Review: Seven Ancient Wonders

Seven Ancient Wonders by Matthew Reilly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**Re-read 07/20**

Not gonna lie - Reilly's writing is completely outrageous.

I am 100% here for it.

It's so over-the-top and action-packed and full of miraculous moments and impressive saves and I FKN LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

This book introduces us to one of my favourite fictional heroes: Jack West Jr. He's basically a badass blend of John McClane, Indiana Jones and Aragorn from LOTR - some of my faves right there - and he's accompanied by a hardcore team of warriors from around the globe as they race to find pieces of an ancient artefact that was long ago divided into seven parts and hidden in the seven ancient wonders of the world. Along for the ride is Lily - a vital piece of the puzzle, despite the fact that, apart from an uncanny gift for languages, she's a pretty normal ten-year-old.

It jumps straight into the action, with the team racing against vicious opposing forces to conquer an ancient system of traps to recover the first segment. The traps are wonderfully creative throughout the entire novel - as are the solutions to overcoming them. This is pretty consistent throughout the series - always interesting puzzles to solve! Naturally, not everyone gets out alive ... and we get some nice graphic depictions of these deaths. I mean, what's the point in having a pit full of crocs if no one is going to fall in, right?!

I love the sheer madness of the adventure and the creativity of the traps and deaths and the puzzles of the ancient wonders. I love the history that is integrated, and how real, factual information has been twisted to fit the story so neatly. I particularly love the pictures and diagrams that allow me to understand the locations and visualise everything so much better.

Jack's team is also full of some really lovable characters. Reilly's writing style means none of them are safe, but that makes the risk-taking that much more exciting, and you really do pick your faves and hope they make it out okay. There are also some beautiful moments seeing these hardcore warriors reveal their softer sides in their dealings with young Lily, who is a very clever kid. There's a bird, too - speaking of clever.

It's not particularly realistic by any means but it is fast, fascinating, and action-packed. There are no boring bits, and there are plenty of heroes and villains and violent deaths. There's a bit of mystery surrounding the puzzles of the pieces and the ancient history adds a depth to all the gung-ho that makes it a more intellectual offering perhaps than Reilly's other popular Scarecrow series.

It's also a complete adventure on its own while still leaving plenty of desire for a sequel. (Lucky for us there are already five more, with the sixth book in the series coming out October this year and a promised 7th to conclude the series.)

Honestly I love this series so it was so much fun to go back and re-read the story where it all began! Highly recommend for the action-lovers, the treasure-hunters and those who enjoy ancient history with a side of modern violence. How can you not want to read it with that plug, am I right?


**Original review 08/15**

Another brilliantly ridiculous, action-packed novel by Matthew Reilly. Firstly, if you enjoy realistic situations, forget it. There is far too much coincidence for anyone looking for realism. On the other hand, if you like fast and hard action with fascinating variety and an element of mystery, this delivers. Great collection of characters doing batsh*t insane things in crazy situations with very little reprieve. I really enjoyed the overall story of the ancient wonders, and I think it's this theme that makes me prefer this introductory novel to Ice Station. Can't wait to read the next one!

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