pjonsson's review
3.0
This series have some good books and some fairly mediocre books. This one is closer to the latter than the first. In many of the books the author has ventured into the realm of ancient mythology or prehistoric creatures and some of those stories has really been quite cool.
In this one however, the story, or rather the monstrosity Alex is facing in the story, seems to be more from the authors fantasy than from any existing mythological or prehistoric source. To me, this monstrosity, felt way too far out, illogical and too unbelievable for my taste.
I also do not like the twist the author has taken with this “the Other” thing that constantly threatens to take over Alex’s mind. Alex is a cool, seriously kick-ass, special forces operative with “special” powers and I kind of like it to stay like that. The internal monologue and other complications just messes up the story for me.
Having said that, Alex and his HAWC buddies are still very much kick-ass and contributes to some nice action in the book. Apart from the unbelievable monstrosity, the story is not really bad. Overall I have to say that I enjoyed the book even though it had some flaws.
The ending was cheap though. That’s the kind of cheap ending I would expect from some cheap horror movie, not from this kind of book. Totally unnecessary.
In this one however, the story, or rather the monstrosity Alex is facing in the story, seems to be more from the authors fantasy than from any existing mythological or prehistoric source. To me, this monstrosity, felt way too far out, illogical and too unbelievable for my taste.
I also do not like the twist the author has taken with this “the Other” thing that constantly threatens to take over Alex’s mind. Alex is a cool, seriously kick-ass, special forces operative with “special” powers and I kind of like it to stay like that. The internal monologue and other complications just messes up the story for me.
Having said that, Alex and his HAWC buddies are still very much kick-ass and contributes to some nice action in the book. Apart from the unbelievable monstrosity, the story is not really bad. Overall I have to say that I enjoyed the book even though it had some flaws.
The ending was cheap though. That’s the kind of cheap ending I would expect from some cheap horror movie, not from this kind of book. Totally unnecessary.
renila's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bethwhite's review against another edition
4.0
Another great chapter in the Alex Hunter saga with a bit of a cliffhanger ending leaving me excited for the last book in the series (hopefully so far as opposed to forever!).
This novel takes us back in time to the Pompeii volcano tragedy and adds in what is now fairly standard in the series: a new mythological creature to defeat. I miss the level of believability of some of the earlier novels but still appreciate the basis in historical fact that the unbelievable and fantasy is added on top of. Ultimately though what originally captivated my attention and made me fall in love with the books has changed from that reality vs surreal nature to the backstory and character development of Alex Hunter and his family and so, although I miss the former, I still love the books and am excited to see them through to the end.
This novel takes us back in time to the Pompeii volcano tragedy and adds in what is now fairly standard in the series: a new mythological creature to defeat. I miss the level of believability of some of the earlier novels but still appreciate the basis in historical fact that the unbelievable and fantasy is added on top of. Ultimately though what originally captivated my attention and made me fall in love with the books has changed from that reality vs surreal nature to the backstory and character development of Alex Hunter and his family and so, although I miss the former, I still love the books and am excited to see them through to the end.
gypjet's review against another edition
5.0
Another rollicking adventure from Greig Beck! Love his Alex Hunter books!
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