From the Bookshelf of Action/Adventure Aficionados…

Ice Hunt

James Rollins

Start date: June 1, 2012

Finish date: June 30, 2012

Discussion: Group Reads

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 82 topics — 878 comments total

Group Reads

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* Group Read Selection Cycle Ten *Selection Period Closed*
By Danielle The… , Literary Adrenaline Junkie · 12 posts · 23 views

last updated Aug 24, 2025 05:21AM

* Group Read Selection Cycle Eight: *Nomination Period Closed on June 2nd* *
By Danielle The… , Literary Adrenaline Junkie · 16 posts · 18 views

last updated Jun 02, 2024 02:03PM

showing 10 of 23 topics view all »

What Members Thought

May 02, 2010 Kasia rated it really liked it

This book has sat inconspicuously next to my computer desk on it's shelf for two years and I don't know what exactly propelled me to pick it up but I'm glad I finally did! I tend to collect adventure stories that reach all corners of the Earth, even go between the layers and I especially love all the ice stories such as this one. The good news is that this book is fantastic, it reads like a movie and sometimes goes in opposite direction of reality and belief but it makes for a heck of a read. Th This book has sat inconspicuously next to my computer desk on it's shelf for two years and I don't know what exactly propelled me to pick it up but I'm glad I finally did! I tend to collect adventure stories that reach all corners of the Earth, even go between the layers and I especially love all the ice stories such as this one. The good news is that this book is fantastic, it reads like a movie and sometimes goes in opposite direction of reality and belief but it makes for a heck of a read. The bad news, it's long, well only 505 pages but Rollins could use a good editor and chop off about a hundred because he loves to write about ever single step everyone takes, especially when it comes to fighting and explaining how to maneuver submarines, helicopters and all sorts of vehicles. Maybe it's a dude thing, maybe if I was a guy I'd love it little more, not sure, but I am patient and still enjoyed the book because the main idea was excellent.

Most of the story revolves around an ice island that has frozen over and over in the Earth's polar ice cap, sharing waters with Alaska, Russia, Finland, Canada and Greenland. Scientists and naval powers haven't seen it in decades but life is being brought back to the island, all because a shape that has moved and caught on the submarine's sonar, all within the abandoned ice station inside, named Ice Station Grendel. Those who read enough and watch fantasy movies will be familiar with the name, but the author has planned more than a cool name for a station, it's not as much of a moniker as a foreshadowing what caused its demise and what will bring terror back into the icy waters. The station looks like an upside down cone, spiraling levels with labs, a cave and even a submarine gate, all encased in clear blue ice, with people running though it once again. I loved reading how the tunnels in an ice island felt like, the eerie cold and quiet one felt when alone, probably the loneliest place to be, deep under water, but not really alone, there's something else down there...

There are good guys, bad guys, and those who simply cannot make their minds up as the reader is catapulted into a journey of fighting governments, secret project cover ups and tons of action. My head was spinning from the armaments and mental battles going on and I felt like I was reading a movie, it was an amazing experience, but like I said little lengthy. After reading Ice Hunt I'm ready to tackle more of Rollins, but after my toes unfreeze, I feel as if I have been dipping them in ice water the whole time, because that's all there is.

Great ending, lots of twists and turns and some nasty surprises crawling throng those quiet tunnels. Those who love action, science and adventure with a little mystery threw in will enjoy this tremendously. What starts of as a scientific mission turns into a tale that takes a bite out of the reader, a rather good bite too, so enjoy and watch that water...it only appears safe.
...more

24 likes · Like · see review

Aug 05, 2009 Alice rated it it was ok

Shelves: good-to-go, got-gore

Not my favorite of Rollins by any means.

Like · see review

Dec 31, 2009 Lee rated it liked it

Good thrills and action under the frozen sea.

Like · see review

Dec 27, 2013 Kim rated it liked it

Shelves: james-rollins-and-others-like-him

I picked this up with hesitation and because I was desprate. I was surpiringly but not surprised that this was a great read. one of my favorite sigma series characters was in this book. the plot started slowish but definitely got better. as this is one of rollins earlier books it is clear thathe is less subtle with thrill writing techniques, for example the mysterious floor number four. overall I am glad I read it and will probably pick up another early rollins novl in the future.

Like · see review