Contest

By: Matthew Reilly

Narrated by: Sean Mangan

Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins

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.

©2005 Matthew Reilly (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic Reviews

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

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.

Never a dull moment

This book is for those who like faced paced, action, sci-fi. I like survival stories, competitions and alien interaction. This one ticks all the boxes. Nicely written, very well performed. Great story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Hard to put down. The story introduces impossible scenarios and then produces exciting explanations of the hero's way out. This is the first of the Matthew Reilly best sellers, and I'm glad I started with this one first. Have added the rest of his books to my wish list and look forward to reading them all. Makes me proud to be an Aussie like the author.
Great stuff.

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.

Fantastic book

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

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.

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

Can’t Go Wrong

I love all of Matthew Reilly’s books. The action is always over the top exciting.

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

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.

Scary, full on & exhausting. Terrific!

I totally got blown away with this story. Parts scared me, grossed me out & had me holding my breath on multiple occasions throughout. I actually read this book in one day, it was so jam packed with action & graphic details of how the main characters were going to solve each life & death moment they were thrust into. I'm totally exhausted & I'm sure I'll have a nightmare or two with how my imagination went into overdrive, whilst reading. That aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this story & can't wait to read & listen to more from Matthew Reilly.

WHY NO MOVIE YET!!!!

ONE of my favourite books in general and one of my favourite Reilly books in particular. chock full of action and it doesn't matter how many times I read/hear it I'm still biting my nails in suspense at all the confrontation scenes.

Excellent!

Brilliant story, an excellent debut that I've read many times. As always, excellently narrated by Sean Mangan

Exciting

loved it excellent fantastic thrilling fast atmosphere grappling fast action entertainmenting a ride from start to finish

Brilliant!!!

Love this book. Narrated wonderfully too. Well worth it. Can’t get better than Mr Reilly. Well
perhaps you can, but he’s still terribly good at fast paced action stories

What a belting read!

This is the third book of Reilly's I've read, despite it being his first published. I love the way his stories always make you feel part of the action and adrenaline. My favourite author.

brilliant

From the moment moment I listened I could not stop. the story was so gripping, a beautiful piece of storytelling.

Loved the book. Loved the audio book

Where does Contest rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best, but that might be because I've read the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Contest?

The fight scenes between the main character and Belios

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Didn't have one that stood out

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

At the end when they are just sitting on the train. Filthy,tired and being completely ignored. No one knew what they had just been through.

Any additional comments?

This narrator is one of my favourites and he didn't let me down this time. If you're a fan of Matthew Reilly its a no brainer