Helpful Score: 5
Started off slow, but it kept me interested throughout. Three quarters of the way through there was an awesome twist, and the ending was better than I expected. If you like Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child books, this one is a must. Realistic fiction at its best.
Helpful Score: 3
I love scientific thrillers and any book by Preston and Child contains exciting, plausible probabilities. A meteorite, landing in Chile is the object of desire by a billionaire who will spend no expense to retrieve it. The Chilean government has other plans, however. Characterization is strong and action is non-stop. Highly recommended!
Helpful Score: 3
Compelling and riddled with subplots, treachery and betrayal surrounding the entombed meteorite found on a desolate islad of the coast of southern Chile. Very exciting.
Helpful Score: 3
Very exciting story. Interesting characters, extraordinary problem solving, intriguing locations and situations. I highly recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 2
The concept was intriguing, and it should have been an excellent read. I found it to be merely mediocre. I was somewhat disappointed because I expected better from Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child.
Helpful Score: 1
Normally I would pass this title by, it isn't quite my usual read, but it got wonderful comments at Archon. After reading it I see why. It is very well written, factually accurate in its background, and had utterly believable characters. I really recommend it.
Uncleg
Uncleg
Helpful Score: 1
I liked this book. It was full of greed, treachery and betrayal.
Helpful Score: 1
Engrossing, although not as good as the Pendergast novels by these authors.
Helpful Score: 1
this was a great book...since reading this i have ordered 3 more
Helpful Score: 1
Another great outing of the authors of Relic etc.; Pure action in the most desolate regions of the southern ocean and antartica. A secret salvage operation turns into a battle for life when faced with a vengence seeking Chilean Navy Commander.
Helpful Score: 1
Thrills and chills - wonderful book!
I personally didn't like this story. I just didn't like this type of writing. I am sure someone else will like it.
Had a lot of action and adventure, very good book.
The suspense was wonderfully agonizing. I couldn't put this thriller down until I knew how it ended. If this doesn't get turned into a movie I will be very surprised.
Good book,suspenseful.It's a voyage of a lifetime to retrieve a meteorite and along the way there are dangers of a high stakes pursuit,murder and a huge storm bearing their way.
Loved all the players--Great book!! Great Read!!
Be sure you are well-rested and have plenty of free time before you start this book--since you won't want to put it down until you've reached the very last page!
On a desolate island off the southern coast of Chile, an incredible discovery is made: a gigantic meteorite, the largest ever found, entombed in the earth for millions of years. Half a world away, billionaire entrepreneur Palmer Lloyd decides he must have it as the centerpiece of his grandiose new museum. He is willing to pay any price-in dollars and in lives. Shipping it back to New York on the tanker, Rolvaag, poses a particular challenge: It will be the heaviest object ever moved by human ingenuity.
But a disgraced Chilean navy officer is out to stop the expedition, a brutal Pacific storm is raging toward them, and a frightening truth is beginning to unfold. The men and women of the Rolvaag are not taking this ancient, enigmatic object anywhere. It is taking them . . .
On a desolate island off the southern coast of Chile, an incredible discovery is made: a gigantic meteorite, the largest ever found, entombed in the earth for millions of years. Half a world away, billionaire entrepreneur Palmer Lloyd decides he must have it as the centerpiece of his grandiose new museum. He is willing to pay any price-in dollars and in lives. Shipping it back to New York on the tanker, Rolvaag, poses a particular challenge: It will be the heaviest object ever moved by human ingenuity.
But a disgraced Chilean navy officer is out to stop the expedition, a brutal Pacific storm is raging toward them, and a frightening truth is beginning to unfold. The men and women of the Rolvaag are not taking this ancient, enigmatic object anywhere. It is taking them . . .
This one started too slow for me and I was too impatient to wait for the good stuff.
An exciting read full of interesting science and mechanical descriptions. The characters are pretty belivabke and the plot keeps you guessing. I'd recommend it.
Another excellent book from Preston and Child!
Very intersting and different out look for a Sci Fi novel. I read more fantasy than I do Sci/Fi but this was for sure one of the better Sci/Fi books I have read lately.
I just plain flat out enjoy the writing of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, whether it be a Pendergast novel or a standalone thriller. When I'm in need of high-quality distraction, I know where to go. Well, I was in need, and The Ice Limit filled the bill.
The authors really gave me a feel for the weather and seas around Cape Horn-- and made me wonder how on earth those earliest of explorers ever made it through sailing their tiny wooden ships. I also found the logistics of transporting the huge meteorite fascinating, from digging it out of the ground to getting it aboard the oil tanker to beginning the journey home. Of course, there's a nasty villain threatening their very existence during the last half of the book, but his behavior is almost secondary to the weird goings-on surrounding the meteorite.
Thrillers aren't usually known for their characterization, but there were two characters in this book to whom I reacted. The most interesting was McFarlane, the meteorite hunter because his character did grow and change. I had a less favorable reaction to Glinn, the man in charge of the operation. I became very tired of him never explaining what he was doing. Yes, he was brilliant at his job, but when a magician pulls an endless number of rabbits out of his hat, he becomes boring.
On the whole, this book moves swiftly, and the story is engrossing. It also ends on a doozy of a cliffhanger. For those who can't stand unresolved issues, Beyond the Ice Limit became available this year. I think I'm going to have to find out what's going on with that meteorite!
The authors really gave me a feel for the weather and seas around Cape Horn-- and made me wonder how on earth those earliest of explorers ever made it through sailing their tiny wooden ships. I also found the logistics of transporting the huge meteorite fascinating, from digging it out of the ground to getting it aboard the oil tanker to beginning the journey home. Of course, there's a nasty villain threatening their very existence during the last half of the book, but his behavior is almost secondary to the weird goings-on surrounding the meteorite.
Thrillers aren't usually known for their characterization, but there were two characters in this book to whom I reacted. The most interesting was McFarlane, the meteorite hunter because his character did grow and change. I had a less favorable reaction to Glinn, the man in charge of the operation. I became very tired of him never explaining what he was doing. Yes, he was brilliant at his job, but when a magician pulls an endless number of rabbits out of his hat, he becomes boring.
On the whole, this book moves swiftly, and the story is engrossing. It also ends on a doozy of a cliffhanger. For those who can't stand unresolved issues, Beyond the Ice Limit became available this year. I think I'm going to have to find out what's going on with that meteorite!
Exciting book about a meteor that is found in Chile. Frightening and action packed. Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child are a great team and I stayed up late reading this one!
This is an excellent book, I couldn't put it down.
Another good adventure/techno-thriller from Preston/Child. This is one of their earlier stand-alone novels involving the hunt for a giant meteorite on an island off of Cape Horn in the far-south reaches of the earth. Overall, a real page-turner with lots of action and great characters. These include Sam McFarlane, a geophysicist/meteor hunter; Palmer Lloyd, a billionaire who funds the expedition; Eli Glinn, the engineer who lays out the plan to move the heaviest object (400,000 tons) ever; Captain Britton, a disgraced alcoholic skipper hired to pilot a modified oil tanker to retrieve the meteorite; and Commandante Vallenar, a rogue Chilean naval officer exiled to his nation's southern wastes, who will stop at nothing to defend Chile's honor and property. All of these characters, and others, are really fleshed out and add to the action of the novel. But when they find the meteorite, they discover that it is composed of an unknown substance that is denser than any known element and is a deep red color. Is it really a meteorite or something else entirely? Preston/Child keep you turning the pages to arrive at an answer. Another high recommendation for this one.
The adventure begins with the discovery of a mysterious meteorite and will not end until a wealthy industrialist has it for his own. Another great Preston & Child book, however it's a bit on the slow side for my taste. If you enjoy maritime and a bit of science, this might be great for you.
A very rich and powerful man wants to own a meteorite found in a desolate area. He has the money to hire experts to retrieve the meterorite for his private collection. However, there are events that his money cannot control and many die while trying to accomplish the task! Was the meterorite just a meterorite or something else?? Read the book and draw your own conclusions! Great reading!
Mystery. Largest known meteor is found and a billionaire must have it but the meteor has some special chemistry to it.
verry good suspenes hard to put down gene c
On a desolate island off the coast of southern Chile, the largest known meteorite has been found, entombed in the earth for millions of years. In New York a billionare decides he must have this incredible find for himself, no matter what the cost. At four thousand tons, it will be the heaviest thing ever moved by human ingenuity. The effort to retrieve it will be the most expensive, secretive, and sophisticated salvage mission ever mounted. But from the beginning, people begin to die.
Now a disgraced Chilean navy officer is out to stop the expidition, a brutal Pacific storm is raging toward them, and a frightening truth is beginning to unfold. The men and women of the Rolvaag are not taking this ancient, enigmatic object anywhere. It is taking them...
Now a disgraced Chilean navy officer is out to stop the expidition, a brutal Pacific storm is raging toward them, and a frightening truth is beginning to unfold. The men and women of the Rolvaag are not taking this ancient, enigmatic object anywhere. It is taking them...
On a desolate island off the coast of southern Chile, the largest known meteorite has been found, entombed in the earth for millions of years. In New York, a billionaire decides he must have this incredible find for himself, no matter what the cost. At four thousand tons, it will be the heaviest thing ever moved by human ingenuity. The effort to retrieve it will be the most expensive, secretive, and sophisticated salvage mission ever mounted. But from the beginning, people begin to die...
On a desolate island off the coast of southern Chile, the largest known meteorite has been found, entombed in the earth for millions of years. In New York, a billionaire decides he must have this incredible find for himself, no matter what the cost. At four thousand tons, it will be the heaviest thing ever moved by human ingenuity. The effort to retrieve it will be the most expensive, secretive, and sophisticated salvage mission ever mounted. But from the beginning, people begin to die.
Now a disgraced Chilean navy officer is out to stop the expedition, a brutal Paific storm is raging toward them, and a frightening truth is beginning to unfold. The men and women of the Rolvaag are not taking this ancient, enigmatic object anywhere. It is taking them.....
Now a disgraced Chilean navy officer is out to stop the expedition, a brutal Paific storm is raging toward them, and a frightening truth is beginning to unfold. The men and women of the Rolvaag are not taking this ancient, enigmatic object anywhere. It is taking them.....
I enjoyed this book very much. Fast paced. Reminds me of Clive Cussler books.
Jeffrey Archer, the internationally bestselling author of Honor Among Thieves, As The Crow Flies, and Kane & Abel, now serves up this inventive new collection of a dozen short stories -- with a twist. Cleverly styled, with richly drawn characters and ingeniously plotted story lines, each of the twelve pieces ends with a delightfully unexpected turn of events.
An imprisoned man is certain that his supposed murder victim is very much alive....A female driver is pursued relentlessly by a menacing figure in another vehicle....A young artist gets the biggest break of her career....A restless beauty manages the perfect birthday celebration....An escaped Iraqi on Saddam Hussein's death list pays an involuntary visit to his homeland. In each tale, human beings are given an opportunity to seize, a crucial problem to solve, or a danger to avoid. How will they react? How would you? Capping off the collection are two additional rewards. In the final story, Archer offers a choice of four endings. And buried in each story is another diversion -- a red herring which Archer challenges his readers to uncover. Twelve is a perfect score -- good luck,
An imprisoned man is certain that his supposed murder victim is very much alive....A female driver is pursued relentlessly by a menacing figure in another vehicle....A young artist gets the biggest break of her career....A restless beauty manages the perfect birthday celebration....An escaped Iraqi on Saddam Hussein's death list pays an involuntary visit to his homeland. In each tale, human beings are given an opportunity to seize, a crucial problem to solve, or a danger to avoid. How will they react? How would you? Capping off the collection are two additional rewards. In the final story, Archer offers a choice of four endings. And buried in each story is another diversion -- a red herring which Archer challenges his readers to uncover. Twelve is a perfect score -- good luck,
Read once, never traded. Fast paced adventure
