The sequel to the Six Sacred Stones is pretty much more of the same (see my review of that book). However this seems somehow less then the sum of its parts. In his - now familiar - interview at the end of the book Matthew Reilly talks about how he could really go to town with the book as all the ground work has been laid in the previous one.

The issue is a lot of the intrige and mystery was gone as well. This book was essntially, go there - find giant undergroud pyramid - place magic crystal thing. We have seen what the underground shrines look like and the traps are now prety standard variations on a theme. Sure there was all the crazy race against time and clever Indians Jones style traps and last minute escapes but there is not so much peril in these missions - they seem more formulaic and there is no real sense that anybody key to the plot will die or that the mission will fail. Compare this to the Six Sacred Stones for example where****MAJOR SPOLIER***Wizard dies, Soloman Kane dies and Jack is presumed dead for a large chunk of the book. Where was all that this time around.

Still a very enjoyable read but without the jump out of your seat and stare at the page moments from the Six Sacred Stones. Barely a four star read where 6SS was nearly a 5. ( )

I have to admit, there's something really fascinating and cool about stories that don't need to reinvent themselves but still manage to be super easy to read and enjoy and yet still feel fresh.

This happens to be one of them.

I mean, seriously. There's still Indiana Jones Traps, people! There's still mystical stones that all the most powerful people through history have held to stay in power! We even get to see Jesus! Woo Woo!

One thing is for certain, the fifth greatest warrior of all time has got real stones.

That's important, ya'll. Sorry, all you women. It's all about the stones! *crosses eyes*

Important note: This continues the previous novel rather seamlessly since not all six of the sacred stones were collected by the end of that novel. Plus, all the bad guys hadn't met grisly, albeit rather heroic, ends.

And of course you can also start counting on some of the good guys to bite it, too, because PATHOS, man! Pacing, pathos, action, grand adventure, and enough horribly implausible reversals to make even Sherlock Holmes groan, step out of the serial, and say, "Hey, my good man, are you making this shit up?"

The answer? Yes. Whole Cloth. Holy Shit. Turn off your brain and enjoy this action movie, ya'll. You won't believe it. But to be fair, you're not supposed to. Take that salt shaker and add an extra serving to your popcorn, yo. LOTS of salt. I mean, TONS. Make sure you encase that popcorn in a pillar of it. Preserve it for centuries. And then let some future archeologist stumble upon it and wonder at its brilliance and have some shiny light tumble out of the heavens to light up his brain or something. It's totally worth it. I'm serious, yo.

Whew. ADVENTURE. *head spins*

And yeah, I recommend it for the sheer fun factor. :) ( )

You know a good book when you still manage to be thrilled no matter what your mood is.

My thoughts on this book are fairly similar to The Six Sacred Stones review. http://thetysonadams.blogspot.com/2011/06/book-review-six-sacred-stones-matthew.... ( )

The Five Greatest Warriors by Matthew Reilly
Book 3 in the Jack West Junior Series
5 Stars and a Favourite.

It is difficult to write a review for this book without it becoming a spoiler for book 2, please be aware you need to read this series in order to get the most from it (and this is saying something for someone who is usually happy to read a series out of order)!

In the book they are attempting to rebuild the final prices of an Ancient 'Machine', as this is the only thing that can prevent a global catastrophe. This in involves research into various Ancient Texts, as well as solving puzzles, researching famous historical figures (including Jesus and Genghis Khan to name but two) and loads of high octane adventure including fights with Megalomaniacs.

Throughout the book Matthew uses great ingenuity to solve puzzles akin to Raiders of the Lost Ark type puzzles involving numerous traps set for the unwary treasure hunters. I feel there is also good characterisation in the books, with characters you come to like and care about. Just be careful who you tie your allegiances to, unlike some authors he is not averse to killing off main characters.

This has to be one of the most action packed books I have read especially since the background and plot was set up in the previous book. Whilst it can be read as a standalone (there is a summary of the 2 previous books at the beginning), but to get the best out of these books you need to read all three books. In Matthew Reilly's words he keep trying to top himself 'with each book and come up with the fastest most out-of-control action-adventure stories imaginable'. All I can say is mission accomplished!

There is some good historical backdrop to these books (as I like with my action-adventure books), but as Matthew Reilly states in an interview at the back of the book only about 85% of this is factual and 15% made up. Again to quote him, 'if I've done my job as an author, you won't be able to tell the real from the fake'. He is right to state, in my opinion, 'it is the story that counts'.

I cannot recommend these books highly enough, so if you like action books, books with a historical back drop, books about completing quests and saving puzzles, or fighting off megalomaniacs this is the book and series for you!

Don't delay, read today. ( )

Matthew Reilly books are always a rip-roaring boy's own adventure that anyone can read in a couple of sessions. He really does have the preposterous adventure genre down pat. I love them! ( )