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From the Bookshelf of Action/Adventure Aficionados…

Contest

Matthew Reilly

Start date: June 1, 2014

Finish date: June 30, 2014

Discussion: Group Reads

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* Group Read Selection Cycle Nine: *Nominations period ends on February 21st*
By Danielle The… , Literary Adrenaline Junkie · 8 posts · 17 views

last updated Feb 05, 2025 11:19AM

* Group Read Selection Cycle Eight: *Nomination Period Closed on June 2nd* *
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What Members Thought

Dec 01, 2008 Danielle The Book Huntress rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorite-or-autobuy-author, alien, books-about-books, 2014-cover-to-cover-challenge, action-adventure-group-read, action-adventure, a-game-that-s-not-a-game, science-fiction, owned-copy, nerd-prof-scientist-genius-geek

I will never forget the moment I formed a bond with an Australian author named Matthew Reilly. It was a spur of the moment thing. If I had not grabbed a book off the shelf of the San Diego Public Library called Ice Station, I might not be writing this review. But I did, and it changed my life.

I cut my teeth on action movies. I started watching them when I was very young, and they hold a special place in my heart. While I am a romance novel and fantasy book fan first and foremost, I have always l I will never forget the moment I formed a bond with an Australian author named Matthew Reilly. It was a spur of the moment thing. If I had not grabbed a book off the shelf of the San Diego Public Library called Ice Station, I might not be writing this review. But I did, and it changed my life.

I cut my teeth on action movies. I started watching them when I was very young, and they hold a special place in my heart. While I am a romance novel and fantasy book fan first and foremost, I have always loved a good action yarn. But I had no idea that they had books that gave the adrenaline jolt that a good action movie could deliver. Matt Reilly taught me differently.

But I can admit I did feel a bit nervous to read his first book. I think it's different when you read a first book first from an author you come to love and buy the telephone book if he/she wrote it. You see their talent and writing skill develop and progress for the better. But when you go back, even when you love their writing, you still feel like you'll cringe at the boo-boos because you have their later work to compare to it.

I like that Reilly wrote an afterword and explained the process of getting this published, and admitting that he revised it, and what was changed and what wasn't. I can see that his writing has improved, but what makes him a favorite of mine is essentially there. He has a way of building a story methodically and setting the scene without extra frills. Nothing is introduced for a lack of reason. It all plays a role, sooner or later. I like that about his writing. I love that he can keep me on the edge of my seat, and he has a way of sustaining tension. I go from thinking the character is toast, and then watching the situation turn around so they manage to get out of that tough situation.

While Reilly's writing is not exactly focused on character development, but always he gives us a main character who gains my loyalty. That was the case with Swain. Swain is a normal guy who steps up to the plate to be a hero when the situation calls for it. It's this trait that gets him into the bizarre situation of being chosen as the third human in 6000 years to compete in the galactic combat competition that takes place in the New York Public Library. He had to compete and he had to make it to the end, but that didn't mean he'd compromise his ethics in the meantime. In that way, character development is crucial even in this fast-paced book.

I liked the twist that Swain's daughter is present. I think it changes the dynamic considerably. He not only has to watch out for himself, but keep his daughter safe, and that changes the decisions that he makes throughout the story. I have a soft spot for heroes who are dads, so that definitely warmed me to him. Holly is not just a prop or a plot point, she does play a significant role in this book, within reason, for a seven-year-old in such a dangerous situation.

I was curious to see who the other combatants would be, and I admit, I was a tad disappointed with the makeup. I wanted more sentient combatants. But Reilly says in his afterward that he wanted to write a monster story, so that explains why the other combatants are mostly monsters. At any rate, I still liked what I got, and I especially liked that Swain was outnumbered and outgunned, but he still managed to turn things around. His way of doing it was cool too. He wasn’t a pumped up muscle man, but a thinker and an analyzer, from beginning to end. Some of his success was due to providence, luck, and assistance from others, but overall, you get the impression that Swain was the right guy to handle the situation.

“Contest” is surprisingly less gory than some of Reilly’s later works. I’m kind of glad about that, since I cringed when characters I liked died violently in his later books. I’m not putting him down. I love the guy, but I do wish his books weren’t so gory at times.

“Contest” is a roller-coaster ride, good old science fiction action adventure with monsters. While it broke my heart to see the beautiful library and its priceless books destroyed, I’m glad it was just fiction, and in a way, it’s cool to blow up something like that with impunity in a fiction story (I guess). My book-loving heart can’t stand the idea of a library getting nuked, and I mourned it along with the deaths of other characters in this book.

I’d recommend this book to readers who really like action/adventure and an everyman hero who is in over his head, but still manages to save the day.
...more

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Mar 13, 2025 Cam rated it it was amazing

I read this for the second time with my middle schooler because I knew he would like it. He really enjoyed the fast paced monster thriller.

3 likes · Like · see review

Sep 27, 2012 Lisa P rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-star, aaa-2014-challenge

Lots of nonstop action...exactly what I would expect from a Matthew Reilly story. It is an intergalactic competition to the death. Seven aliens, each from different galaxies, are put into an arena (in this case it is the New York Public Library)...nobody gets in or out until it's over. The rules are that they fight until only one is left alive. Representing earth is Dr. Stephen Swain, who has no idea what is happening, until he is suddenly transported to the arena as the competition begins. An u Lots of nonstop action...exactly what I would expect from a Matthew Reilly story. It is an intergalactic competition to the death. Seven aliens, each from different galaxies, are put into an arena (in this case it is the New York Public Library)...nobody gets in or out until it's over. The rules are that they fight until only one is left alive. Representing earth is Dr. Stephen Swain, who has no idea what is happening, until he is suddenly transported to the arena as the competition begins. An unfortunate twist is that his seven year old daughter is accidentally transported with him, so not only does he have to keep himself alive, but his daughter as well. What I like most about this story is that Swain is the "unlikely hero"...he is not a fighter in real life, but saves lives instead. When thrust into this new world, he must rely on his intellect and quick thinking to stay alive. He also doesn't subscribe to the "kill or be killed" mantra...Even though he is battling for his own life, he still wants to be the "good guy" and save others if possible...If there is a way to change the rules of the game, he will find it! This doesn't mean at all that he is afraid to fight in any way...he can and does carry his own with the best of them...it just means that he isn't just about the killing. I wasn't too keen on the descriptions of all the aliens...they were just ok to me. This is a place where the author could have really used his imagination, and I felt that he just fell short here. What I enjoyed the most was all the action...Just as soon as Swain got out of one life threatening predicament, he was in another just as quickly. The fight scenes were definitely "over the top" and not realistic at all...but I didn't mind because the book was just a lot of fun...a little gory perhaps, but fun nonetheless! Matthew Reilly is one of my go to authors for action/adventure, and I will definitely read more of his in the near future. If you like Michael Crichton or James Rollins, you will like Matthew Reilly. ...more

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Jun 25, 2009 Alice rated it did not like it

Shelves: good-to-go

I'm glad I didn't read this novel first or I wouldn't have read anymore of his work. Ugh. ...more

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Jun 04, 2014 Dawn rated it really liked it

Liked the book, love the action but we could tell that it was a first book. I am not a fantasy fan, so that probably is more the reason for the 4 stars and the fact that I did not fully appreciate the story. For a part fantasy, I liked it and love other Matthew Reilly books I have read.

Read this one due to a book club read with discussions on Goodreads

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Dec 30, 2009 Lee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: action-adventure

For a debut thriller, Mr. Reilly gives the reader one hell of a fun time. Sure there were a few times, that our hero (Swain) should not have made it out of a certain predictement...but, heh, he had his young daughter to save. Don't want to give away the other contestants, Swain has to do battle with to try survive a night locked in the New York City Library. But...pure Reilly imangination and adventure, fantasy fun. ...more

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