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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Just a bit too silly for me. Every answer to any problem was far too convenient. I can see how it would be a 'fun' read if only I could suspend disbelief
Full of Indiana Jones type action amidst archeological ruins. Enjoyable read
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I nearly gave up on Seven Deadly Wonders when I first started reading it. I found the multitude of diagrams a little insulting, like someone decided the reader couldn't understand the picture Reilly was painting with words so they put actual pictures in. More importantly, the writing didn't feel polished at the beginning. Luckily, as the book progressed, the writing smoothed out.
I really enjoyed all the historical information weaved throughout the book. Things like who'd built the pyramids at Giza and descriptions of the other ancient wonders. Some of it I already knew, some of it I'd forgotten and some of it I'd never learned but it all appealed to the classicist in me, though I realize that not all of it was based on fact.
Characterwise, I found Lily adorable. She was raised as naturally as a child could be by eight soldiers, an archaeologist and his wife. They let her grow into her genius and she loved them for raising her. As for Jack West, the group's leader, he's a little too perfect in some ways. And with his metal arm, he's a little like Indiana Jones meets the six-million dollar man. Luckily the rest of the characters balance him out well.
Overall, I'd recommend Seven Deadly Wonders to anyone looking for a fun and exciting read. It's not perfect but it is good.
I really enjoyed all the historical information weaved throughout the book. Things like who'd built the pyramids at Giza and descriptions of the other ancient wonders. Some of it I already knew, some of it I'd forgotten and some of it I'd never learned but it all appealed to the classicist in me, though I realize that not all of it was based on fact.
Characterwise, I found Lily adorable. She was raised as naturally as a child could be by eight soldiers, an archaeologist and his wife. They let her grow into her genius and she loved them for raising her. As for Jack West, the group's leader, he's a little too perfect in some ways. And with his metal arm, he's a little like Indiana Jones meets the six-million dollar man. Luckily the rest of the characters balance him out well.
Overall, I'd recommend Seven Deadly Wonders to anyone looking for a fun and exciting read. It's not perfect but it is good.
About 100 pages into this and I'm not sure I can finish it. This is the fourth Reilly book I've read and though I've enjoyed them all, they keep getting more and more ridiculous. My biggest pet peeve from earlier works has already reared its head: You cannot possibly do anything (jump out of the way of a falling boulder; jump off of a crumbling bridge; dodge a flying arrow) in a NANOSECOND. It is one billionth of a second for god's sake. Why stop at nanosecond? How about having someone scale up a smooth rock face in a picosecond? Or jumpstart a 747 in a femtosecond? Which makes me laugh all the harder at the review here which ridicules American audiences for not being able to pick up on subtlety. Subtlety? Matthew Reilly? Are you #$#@$%ing serious? C'mon, the sentences that aren't italicized all end in exclamation points. Really subtle. And all of the pictures? Seriously, if you can't use language to describe your story, just write a screenplay and get it over with.
Like I said, I have really enjoyed the other Reilly books I've read, but if this one gets any sillier, I'm dropping it.
In a nanosecond.
Like I said, I have really enjoyed the other Reilly books I've read, but if this one gets any sillier, I'm dropping it.
In a nanosecond.
3.5 stars - an enjoyable adventure story which is very much like watching a 'Mission Impossible' film. There is some entertaining discussion and investigation of Ancient History and as many thrilling chases through hidden tombs as you can shake a stick at. If you enjoy thrillers with more than a passing nod to 'Indiana Jones', then this is definitely worth a read.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Unlike the other Matthew Reilly book I have read, I found it very difficult to connect with the characters and story, at times I was really locked in, but I spent most of the boom waiting to become connected to the story. It was still well crafted.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes