Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child

 

 

Summary:

 

A breathtaking discovery at the top of the world . . .
A terrifying collision between modern science and Native American legend . . .
An electrifying new thriller from New York Times bestselling author Lincoln Child.

Two hundred miles north of the Arctic Circle lies Alaska’s Federal Wildlife Zone, one of the most remote and inhospitable places on Earth. But for paleoecologist Evan Marshall and a small group of fellow scientists, an expedition to the Zone represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study the effects of global warming.

Everything about the expedition changes, however, with an astonishing find. On a routine exploration of a glacial ice cave, the group discovers an enormous ancient animal, encased in solid ice. The media conglomerate sponsoring their research immediately intervenes and arranges the ultimate spectacle—the creature will be cut from the ice, thawed, and revealed live on television. Despite dire warnings from the local Native American village, and the scientific concerns of Marshall and his team, the “docudrama” plows ahead . . . until the scientists make one more horrifying discovery. The beast is no regular specimen—it may be an ancient killing machine. And they may be premature in believing it dead.

In this riveting new thriller, Lincoln Child weaves together a stunning Arctic landscape, a terrifying mythic creature, and a pervasive mood of chaos—and fear. With Terminal Freeze, Child demonstrates why he has become a major bestselling author, and why his novels electrify and enthrall so many.

Summary & Photo taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 320 pages (Hardcover)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: February 24th 2009 by Doubleday

 

A couple days ago I finally was in the mood to give this book a try. I'm a big fan of the Pendergast series that Lincoln Child co-authors with Douglas Preston and I've been curious to see how his standalone novels that he writes alone would turn out to be and I knew when I read the summary of this one that it would be a good place to start.

 

Terminal Freeze turned out to be a very quick read which I wasn't expecting at all. I was expecting it to be written at the same pace as the above mentioned series he co-authors but that was not the case at all with this one. Don't get me wrong, just because it was a quick read  doesn't mean that it wasn't a good read because it was.

 

The novel centers around a scientific expedition to the remotest of places in the arctic. While on the expedition the main character Marshall's team makes a remarkable discovery that puts everyones  lives in danger. Not heeding the warning by the leader of the local Tunit tribe people begin to die, but no one knows what is killing the victims except the local tribesman.

 

I'm always a sucker for thriller novels that take place in remote places and you have to admit the Arctic is pretty darned remote so it makes a thriller novel that much more chilling (pun intended) for it to take place there. I liked that the novel took place at a remote military installation because for me I like my thriller novels that have "mysterious" creatures to have lots of fire power. 

 

There was a hell of a lot of action in this novel and I enjoyed the blood and gore of it as well as the legend and mystery behind the creature, however the creature could have been written about in a more detailed manner and I did find that the story glazed over a lot about the creatures mannerisms and that the creature didn't make a real appearance (where it was described while making a kill) until rather late in the novel for my tastes.

 

I also think that while Marshall was a likable character that he along with the others were rather one dimensional, they had very little depth and I wish that more of Marshall's past had been explained and that we had gotten to know him and the other characters more.

 

Despite my issues with the lack of detailing in the creature as well as the one dimensional characters the action in the novel made it entirely worth the read. It was fast past and adrenalin filled and I had no idea who would be the next one killed so it kept me guessing.  

 

Overall, it was a fun read, it kept me interested and I enjoyed it. I would recommend this one to thriller fans with a hint of horror and mysterious beasts as well or if you just want a quick read that will have you at the edge of your seats. I can't wait to read my next Lincoln Child novel and I'm really glad that I have another one in transit from the library.
 

  Liked it!
★ ★ ★ 1/2

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