The Ice Limit

By: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 16 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

The largest known meteorite has been discovered, entombed in the earth for millions of years on a frigid, desolate island off the southern tip of Chile. At 4,000 tons, this treasure seems impossible to move.

New York billionaire Palmer Lloyd is determined to have this incredible find for his new museum. Stocking a cargo ship with the finest scientists and engineers, he builds a flawless expedition. But from the first approach to the meteorite, people begin to die. A frightening truth is about to unfold: The men and women of the Rolvaag are not taking this ancient, enigmatic object anywhere. It is taking them.

©2001 Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (P)2010 Hachette

Critic reviews

"This is a big-boned thriller, one that will make a terrific summer movie as well as a memorable hot-day read." ( Publishers Weekly)

Dull narration makes mediocre storyline worse

I am a huge fan of these authors....I was very disappointed in this book. A large part of the problem was the narration. The narrator was almost monotone in the delivery with very little range. He adopted a seriousness of tone that was never modulated during the ups and downs of the plot.

Also, the plot was not up to the authors' usual page turner. I found myself listening to this on my commute each day because I didn't have another new book to listen to. My advise would be to save your credits for the next Pendergast novel. If you are new to these authors', start with the first Pendergast and go through the series. You will not be disappointed.

Don't skip this one.

An excellent book, kept me glued to it the entire way. Nice ending also...

This is why I love Preston and Child

Amazing characters, truly suspensful action, and the plot developed with such tension that I couldn't tear myself away. I think I'm a fairly picky reader, but I am looking for other books just like this one to read.

A Decent Thriller with Good Character Development

This was a decent action thriller with some nice twists and turns that keeps one listening and the pages (so to speak) turning. I found the science and engineering intriguing and believable. While listening I would find myself researching some of the principles and facts to verify and understand them better.

Character development was fairly deep and was a major part of the book as it lends to the plots and action of the book.

Scott Bricks narration is unique if you have not listened to a book narrated by him before. His intonation is very particular and could turn some people off. Listen to the sample to see if you fall into this category.

Not as exciting as other Preston/Child books

It was OK book, but not great. Maybe I expected too much after reading The Wheel of Darkness, that was complete opposite. The meteorite from red metal with panspermia touch was surely interesting idea. What I didn't like throughout the book was the feel of total despair and utmost vain seeping at you from every chapter. I've never read such a hopeless book. If it was authors goal then he met it with excellence. This might not be likable for every reader though, I certainly didn't. But if you enjoy despair then go for it. Anyways maybe it would have been better if it wasn't completely killed by the narrator. His melancholic voice without any emotion makes you want to sleep.

Way too long for a basic story

While I love most all of Preston and Childs books, this one you should buy ABRIDGED! The story line is good, but it took 1/2 way through a 17HR book to get to the actual guts of the story. The last 4 hours was probably enough for me to read and get engaged. But once reaching the end I want to know more, they should do another book to explain the next steps taken in this book, but with much less character details and descriptions. Just the facts guys...just the facts!

Interesting thriller

The story is interesting and has some thrilling moments. Scott Brick is not my favorite narrator, a little slow and boring a little too often throughout the story, however.

Edge-of-you-seat fun. Ending was freaky.

Although this is a very long book it's quite enjoyable, compelling and interesting. Suspense, action, super-weird meteorite that is just as much of a "character" as the humans. The engineering and technical aspects are fascinating. Characters are all well developed. Some parts are predictable and cheesy. But only minor parts of the story. Some here want a sequel. It's certainly open to it but where would it go? The ending is jaw-dropping. A little "out there" but believable. My only complaint is that sometimes the story or the reader (can't say for sure) seemed a little too self-important. Loved this book. Would make an excellent summer blockbuster film.

Death by Narrator

What did you like best about The Ice Limit? What did you like least?

The story might have been better but the narrator got in the way

How could the performance have been better?

I unfortunately have now listened to two of this narrators books. Big mistake. The old "fool me once" jibe comes to mind but I apparently did not get the narrators name in my mind when I downloaded the book. There is no hope for this narrator ~ it is his natural way and it sucks!

Fantastic!

I wondered why it was a little slow but it was to build the story. just when you thought it was over something else happened.