greatgodbird's review against another edition
3.0
This was fun enough - almost like an Indiana Jones adventure with found family instead of romance. Genuinely engaging, but it seems it is really about the story and adventure and gore rather than the characters. Said characters are archetypes, stereotypes, and other typical types, and do not stray from their mould at any point in the book. In the remainder of the series, who knows? Maybe we'll get some development from some of them... or maybe we'll just get a new character with a different archetype. Truly. Who knows.
christymmack's review
4.0
One of my favorite authors. Highly recommended, although keep some things in mind....
Action-packed! Highly entertaining, but not deeply emotional. Although I occasionally have to get up and walk off my nerves when I get pulled into the plot. Actually this is a book I would recommend to guy looking for something to read.
Also, like an action movie, maybe not entirely realistic.
A great read and a great author!
Action-packed! Highly entertaining, but not deeply emotional. Although I occasionally have to get up and walk off my nerves when I get pulled into the plot. Actually this is a book I would recommend to guy looking for something to read.
Also, like an action movie, maybe not entirely realistic.
A great read and a great author!
nonsensicaljourney's review against another edition
3.0
True to form, Reilly's Seven Ancient Wonders is like reading an Indiana Jones movie - as a novel. Unlike his other books, this one is action-adventure, and there's less straight-up fighting and killing because it's about problem solving, riddles and puzzles. Reilly's action scenes go at breakneck speed when you're reading it, despite his overuse of ellipses (...), exclamation marks (!) and italics. Everything's a little bit over the top, but that's okay when you're watching an action movie and you don't expect much more.
I realise that I learned to write like this, and it's been an interesting exploration of everything I've learnt since I first read Reilly's books at 13. Don't use too many adjectives or adverbs, don't use two words when one will do, and don't! use! too many! exclamation marks! Nonetheless, Reilly's book holds up to some extent - he has a firm grasp on world politics at the time, and interestingly uses the place of Australia for his main hero. He also pulls the interesting trick of making the main characters into a little family. Unfortunately his characters are all a bit two-dimensional, and the only one who leaped off the page for me was Lily - ironically, the person who was doing the least LEAPING in this book.
I'm glad I read this book, particularly to reflect on the way my writing style has grown. Reilly's action scenes are masterful, but his plot and his characters let him down. You've really got to suspend your disbelief for a lot of the "history" in use. It's a bit of a mixed bag, ultimately - but if you're looking to read the equivalent of a fast-paced action movie with bits of Indiana Jones, bits of National Treasure, and bits of The Da Vinci Code, this is it.
I realise that I learned to write like this, and it's been an interesting exploration of everything I've learnt since I first read Reilly's books at 13. Don't use too many adjectives or adverbs, don't use two words when one will do, and don't! use! too many! exclamation marks! Nonetheless, Reilly's book holds up to some extent - he has a firm grasp on world politics at the time, and interestingly uses the place of Australia for his main hero. He also pulls the interesting trick of making the main characters into a little family. Unfortunately his characters are all a bit two-dimensional, and the only one who leaped off the page for me was Lily - ironically, the person who was doing the least LEAPING in this book.
I'm glad I read this book, particularly to reflect on the way my writing style has grown. Reilly's action scenes are masterful, but his plot and his characters let him down. You've really got to suspend your disbelief for a lot of the "history" in use. It's a bit of a mixed bag, ultimately - but if you're looking to read the equivalent of a fast-paced action movie with bits of Indiana Jones, bits of National Treasure, and bits of The Da Vinci Code, this is it.
imzadirose's review against another edition
5.0
Re-read of the 1st Jack West. Plan on re-reading all the ones out now leading up to the new one next month. Crazy over the top action and SO enjoyable!
imzadirose's review against another edition
5.0
Always good to get back to the non-stop action of Matt Reilly. Still really great, but definitely better first time around so you don't know what's going on.
libraryofrick1801's review against another edition
5.0
Review 115. Seven Ancient Wonders by Matthew Reilly.
This is book 1 in the Jack West Jr series.
Everytime a new book in this series comes out, I read the entire series again.
The titles of these books all have a number in them which is reduced by 1 for each book.
The books are a mixture of adventure thriller, history and science fiction as there are elements of the story which are very scifi like.
I cannot recommend these books enough as they along with the Matthew Reilly books I have read are among my favourite books.
*****
5*
This is book 1 in the Jack West Jr series.
Everytime a new book in this series comes out, I read the entire series again.
The titles of these books all have a number in them which is reduced by 1 for each book.
The books are a mixture of adventure thriller, history and science fiction as there are elements of the story which are very scifi like.
I cannot recommend these books enough as they along with the Matthew Reilly books I have read are among my favourite books.
*****
5*
spookshow's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
In true Matthew Reilly style you have an adventure, nail biting confrontations, impossible tasks and amazing characters.
I loved the whole seven ancient wonders theme around this, and the way Reilly made it work with his story.
Definitely looking forward to the rest of the Jack West Jr series!
In true Matthew Reilly style you have an adventure, nail biting confrontations, impossible tasks and amazing characters.
I loved the whole seven ancient wonders theme around this, and the way Reilly made it work with his story.
Definitely looking forward to the rest of the Jack West Jr series!
overheat4600's review against another edition
3.0
It's quite magical compared to Reilly's earlier work, which I didn't like. The action sequences are up to his usual standard however.