7 Deadly Wonders (Jack West Junior Series #1)

My favorite series of books so far!

Where to start? Im 24 and I hated to read for as long as I can remember. The place that I worked had gone bankrupt and we were basically there to make sure the place didnt blow away. I figured there was no better way to pass an uneventful 12 hr shift then to read a book. I just happed to pick up this book and I was in for a suprise!

This book pulled me in like no other! I love reading about ancient artifacts, forgotten/hidden places and other mystical stuff.I found out that he was in the process of making a third. That book is on its way to my house as I write this.

I just couldnt put these books down. I would come home from my 12 hour shift at 6am and keep reading instead of sleeping. They are that good!
Im not sure what im going to do when im done reading "The Five Greatest Warriors". I hope matt will keep writing in this series. He had the seven deadly wonders, then the six sacred stones and now the five greatest warriors. I say keep going untill you get down to 1! I would deffantly read them all.

As a matter of fact, I think im going to go through and re-read this series in the near future. This series just goes togther so well, kind of like a puzzle. I found myself sometimes going back to previous books to the current books would make sense.

That is the only thing that I would caution, This series gets kind of deep and somewhat hard to follow and remember some of the previous read stuff to make sense of whats going on currently.

I would recommend this book to people that like different types of books as this book covers history, artifacts, thrillers, mystery and even a little romance.

I didnt touch to much on the contents of the book itself because it would be to hard to summerize and I dont want to ruin it for anyone.

Read this series if you like fiction books like this, you wont regret it!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Good Action Adventure Through History

This book is about the hunt for the Capstone of the Great Pyramid. Basically, ten years previous, a Oracle was born. The child is the only one that can read the lost language that points to the locations of the pieces of the Capstone. Since her birth, Lily has been raised in a secret compound among a few dedicated people that intent to keep the Capstone and it's great powers out of the hands of the Europeans and Americans.

Present day, Lily has finally been able to translate the script and now they are in a race with the Europeans and Americans to get all the pieces. Jack West Jr. is the leader of the little group. But no matter how hard they try or no matter how obscure the location, they are getting beaten at every turn. It seems someone is giving their locations to the Americans.

I really liked this book. There are a lot of historical things and possibilities. It was full of action and drama and had a quick pace. If you like action adventures like Clive Cussler, you will like this book.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Wish I had a $ for every ! used in the book

Completely over the top plot, limited character development, somewhat predictable. This is probably the fastest book I've ever read. I have Ice Station and Temple already, but haven't read them. I'm hoping that they are better than this one. Not a bad book, per se, but just SO over the top, it was ridiculous. I made myself finish it just to see where it went. Includes diagrams of the caves and traps, but not all of them. I'm not sure that they really helped comprehend what was happening. Somewhat interesting twist at the end. If you're on the beach for a couple of days and want a completely mindless read and the plot doesn't have to be believable at all, then get this book. Try not to let all the !'s bother you.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The seven deadly wonders a must read

Ok first off i just want to say this is one of the best books ive ever read. It has action adventure romance and puts on a intersting spin to common american and catholic views. But i would like to say to all those people who say its offensive i dont agree with you i think that its intersting how it shows us americans as bad people cause to a lot of the world we are fairly bad people. Im not saying we are all terrible, but in the beging of the book it said how the specif organization cief was corrupted bysome bad people. It also said how the catholic religon isa ancient sun cult, but in other books such as percy jackson and the olynpians how the catholic religon was based on thegreek religon is that offensive too but its only speculation you idiots. I rest my case

7 Deadly Wonders - Matthew Reilly

My sister recommended this series of 3 books... I was hesitant at first but decided yo give it a try. Wow! While it was a bit annoying to read the regular '!' At the end of many descriptive sentences (which as someone who loves to write tries to avoid at all costs) the story was actually really well-written snd enjoyable. Despite having 4 kids and a husband, housewotk, interviews and LIFE was sble to read this in about 4 days simply because I HAD to know what was going to happen next!

I definitely rec this for people who love adventure/sci-fi stories that aren't 'out there'!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Book!!!

I loved this book. I am a great fan of mystery, thriller, suspense, action books and this one fits the bill. This was the first of his books that I read and have since read them all. Can not wait for his next. If you are a fan of James Rollins or Clive Cussler you will love this book.

Awsome

This book is awsome

NOT GOOD!!!

This book reads like a poorly acted cut rate adventure movie! Not sure if the author was trying to be this way but it was unbearable to read. Great basis for a story but the characters and storyline were not that believable. I know this is fiction but at least make it somewhat realistic. I love adventure novels but this was too much to bear.

The First and Best Jack West

This is the first Jack West novel. I love the way Reilly ties in the Seven Wonders, and mixes action with adventure. A must read!

Extremely Poor

Reads like the author is playing a video game. Good idea to use ancient wonders, but primary characters flat and should have been killed in chapter 2 or 3. Maps and diagrams useless when reading on nook. Nook needs a zoom feature.

Nonstop Amazing!

An unstoppable thrill ride! From the moment I picked it up to 2 am under the covers with a flashlight, i could not stop reading. A great book.

Amazing Story from Start to Finish

From the moment i picked up this book i could NOT put it down!!! I nearly walked into wall w/ my nook because i could not stop! One of the best books i have read in a very long time!!! Highly Recommended!!!!

I loved this book! Part archeology, part action adventure. Total fiction just the type of stuff that keeps me on the edge of my seat.

Reilly takes some liberties and the plot can be preductable at time but it is a fun escapist read. I look foreard to reading the sequals.

Exciting Plot

The storyline is interesting and the plot keeps moving. Reilly is good at writing thrilling storylines with lots of action that keep you wanting to read more. The only thing I don't like about his writing is his overuse of italics. It seems that on each page there is at least one, if not more, phrases put into italics for emphasis. His stories have enough action that italics are not needed to highlight dramatic moments.

Offensive Anti-Americanism & Anti-Catholicism Tale With Little Character Development

I picked up this book hoping to learn more about ancient historical monuments, such as the Pyramids at Giza and the fabled Hanging Gardens of Babylon. I hoped reading this book would make learning about these architectural wonders, not only informative, but fun.

What a disappointment! The plot to this book is so unbelievable, it was almost ludicrous. The adventure is nothing more than the same traps, (spurting acids, quicksand floors, rolling balls), repeated over and over again until it becomes tedious. And the characters: yes, a hero should be stronger then most: intelligent and kind, but Jack West Jr. doesn't even resemble a human being.

At one point, he rescues the baby Lily from inside a volcano. He sticks his arm into a torrent of burning lava and still manages to pick up the infant Lily and run for his life through a series of deadly traps. This isn't medically possible let alone decent fiction. Who was the editor of this book? And how stupid does he think us readers are? He or she shouldn't be working for the National Enquirer let alone a respected publisher.

I've just finished the last page of this novel, and quite frankly can't believe someone hasn't sued Mr. Reilly for libel. I'm tired of authors taking pot shots at the Catholic Church, just because in our post Da Vinci code society, it seems the en vogue thing to do. One doesn't hear authors make such outrageous slurs against Judaism or Islam or Hinduism. They wouldn't dare.

In this book the Catholic Church is labeled as the sun worshipping Cult of Amon-Ra. I had to read this preposterous allegation a couple of times before I could actually believe what I was seeing. Obviously, Mr. Reilly is not a Catholic and has very little knowledge of the Catholic faith or its practitioners. I am a Catholic and can't fully put into words how insulted I am at this allegation. I had never even heard of such a thing until I picked up this book. I'm sure that Catholics such as Pope John Paul and Mother Theresa would also take issue with being compared to leaders of some ancient pagan cult.

Also, I was amazed that Simon & Schuster would print such a blatantly anti-American book. Unfortunately, it is Americans and American money that has helped make Mr. Reilly quite wealthy.

Every single American in this book is over the top: evil, sadistic, corrupt, and unimaginably cruel. To all the American readers out there: do you know anyone who behaves like this? Do you behave like this? Americans are some of the kindest, most generous, people I know.

And also, what a slap in the face to the brave men and women of the American military. I think that most people would be hard pressed to find a more compassionate military force than our own. In both Iraq and Afghanistan, the American forces have gone out of their way to help civilians, rebuilding schools and roads, and providing civilians with medicine. Would the Taliban do the same for us?

In one section of Mr. Reilly's book, Americans bomb the beautiful Hanging Gardens. Actually, the American military has gone out of its way to preserve architectural sites in Baghdad and Afghanistan.

I am so sick of reading about the evil American. This could have been a compelling book. I am so sorry Mr. Reilly ruined it through inept writing and base prejudices.

Great Spin on Ancient History

I've read both of Matthew Reilly's Jack West Jr. novels, and I can't wait to read the next one. This book was a great thriller with a spin on the classic Ancient Wonders. Reilly certainly took some liberties with the wonders, but since the only one we really "know" is the pyramids, this is forgivable. The plot of the book was very creative and I LOVED the father/daughter plot with Lily and the created family around her. It certainly took some adjustment to accept the American's as the "Bad Guys," but I fell in love with the character of Jack West. My only complaint is that Reilly's writting style is not as well developed as some of the other writers I've read recently. Over all a really good book, great for weekend, late night reading.

New favorite author

Matthew Reilly has shown a prowess in writing that is hard to find with many authors. His novels are gripping, page turners that you would rather lose a nights sleep then put down. Every time you think you have figured out the plot, you're pulled in a different direction. The action is intense and non stop. If you're looking for a new author, Reilly is the one.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

THRILLER IS NOT JUST A SONG !

Matthew Reilly writes a thriller like no other author ! If you want a fantastic, suspensful, amazing novel ~ make this your next !
This Prequill to the " Six Sacred Stones has it all and then some !

WOW

This book is so amazing that I hardly know where to start gushing.
Let's try Jack West Jr.
I've never read about a cooler, more intense character in my life - he's such a mystery.
This book is so fast and crazy that it'll leave you with whiplash.
I absolutely adored this book.
It makes history sound interesting, and there are characters you just love.
I love all the call-signs, but Huntsman is the hottest.
Now I don't mind huntsman spiders, thanks to this literary masterpiece.
The plot is fast and action-packed, and you can't breathe how exciting it is.
I rate it 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000/10. Even more than that actually.

It is SO INCREDIBLE. I could go on about it forever and ever. I love this book. All-time favourite.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pure Escapism

As a Bookseller, This is my favorite book to recommend to customers looking for a simple fun read. Anytime someone comes into the store looking for a book like James Rollins,Ted Bell, or a number of other authors, I often ask them if they have read Matthew Reilly before. He is like no other author that I have read as far as his writing style (which some find sophomoric) and the audacity and amount of action that he puts into his pages.
This book is my favorite by him. having read all of his others I found this one the most enjoyable, because it is probably the most over the top. I originally picked it up, because I have always had an Interest in the Seven Wonders of the World, and they were all explored in great depths within this book. The characters, while not fully developed are the funnest in any book I have read. Jack West Jr. is the leader of the group, and i picture him as Hugh Jackman (With a Bionical ARM!) Each character has silly nicknames from the youngest of the group, Lilly, who plays a key role in the book.
This book definatley globe trots and has some of the most exciting scenes i have read, whether it's stealing a statue from the Louvre in broad daylight, or a helicopter fight in a Huge Cavern-- you will not be dissapointed.
I can't express HOW FUN this book is. It is not a literary title by any means, but for pure-fun, check your brain at the door action and adventure, this book can't be beat!