A review by afictionalescapist
Temple by Matthew Reilly

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Temple - Matthew Reilly

Unassuming language professor William Rice has been selected for an urgent mission in the depths of Peru.

One day he is a tardy teacher, the next he is on a plane to one of the most remote locations in the world, hurriedly translating an ancient manuscript to find the missing idol. An idol which contains a metal only found in extreme circumstance so powerful it can fuel the legendary “supanova”. 

The Supanova is the worlds most powerful weapon, detonating it would wipe out the entire planet. The race is on between the Navy, Armed forces and a new but powerful doomsday cult each with their own agenda. Who will get to the idol first? And will it be too late? 

Temple is a fast paced action novel told in two timelines. The past, from the ancient manuscript being translated by our protagonist and the present as team hunts for the missing artifact. 

Reilly writes another entertaining action movie in literary format. There are a lot of incredible action sequences, some ancient legendary animals to escape and plenty of close calls. 

These books are great as pallet cleansers IMO, you know what you’re getting into, it follows a comfortable formula but doesn’t really throw too much outside the action box. The characters aren’t particularly deep, the plot is wild and far fetched and sometimes the prose is repetitive (but you love it anyway). 

This one sits at a 3.5⭐️ for me