A review by C J Dee
When a missing, top secret US submarine has its emergency beacon activated beneath the surface of Antarctica, Alex Hunter and an elite team of soldiers are sent to ensure it does not fall into China’s hands. Hunter and his soldiers know the Chinese PLA isn’t the only threat: another larger threat has been waiting for millennia.
Kraken Rising is a great action novel with fast-paced writing, an engaging plot and well-developed characters.
As the sixth novel in the Alex Hunter series, Kraken Rising does well to stand on its own. However, there are a few ongoing references to the first novel in the Alex Hunter series, Beneath the Dark Ice. This doesn’t work against Kraken Rising like it does when you enter some series halfway through. Instead, it has made me want to go back and read Alex Hunter’s journey from the beginning.
The action is palpable. Once it kicks in, it goes to overdrive and powers through anything in its way. The writing for the action sequences is fast and full of punch. It never gets bogged down in technical descriptions or unnecessary explanations while things are supposed to be ‘sploding.
Alex Hunter is a likeable protagonist as are most of the HAWC soldiers under his command. The villains are treacherous and the creatures are dangerous, which is exactly what you want from an action novel. There are a couple of characters who are grating and annoying but I get the impression that’s their purpose. The other characters seem just as annoyed with them as I was. Without having to go into too much back story, Beck has managed to create a versatile cast that feels real.
I would highly recommend Kraken Rising to readers who enjoy Matthew Reilly, Tom Clancy or Boyd Morrison. The fast-paced action teamed with real characters and an insanely entertaining plot make for a great read.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
ISBN: 9781760301293
Format: eBook
Publisher: Momentum (PanMacmillan Australia)
