Rating: 
Summary: More non-stop fun
Review: "Ice Station", like Reilly's proceding novel "Temple", is full of non-stop, hard-to-believe, over-the-top action. The book does have its flaws, but nothing that should concern a fan of James Bond or Dirk Pitt (Clive Cussler novels). If you like daring, unbelievable escapes, both of these novels would be your cup of tea.This one involves a secret station located in Antarctica. A military unit let by Shane "Scarecrow" Schofield (the reason behind the nickname is explained in the novel), investigates the station and discovers some French scientists and everyday citizens. Soon after, they learn of a secret beneath the station and the French want it for themselves. A long, thrilling battle ensues for the remainder of the book. Reilly ties in nature in this novel as he did in "Temple". Killer whales and another mysterious species are present in the lower levels and below the station. Both come into play multiple times throughout the novel and fit perfectly into the overall picture. This one is similar to "Temple" in other ways, including a similar plot of various organizations in search of an elusive object, but overall is still worth the time to sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Non-stop, unbelievable action
Review: This novel is one of those you have to take for what it is: pure action. There is little thought to plot credibility or much emphasis on characterzation. With that mindset, one has to give the author credit for producing a wild technothriller. Agreed that most of the events are completely unbelievable and the characters are mostly caricatures of the "rambo type" action hero, it is still a good, quickly read, entertaining book for those who like this type of story. If you are seeking intellectual gratification, this is not the book for you. If you like mindless adventure, constant action and indestructible good guys, then you will enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Summer BLOCKBUSTER in the making!!!
Review: After reading Temple by Matthew Reilly, I was eager to check out his first book, Ice Station. The Temple, while good and full of action wasn't great. The Ice Station, however, made me a fan of Reilly's. In the Ice Station we follow a group of Marines, lead by Scarecrow, a rugged leader with a heart attempt to protect the Ice Wilkes Station and it's secret. We meat Kristy and her friend Wendy, Mother who is probably the toughest Marine of them all, Sarah Hensleigh, killer whales, killer sea lions, the French, the British and others. The Ice Station is a rock'em sock'em story full of non-stop action. What made the Ice Station even better than Temple was the characters had more life and interaction and I really became engrossed. And while I find most endings to be poorly done, I left Ice Station completely satisfied. This is a great book and to all those who whine about historical accuracy and research, you miss the point! This book is FUN, EXCITING and primed to be a SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER!
Rating:
Summary: Bonding time -- for kids of all ages
Review: Ice Station is the first book since Harry Potter that captured my teenage son, captured him so totally he was reading it at the breakfast table. This was great with me since I was totally captured by Ice Station, too! Matt Reilly writes, and sustains, action sequences that go on for endless pages. This takes a tremendous talent, talent Relly wields like a big blunt machete. I loved this novel and I loved discussing all the details with my son. Bonding time doesn't get any better. On to Temple, and then to Area 7 in hardcover. Scarecrow is larger than life but we just can't wait to meet him again in Area 7. Discovering Matt Reilly has been such a fun, joyous time for the two of us. Now if we can just get Dad to read the first three pages, we know he'll be hooked too...
Rating: 
Summary: too much
Review: Like rich chocolate, this book is good but it's just too hard to swallow. so much action that suspension of disbelief becomes impossible because one forgets what 'real' is. Just one fight after another, lots of italics and exclamation points. This is fun stuff but its just too much action. i can't believe i just said that but it's true.
Rating:
Summary: What a ride!
Review: Before you even decide to pick up this book you need to remember one thing. Take your concept of reality and chuck it out the window. once you have done that then you will enjoy this book. This is just a flat out great story. It's fun exciting and keeps you turning pages. The characters were a bit over the top but that's fine as well. The action was almost non-stop if you are looking for serious literature, take a walk this is not for you. If you want to read a great story then pick this one up right now!I just orderd 'TEMPLE' I'm sure it's just as good,I'll let you know.
Rating:
Summary: Just Couldn't Get Into It
Review: While the novel was most certainly action packed, I think it suffered under the weight of all the action. While it presents a great premise and plot, the numerous Indiana Jones type escapes just got to be too much. I recently purchased TEMPLE by the same author and hope that he spends a little more attention to character development.
Rating:
Summary: Way Over-the-Top, But Who Cares?
Review: This book - Reilly's first - is worlds better than his second attempt, Temple. It has what are apparently the author's standard failings, which are (a.) poorly grounded factual research (on any matter other than weaponry), (b.) amateurish style (excess italicization and exclamation points), and (c.) action that is wa-a-a-ay over the top. Ice Station has a couple of glaring factual errors that are likely not to be noticed by most of the reading public (four million year old ice covering Antarctica, for one - it's only had ice for about forty thousand years), but they don't harm the story at all. As for the amateurish writing style, it may cause the occasional smirk. What the book has going for it is likeable characters, a good plot and brisk pace, plenty of surprises and a satisfying finale. And the action, while definitely overabundant, is admittedly pretty gripping. The slightly fantastic elements in the story are at least credibly handled. And, well, it's just a damned good read. Reilly's books, especially Temple, are written essentially for a junior high level audience, but Ice Station will appeal equally to adults - as long as they're just looking for a pretty good roller coaster ride. Given that the author is under thirty, I look forward to following his progress. He'll probably improve with experience.
Rating: 
Summary: Up, Up and Away!!!
Review: I liked this book. The concept was interesting, the plot was sufficiently hinky, and the action was great. That said, "Scarecrow" was almost a cartoon character and he didn't need to be in order to make the story work. If Reilly had toned him down a bit and made some of the "Perils of Pauline" a bit less perilous, I would have given it another star or two. But, the guy has real promise and with a little restraint in his next books Reilly will be really worth buying. A couple of nits, since these things count to readers of the genre. The USMC is a part of the Navy, but the grade titles are not. Scarecrow can't go from being a Naval Lt. Cdr. to being a USMC officer (at least absent an interservice transfer). He certainly wouldn't be demoted from 0-4 (Lt. Cdr/Major) to 0-1 (2nd Lt) for injuries suffered during interrogation and torture while a POW. From what was described, he'd probably have been awarded the Navy Cross instead. More to the point, officers below the rank of Vice Admiral/Lt. Gen can't be demoted as a matter of law. Second, USMC officers do not command aircraft carriers, Naval officers do. The main reason why Wasp's commander, Capt. Walsh, won't be Commandant of the USMC is that he's not a Marine; he's a Navy Captain. It has nothing to do with him liking to be with his troops (in this case sailors). Worth buying in papaerback.
Rating:
Summary: I love escapism but gimme a break
Review: Matt Reilly has written a very good action story but with a little restraint he could have written a great one. The action jumps off the page. The initial gunfight is among the best I have ever read and I read a ton, believe me. Many books are described as "un-put-downable" but so few of them really are. This one certainly is up to a point. I don't go searching for realism in my entertainment,be it book or movie form,but ICE STATION just gets to a point where you stop and say "What are you kidding me?!?! Reilly's hero is only missing the red cape to be Superman. The guy is so resilient it's laughable. Still, for all the criticism I'm throwing at it I must admit, ICE STATION was an incredibly fun read. It won't be the last Matt Reilly novel I'll read. Take this book to the beach with you.
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