Temple b. Matthew Reilly

I'm a Reilly fan and I simple adore his formula, which is often as follows:

[1 bad ass action hero + one impossible mission / conspiracy theory + 1 1/2 killer animal x 100 or more military acronyms + area diagrams and illustrations of detonation devices + 40 cliff hangers - spared casualties x notoriously evil villian x 20 WTF = Novel]

Well, my latest Reilly discovery, 'Temple' pretty much follows that formula. The bad ass action hero is named William Race and well...he's not really trained to do half of the shit that he does in this book. An every day joe turned Bond is how I describe him.

'Temple' is a tale within a tale and really I enjoyed the very Indiana Jones type feel of the novel. It is about a very special artifact which is not only the symbol of a tribe's spirit, it is potentially the means to destroy the planet. Yup, that Matt Reilly, gotta luv him. I think my biggest problem with the novel was how spectacular the main hero was. I mean moreso than the average joe hero in 'Contest,' William Race is just too damn lucky and gifted for me to even try to believe in.

Now Scarecrow or Black Knight....*cries* I wish for a new book everyday. Anyway, if you like tales of Incas, impossible odds, planet killer nukes, terrorists, intermilitary battles and more military hardware than you can shake a stick at... you'll like 'Temple.'

Scarecrow b. Matthew Reilly

Am I a fangirl? Yes I am. On my fourth Matt Reilly book already and yes, whatever this man writes, I will read. I've come to the realization that the absurd, over the top action and nick of time salvations that occur a LOT in his text as well as the superhuman abilities of one Shane "Scarecrow" Schofield attract me in the same way that James Bond does, times ten. It is fiction and adrenaline fiction at that, which he writes and no matter how absurd the near death situation is, it gets my pulse going and does not let up.

In "Scarecrow," our hero is on a list of 15 international targets who are slated for elimination by some of the most elite badass, merc squads on EARTH! Each of the 15 have million dollar bounties on their heads and yup, Shane is one of them.

Along with his regular squad of friends: Book II, Gant, Fairfax and the Queen B herself, Mother, Schofield is joined by a new allie, someone who is just as tough, resiliant and superhuman as Scarecrow is. It's like when Superman meets Batman and they agree to work as a team...Yup, it is that awesome.

Literature it ain't, but ass-kicking fiction, it definitely is and while I doubt there will ever be a movie based on any of Reilly's books (the special effects would be waaay too costly), I for one am definitely looking forward to checking out more of his works.

Ice Station b. Matthew Reilly

I learned many things from this book, namely various types of handgrenades and their yields, about the true nature of killer whales, about the horrible unstability of real estate on Antartica and (my fav) how to evade and disble opponents hunting for me with night-vision googles on.

Nope it wasn't the most prolific book I've ever read, but it was damn near the most action-packed. Now a self-professed lover of Matt Reilly and his 'nothing is impossible' scenarios, I have come to embrace Shane "Scarecrow" Schofield as the baddest badass on Earth. I mean McGuyver, Jack Ryan, Jason Bourne, James Bond and Lara Croft COMBINED could beat this guy.

While I enjoyed learning heaps (of probably untrue) background on the many special ops units of the world, and the conspiracy theory (maybe not) of infiltrators in general, I won't say that that this was anything but what it sets out to be...A KICK ASS Action Thriller that will have your heart racing at 60+ mph!!

Area 7 b. Matthew Reilly

I have to admit that for someone who writes erotica, I don't often read it. My first choice when it comes to leisurely reading is most definately THRILLERS (political, medical, science, military, historical) . I like to read about secret weapons, killer viruses, conspiracy and classified information. When I can get guns and/monsters mixed in, all the better! I wouldn't consider horror novels, unless they had a technical, scientific and plot heavy (not necessarily character-heavy story).

Anyway, as you might be able to tell, I am slowly becoming a fan of Matthew Reilly, who also wrote "Contest" which I reviewed a few weeks ago. I feel kinda shy about it, but I really like his insane tales and when I say insane, I mean: The man packs more action in a chapter than Michael Bay does in two hours. (If Matthew Reilly did a story about giant robots, I die) This is my second book by him, and really, he takes 'edge of your seat thrills' to a whole new level. Everything is done at the last second, some of the characters are practically bullet proof and there is no such thing as impossible odds...I don't care how top-secret, how rugged, efficient and deadly that pack of mercenaries are... or the how many seconds that nuke has before it goes off... there is a way, damnit!

The hero in this book is Shane "Scarecrow" Schofield and all I have to say is that he is...hmm, I like equations so here we go (Jack Ryan+ Rambo-Terminator/ Neo + 1/2 James Bond). Yeah he is that cool. Think I'm joking? Wel, he goes up against the US Air Force Special Teams (5 units), South African Mercenaries, a virus and more!!!

This book also has a kick-ass, female heroine called 'Mother,' who is a fucking war maching and who should have been the love interest but then I'm so biased. I'd rather my females chew coal and shit diamonds rather than be smart and plucky...which brings me back around to why I don't read a lot of erotica....

Contest b. Matthew Reilly

A co-worker loaned me this book because he knew I was jonesing for some Science-Fiction. I had never heard of this author before, but after reading the back cover I was intrigued. How was a doctor going to get out of what is basically an intergalactic death match inside of the electrically secured New York Public Library?

"Contest" by Matthew Reilly is an interesting book that reminds me of "Dr.Who," "Aliens," and "The Relic." I feel a bit like a putz saying that some extremely unbelievable events occur in this book, considering it is Sci-Fi, but well... there are some unbelievable saves and narrow escapes in this book. I liked the various alien contestants, but was greedy for more info on the two prolific shape changers. Reese however is the shiz-nez and not just because she's a girl.

Lastly for a book that includes a child in a closed in death match, this book has some grizzly, no holds barred death scenes.

It was a good read, not the best but definately entertaining and worth it!