Helpful Score: 6
This is a story about an expedition sent to the vast empty lands of Antartica after a huge diamond is found in the depths of a huge cavern. As always, the team sent to explore this cavern doesn't know the whole truth. The government office dwellers are holding something back - they are NOT the first team sent there! Another team was sent to explore the cavern a few months before - they never came out! This is a "fun" read! It's a Thriller, so resolve to leave your sense of reality at the door. Accept the book for the story - not its imporability. If we all demanded reality in our books, there would be far fewer books! I would hate that! Rollins uses a lot of new plot lines to make this book interesting, such as; "dinosaur" like creatures that prey on the expedition team, and the bases they are stationed at, a tribe of new humanoid creatures that are responsible for the dwellings in the first cavern. As you read on, you discover that each expedition member is hiding his/her own secrets.............I think you'll like this book! Read it like a "Thriller" and not as a biography - it's a fun form of escapism - and we all need that once in a while! Don't we???? Rollins has a couple of other fun book: AMAZONIA and EXCAVATION.Thanks for looking!
Helpful Score: 3
I really enjoyed this book. It was not as polished as his book (Ice Hunt) and it did get a little more unbelievable as it went on, but it also kept my attention and was an enjoyable read with believable characters and excellent scenes and storyline.
Helpful Score: 2
This is Rollin's first novel, and while it's not as polished as his later ones, it is very good. The level of tension I love in his books is more prevalent in the 2nd half of the book. His writing is so rich, and, once again, while explaining some of the more in-depth scientific information relevant to the book, you feel like you are in a conversation with an expert, and not being lectured to in a classroom.
I always look forward to a rip roaring thrill ride from Rollins, and I wasn't disappointed with this book.
I always look forward to a rip roaring thrill ride from Rollins, and I wasn't disappointed with this book.
Helpful Score: 2
i like this book. Sci-fi thriller that kept me entertained and constantly wondering what was going to happen next. Maybe a little too quick of a conclusion to the story, but I definitely recommend it to anybody who likes the genre.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a book that reinterated not to judge a book by it's cover for me. I got this book from my local library and the cover seemed different to me but I decided to read it because I have read a few of his other books and really loved them. Once I turned the first page I couldn't put it down. He really gets you involved with such a fantastic tale and you can't let go. Right away I wanted to know what happened to the first characters that you meet and I was on the edge of my seat til the end. After the last page I just wanted another book of his, I hadn't had enough. A great read from one of my very favorite authors.
Stronge female central character. Could easily be made into a movie. 1st book of Mr. Rollins that I've read. I'll be reading more of his thrillers.
Helpful Score: 1
Another James Rollins success. Couldn't put it down for the last 100 pages.
Helpful Score: 1
Another edge-of-the-seat page turner! This is Rollins' first book, and though a little rough around the edges, a real cliff-hanger.
Helpful Score: 1
James Rollin's first novel, "Subterranean", is a fun, action-packed romp through a world two miles below the surface of the earth. Take "Jorney to the Center of the Earth", add a company of well armed soldiers, a group of top experts,a spirited 10 year old, a terrorist, and marshupial evolution run amok and you have the makings of a page turning adventure. Add a little mysticism and you have a good read. This is obviously Rollin's first novel as it lacks some of the polish and maturity of his later novels but there are enough twists and suprises to make it well worth the read....especially if you are already a fan of Rollin's books or the action-adventure genre in general. The evolutionary concepts are original and interesting but the characters could be a bit better developed and the anthropological interactions between the two races seems a bit simplistic and predictable. But the good guys win and it gets a 3 1/2 star rating from me.
Helpful Score: 1
I really liked this book. It's a little action/suspense mixed with science fiction. This is one of those books you wish would keep going. You want to know what happens after the story ends.
If you love great adventure stories, Rollins has the knack for writing them.
another great book by james rollins
A team of specialists including paleoanthropologist Ashley Carter, her son Jason, spelunker Ben Brust, evolutionary biologist Linda Furstenburg and geologist Khalid Najmon (who is not what he seems) embark on a secrecy-shrouded mission to Antarctica, where a deep subterranean labyrinth has been discovered. There's red herrings and a romantic subplot between Ben and Ashley (as well as Khalid and Linda), and wild speculations about evolutionary pathways, marsupialism, what really killed the dinosaurs, and a completely underground thriving ecosystem where plants and fungi can be as deadly as animals.
I loved Rollins's "Amazonia" but this book left me (no pun intended) cold. I didn't buy into Ben's ability to telepathically communicate with his ancestors. I might pick it up again from the library if I'm in the mood, but otherwise I wouldn't spend any money on it.
I loved Rollins's "Amazonia" but this book left me (no pun intended) cold. I didn't buy into Ben's ability to telepathically communicate with his ancestors. I might pick it up again from the library if I'm in the mood, but otherwise I wouldn't spend any money on it.
excellent book
A riveting story, suspenseful, good story-line, keeps your interest, fascinating characters & a few powerful, colorful images. All told a good read. Enjoyed it immensely. Stretches your imagination.
Story was excellent. Characters were excellent. The writing was excellent. I'm going to recommend to my book club. Deep below the Arctic a world exists that scientists and others go down to do research. One of their members is going down to blow the place up and end any chance of further research. The reason: huge diamonds that would topple the diamond markets. The traitor is a cold hearted killer and lives among them. This book never stops moving forward.
Interesting plot, but characters don't have much depth.
Unfortunately I was unable to suspend disbelief enough to enjoy reading this book. The "scientific" premise was so completely improbable as to be ridiculous. Rollins's later books have epilogues explaining how the events really are scientifically possible, and that was very badly needed here - and missing.
Team set to explore the center of the earth. The first ones to venture there did not return.
** spoiler alert ** Loved it!!! The end kind of bothered me a bit, Don't get me wrong I love my happy endings, but being an archaeologist all I could see were the repercussions their findings would have on the world and the people they discovered. Usually I am not so cynical but all I can see is exploitation of both the people and the land. But oh well, it was still an awesome book. I was hooked from the beginning and loved that the archaeological terminology used was correct!
I really liked this book though there are many similarities between it and Amazonia & Excavation - all by Rollins. I had a hard time getting past the first 80 pages or so of this one & then it really picked up the pace & kept me reading. They are still very interesting reads & I recommend all 3 :)
I felt the storyline was too similar to Amazonia, just in a different setting. I'll try another of his books to see if they offer a little more variety. I do enjoy his writing style.
As usual with his books, this is a very good book.
"Travel to the bottom of the earth . . . to a place you never dreamed existed!" This exploration of a world of caverns under the antarctic where a large diamond was discovered will remind you strongly of the style of Jurassic Park. It's a fast read, full of adventure and fantastic monsters!
Travel to the bottom of the earth to a place you never dreamed existed.
Beneath the ice...a hand-picked team of specialists makes its way toward the center of the world. They are not the first to venture into this magnificent subterranean labryinth. Those they follow did not return.
Beneath the ice...a hand-picked team of specialists makes its way toward the center of the world. They are not the first to venture into this magnificent subterranean labryinth. Those they follow did not return.
Beneath the ice, a hand-picked team of specialists makes its way toward the center of the world. They are not the first to venture into this magnificent subterranean labyrinth. Thos they follow did not return.
A fast-paced techo-thriller, fun to read.
A fast-paced techo-thriller, fun to read.
Excellent! not a boring page in this book.
The first half of the story was steller, a real page-turner. But the second half was too bogged down with multiple characters and directions.
Interesting book, although the end was predictable.
Great adventure story.
Very good, exciting story.
Hard to put this book down!
Exciting adventure mystery/horror combo. Great for a rainy weekend!
Very good book! Travel to the bottom of the earth, beneath the ice into the darkness and at the bottom of the earth is the beginning. Keep moving!
I've read 4 of Mr. Rollins' books & loved them all. This one, however, took some doing on my part to continue to the end. The reason? Too darned many catastrophes! One after another, after another, etc., etc., etc. The characters were good, the idea was a good one, but I got tired of reading about all the troubles.
(Sorry, James Rollins!)
(Sorry, James Rollins!)
another good book by Rollins. Good fun read
This was a great read.
A page turner. Ready for release
This adventure novel by Rollins is a little more fantastic in content than some of his others like MAP OF BONES and SANDSTORM. Still a lot of fun but it seems a bit like an updated Jules Verne JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH. You'll be intrigued by the various striking characters, though.
From back cover: Beneath the ice at the bottom of the Earth is a magnificent subterranean labyrinth, a place of breathtaking wonders--and terrors beyond imagining. A team of specialists led by archeologist Ashley Carter has been hand-picked to explore this secret place and to uncover the riches it holds. But they are not the first to venture here--and those they follow did not return.
There are mysteries here older than time, and revelations that could change the world. But there are also things that should not be disturbed--and a devastating truth that could doom Ashley and the expedition: they are NOT alone . . .
From back cover: Beneath the ice at the bottom of the Earth is a magnificent subterranean labyrinth, a place of breathtaking wonders--and terrors beyond imagining. A team of specialists led by archeologist Ashley Carter has been hand-picked to explore this secret place and to uncover the riches it holds. But they are not the first to venture here--and those they follow did not return.
There are mysteries here older than time, and revelations that could change the world. But there are also things that should not be disturbed--and a devastating truth that could doom Ashley and the expedition: they are NOT alone . . .
I really enjoy this author-good book.
Ready for the ride of your life? Not a single dull moment in this book - hard to put down, except when you need to take a deep breath. Highly recommended.
Great book!
I love James Rollins' novels and while this one is a little formulaic, it still makes for an enjoyable read.
