Review “Reilly hurls readers into an adrenaline-drenched thrill ride…impossible to put down.” ―Orlando Sentinel“Swain is clever, resourceful, and quick. The action is non-stop…this slam-bang story is great, good fun, and thoroughly entertaining.” ―Tulsa World“Reilly...can inspire awe. Speed demons, take note. ” ―Publishers Weekly“Compared to Matthew Reilly's Temple and his intrepid academic hero, Professor William Race, Indiana Jones is a wimp and The Raiders of The Lost Ark a snooze fest. Reilly's book has adrenaline in super-sized quantities.” ―The Orlando Sentinel on Temple Read more From the Back Cover New York Times bestselling author Matthew Reilly's thrillers have tantalized readers with their unique storylines and explosive suspense. Now in Contest, Matthew Reilly raises the bar once again in his most clever and remarkable novel yet…THE CONTEST: YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE COME TRUEDr. Stephen Swain has found himself locked in the after-hours darkness of the New York Public Library. It isn't a mistake. He's been entombed in the historic sanctuary for a reason―as the guest of an unknown host, chosen for a night of fun and games. He's unprepared. He's afraid. And he's not alone.THE RULE:KILL ANYTHING THAT MOVESSix other contestants roam the black halls, room by room, floor by floor, in the dead silence. Each strapped with an explosive set to detonate should they escape before the night is over. The terms are simple: seven players enter―only one will leave.THE REWARD:YOUR LIFENow Swain must navigate the labyrinth to outwit the unknown moves of his mysterious opponents, and to outlast the unimaginable dangers that await him. Against insurmountable odds the contest has begun. Should he win, the greatest, most unfathomable terror lies at the night's end: the very reason behind the game…"Reilly hurls readers into an adrenaline-drenched thrill ride…impossible to put down."―Orlando Sentinel"Swain is clever, resourceful, and quick. The action is non-stop…this slam-bang story is great, good fun, and thoroughly entertaining."--Tulsa World Read more See all Editorial Reviews
L**P
Lots of Nonstop Action!
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.
L**H
Aliens with a unique twist!
This is a great book. It is based on a unique premise. Steven Swain and his daughter are transported by aliens into a combat maze. This particular maze is the New York Public Library. He and is daughter are being hunted and the only way to get out, is to win to-the-death combat with 7 aliens. The library is surrounded by an impenetrable electrical force field. Then, of course, you have the U.S. military and FBI trying to get inside, so even if he got out, someone else would be after them! It's fun, it's fast, it's wonderful!
M**K
Face paced sci fi action and adventure
I love pretty much everything Matthew Reilly writes. His books are so fast paced and action packed that i have not encountered any other author like him. This is one of his first books, but I still have to re-read it from time to time. So much fun
A**R
Review
Good book.from start to finish you can't put it down and if you do you will keep going back to the book.It grips you that much you have to see it to the end.
B**N
Action? Sure. But the characters make this novel great
Matthew Reilly is an action writer, there's no doubt. He can sustain heart-stopping battle scenes that go on for pages.But honestly, what makes Contest a great book is the character development. These are interesting people that you really care about. The evil is not two-dimensional and neither is the good -- Dr. Swain is a complex, fascinating hero and the main evil alien, Balthazar, is as well-developed.If Matthew Reilly didn't have an incredible talent for creating characters that matter, his novels wouldn't have you on the edge of your seat. They do. Contest will really take you away. You'll be glad you went for the ride. Have fun!
A**.
Action Packed Original Alien Adventure!!
Contest by Matthew Reilly was a thrill ride from start to finish! This story of a contest held throughout the universe was packed with fun and excitement. I highly recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a good book, no matter the genre since it covers so many. I wish I'd read it sooner!!
B**M
Loved the adventure
Enjoyable read for me, the story moved quickly and kept me addicted. Loved the adventure, the characters and the idea. I am a fan of Matthew Reilly's Jack West stories although not my usual genre, but I always read his stories too quickly because I can't put them down
L**N
Excellent book. Disppointing format
i have loved this book ever since i first read it 4 years ago, but i am disappointed in the Kindle version. There are a number of spelling errors and some sentences where the words used just dont make any sense. Add to that the occassional missing sentance where an entire line or two is missing and just a blank section sits on the page. The book itself is an excellent read and full of enough excitement to where you cant put it down.
Trustpilot
1 week ago
3 days ago
