Gorgon

Alex Hunter, Book 5

By: Greig Beck

Narrated by: Sean Mangan

Length: 14 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

An ancient evil awakens....

Alex Hunter has been found - sullen, alone, leaving a path of destruction as he wanders across America. Only the foolish get in the way of the drifter wandering the streets late at night.

Across the world, something has been released by a treasure hunter in a hidden chamber of the Basilica Cisterns in Istanbul. Something hidden there by Emperor Constantine himself, and deemed by him too horrifying and dangerous to ever be set free. It now stalks the land, leaving its victims turned to stone, and is headed on a collision course with a NATO base. The Americans can’t let it get there, but can’t be seen to intervene. There is only one option - send in the HAWCs. But Alex and the HAWCs are not the only ones seeking out the strange being. Uli Borshov - Borshov the Beast, who has a score to settle with the Arcadian - moves to intercept him, setting up a deadly collision of epic proportions where only one can survive. Join Alex Hunter as he learns to trust his former commander and colleagues again as the HAWCs challenge an age-old being straight from myth and legend.

©2014 Greig Beck (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Interesting monster, inadequate protagonists

Any additional comments?

I enjoy Lovecraft and think that books using his primordial, uncaring monsters in a modern setting is a great idea. But to enjoy Beck's books about Alex Hunter, liking Lovecraft is not enough. Hunter and his cohorts are taken from more mainstream, American light action fiction, with flexing muscles, contempt for "thinkers" and oneliners about what "must be done". For me, it is extremely frustrating to read how this Hunter exposes his team to risks because he doesn't think things through (and probably because the author needs some nice action scenes).

So if you like Lovecraft AND muscle-packed American soldiers running around saving the day - despite refusing to stop and think - you will love Beck's books. If you enjoy Lovecraft, but prefer his Victorian-style, thinking, although verging-on-the-insane protagonists, you will probably be disappointed. I am a bit surprised about the praise this book gets on Amazon. I guess more people fit the first category than I thought.

I should add that the Gorgon monster is interesting and menacing and that the opening scenes of the book are great. It's when the Americans take over that Beck looses me...

Just didn't grab me like the others in this series

If you’ve listened to books by Greig Beck before, how does this one compare?

I've listened to all books in this series, but something about this book just didn't grab me like the other ones. Bigger, faster, strong isn't necessarily better. It just felt like a reach for more more more.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The narrator's pronunciation of many words was completely distracting. Then, about 2/3 the way through the book, he started to slur a lot and almost sounded drunk.

Another Great Hit

Gregg Beck is just knocking them out of the park one after another now. The Alex Hunter series continues to grow and develop.

Gripping

Yeah, The Arcadian is back, this is another gripping, suspenseful, all-consuming story and Greig Beck does not disappoint. Once you start listening you will not stop. The narration by Sean Mangan just makes it; he is fantastic as with the other books he knows just how to keep you riveted.

Determination alone is making me get thru this...

Any additional comments?

I am determined to finish this one..it is taking every ounce of will power I have to focus on it and that's unexpected after listening to 3 of the books in this series. I have been enthralled at finding you (I will do 2 soon, but I don't think I missed out on much by not reading it from all indications - unless of course there's a lot of Sam in there...love that Sam). I'm not sure if it's the subject or just the fact that it's just not up to par with the ones before it. I really like Sean reading your books..he may be the saving grace for this book too.

I haven't decided yet if I am returning it or not, but I may yet. I will purchase 6 and keep hoping that the series keeps going in a more positive direction as they are addicting characters. I will admit there are some sections of this book that are intriguing..which also may save me from sending it back...but they are few and far between for me...it got better toward the end, the very end but it was a struggle...truly a struggle and that's just not my experience with you. But every author has "those" books. Everyone...I will still tout you as an excellent author to read. You have talent...you have imagination...I appreciate that.

Dear Listener, Although I do not feel at all that I have missed out by not reading Book 2 of the series, I will because it will just give a little more depth to the history of the Aracadian and the Hawks (Love those Hawks...Sam..where have you been all my life!). However, you must read 1, 3, 4 and this one to get it. I strongly suggest you do not read this as a standalone book. That being said...Greig is a talented and exciting writer with a gift of adventure and imagination not found often in writing these venues! Listen to or read his work...he's worth it!

well done story line.

addicted to this authors work. his other series are just as engaging. working my way through all of his works. thank you

Good

This is a good special forces book series with a little sci-fi twist to it.

Narrator Cannot Pronounce Words

I took some stars off JUST for the narrator because he drives me nuts every single book. The way he pronounces secreted and a few other words wrong really triggers me lol. I wish they’d have him go back and fix it.

Fun read

Grieg Beck did some nice research into the mythology and integrated it with the idea that earth has been visited in past by Ancient Aliens from another galaxy. He then pulls in modern elements of archaeology, adds a wonderful protagonist that we know from his earlier works, intrigue, and voila a really fun read. The reader is great. Thank you.

Book is as good as 1 - 4

I have grown very fond of Beck's writing and have read 7 or 8 of his books so far. My advice: if it's written by Beck, you're going to love it!!