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Contest
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.
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.
330 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1996
About the author
Matthew Reilly
80 books5,946 followersBorn in Sydney in 1974, Matthew Reilly was not always a big fan of reading. It was only after he read To Kill A Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies in Year 10 that he realised reading could transport you to another world. Following this revelation, Matthew soon began creating stories of his own and set about writing his first novel, Contest, at the age of 19 while still at university studying law.
Following rejections from all the major publishers, Matthew self-published Contest in 1996, printing 1000 copies. He produced a big-budget-looking novel which he sold into bookshops throughout Sydney, one shop at a time.
In January 1997, a Commissioning Editor for Pan Macmillan Australia walked into Angus & Robertson's Pitt Street Mall store and bought a copy of Contest. The editor tracked Matthew down through his contact details in the front of the book. Interestingly, those original self-published editions of Contest have now become much sought after collectors' items. One recently sold on eBay for $1200!
Matthew Reilly is now the internationally bestselling author of the Scarecrow novels: Ice Station, Area 7, Scarecrow, Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves and the novella Hell Island; the Jack West novels: Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones, The Five Greatest Warriors, The Four Legendary Kingdoms, and The Three Secret Cities; and the standalone novels Contest, Temple, Hover Car Racer, The Tournament, Troll Mountain, The Great Zoo of China and The Secret Runners of New York.
His books are published in over 20 languages with worldwide sales of over 7 million copies.
Since Seven Ancient Wonders in 2005, Matthew's novels have been the biggest selling new fiction title released in Australia for that year.
Matthew has also written several short stories, including Roger Ascham and the King's Lost Girl, a special free prequel to The Tournament which is available online. Other short stories include Time Tours, The Mine and the hyper-adrenalised romp, Altitude Rush.
He owns and drives a DeLorean DMC-12, the car made famous in the Back to the Future movies. He also has a life-sized Han Solo in carbonite hanging on the wall of his office! When not writing or penning a film script, Matthew can be found on the golf course.
Matthew Reilly is currently living in Los Angeles.
(source: Amazon)
Following rejections from all the major publishers, Matthew self-published Contest in 1996, printing 1000 copies. He produced a big-budget-looking novel which he sold into bookshops throughout Sydney, one shop at a time.
In January 1997, a Commissioning Editor for Pan Macmillan Australia walked into Angus & Robertson's Pitt Street Mall store and bought a copy of Contest. The editor tracked Matthew down through his contact details in the front of the book. Interestingly, those original self-published editions of Contest have now become much sought after collectors' items. One recently sold on eBay for $1200!
Matthew Reilly is now the internationally bestselling author of the Scarecrow novels: Ice Station, Area 7, Scarecrow, Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves and the novella Hell Island; the Jack West novels: Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones, The Five Greatest Warriors, The Four Legendary Kingdoms, and The Three Secret Cities; and the standalone novels Contest, Temple, Hover Car Racer, The Tournament, Troll Mountain, The Great Zoo of China and The Secret Runners of New York.
His books are published in over 20 languages with worldwide sales of over 7 million copies.
Since Seven Ancient Wonders in 2005, Matthew's novels have been the biggest selling new fiction title released in Australia for that year.
Matthew has also written several short stories, including Roger Ascham and the King's Lost Girl, a special free prequel to The Tournament which is available online. Other short stories include Time Tours, The Mine and the hyper-adrenalised romp, Altitude Rush.
He owns and drives a DeLorean DMC-12, the car made famous in the Back to the Future movies. He also has a life-sized Han Solo in carbonite hanging on the wall of his office! When not writing or penning a film script, Matthew can be found on the golf course.
Matthew Reilly is currently living in Los Angeles.
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 809 reviews
September 27, 2024
A relentless, adrenaline-charged thriller that hurls readers into a no-holds-barred battle for survival. From the very first page, the novel propels you into a high-stakes contest, where seven contestants from vastly different worlds are trapped inside the New York Public Library, fighting to the death until only one emerges victorious.
This opening sets the tone for an epic, intergalactic showdown. But as the story unfolds, it felt more like an elaborate "Escape Room" with aliens than the grand cosmic tournament I had envisioned. Still, considering this was Reilly’s debut novel in 1996, it’s impressive in scope and ambition. That said, some elements stretch believability, and the subplot involving the NSA detracted from the main story, dulling the intensity of the actual contest.
Reilly’s writing is brisk and cinematic, with intense action sequences that practically leap off the page. His vivid descriptions make you feel the cold concrete floors, hear the spine-chilling screeches of unseen alien predators lurking in the shadows, and experience the visceral panic of gunfire and explosions reverberating through the vast halls. The novel’s relentless pacing ensures you're constantly on edge, with little time to catch your breath between the next bout of chaos.
What sets “Contest” apart from other survival thrillers is the emotional weight Reilly introduces through the protagonist. Instead of the typical lone-wolf hero, we follow Swain, a father fighting not only for his own life but for his daughter's survival. This dynamic adds an emotional resonance that's rare in the (fight-to-die game) genre, elevating the stakes beyond mere survival. Swain’s everyman heroism makes him likable and relatable, though the alien contestants could have benefited from more development, which would have made the contest itself feel richer and more layered.
One aspect that may throw readers familiar with the real New York Public Library is Reilly’s portrayal of the location. The discrepancies between his description and the actual setting can be jarring. Luckily for me, a foreigner, I initially brushed this off, assuming there were multiple branches or that the building had undergone changes since my last visit. =))
Despite its occasional missteps and odd plot points, “Contest” is pure escapism—an intense, heart-pounding thrill ride from start to finish. I wouldn’t have stumbled upon this hidden gem if it weren't for Thibault’s compelling review, and though it’s not my usual fare, I found myself swept up in the intense ride it provided. As a debut novel, it’s an impressive showcase of Reilly’s knack for cinematic action, though I couldn’t shake the feeling that the "ultimate contest" could’ve been pushed further, given its grand premise. Nonetheless, it’s a solid entry point into the wild worlds Reilly builds, and it left me curious to see how his storytelling evolves from here.
“You have been chosen to represent your species in the ultimate contest in the universe. A contest that dates back over six millennia, that bases itself on a principle that goes light years beyond any notion of 'sport' that you could possibly imagine. That is the Presidian. It is a battle. A battle between hunters, athletes, warriors; creatures coming from every corner of the universe, possessed of skill, courage and intelligence, prepared to stake their very lives on their extraordinary talents — talents at hunting, stalking and killing.”
This opening sets the tone for an epic, intergalactic showdown. But as the story unfolds, it felt more like an elaborate "Escape Room" with aliens than the grand cosmic tournament I had envisioned. Still, considering this was Reilly’s debut novel in 1996, it’s impressive in scope and ambition. That said, some elements stretch believability, and the subplot involving the NSA detracted from the main story, dulling the intensity of the actual contest.
Reilly’s writing is brisk and cinematic, with intense action sequences that practically leap off the page. His vivid descriptions make you feel the cold concrete floors, hear the spine-chilling screeches of unseen alien predators lurking in the shadows, and experience the visceral panic of gunfire and explosions reverberating through the vast halls. The novel’s relentless pacing ensures you're constantly on edge, with little time to catch your breath between the next bout of chaos.
What sets “Contest” apart from other survival thrillers is the emotional weight Reilly introduces through the protagonist. Instead of the typical lone-wolf hero, we follow Swain, a father fighting not only for his own life but for his daughter's survival. This dynamic adds an emotional resonance that's rare in the (fight-to-die game) genre, elevating the stakes beyond mere survival. Swain’s everyman heroism makes him likable and relatable, though the alien contestants could have benefited from more development, which would have made the contest itself feel richer and more layered.
One aspect that may throw readers familiar with the real New York Public Library is Reilly’s portrayal of the location. The discrepancies between his description and the actual setting can be jarring. Luckily for me, a foreigner, I initially brushed this off, assuming there were multiple branches or that the building had undergone changes since my last visit. =))
Despite its occasional missteps and odd plot points, “Contest” is pure escapism—an intense, heart-pounding thrill ride from start to finish. I wouldn’t have stumbled upon this hidden gem if it weren't for Thibault’s compelling review, and though it’s not my usual fare, I found myself swept up in the intense ride it provided. As a debut novel, it’s an impressive showcase of Reilly’s knack for cinematic action, though I couldn’t shake the feeling that the "ultimate contest" could’ve been pushed further, given its grand premise. Nonetheless, it’s a solid entry point into the wild worlds Reilly builds, and it left me curious to see how his storytelling evolves from here.
November 2, 2018
**Re-read 11/18**
Yep, still love everything about this book.
Savage aliens ✔
Explosions ✔
Blood and gore ✔
Epic chase scenes ✔
Dumb people getting what they deserve ✔
Unpredictable fight scenes ✔
Creative deaths ✔
Reluctant hero ✔
It's so FAST and EXPLOSIVE and has so much FIERCENESS and I just ... *happy sigh*
Plus it's set in a library and honestly, what book lover doesn't love a library setting?
RIP though to all those books that got slimed, or bloodied, or shredded, or burnt ... etc. *moment of silence*
***
**21/10/18**
Re-reading this book ASAP. I need to remind myself of the reasons I still love it so much.
***
It's been a while since I've found a book that I find impossible to put down! I read Contest in two days, despite having to work. The pace was nice and fast, there was always something interesting happening and the characters were cleverly created. Highly addictive and straight to my favourites list!
Yep, still love everything about this book.
Savage aliens ✔
Explosions ✔
Blood and gore ✔
Epic chase scenes ✔
Dumb people getting what they deserve ✔
Unpredictable fight scenes ✔
Creative deaths ✔
Reluctant hero ✔
It's so FAST and EXPLOSIVE and has so much FIERCENESS and I just ... *happy sigh*
Plus it's set in a library and honestly, what book lover doesn't love a library setting?
RIP though to all those books that got slimed, or bloodied, or shredded, or burnt ... etc. *moment of silence*
***
**21/10/18**
Re-reading this book ASAP. I need to remind myself of the reasons I still love it so much.
***
It's been a while since I've found a book that I find impossible to put down! I read Contest in two days, despite having to work. The pace was nice and fast, there was always something interesting happening and the characters were cleverly created. Highly addictive and straight to my favourites list!
December 21, 2022
When Doctor Stephen Swain and his daughter Holly were teleported to the New York State Library, it was the beginning of a few hours of absolute terror. Swain learned from his guide, Selexin, that the Presidian contest had seven contestants - one of whom was Swain himself. The library was surrounded by an electric current and there was no way out. Swain - along with the other contestants - wore a wrist watch which couldn't be removed. The last contestant alive would be the one who left the library. But in the meantime, Swain had to protect Holly as well as find a way out of the mess they were in, while trying to avoid the creatures from other dimensions that were trying to kill him...
First published in 1996, Contest is Aussie author Matthew Reilly's debut novel. I first read it in 2003; now, almost twenty years later, I've thoroughly enjoyed it again. With an explosive pace, full of incredible action, and an unputdownable storyline, I devoured it. Mr Reilly has a great talent at his fingertips - I loved The Secret Runners of New York when it was released; it's along the same lines as this one. Highly recommended.
First published in 1996, Contest is Aussie author Matthew Reilly's debut novel. I first read it in 2003; now, almost twenty years later, I've thoroughly enjoyed it again. With an explosive pace, full of incredible action, and an unputdownable storyline, I devoured it. Mr Reilly has a great talent at his fingertips - I loved The Secret Runners of New York when it was released; it's along the same lines as this one. Highly recommended.
August 18, 2024
Dr Stephen Swain and his daughter Holly all of a sudden find themselves transported into the New York State Library.
The library has been sealed by a mysterious alien. And inside the library are the contestants chosen by said alien to represent their species in an intergalactic contest of life and death. Because there can only be one contestant left standing in the end.
It’s like a science fiction version of Hunger Games but with a lot more focus on the thrilling action scenes, and there are some good twists and turns. The aliens are very cool and even a bit scary antagonists. Bellos in particular is a fierce competitor from the get-go, he has come well-prepared to this contest and his eagerness to cheat to achieve his victory makes it easy to root against him. The protagonist in comparison has nothing going for him in terms of actual fighting skills, doesn’t know anything about this contest or the opponents he’s facing, and he even has the added disadvantage of having to protect his daughter while running for his life. This makes him an easy to root for underdog protagonist even if he isn’t exactly the most fleshed out character you’ll ever come across.
Contest is Matthew Reilly’s first book. He decided to self-publish it after getting rejected by every major publisher in Australia. This is basically a good example of an author betting on himself and it paying off big. As Matthew Reilly himself says in the beginning of this book, he wanted to write a superfast-paced, absolutely non-stop thriller. And that’s pretty much exactly what this is for the most part. This was Matthew Reilly’s first book, so don’t expect perfection in this regard. But that kind of fast-paced and action-packed style became his signature as an author as he improved his skills over the years. And here we see the very foundations of that style being built as we’re flying through the pages.
Matthew Reilly’s writing definitely did improve after writing and publishing his first book. But even though it has some flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.
The library has been sealed by a mysterious alien. And inside the library are the contestants chosen by said alien to represent their species in an intergalactic contest of life and death. Because there can only be one contestant left standing in the end.
It’s like a science fiction version of Hunger Games but with a lot more focus on the thrilling action scenes, and there are some good twists and turns. The aliens are very cool and even a bit scary antagonists. Bellos in particular is a fierce competitor from the get-go, he has come well-prepared to this contest and his eagerness to cheat to achieve his victory makes it easy to root against him. The protagonist in comparison has nothing going for him in terms of actual fighting skills, doesn’t know anything about this contest or the opponents he’s facing, and he even has the added disadvantage of having to protect his daughter while running for his life. This makes him an easy to root for underdog protagonist even if he isn’t exactly the most fleshed out character you’ll ever come across.
Contest is Matthew Reilly’s first book. He decided to self-publish it after getting rejected by every major publisher in Australia. This is basically a good example of an author betting on himself and it paying off big. As Matthew Reilly himself says in the beginning of this book, he wanted to write a superfast-paced, absolutely non-stop thriller. And that’s pretty much exactly what this is for the most part. This was Matthew Reilly’s first book, so don’t expect perfection in this regard. But that kind of fast-paced and action-packed style became his signature as an author as he improved his skills over the years. And here we see the very foundations of that style being built as we’re flying through the pages.
Matthew Reilly’s writing definitely did improve after writing and publishing his first book. But even though it has some flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.
June 13, 2014
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.
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.
September 29, 2017
Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
– T. S. Eliot
The year is 1996 and The New York Public Library has just become the venue for the seventh Presidian. It is a contest that is held once every thousand years, every time on a different world and the contestants are warriors chosen from each of the seventh worlds that exist. A battle where seven contestants enter the labyrinth and only one leaves. A contest to the death.
Earth is the only world who doesn’t have knowledge about this contest but with every Presidian a human is chosen to enter and none has ever won. Doctor Stephen Swain is the unlucky seventh contestant chosen and by accident his eight year old daughter is transported with him to the Library where he is forced to fight beings much more alien, stronger and ruthless than him, warriors who have no problem killing in order to be left the last one standing.
Contest is easily the fastest of all my books. It is like a sports car stripped down to its raw components—wheels, frame, engine. No fancy paintwork. No fancy upholstery. Just raw non-stop energy.
I just had to add this quote from the author because it states so perfectly what a ride this book was!!! This superfast-paced, nonstop-action sci-fi thriller captivated my attention from the first page and it did not let go for one second until the final page. It’s impossible to say anything else without giving away the story but this book WAS AMAZING AND MIND-BLOWINGLY AWESOME and had me mesmerized the entire book. It was the perfect palate cleanser to get me out of my book slump. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
March 22, 2016
Wow!!! What an exciting book! A contest fought to the death by 7 contestants. 6 are from other worlds, one is an unwitting human. Unfortunately, his 5 year old daughter is with him. (Kid's gonna need some serious therapy) This book is packed with excitement and amazing bravery. Loved it! But, come on! The New York Library? No!! Too sad.
July 29, 2022
2,5 estrellas en realidad.
Novela de acción y ciencia ficción extremadamente cliché, con aire ochentero hasta la médula, pero que de seguro entretendrá a lectores menos exigentes.
La trama va de un juego intergaláctico donde en un laberinto, que acá resulta ser la biblioteca publica de Nueva York, encierran a siete representantes de distintas razas alienígenas, que de los seres humanos resulta ser un doctor, para que se maten hasta que solo quede uno.
Como verás, la premisa es extremadamente sensilla. El gran problema es que esto ya se ha hecho un montón de veces por otros autores y se ha hecho mucho mejor. Juegos del Hambre, Battle royale, entre otros. Con la diferencia que aquellas novelas tienen un trasfondo mucho más interesante, con giros de trama y revelaciones que te mantienen interesado. Pues acá no, "siete entran, uno sale" Y eso es básicamente lo que encontraremos acá. En medio está la hija de 8 años teletransportada por accidente al laberinto, pero no hace gran diferencia, la trama sigue su curso lineal sin grandes sorpresas. Deus ex machina de por medio y algunos pocos intentos del autor por hacernos creer que los protagonistas corren verdadero peligro, pero ya sabemos de antemano cómo va a terminar todo. Y es que la trama es tan cliché que la última escena que nos muestra su autor es la policía y la ambulancia, con sus sirenas incluida, llegando al lugar de la acción cuando ya todo concluye. Igual que la mayoría de las películas ochenteras que hemos visto.
La pluma de Reilly también es decepcionante... Sí, también soy el tipo de lector que le gusta destacar frases célebres o pasajes bien logrados por un autor. Y esta novela, la verdad, es de las pocas en las que no he encontrado nada destacable. El autor narra todo de manera cinematográfica, como si hubiera escrito el libro pensando en una película más que en una novela. Por lo que no se esfuerza nada en entregarnos ningún gran recurso literario, como un gran desarrollo de personajes o grandes descripciones, etc... todo lo narra de forma directa, expedita, por encima, cómo si se tratase de un cuento infantil con trama para adultos con escenas gore y todo el asunto incluido. Pero nuevamente, nada que destacar, ni los aliens ni los intentos de acción constante, ni los intentos por hacernos creer que los personajes están en verdadero peligro funciona. Pues cuenta todo de forma muy básica lo que termina por hacer que no empaticemos o no nos involucremos en ningún momento con los personajes.
Cuando terminé la novela la sentí como una pérdida de espacio valioso en mi biblioteca, la edición no es bonita, su papel no es de calidad y en sus páginas no encontré ningun valor literario. Por lo que se lo regalé a mi prima quién me comentó que le gustó bastante, al menos me alegro que el libro terminase por encontrar a su lector correcto.
Pero en fin, nada que no hayas leído antes. Aun así, si te gustan las aventuras facilonas o eres un adolescente en busca de ciencia ficción sin complicaciones de seguro te hará pasar un buen rato. En lo demás...
¡Historia cliché de escaso valor literario!
Novela de acción y ciencia ficción extremadamente cliché, con aire ochentero hasta la médula, pero que de seguro entretendrá a lectores menos exigentes.
La trama va de un juego intergaláctico donde en un laberinto, que acá resulta ser la biblioteca publica de Nueva York, encierran a siete representantes de distintas razas alienígenas, que de los seres humanos resulta ser un doctor, para que se maten hasta que solo quede uno.
Como verás, la premisa es extremadamente sensilla. El gran problema es que esto ya se ha hecho un montón de veces por otros autores y se ha hecho mucho mejor. Juegos del Hambre, Battle royale, entre otros. Con la diferencia que aquellas novelas tienen un trasfondo mucho más interesante, con giros de trama y revelaciones que te mantienen interesado. Pues acá no, "siete entran, uno sale" Y eso es básicamente lo que encontraremos acá. En medio está la hija de 8 años teletransportada por accidente al laberinto, pero no hace gran diferencia, la trama sigue su curso lineal sin grandes sorpresas. Deus ex machina de por medio y algunos pocos intentos del autor por hacernos creer que los protagonistas corren verdadero peligro, pero ya sabemos de antemano cómo va a terminar todo. Y es que la trama es tan cliché que la última escena que nos muestra su autor es la policía y la ambulancia, con sus sirenas incluida, llegando al lugar de la acción cuando ya todo concluye. Igual que la mayoría de las películas ochenteras que hemos visto.
La pluma de Reilly también es decepcionante... Sí, también soy el tipo de lector que le gusta destacar frases célebres o pasajes bien logrados por un autor. Y esta novela, la verdad, es de las pocas en las que no he encontrado nada destacable. El autor narra todo de manera cinematográfica, como si hubiera escrito el libro pensando en una película más que en una novela. Por lo que no se esfuerza nada en entregarnos ningún gran recurso literario, como un gran desarrollo de personajes o grandes descripciones, etc... todo lo narra de forma directa, expedita, por encima, cómo si se tratase de un cuento infantil con trama para adultos con escenas gore y todo el asunto incluido. Pero nuevamente, nada que destacar, ni los aliens ni los intentos de acción constante, ni los intentos por hacernos creer que los personajes están en verdadero peligro funciona. Pues cuenta todo de forma muy básica lo que termina por hacer que no empaticemos o no nos involucremos en ningún momento con los personajes.
Cuando terminé la novela la sentí como una pérdida de espacio valioso en mi biblioteca, la edición no es bonita, su papel no es de calidad y en sus páginas no encontré ningun valor literario. Por lo que se lo regalé a mi prima quién me comentó que le gustó bastante, al menos me alegro que el libro terminase por encontrar a su lector correcto.
Pero en fin, nada que no hayas leído antes. Aun así, si te gustan las aventuras facilonas o eres un adolescente en busca de ciencia ficción sin complicaciones de seguro te hará pasar un buen rato. En lo demás...
¡Historia cliché de escaso valor literario!
May 22, 2016
3.5 stars
The premise of the story seemed familiar at the start - A contest in which to survive you have got to win .Remember some famous book with similar theme?
Yes, The Hunger Games. But the thing is that 'Contest' was published in 1996 way before Hunger Games.
Also, in this Contest (which takes place every 1000 years), intelligent life forms from 7 different systems or planets (including earth) compete and the winner has to survive the other contestants and a monster known as KARANADON.
Fan-Art I found online:
The contestant from earth is unaware that such a contest exists and only becomes aware of it when teleported to the labyrinth (place where the contest takes place).
The contest takes place on earth and labyrinth is the New York State Library
I do not know how correct the layout of the library is but it was still fun to read!!
Overall a very interesting concept and quiet well written.
So why a 3.5 stars and not more??
The main protagonist who is from earth- Stephen Swain takes the concept of being introduced to the 'Contest' rather calmly to my liking. There was no panic whatsoever. I know his daughter was present with him, still as a reader we did not get to see any signs of hidden panic which was weird.....
Also,
The last 20% with lots of twists and turns was very very good and kept me on the edge of my seat.
The premise of the story seemed familiar at the start - A contest in which to survive you have got to win .Remember some famous book with similar theme?
Yes, The Hunger Games. But the thing is that 'Contest' was published in 1996 way before Hunger Games.
Also, in this Contest (which takes place every 1000 years), intelligent life forms from 7 different systems or planets (including earth) compete and the winner has to survive the other contestants and a monster known as KARANADON.
Fan-Art I found online:
The contestant from earth is unaware that such a contest exists and only becomes aware of it when teleported to the labyrinth (place where the contest takes place).
The contest takes place on earth and labyrinth is the New York State Library
I do not know how correct the layout of the library is but it was still fun to read!!
Overall a very interesting concept and quiet well written.
So why a 3.5 stars and not more??
The main protagonist who is from earth- Stephen Swain takes the concept of being introduced to the 'Contest' rather calmly to my liking. There was no panic whatsoever. I know his daughter was present with him, still as a reader we did not get to see any signs of hidden panic which was weird.....
Also,
The last 20% with lots of twists and turns was very very good and kept me on the edge of my seat.
March 13, 2013
OK, this book is never going to challenge literary heavyweights in the classic states, it won't win prestigious awards that means it will sit on pretentious people's shelves never read, and it definitely won't be given review space among the highbrow books that get featured in the national press.
But, this book is FUN! It's fast, frantic, full of aliens and a very neat context that, had it not been written before publication of The Hunger Games, could be looking at an accusation of plagarism.
I really enjoyed this book. It's a video game and action film mash-up in book form. The fast pace and short chapters swept me along. The main character was warm, funny and a hero you could route for. There were original aliens and plenty of bad guys to root for. Some of the storyline relied a little too much on things SUDDENLY appearing and Swain must have a skeleton of steel to survive his pummeling throughout, but I found myself liking it more and more as I let myself go with the flow.
Sometimes you just want a book that lets you escape out of your head, doesn't ask you to think too much or ponder life's lessons. Contest is ideal holiday reading and I can see it as a really good transition novel that will keep teenage boys reading on in to adulthood.
I will definitely settle down for a thrill ride with Mr Reilly again and I think we all need some books in our lives that makes reading about pure adrenaline kicks that helps to make them cool.
But, this book is FUN! It's fast, frantic, full of aliens and a very neat context that, had it not been written before publication of The Hunger Games, could be looking at an accusation of plagarism.
I really enjoyed this book. It's a video game and action film mash-up in book form. The fast pace and short chapters swept me along. The main character was warm, funny and a hero you could route for. There were original aliens and plenty of bad guys to root for. Some of the storyline relied a little too much on things SUDDENLY appearing and Swain must have a skeleton of steel to survive his pummeling throughout, but I found myself liking it more and more as I let myself go with the flow.
Sometimes you just want a book that lets you escape out of your head, doesn't ask you to think too much or ponder life's lessons. Contest is ideal holiday reading and I can see it as a really good transition novel that will keep teenage boys reading on in to adulthood.
I will definitely settle down for a thrill ride with Mr Reilly again and I think we all need some books in our lives that makes reading about pure adrenaline kicks that helps to make them cool.
June 22, 2022
Filmy scenes, cardboard characters, simplistic/lazy writing, deus ex machina, and sci-fi bordering on satire. But absolutely spiffing unputdownable.
As the action packed sci-fi it aimed to be, this book definitely succeeded. It wasn’t a brilliant life-changing novel of poetic prose, sure, but it did its job. And I loved Selexin and Holly.
A man and his daughter are drawn into a battle to the death called the Presidium. Seven life forms from different galaxies come together once every thousand years to determine superiority. This year’s labyrinth of choice is the New York Public Library. Human’s are the only representatives not aware of this ongoing “contest” and are the only species drawn into the event without consent. Of course, no human has ever won. Enter Dr. Steven Swain and his daughter (via teleportation of course) and the contest is on. Oh – did I forget to mention that there is a big, bad monster that has to be defeated at the end and some annoying interference from NSA?
This was another entertaining book from Mr. Reilly. It is his first novel (originally self published), so a little less intense than the Jack West series. I liked it for that reason. The style of this book also seems to foreshadow some of the author’s favourite elements used in the Jack West series.
As the action packed sci-fi it aimed to be, this book definitely succeeded. It wasn’t a brilliant life-changing novel of poetic prose, sure, but it did its job. And I loved Selexin and Holly.
A man and his daughter are drawn into a battle to the death called the Presidium. Seven life forms from different galaxies come together once every thousand years to determine superiority. This year’s labyrinth of choice is the New York Public Library. Human’s are the only representatives not aware of this ongoing “contest” and are the only species drawn into the event without consent. Of course, no human has ever won. Enter Dr. Steven Swain and his daughter (via teleportation of course) and the contest is on. Oh – did I forget to mention that there is a big, bad monster that has to be defeated at the end and some annoying interference from NSA?
This was another entertaining book from Mr. Reilly. It is his first novel (originally self published), so a little less intense than the Jack West series. I liked it for that reason. The style of this book also seems to foreshadow some of the author’s favourite elements used in the Jack West series.
Shelved as 'to-get-from-liberry'
April 3, 2013oh my god, this sounds bananas!! i must have it.
January 9, 2020
This might be the worst book I've ever read.
There's a reason why "every major publisher in Australia" turned it down.
March 29, 2018
Matthew Reilly is somewhat of a guilty pleasure. I always find his action packed stories to be a perfect way of ‘changing the pace’ between reading longer and more serious items. Kind of in the same way I treat Terry Pratchett books.
Although Reilly (or most writers for that matter) is no where near as good a writer as Pratchett!
This was Reilly’s first book and is no where near as strong as his other novels but it is still a good read and I’d still recommend it to Reilly fans. (Yes, a three star book to me is still a good book!).
The thing I love most about Reilly’s books is how honest they are. He knows it’s all about the action, that it’s sometimes cheesey and unrealistic, but it doesn’t shy away from that or pretend it’s something else. His books are normally sheer, unadulterated fun.
This one is a kind of alien last man standing match << Pretty much sums up the whole book...
Although Reilly (or most writers for that matter) is no where near as good a writer as Pratchett!
This was Reilly’s first book and is no where near as strong as his other novels but it is still a good read and I’d still recommend it to Reilly fans. (Yes, a three star book to me is still a good book!).
The thing I love most about Reilly’s books is how honest they are. He knows it’s all about the action, that it’s sometimes cheesey and unrealistic, but it doesn’t shy away from that or pretend it’s something else. His books are normally sheer, unadulterated fun.
This one is a kind of alien last man standing match << Pretty much sums up the whole book...
November 21, 2020
I probably should have DNF’d it cos it wasn’t my thing. Ah well, if it was an action movie I’d watch it. Just wasn’t overly keen or connected to this as a book. Nothing wrong with it, just my perception and enjoyment.
August 5, 2014
The CONTEST is making yourself read to the end of this novel!
So many have commented on "NON-STOP" action. FALSE! Quick pointless scenes does not equal action. It should however, equal a quick read, but the dialogue, cliché characterization and inconsistencies in so many aspects made getting through the novel as laborious as Holiday festivities with the family and in-laws.
There is nothing FUN or COOL about the concept. The creatures are similar to every horror or sci-fi monster you've seen. And the basic plot is THUNDERDOME: Two men enter one man leaves. Except in this case it's 7 enter, 1 leaves.
I could go on forever about the bad characterizations,and how the most insignificant occurrences are focused on to draw out elaborate deductions.
And that's one of the main problems: Everything is explained to you up front as though you were reading a menu, instead of letting the main character figure things out along the way and giving you some mystery and keeping you more interested in turning the pages. But obviously that would have stretched the author's creative ingenuity too far. He was just focused on putting a bunch of "action" and "blood."
I did root for the Main character...to DIE first! But alas, that was not the case. We are told he is brilliant and clever etc. He's a doctor he has to be right? Yet, he can't grasp anything that is explained or spelled out for him. Of course, this is the author just expecting his readers are mindless buffoons and must be told the same thing over 3 times. Yeah, we got it...7 men enter 1 man leaves, but you're so called hero who was picked for his superior intelligence can't get it until the 3rd time it's said. And this happens a lot through the book.
If you love mindless "action" and don't care that the plot has more holes than a colander, and you're just as brilliant as the hero, then you'll love this book. The rest of you...save your time and money!
So many have commented on "NON-STOP" action. FALSE! Quick pointless scenes does not equal action. It should however, equal a quick read, but the dialogue, cliché characterization and inconsistencies in so many aspects made getting through the novel as laborious as Holiday festivities with the family and in-laws.
There is nothing FUN or COOL about the concept. The creatures are similar to every horror or sci-fi monster you've seen. And the basic plot is THUNDERDOME: Two men enter one man leaves. Except in this case it's 7 enter, 1 leaves.
I could go on forever about the bad characterizations,and how the most insignificant occurrences are focused on to draw out elaborate deductions.
And that's one of the main problems: Everything is explained to you up front as though you were reading a menu, instead of letting the main character figure things out along the way and giving you some mystery and keeping you more interested in turning the pages. But obviously that would have stretched the author's creative ingenuity too far. He was just focused on putting a bunch of "action" and "blood."
I did root for the Main character...to DIE first! But alas, that was not the case. We are told he is brilliant and clever etc. He's a doctor he has to be right? Yet, he can't grasp anything that is explained or spelled out for him. Of course, this is the author just expecting his readers are mindless buffoons and must be told the same thing over 3 times. Yeah, we got it...7 men enter 1 man leaves, but you're so called hero who was picked for his superior intelligence can't get it until the 3rd time it's said. And this happens a lot through the book.
If you love mindless "action" and don't care that the plot has more holes than a colander, and you're just as brilliant as the hero, then you'll love this book. The rest of you...save your time and money!
December 30, 2014
Part 1 in a four-book review of Matthew Reilly's novels
Contest -> Ice Station -> Temple -> Seven Ancient Wonders
I like the idea of a good adventure novel so I keep picking things up that I discard 100 pages in, unable to continue with a contrived plot, clichéd characters, bad narrative, or ridiculous events. And Matthew has written a few novels that serve up many, or even all, of these traits. This one, however, I liked. Ok so the plot is contrived - this one tells the story of a contest held every millennium somewhere in the galaxy, pitting the skills of seven chosen contestants from as many sentient races against each other. And this time - the contest is held in the Met. That's right, the Metropolitan Museum in NY.
Ha ha ha. Yea really. But come on - this is fun! What made this work for me is the cracking pace at which the story unfolds. Matthew does a good job at crafting the individual fights between the contestants, and the human protagonist is portrayed with a bit of tongue-in-cheek. In fact, it is that last feature that stopped me from cringing I think. In this novel at least, Matthew does not take himself too seriously - and the result is a fun read that crackles and pops.
Contest is Matthew's first, self-published, novel. It was later picked up by MacMillan, after the success of Ice Station and Temple. Matthew's narrative style is still undeveloped in this novel, and not fully formed. Unfortunately I have to say that this is a positive. From here onwards Matthew will develop a writing style that must count among the worst I have ever encountered in thriller writing. But after this one, I was hooked. So I thought I pick up his second one, Ice Station, and...
=> Ice Station
Contest -> Ice Station -> Temple -> Seven Ancient Wonders
I like the idea of a good adventure novel so I keep picking things up that I discard 100 pages in, unable to continue with a contrived plot, clichéd characters, bad narrative, or ridiculous events. And Matthew has written a few novels that serve up many, or even all, of these traits. This one, however, I liked. Ok so the plot is contrived - this one tells the story of a contest held every millennium somewhere in the galaxy, pitting the skills of seven chosen contestants from as many sentient races against each other. And this time - the contest is held in the Met. That's right, the Metropolitan Museum in NY.
Ha ha ha. Yea really. But come on - this is fun! What made this work for me is the cracking pace at which the story unfolds. Matthew does a good job at crafting the individual fights between the contestants, and the human protagonist is portrayed with a bit of tongue-in-cheek. In fact, it is that last feature that stopped me from cringing I think. In this novel at least, Matthew does not take himself too seriously - and the result is a fun read that crackles and pops.
Contest is Matthew's first, self-published, novel. It was later picked up by MacMillan, after the success of Ice Station and Temple. Matthew's narrative style is still undeveloped in this novel, and not fully formed. Unfortunately I have to say that this is a positive. From here onwards Matthew will develop a writing style that must count among the worst I have ever encountered in thriller writing. But after this one, I was hooked. So I thought I pick up his second one, Ice Station, and...
=> Ice Station
October 29, 2021
I love this book. This is the 7th time of reading and still enjoy every minute of it.
December 28, 2015
Wow amazing! This was my first Reilly book and I LOVED it! I read the entire book in just a couple hours I was so engrossed! Ever since I read Preston & Child's individual and collaborative books Ive been looking for an author that writes similar to their style & havent yet found one until Reilly. So Im excited I cant wait to read the rest of his works!
November 20, 2015
Great action novel! It deserves a movie :) I remember that I was so excited while reading it, that I couldn't force myself to leave the book and read it whole.
December 8, 2023
নিউ ইয়র্ক পাবলিক লাইব্রেরি, শতবর্ষের পুরোনো এক জ্ঞানের ভান্ডার। একরাতে এক চোর চুরির উদ্দেশ্যে সেখানে গেলে প্রত্যক্ষ করে এক ভয়ংকর দৃশ্যের। তার সামনেই লাইব্রেরির গার্ডকে বিভৎসভাবে মেরে ফেলে এক ভয়ানক প্রাণী।
ডক্টর স্টিফেন সোয়েইন, নিউ ইয়র্কের একজন সাধারণ ডাক্তার। বিপত্নীক, আট বছরের মেয়ে হলিকে নিয়েই তার জীবন। তার জীবনে একটা ভিন্নমোড় আসে হাসপাতালে আক্রমণ করা একদল ক্রিমিনালের সাহসীকতার সাথে লড়াই করার পর। তবে তা করতে গিয়ে একজনকে হত্যা করেন তিনি। যদিও এক্ষেত্রে আসামী হতে হয় না তাকে। একদিন সন্ধ্যায় হুট করে মেয়ে হলিকে নিয়ে আশ্চর্যজনকভাবে টেলিপোর্ট হয়ে চলে আসেন নিউ ইয়র্ক পাবলিক লাইব্রেরিতে।
সেখানে সোয়েইনের দেখা হয় সেলেক্সিন নামের এক এলিয়েনের সাথে যে তাকে জানায়, সোয়েইনকে একটা মহাজাগতিক কন্টেস্টে অংগ্রহণ করতে হবে। সেটার নিয়ম সহজ, সাতজন প্রতিযোগি লাইব্রেরিতে আসবে, শেষ পর্যন্ত যে বেঁচে থাকতে পারবে সেই হবে বিজয়ী। সহস্রবর্ষ পর পর উৎযাপিত হওয়া এই কন্টেস্টে বাকী সব প্রতিযোগিই হলো ভিনগ্রহের ভয়ংকর সব এলিয়েন।
আকাশ ভেঙ্গে পরে স্টিফেন আর হলির মাথায়। কিন্তু সে কন্টেস্টে অংশ নিতে বাধ্য, ফিরে আসার কোনো উপায় নেই। মেয়েকে নিয়ে বাঁচতে হলে তাকে লড়তে হবে ভয়ংকর সব এলিয়েনদের সাথে। অন্যদিকে লাইব্রেরির হত্যাকান্ডের কিছু তদন্ত করতে সেখানে এসে ফেঁসে যায় পুলিশ অফিসার পল হকিন্স আর তার উর্ধতন ক্রিস্টিন পার্কার। এই অজানা ভয়াবহ বিপদে জড়িয়ে যায় পল।
প্রথমবারের মতো কন্টেস্ট উৎযাপিত হতে যাচ্ছে পৃথিবীতে, বিদ্যুতের মাধ্যমে আটকে দেওয়া হয়েছে লাইব্রেরিকে। তাই সেই লাইব্রেরির আশেপাশে বৈদ্যুতিক ব্যবস্থায় সমস্যা দেখা দিচ্ছে। বিদ্যুৎ অফিসের বব শার্ল্টন বিষয়টা নিয়ে তদন্তে নামতেই তাকে আটকে দেয় এন.এস.আই. এর লোকজন। পৃথিবীতে ঘটা নানা অদ্ভুত ঘটনা তাদের গোচরে এসেছে। তারা নেমেছে এই বিষয়ে তদন্তে, কিন্তু তাদের কাজের আসল উদ্দেশ্য কি?
স্টিফেন সোয়াইন কি পারবে নিজের আর মেয়ের জীবন রক্ষা করতে? কি অপেক্ষা করছে পল হকিন্সের ভাগ্যে? এই কন্টেস্টের সর্বশেষ ফলাফলই বা কি? জানতে হলে পড়তে হবে জনপ্রিয় অ্যাকশন অ্যাডভেঞ্চার থ্রিলার লেখক ম্যাথিউ রাইলীর প্রথম উপন্যাস 'কন্টেস্ট'।
এতদিন ম্যাথিউ রাইলীর বইয়ের ব্যাপারে পাঠক শ্রেণির একটা মতামতই শুনে আসছিলাম, তার বই মানেই ধুন্ধুমার অ্যাকশন, সিনেমাটিক কাহিনী আর চিত্রনাট্যের মতো লেখনী। এবারে এটার অভিজ্ঞতাও নেওয়া হলো। একদম হলিউডের টিপিক্যাল সায়েন্স ফিকশন অ্যাডভেঞ্চার মুভির গল্প আর সেটার সিনেমাটিক প্রেজেন্টেশন। গল্পের মূল কন্টেস্ট শুরু হলে কাহিনী একদম রুদ্ধশ্বাস গতিতে এগিয়েছে যাকে বলে। টান টান উত্তেজনার সব চেজ, অ্যাকশন দৃশ্যগুলো প্রচুর থ্রিলিং আর উপভোগ্য।
তবে টিনএজ বয়সে লিখা লেখকের প্রথম বই বলে গল্পে আর লেখায় কাঁচামো আছে অনেক। এই যেমন সাই-ফাই ওয়ার্ল্ডটার বিল্ডআপ তেমন ভালো হয় নাই। এইজন্য গল্পের প্রচুর গাঁজাখুরি জিনিসগুলো অনেকবারই বিরক্ত উদ্রেক করেছে। লেখক আসলে অ্যাকশন অ্যাডভেঞ্চার অংশেই বেশী ফোকাস করেছেন, কিন্তু সায়েন্স ফিকশন বলে যখন যা খুশি গল্পে এক্সপ্লেনেশন ছাড়া বসিয়ে দিলে সেটাকে প্লট হোলসই বলব। আর চরিত্রদের অতিরিক্ত অযৌক্তিক আচরণও একটা পর্যায়ে অসহ্যকর লেগেছে।
অনুবাদক ফারজানা তাসনিম চমৎকার কাজ করেছেন। শুরুর দিকে অনুবাদে কিছুটা আড়ষ্টতা থাকলেও একটু পরেই তা কেটে যায়। চমৎকার সাবলীল আর প্রাঞ্জল অনুবাদ। সবশেষে বলব, 'কন্টেস্ট' একটা মোটামুটি মানের অ্যাডভেঞ্চার বই, সময় কাটানোর জন্য পড়া যায়।
📚 বইয়ের নাম : কন্টেস্ট
📚 লেখক : ম্যাথিউ রাইলী
📚 অনুবাদ : ফারজানা তাসনিম
📚 বইয়ের ধরণ : অ্যাডভেঞ্চার থ্রিলার, সায়েন্স ফিকশন, অ্যাকশন থ্রিলার
📚 ব্যক্তিগত রেটিং : ৩.৫/৫
ডক্টর স্টিফেন সোয়েইন, নিউ ইয়র্কের একজন সাধারণ ডাক্তার। বিপত্নীক, আট বছরের মেয়ে হলিকে নিয়েই তার জীবন। তার জীবনে একটা ভিন্নমোড় আসে হাসপাতালে আক্রমণ করা একদল ক্রিমিনালের সাহসীকতার সাথে লড়াই করার পর। তবে তা করতে গিয়ে একজনকে হত্যা করেন তিনি। যদিও এক্ষেত্রে আসামী হতে হয় না তাকে। একদিন সন্ধ্যায় হুট করে মেয়ে হলিকে নিয়ে আশ্চর্যজনকভাবে টেলিপোর্ট হয়ে চলে আসেন নিউ ইয়র্ক পাবলিক লাইব্রেরিতে।
সেখানে সোয়েইনের দেখা হয় সেলেক্সিন নামের এক এলিয়েনের সাথে যে তাকে জানায়, সোয়েইনকে একটা মহাজাগতিক কন্টেস্টে অংগ্রহণ করতে হবে। সেটার নিয়ম সহজ, সাতজন প্রতিযোগি লাইব্রেরিতে আসবে, শেষ পর্যন্ত যে বেঁচে থাকতে পারবে সেই হবে বিজয়ী। সহস্রবর্ষ পর পর উৎযাপিত হওয়া এই কন্টেস্টে বাকী সব প্রতিযোগিই হলো ভিনগ্রহের ভয়ংকর সব এলিয়েন।
আকাশ ভেঙ্গে পরে স্টিফেন আর হলির মাথায়। কিন্তু সে কন্টেস্টে অংশ নিতে বাধ্য, ফিরে আসার কোনো উপায় নেই। মেয়েকে নিয়ে বাঁচতে হলে তাকে লড়তে হবে ভয়ংকর সব এলিয়েনদের সাথে। অন্যদিকে লাইব্রেরির হত্যাকান্ডের কিছু তদন্ত করতে সেখানে এসে ফেঁসে যায় পুলিশ অফিসার পল হকিন্স আর তার উর্ধতন ক্রিস্টিন পার্কার। এই অজানা ভয়াবহ বিপদে জড়িয়ে যায় পল।
প্রথমবারের মতো কন্টেস্ট উৎযাপিত হতে যাচ্ছে পৃথিবীতে, বিদ্যুতের মাধ্যমে আটকে দেওয়া হয়েছে লাইব্রেরিকে। তাই সেই লাইব্রেরির আশেপাশে বৈদ্যুতিক ব্যবস্থায় সমস্যা দেখা দিচ্ছে। বিদ্যুৎ অফিসের বব শার্ল্টন বিষয়টা নিয়ে তদন্তে নামতেই তাকে আটকে দেয় এন.এস.আই. এর লোকজন। পৃথিবীতে ঘটা নানা অদ্ভুত ঘটনা তাদের গোচরে এসেছে। তারা নেমেছে এই বিষয়ে তদন্তে, কিন্তু তাদের কাজের আসল উদ্দেশ্য কি?
স্টিফেন সোয়াইন কি পারবে নিজের আর মেয়ের জীবন রক্ষা করতে? কি অপেক্ষা করছে পল হকিন্সের ভাগ্যে? এই কন্টেস্টের সর্বশেষ ফলাফলই বা কি? জানতে হলে পড়তে হবে জনপ্রিয় অ্যাকশন অ্যাডভেঞ্চার থ্রিলার লেখক ম্যাথিউ রাইলীর প্রথম উপন্যাস 'কন্টেস্ট'।
এতদিন ম্যাথিউ রাইলীর বইয়ের ব্যাপারে পাঠক শ্রেণির একটা মতামতই শুনে আসছিলাম, তার বই মানেই ধুন্ধুমার অ্যাকশন, সিনেমাটিক কাহিনী আর চিত্রনাট্যের মতো লেখনী। এবারে এটার অভিজ্ঞতাও নেওয়া হলো। একদম হলিউডের টিপিক্যাল সায়েন্স ফিকশন অ্যাডভেঞ্চার মুভির গল্প আর সেটার সিনেমাটিক প্রেজেন্টেশন। গল্পের মূল কন্টেস্ট শুরু হলে কাহিনী একদম রুদ্ধশ্বাস গতিতে এগিয়েছে যাকে বলে। টান টান উত্তেজনার সব চেজ, অ্যাকশন দৃশ্যগুলো প্রচুর থ্রিলিং আর উপভোগ্য।
তবে টিনএজ বয়সে লিখা লেখকের প্রথম বই বলে গল্পে আর লেখায় কাঁচামো আছে অনেক। এই যেমন সাই-ফাই ওয়ার্ল্ডটার বিল্ডআপ তেমন ভালো হয় নাই। এইজন্য গল্পের প্রচুর গাঁজাখুরি জিনিসগুলো অনেকবারই বিরক্ত উদ্রেক করেছে। লেখক আসলে অ্যাকশন অ্যাডভেঞ্চার অংশেই বেশী ফোকাস করেছেন, কিন্তু সায়েন্স ফিকশন বলে যখন যা খুশি গল্পে এক্সপ্লেনেশন ছাড়া বসিয়ে দিলে সেটাকে প্লট হোলসই বলব। আর চরিত্রদের অতিরিক্ত অযৌক্তিক আচরণও একটা পর্যায়ে অসহ্যকর লেগেছে।
অনুবাদক ফারজানা তাসনিম চমৎকার কাজ করেছেন। শুরুর দিকে অনুবাদে কিছুটা আড়ষ্টতা থাকলেও একটু পরেই তা কেটে যায়। চমৎকার সাবলীল আর প্রাঞ্জল অনুবাদ। সবশেষে বলব, 'কন্টেস্ট' একটা মোটামুটি মানের অ্যাডভেঞ্চার বই, সময় কাটানোর জন্য পড়া যায়।
📚 বইয়ের নাম : কন্টেস্ট
📚 লেখক : ম্যাথিউ রাইলী
📚 অনুবাদ : ফারজানা তাসনিম
📚 বইয়ের ধরণ : অ্যাডভেঞ্চার থ্রিলার, সায়েন্স ফিকশন, অ্যাকশন থ্রিলার
📚 ব্যক্তিগত রেটিং : ৩.৫/৫
August 22, 2018
Супер книжка. Непрекъснато напрегнати действия, яко екшън, щипка хумор и много, много фантазия. Харесвам такива книги.
September 18, 2008
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Oh my God, this book was hilarious. And in a fantastical train wreck kind of way, not a belly laugh kind of way. I picked this book up because my Book Club book wasn't available yet, and I needed something to read. I noticed this book because of the picture of The New York Public Library on the cover, and thought "Hey, I work there....what's this about?"
Well, let me just set the stage for you....
Contest is about an intergalactic competition that takes place once every millenia in which the seven intelligent alien races (a list humans have only recently and reluctantly been added) are teleported into a labyrinth in which they must compete in a battle royale, fighting each other to the death until the final contestant remains and is declared the victor. The 'labyrinth' in this case is the central library of NYPL (of course). And transported into this building is the unsuspecting Stephen Swain (my initials, by the way, which makes things that much more bizarre)--a New York City doctor--and his 8 year old daughter.
LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!
First off, let me go out on a limb and hazard a guess that Australian author Matthew Reilly has never once set foot in this building. I say this because the layout of the library is so incredibly inaccurate that it borders on being grossly inaccurate. Rooms are inserted that don't exist. He gives the correct name to some rooms but not to others. Elevators exist where elevators not only don't exist but, in fact, simply cannot go. There's a multi-level parking garage, which, I guess we just put in recently. And the 7 line is made to run North and South through Manhattan instead of East and West into Queens as it should be. But I digress.....
Then there's the action. Isn't it convenient that every alien who speaks, speaks in English? I mean....all of them. Like it's literally the universal language. Also, there are so many gods in this machine that you'd have to start considering polytheism as a belief system. I mean really, there's hardly a scene written in which just the right improbable device isn't inserted at just the right improbable place and time in order to save our hero (?) in just the right improbable way.
Then, finally, in the end (and faithful readers, you may want to skip this next part if you don't wish to have the ending spoiled)...
our hero (again, ?) becomes the victor and, for good measure and to quickly and conveniently clean up any loose threads, the Library gets blown up by a series of "micro-nuclear" explosions.......I can't even make this stuff up.
The whole thing is fantastically ludicrous, but I guess that goes without saying. I actually have to give it two stars, though because it was so incredibly ludicrous that it was so unintentionally funny to read. Will wonders never cease?
Oh my God, this book was hilarious. And in a fantastical train wreck kind of way, not a belly laugh kind of way. I picked this book up because my Book Club book wasn't available yet, and I needed something to read. I noticed this book because of the picture of The New York Public Library on the cover, and thought "Hey, I work there....what's this about?"
Well, let me just set the stage for you....
Contest is about an intergalactic competition that takes place once every millenia in which the seven intelligent alien races (a list humans have only recently and reluctantly been added) are teleported into a labyrinth in which they must compete in a battle royale, fighting each other to the death until the final contestant remains and is declared the victor. The 'labyrinth' in this case is the central library of NYPL (of course). And transported into this building is the unsuspecting Stephen Swain (my initials, by the way, which makes things that much more bizarre)--a New York City doctor--and his 8 year old daughter.
LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!
First off, let me go out on a limb and hazard a guess that Australian author Matthew Reilly has never once set foot in this building. I say this because the layout of the library is so incredibly inaccurate that it borders on being grossly inaccurate. Rooms are inserted that don't exist. He gives the correct name to some rooms but not to others. Elevators exist where elevators not only don't exist but, in fact, simply cannot go. There's a multi-level parking garage, which, I guess we just put in recently. And the 7 line is made to run North and South through Manhattan instead of East and West into Queens as it should be. But I digress.....
Then there's the action. Isn't it convenient that every alien who speaks, speaks in English? I mean....all of them. Like it's literally the universal language. Also, there are so many gods in this machine that you'd have to start considering polytheism as a belief system. I mean really, there's hardly a scene written in which just the right improbable device isn't inserted at just the right improbable place and time in order to save our hero (?) in just the right improbable way.
Then, finally, in the end (and faithful readers, you may want to skip this next part if you don't wish to have the ending spoiled)...
our hero (again, ?) becomes the victor and, for good measure and to quickly and conveniently clean up any loose threads, the Library gets blown up by a series of "micro-nuclear" explosions.......I can't even make this stuff up.
The whole thing is fantastically ludicrous, but I guess that goes without saying. I actually have to give it two stars, though because it was so incredibly ludicrous that it was so unintentionally funny to read. Will wonders never cease?
August 28, 2016
En la Biblioteca Pública de Nueva York va a tener lugar un juego mortal: el Presidian. Siete jugadores de diferentes planetas tendrán que enfrentarse en este escenario, donde el doctor Stephen Swain será nuestro representante involuntario, que además está acompañado de su hija pequeña, Holly. Pero, ¿qué podrá hacer un humano contra seres extraterrestres, auténticos cazadores?
‘El laberinto’ (Contest, 1996), del australiano Matthew Reilly, es una muy buena de aventuras y ciencia ficción, muy visual, con frases cortas y que va al grano, algo de agradecer en un best seller que no pretende otra cosa que entretener y divertir. El planteamiento no es muy original, un juego donde solo puede quedar uno (Battle Royal, Los Juegos del Hambre), pero Reilly sabe dotarle de frescura. Lo dicho, acción y entretenimiento.
‘El laberinto’ (Contest, 1996), del australiano Matthew Reilly, es una muy buena de aventuras y ciencia ficción, muy visual, con frases cortas y que va al grano, algo de agradecer en un best seller que no pretende otra cosa que entretener y divertir. El planteamiento no es muy original, un juego donde solo puede quedar uno (Battle Royal, Los Juegos del Hambre), pero Reilly sabe dotarle de frescura. Lo dicho, acción y entretenimiento.
October 14, 2015
Contest
What I thought about this book
I am pleased to say (this being my first Matthew Reilly book) that I thoroughly enjoyed this story; it was highly entertaining, something a bit different, and fulfilled all of Reilly’s promises of action, action, action, and more action. I loved it. Insane is probably a really good word to describe the experience.
I’ve never read Reilly before now, surprisingly, and I probably wouldn’t have if a friend hadn’t thrust this book into my hands and demanded I read it. In my usual fashion, I put off reading it for at least two months, lost the book, found the book, and then decided (in the words of Rafiki): it is time. Going into this book I knew it was, a) going to be fun, b) probably slightly boyish, and c) hopefully amazing seeing as the rest of the world seems to love the Reill-y-nator. So, allow me to paint you a picture of the premise *magical sound effects*
The Plot
Dr. Stephen Swain is an ordinary man, a single father, and a policeman. We begin with getting to know him, a tiny little bit about his life, and the fun ol’ times of a police officer. Oh, and we also find out about a relatively, extremely brutal murder within the State Library of New York. Because that is where the book is set. But! One night, whilst holding his daughter, Swain is teleported into the Library whereupon he discovers that he has been selected as the Earth “human” representative of the contest, in which he fights to the death or just dies anyway. *yay*. What I really loved about this book, if you read the little foreword by Reilly, is that he clearly wants this book to be something that grips you, gets you power-reading through the story and lapping up all the action: and he soo delivered. There no fluffing around developing character’s lives, their middle names, or which drink they prefer to have with dinner – no! We just get straight into the whole, fight or die, and even then you might just die anyway. Hazarr!
There are 7 contestants in the 'labyrinth' (as the Library is called), all of which are different ‘intellectual’ beings with nefarious plans for destroying each other. It a really fun setting because Reilly actually gives us maps of the library at the beginning of the novel. Usually, I wouldn’t bother using these (who can be bothered flipping back to the beginning of a back, right? Ugh), but this time I did. There’s very specific descriptions of where all the contestants are, etc, so flipping to and fro actually enormously added to the experience. This book kind of reads like a virtual game – I don’t know if any of you felt like that too, but that’s the best way to describe it. It feels like you’re helping Swain make the decisions to escape the aliens. And, whilst you can guess, you’re not entirely sure if Swain and his daughter will make it out together and alive – because this really is an action book; Reilly doesn’t care about being all sentimental and making his characters indestructible, he kills whoever he feels like – and there were some deaths I didn’t expect.
As a sort of sidekick, Swain (and every other contestant) has a ‘guide’. Swain’s is called Selexin. They’re dressed all in white, about the size of a young child and wear a special egg-looking hat that, when activated, connects the contestant to the mediators of the game so that they can witness and confirm the death of whomever the contestant might have just killed. He’s a pretty skittish little character and is totally bummed that he’s stuck with the human, because humans’ very rarely win these contests (which makes sense considering they’ve never heard of them, let alone the existence of other species). You see, if the contestant dies, so does their guide. Bit tough, eh? I loved his attempts at English idioms and how frustrated he is with trying to gasp and appropriately use them in conversation. Naww.
Swain's Daughter
Holly is Swain’s only child and she’s about, maybe 8 years old. I absolutely loved that she was a dominant character in this book. Without her, I think this could have easily flopped – it would’ve just been another bog-standard action book with some pretty cool creatures in it, but nothing overwhelming amazing. Adding a young, unintended element into this crazy story immediately heightens the stakes. Because now Swain isn’t just an ordinary man who happens to be a policeman and is lonely: now he’s a father. And it’s just not okay to kill a father, right? Especially as Holly’s mum is dead. Hm? Hmmm? HHHMMMM?! She’s a really great little characters and has balls of steel; she is confronted with quite a lot of things here and, for the most part, just sucks it up and helps her dad out. Her innocence was kind of heart-breaking – she often asks Swain when they can go home and gets scared and it makes you want to cry because it’s so unfair that she’s in the Contest when she can’t even begin to properly understand what was going on.
Her relationship with Selexin was adorable. He being a miniature creature and her being little made them perfect companions and there’s a part in the novel where their connection and teamwork really shines through. I just loved Holly’s character so much, and as I said, I really think that she makes this novel.
Violence
This is a very violent book. My friend had suggested my younger brother (13 years old) read this too. And I mean, yeah, he probably would enjoy this – but not the eye-gouging, head-rolling, blood-spewing violence, if ya get the picture. So hopefully that’s a useful heads up to you if you’re unsure on this book’s suitability. It’s certainly not ‘unnecessary’ violence, so to speak, seeing as Reilly is an adult fiction sort-of writer; it definitely amps up the tension and seriousness of the contest. You don’t just die, you die a really, really horrible (and painful) death.
Summary
I loved this book and I really want to read more of Reilly’s works now. It was definitely a fun and easy read and there is so much to enjoy within the book. There’s plenty of action and lots of really fun problem solving when characters are nutting out a solution to escape tricky situations. I definitely recommend reading this book; if you haven’t read Reilly before, like me, then this is probably a good one to start with. That being said, I haven’t (obviously) read any of his other books at this stage, but this is a nice short one that’s just BAM BAM BOOM the whole bloody time.
Happy reading!
What I thought about this book
I am pleased to say (this being my first Matthew Reilly book) that I thoroughly enjoyed this story; it was highly entertaining, something a bit different, and fulfilled all of Reilly’s promises of action, action, action, and more action. I loved it. Insane is probably a really good word to describe the experience.
I’ve never read Reilly before now, surprisingly, and I probably wouldn’t have if a friend hadn’t thrust this book into my hands and demanded I read it. In my usual fashion, I put off reading it for at least two months, lost the book, found the book, and then decided (in the words of Rafiki): it is time. Going into this book I knew it was, a) going to be fun, b) probably slightly boyish, and c) hopefully amazing seeing as the rest of the world seems to love the Reill-y-nator. So, allow me to paint you a picture of the premise *magical sound effects*
The Plot
Dr. Stephen Swain is an ordinary man, a single father, and a policeman. We begin with getting to know him, a tiny little bit about his life, and the fun ol’ times of a police officer. Oh, and we also find out about a relatively, extremely brutal murder within the State Library of New York. Because that is where the book is set. But! One night, whilst holding his daughter, Swain is teleported into the Library whereupon he discovers that he has been selected as the Earth “human” representative of the contest, in which he fights to the death or just dies anyway. *yay*. What I really loved about this book, if you read the little foreword by Reilly, is that he clearly wants this book to be something that grips you, gets you power-reading through the story and lapping up all the action: and he soo delivered. There no fluffing around developing character’s lives, their middle names, or which drink they prefer to have with dinner – no! We just get straight into the whole, fight or die, and even then you might just die anyway. Hazarr!
There are 7 contestants in the 'labyrinth' (as the Library is called), all of which are different ‘intellectual’ beings with nefarious plans for destroying each other. It a really fun setting because Reilly actually gives us maps of the library at the beginning of the novel. Usually, I wouldn’t bother using these (who can be bothered flipping back to the beginning of a back, right? Ugh), but this time I did. There’s very specific descriptions of where all the contestants are, etc, so flipping to and fro actually enormously added to the experience. This book kind of reads like a virtual game – I don’t know if any of you felt like that too, but that’s the best way to describe it. It feels like you’re helping Swain make the decisions to escape the aliens. And, whilst you can guess, you’re not entirely sure if Swain and his daughter will make it out together and alive – because this really is an action book; Reilly doesn’t care about being all sentimental and making his characters indestructible, he kills whoever he feels like – and there were some deaths I didn’t expect.
As a sort of sidekick, Swain (and every other contestant) has a ‘guide’. Swain’s is called Selexin. They’re dressed all in white, about the size of a young child and wear a special egg-looking hat that, when activated, connects the contestant to the mediators of the game so that they can witness and confirm the death of whomever the contestant might have just killed. He’s a pretty skittish little character and is totally bummed that he’s stuck with the human, because humans’ very rarely win these contests (which makes sense considering they’ve never heard of them, let alone the existence of other species). You see, if the contestant dies, so does their guide. Bit tough, eh? I loved his attempts at English idioms and how frustrated he is with trying to gasp and appropriately use them in conversation. Naww.
Swain's Daughter
Holly is Swain’s only child and she’s about, maybe 8 years old. I absolutely loved that she was a dominant character in this book. Without her, I think this could have easily flopped – it would’ve just been another bog-standard action book with some pretty cool creatures in it, but nothing overwhelming amazing. Adding a young, unintended element into this crazy story immediately heightens the stakes. Because now Swain isn’t just an ordinary man who happens to be a policeman and is lonely: now he’s a father. And it’s just not okay to kill a father, right? Especially as Holly’s mum is dead. Hm? Hmmm? HHHMMMM?! She’s a really great little characters and has balls of steel; she is confronted with quite a lot of things here and, for the most part, just sucks it up and helps her dad out. Her innocence was kind of heart-breaking – she often asks Swain when they can go home and gets scared and it makes you want to cry because it’s so unfair that she’s in the Contest when she can’t even begin to properly understand what was going on.
Her relationship with Selexin was adorable. He being a miniature creature and her being little made them perfect companions and there’s a part in the novel where their connection and teamwork really shines through. I just loved Holly’s character so much, and as I said, I really think that she makes this novel.
Violence
This is a very violent book. My friend had suggested my younger brother (13 years old) read this too. And I mean, yeah, he probably would enjoy this – but not the eye-gouging, head-rolling, blood-spewing violence, if ya get the picture. So hopefully that’s a useful heads up to you if you’re unsure on this book’s suitability. It’s certainly not ‘unnecessary’ violence, so to speak, seeing as Reilly is an adult fiction sort-of writer; it definitely amps up the tension and seriousness of the contest. You don’t just die, you die a really, really horrible (and painful) death.
Summary
I loved this book and I really want to read more of Reilly’s works now. It was definitely a fun and easy read and there is so much to enjoy within the book. There’s plenty of action and lots of really fun problem solving when characters are nutting out a solution to escape tricky situations. I definitely recommend reading this book; if you haven’t read Reilly before, like me, then this is probably a good one to start with. That being said, I haven’t (obviously) read any of his other books at this stage, but this is a nice short one that’s just BAM BAM BOOM the whole bloody time.
Happy reading!
March 30, 2018
Dr. Stephen Swain and his daughter Holly are teleported into the NY Public Library, which has been sealed by an massive electric field, along with a guide named Selexin. Selexin explains that Swain is the sole human in mortal combat with extraterrestrials, and the rules of the Presidian competition. (Holly's presence was only an accident because she was too close to Swain when he was snatched.) Brutal, violent, fast-paced action, with ineffective, secret U.S. governmental interference. Swain's creativity and cool demeanor under pressure is impressive. This was Australian author Reilly's first book, which was originally self-published.
September 9, 2020
I love almost everything that Matthew Reilly writes….so I wasn’t too surprised that I love this one also. If you were to mix “Juristic Park” and “Die Hard” together you would have the ingredients that compose Contest. Matthew Reilly has an incredible talent for creating characters that matter and that you can care about. Contest will take you for one wild ride and you will be glad that you went along. . Have fun! Don’t try too hard to make it make sense in the scheme of reality…just sit back and enjoy.
July 23, 2010
This book is awesome. Since I'm a big fan of action-game, I loooove..Reilly's fast pace and the thrills. The science-fiction theme is very striking, mixed with the subtle story of a father who loves his daughter and lost his wife in an accident.
I love his writings. He used simple words, unlike Dan Brown who also writes sci-fi-action theme and makes me read with the dictionary beside my bed. And I just can't stop reading! He put the right story in the right part, so we don't wanna miss any actions. Plus, his imaginations (even though maybe some will find it too childish) actually make 'see' those creatures from other planet as a real thing.
His book is my final-thesis biggest enemy!
One thing seems so-so in this book, Reilly using a lot of cliche (at the end of the chapter he makes the life-and-death situation, trying hard to make the readers think it's death)...but it feels too much for me. Seems like I'm watching some Indonesian-Soap-Opera.
I'm like, "Yeah rite. I still have 200pages to go, and you won't let him die now."
Gonna read some more of Reilly's Stuff!! :)
August 20, 2015
Ciencia Ficción pura, a pesar de que la editorial no haya querido tirar por esto.
Un grupo de personajes encerrados en la biblioteca son obligados a llegar a un punto. Sólo puede quedar uno.
Lo bueno no es que se maten entre ellos, sino que hay una especia de monstruos que los persiguen. Por cierto, los competidores no son todos humanos, y esto no es spoiler.
Tiene escenas muy buenas estilo Alien, de ellos corriendo por pasillos y escondiéndose en zonas. Pero son unas pocas páginas tan solo, es una pena. Podía haber sido un libro de 5 estrellas. Pero con lo corto que es, no es tan rápido como debería haberlo sido para el pleno, y se pierde en diálogos de quien la tiene más grandes.
Un grupo de personajes encerrados en la biblioteca son obligados a llegar a un punto. Sólo puede quedar uno.
Lo bueno no es que se maten entre ellos, sino que hay una especia de monstruos que los persiguen. Por cierto, los competidores no son todos humanos, y esto no es spoiler.
Tiene escenas muy buenas estilo Alien, de ellos corriendo por pasillos y escondiéndose en zonas. Pero son unas pocas páginas tan solo, es una pena. Podía haber sido un libro de 5 estrellas. Pero con lo corto que es, no es tan rápido como debería haberlo sido para el pleno, y se pierde en diálogos de quien la tiene más grandes.
November 26, 2009
OHH MY GOD
I SWORE that I wont read any more Reilly books while commuting in public transport.
I act like a MIME artist in a crowded train, while reading his never ending, relentless, freight-train of writing.... I mean how many times am I gonna chew my nails to mere stubs forgetting that I got my manicure done the previous evening???
Contest, being his FIRST novel, is relatively naive on some accounts. But its speedy. He's gotten better with each of his book.... and I cant wait to get my hands on "Five Greatest Warriors"
I SWORE that I wont read any more Reilly books while commuting in public transport.
I act like a MIME artist in a crowded train, while reading his never ending, relentless, freight-train of writing.... I mean how many times am I gonna chew my nails to mere stubs forgetting that I got my manicure done the previous evening???
Contest, being his FIRST novel, is relatively naive on some accounts. But its speedy. He's gotten better with each of his book.... and I cant wait to get my hands on "Five Greatest Warriors"
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