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Contest

By: Matthew Reilly
Narrated by: Sean Mangan
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Publisher's summary

Readers all over the world have been cheering about Matthew Reilly's lightning fast adventure thrillers.

Contest, the action-packed extravaganza that launched this international best-selling career, is vintage Reilly at his explosive best.

The New York Public Library. A silent sanctuary of knowledge; a 100-year-old labyrinth of towering bookcases, narrow aisles and long marble hallways. For Doctor Stephen Swain and his daughter, Holly, it is the site of a nightmare. Because for one night this historic building is to be the venue for a contest. A contest in which Swain is to compete - whether he likes it or not.The rules are simple: Seven contestants will enter, only one will leave. With his daughter in his arms, Stephen Swain is plunged into a terrifying fight for survival. The stakes are high, the odds brutal. He can choose to run, to hide or to fight - but if he wants to live, he has to win. For in this contest, unless you leave as the victor, you do not leave at all.

©2000 Matthew Reilly. (P)2001 Bolinda Publishing
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Critic reviews

"Offers constant, nail-biting action" - ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Contest

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Riellys First and still his Best!!

Loved this book, very cool and conceptual. Entertaining too the last and engagin on any number of levels. Mangans Narration is quite good as well.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Never a dull moment!

Another action packed story full of monstrous beasts and good people using their knowledge and bravery to prevail!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

another non stop action thriller - riveting

If you could sum up Contest in three words, what would they be?

fast furious brilliant

What was one of the most memorable moments of Contest?

the beginning

What about Sean Mangan’s performance did you like?

love him reading matthew reilly's books

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

the ultimate contest not only a physical test but one of endurance and mental flexibility

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Full of action, massive amount of suspense and thrilling fight scenes!

I enjoyed this book as I do all of Matthew Reilly's books but because of the suspense, the thrill and the exciting intense action content of the book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great listen

Love this author and this Book. Read all his books previously so thought I'd try audio. It's better than I remember. very fast paced and hard to take break. Hope more of his books come to audible until then I going to attic to box of books I will never get rid of.All authors titles there.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Monster Aliens!

If you could sum up Contest in three words, what would they be?

Monster aliens, Action

Who was your favorite character and why?

Stephen Swain was my favourite just for his never say die attitude and the way he protected his daughter.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Jurassic Park, Alien and Predator all rolled into one.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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A Very Good Listen

Having not read much from Reilly I was not sure what to expect, though he is well known thriller writer. His writing is certainly enjoyable and filled with action. Some of the details could be fleshed out more, and it is a little difficult to believe some of the aliens to be considered “intelligent,” but they made for exciting adversaries.
Sean Mangan is new to me. He is pretty good.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Not my favorite Reilly

I could tell this was one of Matthews first. Not my favorite.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic book

A very compelling story unique and riveting Looking forward to others by this author. A must read if you like sci fi

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Quite good for a Self-Published Early Work

This author was recommended to me by a relative who spent some time in Australia. I grabbed his first novel and there are a number of editorial problems. There are also some funny things where you can tell the author (and maybe narrator) are not really used to American slang (a tin of biscuits, etc etc).

Also, the sci-fi portion of the writing was hit or miss, probably mostly miss.

THE GOOD: Damn, this book is a mad dash of crazy action. I didn't even care how accurate some of the science/physics were. It was a freaking blast from start to finish! Enough so that i immediately purchased what many call his "best" book: Ice Station

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