you love an intellectually challenging novel, add this to you TBR, now!

Angels and Demons (2000)

by Dan Brown

In ‘National Treasure,’ the main characters decipher a series of clues left by the Founding Fathers of the United States, while in ‘Angels and Demons,’ the protagonist decodes symbols associated with the Illuminati.

‘Angels and Demons’ begins with the murder of a renowned physicist, who is branded with an ancient symbol associated with the Illuminati, a secret society thought to be long extinct. Langdon is called upon to decipher the symbol and help prevent a catastrophic event.

As Langdon delves into the investigation, he uncovers a plot to destroy the Vatican City using an antimatter bomb stolen from CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. Racing against time, Langdon joins forces with Vittoria Vetra, a scientist, as they follow a trail of clues and symbols across Rome.

Throughout their quest, Langdon and Vetra encounter numerous historical, scientific, and religious references, navigating through hidden passages and deciphering codes left by the Illuminati. Along the way, they must confront powerful figures within the Vatican hierarchy and unravel a conspiracy that threatens to engulf the Catholic Church.

Jack West Jr Series (2005)

by Matthew Reilly

The story follows Jack West Jr and his team as they embark on thrilling quests to locate ancient artifacts and prevent catastrophic events that could endanger the world. Jack is a highly trained soldier with a deep knowledge of history, making him uniquely qualified for these difficult missions.

In the first book, Jack and his team are racing against time to find the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and gather their hidden powers before they fall into the wrong hands. Their mission takes them across the globe, encountering dangerous adversaries and solving intricate puzzles along the way.

The series continues the adventure as Jack and his team must find six powerful crystals to unlock a legendary machine that can save humanity from destruction. They face formidable challenges, treacherous enemies, and uncover long-lost secrets.

In the final instalment, ‘The Five Greatest Warriors,’ Jack and his allies face their most dangerous mission yet. They must locate and assemble five mystical artifacts known as the “Pillars of Creation” to prevent a global catastrophe. The stakes are higher than ever, and the race against time becomes even more intense.

The Club Dumas (1993)

by Arturo Pérez-Reverte

‘The Club Dumas’ is a story of Lucas Corso, a book dealer and expert in rare manuscripts, as he becomes involved in a puzzling quest.

Corso is hired to authenticate a rare manuscript of a book that allegedly contains secrets related to a devil-worshipping cult. As he delves into his investigation, he discovers that there are two other copies of the book, and a series of mysterious and gruesome deaths are connected to their possession. Corso finds himself caught in a dangerous game, pursued by a sinister figure known as “The Balkan” who is determined to obtain all three copies.

As Corso travels across Europe, deciphering cryptic clues and encountering eccentric characters, he becomes immersed in a world where reality and fiction blend together. The boundaries between the story he’s investigating and his own life start to blur, and he must unravel the enigmatic puzzle to protect himself and uncover the truth.

The book intertwines the world of rare books with a dark and intricate plot. If the plot excites you and you loved reading ‘National Treasure,’ you should check this one out.

Sahara (1992)

by Clive Cussler

‘Sahara’ follows the protagonist, Dirk Pitt, who works for the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA). In the book, Pitt becomes involved in a dangerous and high-stakes mission when he comes across a mysterious Confederate ironclad ship, the Texas, which was believed to have been lost during the American Civil War.

As Pitt investigates the origins and whereabouts of the Texas, he uncovers a shocking secret. He learns that a toxic substance called “The Sicilian Project” has been developed and is being covertly transported across the Sahara Desert. This substance, if released, could have devastating consequences for the entire world.

Teaming up with a feisty scientist named Dr. Eva Rojas and Al Giordino, his loyal friend and sidekick, Pitt embarks on a thrilling adventure to stop the deadly plot. They face numerous obstacles, including ruthless mercenaries, dangerous desert conditions, and a powerful industrialist with his own sinister agenda. Pitt and his team race against time to prevent the catastrophic release of “The Sicilian Project” and save the world from imminent disaster.

This novel will take you on a gripping journey filled with action, suspense, and unexpected twists as they navigate through treacherous terrain and uncover hidden truths.

The Illuminatus! Trilogy (1975)

by Robert Anton Wilson, Robert Shea, Ken Campbell

Set in the late 20th century, the book weaves together multiple storylines, conspiracy theories, and philosophical ideas to create a sprawling and surreal narrative.

The story follows several characters, including a journalist named Simon Moon, a detective named Saul Goodman, and a secret agent named George Dorn. As they delve into various conspiracies and secret societies, they encounter a range of bizarre and interconnected events.

Throughout the trilogy, the authors explore themes such as the nature of reality, the power struggles between secret organizations, and the manipulation of society by hidden forces. The narrative incorporates elements of science fiction, occultism, and satire, blurring the lines between fact and fiction.

You will encounter a plethora of characters, including private investigators, government agents, anarchist revolutionaries, drug users, and even extraterrestrial beings. The plot jumps between various time periods, locations, and dimensions, creating a complex and often chaotic narrative structure. If these are where your interests lie, you should consider giving this trilogy a read after you’re done reading ‘National Treasure.’

The Crying of Lot 49 (1965)

by Thomas Pynchon

This book by Thomas Pynchon follows Oedipa Maas, a woman who becomes entangled in a complex and mysterious conspiracy. After the death of her ex-boyfriend, Pierce Inverarity, Oedipa is appointed the executor of his estate. As she begins to carry out her duties, she stumbles upon a series of strange and interconnected events involving an underground mail delivery system called the Tristero.

Oedipa’s investigation leads her through a web of eccentric characters and obscure clues, blurring the boundaries between reality and paranoia. She encounters various symbols and signs related to the Tristero, including a muted post horn and a play called “The Courier’s Tragedy.” As Oedipa delves deeper into the mystery, she becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the Tristero and its significance.

‘The Crying of Lot 49’ is known for its intricate wordplay, labyrinthine plot, and dense symbolism, that will challenge you to unravel the layers of meaning and interpretation.

Like ‘National Treasure,’ this book also explores themes of conspiracy and intrigue. Moreover, this novel also incorporate historical and cultural references to enhance its narratives. So, if you loved that aspect of ‘National Treasure,’ this is the perfect read for you.

The Amber Room (2003)

by Steve Berry

This book is a historical thriller centred around the mysterious disappearance of the legendary Amber Room, an ornate chamber decorated in amber panels, gold leaf, and precious gems. The story follows protagonist Cotton Malone, a former U.S. Justice Department agent turned rare book dealer, who becomes entangled in a dangerous quest to find the missing room.

The narrative unfolds as Malone is approached by a wealthy client seeking information about the Amber Room’s whereabouts. As Malone delves into the history and legends surrounding the room, he uncovers a web of conspiracy, intrigue, and international espionage. Along the way, he encounters a range of characters, including a mysterious secret society and a ruthless Russian gangster.

Malone’s search takes him from the United States to Europe, as he follows the historical trail of the Amber Room, navigating treacherous alliances and facing deadly adversaries. As the stakes escalate, Malone realizes that finding the Amber Room could have far-reaching consequences, with implications for international relations and world history.

If you are a buff of the adventure genre with a penchant for history, you should definitely check this book out. The novel weaves together real historical events and locations with fictional elements.

The Hunt for Atlantis (2007)

by Andy McDermott

‘The Hunt for Atlantis’ is an action-packed adventure novel that follows archaeologist Nina Wilde and her ex-SAS bodyguard Eddie Chase as they embark on a dangerous quest to uncover the lost city of Atlantis.

The story begins with Nina discovering an ancient Greek text that hints at the location of Atlantis, a legendary civilization believed to hold immense power and advanced technology. Determined to prove its existence, Nina and Eddie face numerous obstacles and adversaries, including a ruthless billionaire who seeks to use Atlantis for his own sinister purposes.

As they traverse the globe, battling mercenaries and uncovering ancient secrets, Nina and Eddie must decipher clues, solve puzzles, and confront dangerous traps to reach their ultimate goal. Along the way, they encounter ancient societies, mythical creatures, and a hidden organization with its own agenda.

‘The Hunt for Atlantis’ combines elements of history, mythology, and high-stakes adventure as Nina and Eddie race against time to unlock the secrets of Atlantis before it falls into the wrong hands. For all the ‘National Treasure’ lovers out these, this one is a must-read.

Sandstorm (2004)

by James Rollins

Both ‘Sandstorm’ and ‘National Treasure’ revolve around unravelling historical mysteries and decoding cryptic clues.

‘Sandstorm’ follows a group of characters, led by Commander Gray Pierce, who are part of a covert organization called Sigma Force. It begins with an archaeological discovery in the Arabian Desert, where a team of researchers uncovers an ancient artifact that could potentially change the course of human history. This artifact holds a mysterious power that could be catastrophic if it falls into the wrong hands.

As events unfold, a series of deadly incidents occur around the world, seemingly connected to the artifact. Gray Pierce and his team are called upon to investigate the situation and prevent a global catastrophe. They find themselves embroiled in a dangerous race against time, battling against a ruthless enemy who will stop at nothing to obtain the artifact’s power.

As the team travels from the Arabian Desert to ancient ruins and secret laboratories, they uncover a web of deceit, betrayal, and ancient secrets. Along the way, they encounter treacherous terrain, deadly traps, and face-to-face confrontations with their adversaries.

With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Gray Pierce and his team must use their skills, intellect, and resourcefulness to decipher the secrets of the artifact and stop those who seek to unleash its destructive power.

Conclusion to Books like National Treasure

And that concludes the list for books like National Treasure!

If you’ve just finished reading/watching ‘National Treasure’ and are craving more adventures that intertwine history, mystery, and excitement, pick up one of the books comprising the above list and prepare to embark on a journey that will transport you to fascinating places, challenge your intellect, and keep you guessing until the very end.

These books like ‘National Treasure,’ have the power to ignite our imagination and remind us of the magic that can be found within the pages of a well-crafted story.

Whether you’re a fan of historical mysteries, action-packed adventures, or intricate puzzles, get ready to embark on a literary expedition filled with heart-pounding excitement and intellectual challenges that will keep you turning the pages in anticipation.

However, if you want even more books like National Treasure, consider these books-

1. Mediterranean Caper by Clive Cussler
2. Iceberg by Jennifer A. Nielsen
3. Timeline by Michael Crichton 
4. The Cartographers by Peng Shepard.
5. The Recovery Agent by Janet Evanovich
6. Last Days of Night by Graham Moore
7. The Jack Howard series by David Gibbins.
8. The Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase series by Andy McDermott 
9. The Dirk Pitt series by Clive Cussler
10. Cotton Malone Series by Steve Berry
11. The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury
12. The Ethan Gage series by William Dietrich
13. The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw
14. The Eight by Katherine Neville
15. Jerusalem by Cecelia Holland
16. King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard