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abi__'s review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Random decisions made to move forward the plot. Story no longer fun. First 3 books were great but I won’t be reading the last in the series
shottybiondi's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
drizzlybear's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
idk if i’ve read too many in a row or if im just getting sick of the higher stakes but im not vibing it as much?
maybe bc higher stakes it just feels like there’s pointlessly more punishment and struggle.
also rip zoe relegated to being ‘jacks wife’
maybe bc higher stakes it just feels like there’s pointlessly more punishment and struggle.
also rip zoe relegated to being ‘jacks wife’
xavierdragnesi's review against another edition
4.0
Fast paced and action packed, the latest Jack West Jr instalment does not disappoint.
**minor spoilers ahead**
Once again, Matthew Reilly masterfully puts reimagines ancient myth, legend and history, and crafts it into an action thriller that barely gives you time to take a breath. There really are some incredible highs and lows, both literally and figuratively, and although there are a few reflective breaks in the middle, mostly in the form of flashbacks or catch-ups, the duration of the plot can be measured in hours, if not minutes. It’s almost ironic that the one of the villains’ masterful schemes involves putting entire cities to sleep, because it seems like Jack West and his team just never get, nor indeed need, any!
I think it became obvious to me quite early on that though the Supreme Labyrinth was the objective everyone was gunning for, it wasn’t going to be the focal point of this book, so in many ways this was just ‘how everyone got to the Labyrinth’. Which is fine - to quote another series I’m currently reading, Journey before Destination - but it does make it the second book in a row where there’s not a real conclusion. I’m glad Matthew Reilly addresses this in his interview and calls it essentially a three-part story leading to the Omega Event, and it gives him more of an opportunity to do it justice.
All in all, the The Two Lost Mountains manages to lay the groundwork for the grand finale of the series by really bringing out the desperation but also the determination of Jack and his team. With so many players in the game and literally the entire universe at stake, I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up.
**minor spoilers ahead**
Once again, Matthew Reilly masterfully puts reimagines ancient myth, legend and history, and crafts it into an action thriller that barely gives you time to take a breath. There really are some incredible highs and lows, both literally and figuratively, and although there are a few reflective breaks in the middle, mostly in the form of flashbacks or catch-ups, the duration of the plot can be measured in hours, if not minutes. It’s almost ironic that the one of the villains’ masterful schemes involves putting entire cities to sleep, because it seems like Jack West and his team just never get, nor indeed need, any!
I think it became obvious to me quite early on that though the Supreme Labyrinth was the objective everyone was gunning for, it wasn’t going to be the focal point of this book, so in many ways this was just ‘how everyone got to the Labyrinth’. Which is fine - to quote another series I’m currently reading, Journey before Destination - but it does make it the second book in a row where there’s not a real conclusion. I’m glad Matthew Reilly addresses this in his interview and calls it essentially a three-part story leading to the Omega Event, and it gives him more of an opportunity to do it justice.
All in all, the The Two Lost Mountains manages to lay the groundwork for the grand finale of the series by really bringing out the desperation but also the determination of Jack and his team. With so many players in the game and literally the entire universe at stake, I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up.
bubbles0012's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lachlan_steele's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
esshgee's review against another edition
3.0
I'm scoring this 3 1/2. Although I enjoyed the ride, I felt it was mostly a setup for the final book in the series. Will be interested to see how it all plays out and who gets violently bumped off!
jacqueshol's review against another edition
1.0
MAJOR SPOILERS - Don't read this review if you haven't read the book yet.
I am always hesitant to knock a book considering the effort that authors put into their work. The TLM, however, just did not do it for me. It took me several days to struggle through this book.
FINAL SPOILER WARNING
How many times can characters supposedly die and then "magically" re-appear again? This happens to three characters in this book alone. I am holding no breath that Jack's mom has actually died. I have lost interest and don't care about the characters any longer. Hades will probably reappear in the next book even after he was decapitated (sorry, couldn't help the sarcasm).
Another thing that bothers me is that the story has become more and more juvenile as the series progressed, but the language progressively included more and more profanity and blasphemy. I did a quick check by doing a word count on the F-bomb, Jesus, etc. There is considerably more than in the earlier books. The worst use of the F-bomb was by nuns! And then it is often repeated three times as "F&&&! F&&&! F&&&!" Obviously saying the word once does not convey the message.
I also found myself wondering whether Matthew Reilly has developed an anti-Christian or even anti-religion worldview. I did not enjoy his constant attempt at ridiculing faith-related matters. Hardly an opportunity was missed to either have the nuns swear or the storyline questioning what millions of people believe across the world. I understand that not everyone shares my views, and I respect it, but I found it troubling and was offended by it. Yes, I know it is only a story, but stories have considerable power to influence people.
I did not enjoy the story and found my mind wandering off constantly. I was initially thinking that the series should not count down to 1 but zero... as people normally do. Now, I don't even think I'll bother to read the next book.
I feel a bit let down. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the series. It was as believable as one could hope, but then it progressively became just too fantastical. I realise there are people who enjoy this type of book, but it simply did not entertain me.
I am always hesitant to knock a book considering the effort that authors put into their work. The TLM, however, just did not do it for me. It took me several days to struggle through this book.
FINAL SPOILER WARNING
How many times can characters supposedly die and then "magically" re-appear again? This happens to three characters in this book alone. I am holding no breath that Jack's mom has actually died. I have lost interest and don't care about the characters any longer. Hades will probably reappear in the next book even after he was decapitated (sorry, couldn't help the sarcasm).
Another thing that bothers me is that the story has become more and more juvenile as the series progressed, but the language progressively included more and more profanity and blasphemy. I did a quick check by doing a word count on the F-bomb, Jesus, etc. There is considerably more than in the earlier books. The worst use of the F-bomb was by nuns! And then it is often repeated three times as "F&&&! F&&&! F&&&!" Obviously saying the word once does not convey the message.
I also found myself wondering whether Matthew Reilly has developed an anti-Christian or even anti-religion worldview. I did not enjoy his constant attempt at ridiculing faith-related matters. Hardly an opportunity was missed to either have the nuns swear or the storyline questioning what millions of people believe across the world. I understand that not everyone shares my views, and I respect it, but I found it troubling and was offended by it. Yes, I know it is only a story, but stories have considerable power to influence people.
I did not enjoy the story and found my mind wandering off constantly. I was initially thinking that the series should not count down to 1 but zero... as people normally do. Now, I don't even think I'll bother to read the next book.
I feel a bit let down. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the series. It was as believable as one could hope, but then it progressively became just too fantastical. I realise there are people who enjoy this type of book, but it simply did not entertain me.
blatdriver's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 out of 5.
This is the 6th book, to get the most out of it you need to read the others first, and if you liked them, you will like this
This is the 6th book, to get the most out of it you need to read the others first, and if you liked them, you will like this