Helpful Score: 4
My review of this book should be subtitled "I feel like the Lone Ranger here."
I have bought and read every single book this author has published, and those that he wrote with Lincoln Child. I have to say that this one was not the best in the bunch ... I was so disappointed. I know, I know, I'm once again swimming against the tide of people who really loved this book, but, well, that's just how it is. And before you accuse me of book snobbery, I will say in my defense that I read this kind of stuff all of the time and normally can have a fun time with it, so it's not the subject matter -- I just thought this was definitely not one of the author's best moments.
As the story begins, two things are going on. First, A young woman, Abbey Straw, is out with her friend watching the heavens at night and the sky lights up over Maine's coast. Abbey believes that what just landed was a meteoroid (not meteorite)and after checking e-bay, she realizes that there are people who collect these things and will pay her a hefty chunk of cash. She does some research, realizes the thing did not land in the ocean as previously thought, and off she and Jackie go in search of their fortune. Second, a young scientist at NPF (the National Propulsion Facility) in Pasadena receives a hard drive in the mail from a now-dead associate. As the action gets going, CIA operative Wyman Ford (a continuing character in Preston's novels) is asked by the President's science advisor to go to Cambodia and locate the source of some radioactive gems that have been coming into the country lately, worried about the possibility that the radioactivity might possibly fall into the hands of terrorists. Preston proceeds to interweave all three stories into one big one, and the action doesn't let up until the end.
Normally, I can sit back and enjoy a bit of far-fetched escape reading, one of my guilty pleasures in reading life, but this one was way too over the top plotwise and the ending was just silly. Although the premise was interesting (I bought this book, so obviously the premise caught my eye) many of the action scenes were just highly implausible, and overall I felt like this story was flat. Normally with this kind of thing, I can at least get into it a little, but not this time.
But then again, everyone else who's written a review seems to really like it, using superlative adjectives to describe it, so maybe it's just me. Try it for yourself.
I have bought and read every single book this author has published, and those that he wrote with Lincoln Child. I have to say that this one was not the best in the bunch ... I was so disappointed. I know, I know, I'm once again swimming against the tide of people who really loved this book, but, well, that's just how it is. And before you accuse me of book snobbery, I will say in my defense that I read this kind of stuff all of the time and normally can have a fun time with it, so it's not the subject matter -- I just thought this was definitely not one of the author's best moments.
As the story begins, two things are going on. First, A young woman, Abbey Straw, is out with her friend watching the heavens at night and the sky lights up over Maine's coast. Abbey believes that what just landed was a meteoroid (not meteorite)and after checking e-bay, she realizes that there are people who collect these things and will pay her a hefty chunk of cash. She does some research, realizes the thing did not land in the ocean as previously thought, and off she and Jackie go in search of their fortune. Second, a young scientist at NPF (the National Propulsion Facility) in Pasadena receives a hard drive in the mail from a now-dead associate. As the action gets going, CIA operative Wyman Ford (a continuing character in Preston's novels) is asked by the President's science advisor to go to Cambodia and locate the source of some radioactive gems that have been coming into the country lately, worried about the possibility that the radioactivity might possibly fall into the hands of terrorists. Preston proceeds to interweave all three stories into one big one, and the action doesn't let up until the end.
Normally, I can sit back and enjoy a bit of far-fetched escape reading, one of my guilty pleasures in reading life, but this one was way too over the top plotwise and the ending was just silly. Although the premise was interesting (I bought this book, so obviously the premise caught my eye) many of the action scenes were just highly implausible, and overall I felt like this story was flat. Normally with this kind of thing, I can at least get into it a little, but not this time.
But then again, everyone else who's written a review seems to really like it, using superlative adjectives to describe it, so maybe it's just me. Try it for yourself.
Helpful Score: 2
Great book! Great story, action, and character development; couldn't put it down!
Helpful Score: 1
A very interesting book. A few small parts that are unreasonable. Ending just a little rushed, but overall a great read. Still love the authors Preston/Child.
This is the best book I've read in a long time. A near SF thriller. Fully developed characters and a believable plot. Highly recommended
I was really impressed with this book! I thought Douglas Preston last book was just average stuff, Tyranasour Canyon. It left me thinking that without Lincoln Child he was an average writer. Well this book is written fabulously, so well you wont put it down till the last page!! Not only will the plot intrigue you but this is an entirely new take on large meteors hitting the earth!! Read it!!
This was an awesome read. It was slightly annoying how it skipped through different character's story lines, but it finally came together quite nicely. I couldn't put the book down. This story isn't like other disaster stories. It's worth the read. I wish it were a movie. I also wish there were a continuation to the story.
Very well written, very plausible, near future story. Includes astronomy, the Mars mission, political intrigue, and murder.
Just read this book, and I have to say I really enjoyed it. The pacing and character development were nicely done. I don't think I've read anything by Douglas Preston before, but I will definitely be looking to read more books by this author...
I really enjoyed this book. Douglas Preston is one of my favorite authors. I recommend this book to any one that enjoys science fiction & adventure.
I have come to rely on Douglas Preston for thrillers that pique my imagination, and he's done it again with Impact. Preston has teamed Ford with a beguiling amateur who's incredibly short on experience and extremely gifted with intuition and flying by the seat of her pants. It's just the right mix as the two work to find out what's happening on Earth and just how Mars is involved. The only small blight on an otherwise bright reading experience for me was the ending. Preston opted for an optimistic ending, but the cynic in me didn't feel that it would hold up to any sort of scrutiny. However, I do love reading his thrillers!
good fast reading.
I enjoyed the book. Douglas Preston has always been one of my favorite writers. 5 stars for him!
I enjoyed the book. Douglas Preston has always been one of my favorite writers. 5 stars for him!
