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)

Not what to expected from a novel involving Eli Glenn

I loved this novel, shows a different side of Eli Glenn and why he is the way he is in the Gideon Crew book series. I listened to this one just to get the background before the next novel as I loved Gideon Crew but this was not how I expected it to turn out!

This book just cries for a sequel

I've listened to 435 books from Audible so far and I would have to put this one in my top 10 list. Preston & Child are favorites of mine to begin with but they have scored big time with this one. Like one of the other reviewers I found myself googling locations and topics mentioned in the story as well as following the course of the ship on Google earth. Interesting and exciting from beginning to end. I also liked the addition of the news reports at the end of the book but it just reinforced my feelings that this book must have a sequel.

In respect to the narration by Scott Brick I must disagree with Sandra's review. One of the things I search for on a regular basis are books read by Scott. No ridiculous accents or over blown dramatics or pretending to do female voices, just solid steady narration. His inflections and timing are subtle but effective and the tone of his voice is pleasant whether on earphones or speakers.

I highly recommend this book.

Wonderful, Well researched, Page Turner

These authors certainly did their research! Prompted me to Google certain topics mentioned in book for more information because the items were fascinating: Roaring 60's in Southern Ocean; Panspermia Theory; South Georgia Islands; and some mechanical engineering.

This book is extremely well written and Scott Brick does a wonderful job reading. The characters well developed with plot moving smoothly. It is the best AudioBook I have listened to.

The story is about a billionaire, Palmer Lloyd, who hires a crew of scientists, engineers, and others to retrieve an extremely heavy object from an island off the southern tip of Chile. Lloyd has an oil tanker converted and disguised to sail to Chile to accomplish this task. The object is the scientific find of the 21st century and puts the entire crew who sail in peril...and more.

This rock didn't rock me

I didn't find the rock and the quest for it nearly as exciting as the characters did. I got through the book, but I wouldn't say it was fabulous. Scott Brick is a good reader during exciting, tense scenes. But his directors should encourage him to lighten up when introducing characters, getting through small talk, etc.

Good Listen

After reading the mix of reviews, I decided to give this one a try and I enjoyed this. True the story is slow but only if speed is what you are after. The story still keeps you holding on. This is a great first book to perhaps another book or trilogy.

The Ice Limit, a riveting story

This is a story that is believable. A rich (pun) backdrop for a mystery and travel.

Another Preston&Child edge-of-your-seat story

You can always count on a unique plot and a wild ride from Preston&Child. As usual, they craft a story that pulls you in from the beginning, keeps you guessing and keeps surprising you.

They did a great job of using the premise of a mysterious life form discovered to build a sometimes heart pounding story.

"The Ice Limit" kept building in action and excitement with a very intense last few chapters.

Scott Brick did a great job of narration and helped keep the mood and tempo of the story.

It kept me coming back for the payoff

I was entertained. I know that sounds like damning with faint praise but this book was slightly out of my favorite genre (though they do throw a twist in the latter quarter of the novel).

Highly competent men undertaking near impossible tasks. And moving a meteorite halfway around the world from where it was buried near the Antarctic Circle, without the assistance or approval of the host nation, is quite the task. Particularly when the rock weighs more than 10,000 tons?

The characters where almost caricatures, not very deep with only a modicum of back story to provide motivations. But the story and the engineering (and chicanery required to pull it off under the noses of the local authorities) were interesting. I must say that I really didn't see them heading down the SF road at the end, but it was an interesting twist.

good story..but

story a bit too unrealistic, far fetched,but still good listening. The engineering was over the top.

Where is the sequel?

Yes, it is a good book. It starts slow. And for some it will be hard to get into. But once I was into it, I was not happy with the ending when I found there is not a sequel! Come on! It really needs one, they have had time. Get to writing!