Antarktos Rising
by Jeremy Robinson
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Book Summary Information
Author: Jeremy RobinsonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-10-22
ISBN: 1935142003
Number of pages: 453
Publisher: Breakneck Books
Book Reviews of Antarktos Rising
Book Review: A great start, the giants, scientific absurdities and biblical references spoiled what could have been a great book
Summary: 3 Stars
The initial premise of this book is scientifically plausible, although extremely unlikely. It is well known that the Earth's axis of rotation wobbles a bit and that the climate of regions has changed dramatically in the past, sometimes drastically in a short time. Woolly mammoths have been found quick frozen in Siberia with partially chewed vegetation in their mouths. A geologically miniscule thousands of years ago, Alaska was a lush, near-tropical environment, although this change appears to have been more gradual. Therefore, a scientific theory that the inherent chaotic dynamics of the Earth's rotation will cause the axis to suddenly and dramatically shift position is plausible.
That is what happens at the start of this book, the rotational axis shifts from the current location at the North Pole to a new position in North Dakota. Massive tsunami, blasts of cold air that quick-freezes everything and fiery blasts of heat render large sections of the Earth uninhabitable, killing billions. All but the lower section of the United States is a frozen wasteland and many other countries have essentially been destroyed by tsunamis that were nearly 100 feet high.
These climate changes have rendered Antarctica into a lush jungle and once the ice has melted, an enormous variety of plants appear. Merrill Whitney is a scientist who has fled civilization to an isolated location in Antarctica and his daughter Mirabelle manages to survive the freeze in New Hampshire. Once the worst consequences of the pole shift are over, the remaining major powers, the United States, the newly constituted European Federation, the People's Republic of China, the Soviet Union and the Arab Alliance agree that rather than fighting over the newly available territory of Antarctica, there would be a race. Each entrant would send a team from a starting point on the coast of Antarctica and the first to reach the geographic center would be declared the winner.
Given the knowledge possessed by the Whitney family about Antarctica, the president of the United States sends a Special Forces team to bring Mirabelle to Texas so that she can contact her father and increase the chances of a U. S. victory in the Antarctic race. While the United States and the European Union send solid teams, the Soviets, Chinese and Arab ones are determined to wipe out the competition. Several members of the Arab team are suicide bombers, whose goal is to infiltrate the other teams and wipe as many of them out as possible. The Soviet team contains an accomplished assassin, whose job is to kill members of the other teams.
With all of this as a backdrop, there is clearly enough to create an intense story of brutal competition. However, the author does not stop there, introducing species of dinosaurs that are capable of surviving a freeze of thousands of years. Unfortunately, it gets even worse, there is a species of giants, some fifteen feet tall living on Antarctica. Not only do they possess enormous strength, but they also have wings that allow them to fly, rows of sharp teeth and the tail of a scorpion. One of their favorite foods is human flesh and they are immortal with no souls. Some of the giants are the original Norse gods such as Thor and the biblical character of Goliath was a giant. In this story, Thor comes complete with his hammer.
There is also a biblical backdrop of interaction and interbreeding with humans, although the idea of a fifteen-foot creature interbreeding with a human seems preposterous. Biblical verses are quoted in support of the existence of these creatures, referred to as Nephilim. With most of the teams wiped out, the story becomes one of a battle between the American team and the giants. In another absurd plot twist, the humans learn that if they can dislodge the gold band that the giants wear around their head, then they lose their immortality and can be killed if their injuries are severe enough.
In my opinion, a potentially great story was lost when the author decided to introduce the dinosaurs and the Nephilim into the plot. Up to that point, there were scientific reasons to explain the shifting of the rotational pole but the idea that the Nephilim could exist is absurd. Basic physiological physics conclusively demonstrates that the human figure cannot grow to a height of fifteen feet. Most humans that have approached eight feet have had defective skeletal structures that rendered them almost immobile. It is also impossible for creatures of this size to fly, given the Earth's level of gravity and atmosphere. Finally, the interbreeding, biblical and mythological references reached the point where I just wanted to get to the end of the book.
Summary of Antarktos Rising
THE WORLD RACES TO CLAIM A NEW CONTINENT...
A phenomenon known as crustal displacement shifts the Earth's crust, repositioning continents and causing countless deaths. In the wake of the global catastrophe, the world struggles to take care of its displaced billions. But Antarctica, freshly thawed and blooming, has emerged as a new hope. Rather than wage a world war no nation can endure, the leading nations devise a competition, a race to the center of Antarctica, with the three victors dividing the continent.
It is within this race that Mirabelle Whitney, one of the few surviving experts on the continent, grouped with an American special forces unit, finds herself. But the dangers awaiting the team are far worse than feared; beyond the sour history of a torn family, beyond the nefarious intentions of their human enemies, beyond the ancient creatures reborn through anhydrobiosis--there are the Nephilim.
...ONLY TO FIND IT ALREADY TAKEN.
THE STORY CONTINUES!
If you enjoy ANTARKTOS RISING, be sure to check out The Antarktos Saga, also by Jeremy Robinson. The first two books in this brand new series are prequels to AR. The third book parallels AR. And the last two books finish both story lines as the merge.
The Antarktos Saga, in order:
- THE LAST HUNTER - DESCENT
- THE LAST HUNTER - PURSUIT
- THE LAST HUNTER - ASCENT
- THE LAST HUNTER - LAMENT (coming 2012)
- THE LAST HUNTER - ONSLAUGHT (coming 2012)
PRAISE FOR ANTARKTOS RISING:
"Jeremy Robinson is an original and exciting voice. Antarktos Rising has just the right blend of menace and normality---a tale full of intrigue, treachery, and a wealth of secrets. A good old-fashioned suspense story set in one of the most desolate places of earth. It fires on all cylinders in a smart, taut thrill."
-- Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of THE VENETIAN BETRAYAL and THE CHARLEMAGNE PURSUIT
"Apocalypse comes to Antarctica. Jeremy Robinson balances Biblical speculation upon a dagger-edge of suspense and adventure. With Antarktos Rising, Robinson opens a new dark continent of terror. Trespass at your own risk."
--James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author of Black Order and The Judas Strain
"An awesome journey into the beating heart of a legend. Jules Verne would be proud."
-- Stel Pavlou, bestselling author of DECIPHER and GENE
"A fast-paced chiller that delves into new possibilities about our future...and past."
--Steve Alten, best-selling author of MEG and The SHELL GAME
"How do you find an original story idea in the crowded action-thriller genre? Two words: Jeremy Robinson. Antartkos combines history, science and myth about Antarctica to create a jaw-dropping concept so real it will have you Googling like mad to learn more after the story is finished."
-- Scott Sigler, bestselling author of ANCESTOR and EARTHCORE
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