Rating: 
Summary: Temple
Review: If you could combine Indiana Jones, Michael Crichton's Congo, Dirk Pitt novels, Wilbur Smith's The River God, and a little of Preston & Child's The Relic, the reader would have a comprehensive view of this book. I loved it!!! I love any book that combines adventure, technology, supersition, and archeology as long as good triumphs over evil. Temple is a good book to curl up with on the beach, on a rainy day, or on a lazy day. Yes, the hero sometimes is a bit overdone, but hey, it makes for a great read. I hope he does another along this same ancient history motif.
Rating:
Summary: A Winner
Review: This was one of the best books I have read. Sure it is unbeleivable but Hollywood created James Bond and he has survived unbeleivable odds also. Congratulations to a great Australian writer who's novels should be made into movies. I enjoyed the historical manuscript and how it all tied in with the present day. Talk about break neck speed at which all of Matt's books are written, if you enjoy action, action and more action wait till you get your hands on AREA 7 his latest creation. I think Geena Davis would make a great Mother (character in Ice Station and Area 7). I have just read a few of the critical reviews - you have to remember that reading is escapism and fun, if you want facts you shouldn't be looking in the fiction section of your bookstore or library!!
Rating:
Summary: Forget Indiana Jones 4 make this a movie!
Review: This book was most definately the best adventure that I have read this year. The author gave me several sleepless nights as I adventured with his hero down to Peru to find an idol made from an extraterrestrial element that could be used to power the ultimate doomsday device. On the way we meet with rivaling U.S. armed forces groups, Nazi's, a doomsday cult, giant crocodiles and even larger jungle cats. This book is definately not to be missed! If you are an Indiana Jones fan you should definately pick this one up. A surprising second effort, I'm going to go back and pick up his first, if it is even half as good as this one it'll be better than most out there. Buy this book, you wont be disappointed!
Rating: 
Summary: Pure "Comic-Book" Fiction - Yuck!!
Review: Read one of the other reviews if you want to get a sense of the so-called "plot." The actions of the "hero" are so far-fetched as to be laughable - or would be if there was not such an incredible continuing blood bath all through this pot-boiler. There are so many bad guys in this story that I have the impression that they had to line up and take a number to get into the story. No one in the novel is who he/she seems to be, not even me. I thought I was "the reader"; turns out I was the guy throwing up from having read this insult to the intelligence.
Rating:
Summary: Ridiculous
Review: Aside from his limitations in character development, Mr. Reilly can't even do any decent research on his books. If he did, he'd realize that there are no such thing as Jesuit monks, people don't play baseball in New York in January, and a plethora of other details that prove that Mr. Reilly doesn't care to let basic research stand in the way of a story. He does seem to know a lot about weaponry, however, which I suppose is an accurate reflection of his mindset. Be advised.
Rating:
Summary: Great...A can't-put-it-down action novel!
Review: Four centuries ago, a precious idol was hidden in the jungles of Peru. To the Incan people this idol was a symbol of their spirit, to others it was a weapon capable of mass destruction. Now centuries later, American linguist William Race has been enlisted to decipher clues from a manuscript documenting the whereabouts of the idol. Race knows he was hired to put together a team to head up a mission in the Andes, but what he doesn't know is another group of men will also be there... Race must stop the band of men trying to intercept the idol, but forces are working to keep their treasure buried, and they are willing to kill to do so. Non-stop action keeps 'Temple' moving at breakneck speed. The story opens fast and keeps on moving as Race must face evil men, demonic creatures, and one disaster after another. Action/thriller fans will be very pleased with this novel, for it gives several hours of great escapist entertainment. Matt Reilly burst on to the literary scene, and his sharply plotted, excellently written novels sets him far apart from other authors in this genre. If you have not read anything by Mr. Reilly do yourself a favor and READ him! A MUST read! Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: An absolutely thrilling adventure...unbelievable, but FUN!
Review: I pretty much stumbled upon Matthew Reilly's other novel, 'Ice Station' quite by accident, and found it to be one of (if not THE) most action-packed novels I have ever read. The plot begins rapidly until you find yourself strapped to the back of the space shuttle on a non-stop ride to places that James Bond, Dirk Pitt & Indiana Jones couldn't even BEGIN to touch. Was it even remotely believable? NO WAY. Was it unbelievably fun? YOU BET. I anxiously awaited Reilly's next foray into adventure-fiction, and that result is 'Temple'. First off, let me begin by saying that 'Temple' is simply put, fine brain candy, and that's about it. No thought-provoking scenarios...no intellectually stimulating theories...just an extremely fun story. Is it over-the-top? Pretty much. But it was SO much fun I just dismissed the impossible scenarios because of the amazingly creative ways Reilly found to *help* the protagonist get out of impossible situations. Now that I have that out of the way, this novel hooked me virtually from page 1 with the tale of a Spanish Monk setting free an Incan prisoner so he can spirit away an object that the Conquistadors want at all costs, and the Incan's are willing to die to protect. What IS this idol, and why is it so valuable?
What would cause the Incans to be willing to die for such a thing? Furthermore, why does the American Army and some Germans want with it? Well apparently this idol was carved from a meteorite which fell in South America, and if properly used, the theory goes that it could be used to form a weapon which could conceivably destroy the entire planet. The adventure which ensues to get it first is one entertaining ride. Mixing adventure with the military isn't anything new, but Reilly makes it fresh with the sheer momentum of his story. This is one rocket-of-a-ride, so be careful, if you are into fast-moving stories, and I DO mean fast, pick this one up, but make sure you have some time to spare 'cuz you will NOT want to put it down. One other note, if you enjoyed this novel, pick up 'Excavation' by James Rollins, 'Domain' by Steve Alten and 'Link' by Walt Becker, ALL superb examples of action/adventure fiction with a South American twist. Indiana Jones meets the X-Files types of stories that are on par with 'Temple' for excitement (although maybe not as fast moving). Long story short, 'Temple' really IS a ride worth taking. Jump on board and enjoy -- but be cautioned: this ride MAY require seatbelts.
Rating:
Summary: Pathetic
Review: If only the author or the editors had a high-school education! If only they had more knowledge about the military than what they've gotten from watching "Full Metal Jacket"! The premise is OK; anyone who's read enough SF and action can buy into it. Heck, Clive Cussler gets away with stranger plots. The problem (for me) started around page 30, when the explanation of what they're searching for is couched in scientific-sounding babble that just plain doesn't make sense. I'm not picking at nits; the author apparently doesn't have a grasp on something as basic as the definition of an element. It's inexcusable, it's grating, and it reveals a breath-taking contempt for the reader. Then -- trudging through the bad science in an attempt to find a bit of entertainment -- I came across a passage describing a Green Beret sargent as "the type of bully who would be attracted to the military". Oh, c'mon! Has Reilly spent any time around military people, or even bothered to read up on the kind of people who really serve in the military? Or is he just spouting what he's been taught by Hollywood? I'm reluctant to review a book before finishing it, but this one is so bad I may not be able to finish it. If you want a good story in the same genre, read anything by James Rollins, Preston & Child, or Clive Cussler.
Rating:
Summary: great non-stop action
Review: This is very well written, and is one book that I continue to have friends read. The great part about the story, that it was a cross over. From past to future, future to past. Matthew Reilly gets into very good detail with the characters, and action scenes, which anyone can imagine. It comes with mythical creatures, and a legendary idol. It's a book for anyone who is intrested in action, military action, conspiricy, legend.
Rating: 
Summary: hard to swallow
Review: This book should have been right up my ally, I am a guy who loves action adventure, but this book made the last Dirk Pitt adventure I read seem like a serious look at post cold war espionage. The book is fast paced and does have a good plot-It is a 'fun' read-but I found after the third time the 'hero' was saved at the last instant, I could not suspend my belief any longer. Think of an Arnold Scharznigger movie on a double dose of steroids and you have this book. I actually think this book would have been better if the author had toned it down a bit. If you like comic book adventure this might be a book for you, but you might want to wait for the paperback.
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