Seven Deadly Wonders (titled Seven Ancient Wonders outside the US - what does that say about what sells in our culture?) is Matthew Reilly's sixth novel if you count Contest, which he initially self-published, and was later re-released commercially. The plot centers around the search for the capstone of the Great Pyramid of Giza, the pieces of which were hidden with the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The person who finds the capstone and uses it at the proper place and time will gain a thousand years of world domination for his or her native country.
Several groups are competing to find the capstone, including the US, a European contingent (including the obligatory Vatican connection), a group of Islamic terrorists and a coalition of small nations led by Australian Jack West. West's group does not harbor hopes of gaining all the pieces of the capstone, but wants to foil the larger nations by gaining even one piece.
Like all of Reilly's novels, the plot is lightning-fast. The ancient wonders are presented in creative ways. The Hanging Gardens was my absolute favorite.
Characters are sketched thin. Jack West is somewhat fleshed out. My sole objection to his character is that he wears a fireman's helmet on his missions. Some might find it unique and creative, but to me it was pointless and distracting. I made a point to mentally edit it out of my consciousness as I read. The other characters vary in depth, but there is no secondary character as well-rendered as "Mother" in the Scarecrow novels.
In order to keep the story moving, Reilly sacrifices a great deal of his narrative voice. Back-story, especially on the wonders, is delivered at the beginning of the pertinent section, in a straightforward, lecture format. He does a fair job of describing the wonders, but his descriptions are supplemented with illustrations, some of which spoil the suspense. I like to be kept waiting, if only for the time it takes to turn the page.
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Article comments
1 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States. Nice work!
2 - inesss.
hey.
well, that was a fair review, but to be totally honest, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK.
Sure, it should have told us a bit more (acutally a lot more) about Jack West Jr, who might I add is my favorite character.
And I love the fireman's helmet - it's really cute, and sort of like a trademark. I mean, you have Scarecrow with the silver glasses, William Race with the birthmark -- and sure, Jack has a titanium forearm, but the fireman's helmet is awesome.
I loved the plot, and yes, the Hanging Gardens were really good, and I love how Pooh and Stretch were always attacking each other - it was really funny - and then when Zaeed came along later it was even funnier, especially when they were caught by the Israelies and Zaeed kept mocking them.
But Jack ... oh my god, can someone get any perfecter? I don't care if he's a little old for me but OH MY GOD. He makes me drool ... yummy.
Overall my rating for it was 10000000000000/10.
I LOVED IT.
Ines, xx.