Friday, December 9, 2011

Review: Contest by Matthew Reilly

Title: Contest
Author: Matthew Reilly

Read copy: Paperback
Published: January 1, 2010
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 0330513427
ISBN-13: 9780330513425

The New York Public Library. A silent sanctuary of knowledge; a 100-year-old labyrinth of towering bookcases, narrow aisles and long marble hallways. For Doctor Stephen Swain and his daughter, Holly, it is the site of a nightmare. Because for one night this historic building is to be the venue for a contest. A contest in which Swain is to compete - whether he likes it or not.The rules are simple: Seven contestants will enter, only one will leave. With his daughter in his arms, Stephen Swain is plunged into a terrifying fight for survival. The stakes are high, the odds brutal. He can choose to run, to hide or to fight - but if he wants to live, he has to win. For in this contest, unless you leave as the victor, you do not leave at all.

My rating:

This was the first book Matthew Reilly published—before Ice Station and I must say I was rather disappointed. Don't get me wrong, it had all the usual MR elements (the non-stop action, thrills and chills galore...), but there was just something missing...The reality check.

Yeah, I know, the Scarecrow books also need quite a lot of suspension of disbelief, but at least the aforementioned Marine is trained to fight and he fights human enemies.

Steven Swain, hero of Contest is an M.E. and he fights aliens. Yes, you read correctly—he fights aliens in a seven-contestants contest held the New York Public Library. Seven contestants enter, only one will come out (maybe).

It was good, but it was a little too out there for me.



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