Helpful Score: 7
I'm not normally a person that reads this genre but I couldn't put it down. A real page turner filled with action all the way through. Made me a BIG fan of this author. He is in his late 20s and is from Austrailia. No hanky panky and he makes a great read especially for those young men who are between the ages of young adult to adult where it's hard to find something that will hold your attention.
Helpful Score: 4
I liked this book, it was an interesting premise - a contest between one representative of each of the 7 different alien races - humans are included even though they don't have a clue about the whole thing. The aliens were interesting and you wonder how on earth our human representative will survive... good, fast read...
Helpful Score: 3
So much better than I expected! I've never been one to read books about monsters, but with this one.. it was so much mor about the mans survival, and getting his 8 year old daughter out alive.. wonderful book.
Helpful Score: 2
An interesting read. Extra-terrestrials use Earth as the place for an intergalactic warrior contest. A human is entered without knowing and without any clue that ET's really exist. A bloodbath ensues.
Will the human survive?
Will the human survive?
Helpful Score: 2
I read this book based on an online recommendation where I input authors that I liked and they gave me the suggestion of reading Matthew Reilly. I did like the book, there was plenty of non-stop action/adventure, was an unpredictable, non-formula story. The only thing lacking in the book was character development. We are introduced to several characters throughout the book, but I never really connected with any of them because they were superficial. But considering this was Matthew Reilly's first book, written when he was 19, I definitely plan on reading more of his books. I expect more non-stop action/adventure, and hope to see more character development.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book! I couldn't put it down. Read it in one night...super fast pace!
This is a SF thriller about a man struggling to stay alive in an interstellar contest that can have only one surviving participant. It's a fast-paced, easy read with lots of action. Fans of Rollins and the Child/Preston writing team will likely enjoy this book.
Helpful Score: 1
Matthew Reilly has established himself as a good writer of techno-thrillers and hyperthrillers. This book offers more of the same in the form of an intergalactic battle to the death in a labrinyth (which is actually the New York Public Library). The aliens and their guides provide much of the action as well as humor. Dr. Stephen Swain, the human chosen to represent his species in the contest, finds himself battling assorted humanoid and reptilian species while trying to keep his young daughter free from harm. It's more slam-bang than, say,the stories of Isaac Asimov, but it's a very good read for a rainy day.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THIS BOOK. THE PRENOTE TELLS YOU THAT IT WAS NOT THAT GOOD OF A SELLER BECAUSE IT IS THE AUTHORS FIRST BOOK, BUT THAT WAS WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. ACTION PACKED FROM BEGINNING TO END IS ALL I CAN SAY. THIS BOOK HAD ME TURNING PAGES JUST TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. GREAT FAST PACED READ THAT WILL KEEP YOU UP. THE INDIGNATION, GALL, AND GENERAL SCENARIO OF THE STORY LINE WILL INCENSE AND ANGER YOU, THEN PULL YOU IN UNTIL YOU CANT SIT STILL FOR THE SUSPENSE. GREAT JOB MATTHEW. IT MAY BE HIS FIRST BUT IT IS DEFINITELY ONE OF HIS BEST.
This is a very very good book, it borders on horror and scifi but it is written so well it just draws you in from the very first and it is hard to put down!
This was an awesome book! I read late into the night because I just couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it.
I really enjoyed this book, read it over three evenings. It's a somewhat far fetched tale, but is highly entertaining and certainly keeps you turning the pages.
Non stop action packed book.
"Contest" is my second book by Matthew Reilly. Though it had a few problems, I actually did enjoy it.
It it easy to tell this was his first book. At some points it was almost like reading a cartoon...an enjoyable cartoon.
The book is very fast-paced, taking place in only a few hours with nonstop fight scenes and an incredible lineup of happy coincidences.
The premise of the book is really not all that original, but he has developed some original aliens and situations. And the addition of Swain's daughter was an interesting wild card.
I already have another of Reilly's books on my TBR stack.
It it easy to tell this was his first book. At some points it was almost like reading a cartoon...an enjoyable cartoon.
The book is very fast-paced, taking place in only a few hours with nonstop fight scenes and an incredible lineup of happy coincidences.
The premise of the book is really not all that original, but he has developed some original aliens and situations. And the addition of Swain's daughter was an interesting wild card.
I already have another of Reilly's books on my TBR stack.
Great book! Original concept, far out characters! Couldn't put it down!
This book was outstanding. Non-stop action and suspense. I read it in one night because Matt Reilly honestly does not let you put the book down. 4.5/5 stars for me, this book was amazing for a debut novel. WOW!
I was a little disappointed. Somewhat jumbled at times and often quite unbelievable. Quick paced and an easy read, but could have been much better.
Science Fiction brought right into todays world!
Very good book. Very suspenseful!!!
Hero tossed into a galactic survival game held in a New York library. Lots of aliens, lots of chasing and being chased. A fun no-brainer. Super quick read.
SciFi book with an nteresting idea and individuals. Not for the faint at heart.
What a cool concept! This book was full of surprises.
Very good story of a fight to the death inside the New York Public Library.
Like all Reilly books non stop action. Very fun book.
This book was very exciting, I could not put it down.
Fast paced and wild entertainment - patina of horror about it.
THis is a very good book. The action is really non stop and it is very fun.
This was a great book! Fast paced from beginning to end
Really good read
Fans of Stephen King's "Running Man" will love this book...a similar theme as one man struggles to survive a strange "game"....GREAT book!
Very... interesting. Not quite what I was expecting. Quick read.
Great book. Can't wait to read the next one. All of his books are full of action from the beginning to the end. Would recommend to anyone who likes action filled books.
Dr. Stephen Swain finds himself locked in the after-hours NY Public Library. He's been chosen for a night of fun and games. And he's not alone.
Iyts a real page turner. I couldn't stop till I was done
Book Description
The New York Public Library. A silent sanctuary of knowledge; a 100-year-old labyrinth of towering bookcases, narrow aisles and long marble hallways. For Doctor Stephen Swain and his daughter, Holly, it is the site of a nightmare. Because for one night this historic building is to be the venue for a contest. A contest in which Swain is to compete - whether he likes it or not.
The rules are simple: Seven contestants will enter, only one will leave.
With his daughter in his arms, Stephen Swain is plunged into a terrifying fight for survival. The stakes are high, the odds brutal. He can choose to run, to hide or to fight - but if he wants to live, he has to win. For in this contest, unless you leave as the victor, you do not leave at all.
Readers all over the world have been cheering about Matthew Reilly's lightning fast adventure thrillers. Contest, the action-packed extravaganza that launched this international bestselling career, is vintage Reilly at his explosive best.
My Review
I really enjoyed reading this book as I visited the New York Public Library last December during a charity event I was attending. The building is a wonderful site to set an adventure thriller story in and Matthew Reilly has taken advantage of that. This story has it all - aliens, monsters, adventure, mystery and very unique characters. The plot is an exciting contest and the losers die so that kept the pages turner all the way through. This is an excellent debut novel and makes you want to read more from this talented author. I have read his Jack West Junior trilogy and liked it very much. I do look forward to reading some other novels by Reilly and I would highly recommend this book to those who love adventure thrillers.
The New York Public Library. A silent sanctuary of knowledge; a 100-year-old labyrinth of towering bookcases, narrow aisles and long marble hallways. For Doctor Stephen Swain and his daughter, Holly, it is the site of a nightmare. Because for one night this historic building is to be the venue for a contest. A contest in which Swain is to compete - whether he likes it or not.
The rules are simple: Seven contestants will enter, only one will leave.
With his daughter in his arms, Stephen Swain is plunged into a terrifying fight for survival. The stakes are high, the odds brutal. He can choose to run, to hide or to fight - but if he wants to live, he has to win. For in this contest, unless you leave as the victor, you do not leave at all.
Readers all over the world have been cheering about Matthew Reilly's lightning fast adventure thrillers. Contest, the action-packed extravaganza that launched this international bestselling career, is vintage Reilly at his explosive best.
My Review
I really enjoyed reading this book as I visited the New York Public Library last December during a charity event I was attending. The building is a wonderful site to set an adventure thriller story in and Matthew Reilly has taken advantage of that. This story has it all - aliens, monsters, adventure, mystery and very unique characters. The plot is an exciting contest and the losers die so that kept the pages turner all the way through. This is an excellent debut novel and makes you want to read more from this talented author. I have read his Jack West Junior trilogy and liked it very much. I do look forward to reading some other novels by Reilly and I would highly recommend this book to those who love adventure thrillers.
