ETs with a mordant sense of drama turn the New York Public Library into "the labyrinth" for an interstellar survival game show in this ungainly thriller from Australian Reilly (Ice Station). Seven players, each from a different world, compete for their lives, combating not only each other but also a monster called the Karanodon. The earthly representative is Dr. Steven Swain, chosen for his courage in successfully fighting off a gang of thugs who invade his operating room. Unfortunately, Swain happens to be holding Holly, his plucky little daughter, at the moment he's transported into the labyrinth, so she goes with him. The most devilish trick the "sponsors" provide is an unremovable digital bracelet, whose face shows how many opponents remain, and will commence a deadly 15-minute countdown should its wearer manage to escape the library's electrified confines. Derivative of Michael Crichton's techno-thrillers as well as Stephen King/Richard Bachman's The Running Man, the book offers constant, nail-biting action, but not a lot of reverence for one of New York City's greatest public institutions. (Mar. 10) Forecast: As the author admits in a note, this was his first novel, originally self-published in Australia. It should sell well to established fans who won't mind being disappointed to discover it's not up to the standard of Reilly's later work. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
"Reilly hurls readers into an adrenaline-drenched thrill ride impossible to put down." --"Orlando Sentinel" "" "Swain is clever, resourceful, and quick. The action is non-stop this slam-bang story is great, good fun, and thoroughly entertaining." --"Tulsa World" "" "Reilly...can inspire awe. Speed demons, take note. " --"Publishers Weekly"
"Compared to Matthew Reilly's "Temple" and his intrepid academic hero, Professor William Race, Indiana Jones is a wimp and The Raiders of The Lost Ark a snooze fest. Reilly's book has adrenaline in super-sized quantities." --"The Orlando Sentinel" on "Temple"
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Reviews
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Im not really into sci-fi, and these life-or-death contest storylines can get old - but this book is AMAZING!! I couldnt put it down, and it keeps you guessing until the end. It might be sci-fi, but the rules of reality arent just made up as it goes along like so many tv shows or movies.
Its an amazing piece of work! Highly recommend it!
One of my favourite books, really exciting and you never want to put it back down. after each page you know another exciting thing is going to happen and you sseem to zoom through the book.
The Kind of Book You Cannot Put Down Until It's Finished.
Those words were quite literal in my case. I finished this book in one night.
This book has MASSIVE amounts of action, Gory attention to detail and the amount of suspense you've come to expect from Legendary Australian author Matthew Reilly.
You will never regret buying this book. I've yet to know anyone who has.
deserves the saying "A good book is better than a movie"
An academic and his daughter get caught in a library. This is not so bad, apart from the fact that is currently the site for a fight to the death between the best warriors or several alien races over the leadership of their particular reason.
Not being an alien, a warrior, or armed, he only has his knowledge of the territory and his wits to help him survive and to try and keep his kid alive, because he is forced to participate in the contest.
Matthew Reilly is one of Australia’s most successful authors. His books are action packed blockbusters that will be loved by any action / adventure / sci-fi fanatic. He is in the class of Tom Clancy with his fast pace and the integration of modern technology. For me, the downfall was the significant sci-fi aspect in his books (I’m not a sci-fi fan)- I found this detracted from the realism of the story. Overall though, fantastic reads and great to listen to.
Great Book This Book is About A Man Called Swain And His Daughter Holly Get Teleported Into The New York State Library Where A Contest Is Held Every 2000 Years.Swain And His Daughter Have To Fight 6 other contestants if You lose you die. Great Book One Of My Favourites If You Like Those Action science fiction Books You Will Absouletly love this book
Contest is an action packed thriller by the genius that brought us classics such as Ice Station and Temple. Mattew Riley writes with such perfection that at times you forget you are reading a fiction book, and think you are really there in the scene. Contest is a great book that could be made into a movie sometime in the near future.
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