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11:48 pm
April 9, 2011
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I am a massive massive fan of this author. For those who don’t know, he is an Australian, who writes action thrillers. The best way to desrcibe them is when I read them I feel like I am reading a Hollywood Summer Blockbuster. They travel a million miles an hour, and they can get intense. Previously novels have ranged from a sci-fi contest set in a New York Library (The Contest), a series involving a CIA Agent (The Scarecrow Series) and another series involving a team led by an Australian trying to stop the end of the world (The Jack West Jr series)
Now, in a million years I would never have expected to start a thread here of all places about Matthew Reilly but I just found this clip on his YouTube Channel about his upcoming book and though some of you might be interested in reading it when it comes out. And I think you have nothing to worry about with people thinking it will be based on real events. His Jack West Jr series started with presenting a possible reaso why The Seven Ancient Wonders were ‘collected’ by Alexander The Great. While the idea COULD be plausible, the story is jsut the right amount of outlandish that it doesn’t ever come across as factual (like it did in The Da Vinci Code). I have faith that the same will happen here.
feature=player_detailpage&v=-zm3mJdaTKw
Out of curiosity, whose book on Elizabeth has he used?
6:15 pm
February 24, 2010
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That looks like Starkey’s book. This looks very interesting.
12:25 am
November 22, 2011
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Sharon said
That looks like Starkey’s book. This looks very interesting.
It does look like Starkey’s ‘Elizabeth’, doesn’t it? This looks so good. What do you think…movie or mini-series to follow the book?
11:44 am
April 9, 2011
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thanks for the solving of the book, good to see he is using a quality historian. It would be intersting if this got a cinematic adaptation. Apparently one book of his (Hovercraft Racer) has been with Disney for years. There have been interest in hsi Scarecrow series (namely the first book Ice Station). And I know he has even shot a promo teaser for The Contest as a promotional tool for investors. Sadly nothing has ever happened with his books, even though they really would make a great blockbuster of a movie. Who know maybe using Elizabeth as his lead character might help catch the eye of someone who wants to do something a little different with her story.
It should be an interesting read, as it seems a little different to his usual style. A middle ages murder mystery based around a chess tournament. It doesn’t really scream action book, but I have no doubt he will surprise me.
What I also like about him, is at the back of the book he does this Q&A where he discusses aspects of writing the book etc and he always points out his fiction and the inspiration and always identifies the bits he full on made up with no support from history. He is a very honest guy. I saw him speak once at a young leader’s conference. He was so captivating and passionate that I had to rush out and buy The Contest. It’s also great to see him back in the spotlight, doing public things and living his passion after his wife sadly passed away unexpectedly.
6:33 am
April 9, 2011
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Matthew has just released the first 10 pages of the book on his website. It’s a prologue that sets up the story. It seems Elizabeth is the central character and appears that this chess tournament helps defines Elizabeth’s attitude to ruling. It sounds really intriguing. And interestingly, the story doesn’t start with a bang like all his other ones.
10:34 am
April 9, 2011
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A dear friend gave me this book for Christmas. And as part of my New Year’s Resolutions I have vowed to make sure I read once a day. I have chosen this book to tackle first.
Firstly, the beginning of the book makes it clear this is a work of fiction and not to be treated as fact. So that is good. He writes in first person and it is told by Elizabeth (on her death bed) to her dear friend about a secret trip to Constantinople when Liz was 15 years old. The inspiration is the legend that the very first chess tournament occurred during this year, even though no records were kept. So I’m guessing the actual inspiration was why no record was kept of this tournament.
So far nothing outlandish has happened, he is taking time to develop Elizabeth and her entourage. Which surprisingly is a nice change from his action packed adventures. I do admit it is weird to be reading a Matt Reilly book in first person narrative. But if I can survive a PG book, I can manage this one. At the moment it is a very easy read. I will update you as I progress and may even ask for clarification on Elizabeth if required.
