Ice Hunt

By: James Rollins

Narrated by: John Meagher

Length: 15 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Carved into a moving island of ice twice the size of the United States, Ice Station Grendel has been abandoned for more than 70 years. The twisted brainchild of the finest minds of the former Soviet Union, it was designed to be inaccessible and virtually invisible. But an American undersea research vessel has inadvertently pulled too close - and something has been sighted moving inside the allegedly deserted facility, something whose survival defies every natural law.

And now, as scientists, soldiers, intelligence operatives, and unsuspecting civilians are drawn into Grendel's lethal vortex, the most extreme measures possible will be undertaken to protect its dark mysteries - because the terrible truths locked behind submerged walls of ice and steel could end human life on Earth.

©2003 Jim Czajkowski (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Chiller Thriller

Very believable cast (especially motives and back story). The most unbelievable things were some items of the ice station Gendel's backstory (some things not mentioned in the teaser [hint = involving co-operation], so I'm not writing a spoiler, just a review). I do not know much about the life sciences, but he made things sound so believable. There were some things in the end that I didn't expect to happen (but the good kind of surprised). Amazonia is still the best he wrote IMHO.

Definitely worth the 1 credit.

Entertaining Story

Elaborate story with military intrigue and monsters thrown in the mix. A bit far fetched but that’s to be expected for a book like this.

Just OK Story/Performance Weak

This tale definitely follows the Rollins storyline format. BUT, the well developed and likable/hatable characters (both human and dog) can’t save the mediocre story, unlikely politics and stretched science. Rollin’s requisite storyline beasties, the Grendels, were awesome.

John Meagher did not have the voice appropriate for an adult adventure yarn. I have heard some of his teen oriented readings, where he was perfect... but not for a Rollins reading.

I want more Tucker and Kane tales !

Monsters come in many shapes.

who's a monster? USSR or USA? both. WHAT is the other monster? I'm not a big fan of military stories but this book has many twists and I enjoy this author's books.
I laughed out loud in many occasions.
You will not be disappointed by this book.

Thrilling Book -- Less So Narrator

This is a true action tale that keeps moving from start to finish. If you enjoy edge-of-your-seat action like I do, you should find this book very enjoyable.

The ONLY drawback was the narrator. Throughout most of the narration, Mr. Meagher seemed to be trying to whisper the narration as if he was in a location where he wanted to ensure others did not hear him. I kept visualizing him reading this at home in the middle of the night, trying not to wake his family. This proved to be very irritating. The style might be effective for a quiet, dramatic story, but just doesn't work for a true action story like this. Unfortunately for that reason I'll surely be rejecting any books in the future with his narrations.

A great Ride!!!!

What other book might you compare Ice Hunt to and why?

Ice Station by Matthew Reilly. Both are edge of your seat rides that take place in frozen poles.

Would you listen to another book narrated by John Meagher?

Maybe. I liked the story enough but at times the "acting" (for lack of a better term) was a bit off. I guess it was the timing or the emotion behind it just wasn't there. A lot of the time I felt as if i was being read to instead of being there.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes...in fact I almost did. I need to make it up to my husband now.

Any additional comments?

This book was very enjoyable. I read the Sigma series by the Rollins so this was enjoyable to hear his stand alone books. This book is very action packed...a roller coaster and that is just fine with me. It's fiction so I didn't mind having to suspend my belief on some of the events. It is a very enjoyable...very fun book to hear.

another Rollins breakthrough

I wasn't disappointed with Rollins. I like his concept and take on things. I also like the good guys winning!

Not impressed.

Only made it through three chapters. Reads more like a junior high or high school adventure book.

A 400-lb grizzly bear is not a massive bear. Females can be twice that, and males easily over a thousand pounds. And if you had to shoot a grizzly, you would never shoot at its legs to stop it. I was done after some of the absurd comments he made.

As for the Russian characters, I just kept hearing Chekov in Star Trek. Was not impressed with the narrator.

Good book

Starts off a little slow, but gets exciting. It turned out to be a good book. Hope others decide to give it a try.

many characters few reasons

I was so disapointed. I give it three for the series of books within books idea. i would say so much more but it would be a spoiler.