Subterranean

Publisher's Summary

Travel to the bottom of the earth...to a place you never dreamed existed.

Beneath the ice...a hand-picked team of specialists makes its way toward the center of the world. They are not the first to venture into this magnificient subterranean labyrinth. Those they follow did not return.

Over the rocks...Across the yawning caverns...Beyond the Black River...You are not alone.

Into the darkness...where breathtaking wonders await you - and terrors beyond imaging...Revelations that could change the world - things that should never be disturbed...

At the bottom of the Earth is the beginning. Keep moving...toward a miracle that cannot be...toward a mystery older than time.

©1999 Jim Czajkowski (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Great story, funny Ausrtalian accent

This was my first James Rollins audio book and it won't be my last. The narration was very good with the exception of the "Aussie" accent, but it wasn't bad, more funny than anyhing else and easily forgiven. It's taken a while to find an author who is as engaging as Rollins in terms of the characters, and the story. The narrator can take a lot of credit for that as well, so all in all I'd happily recommend this to anyone that likes a Dean Koontz type of read.

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

Entertaining. A Good Read

I have read most of James Rollins books, and so I decided to give this older book a try … and I wasn’t disappointed. This was a gripping story which makes us wonder about the things that man has yet to explore and how it would affect each of us. James Rollins’ imagination is limitless no matter his subject. Not his best book, but by far an entertaining and thought-provoking read.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Claustrophobics: Avoid this book!

All other thriller-lovers might want to give this audiobook a listen ... especially since "Subterranean" is James Rollins first novel. As other reviewers have noted, this work does not show Rollins writing in his top form; but, rest assured, he keeps getting better and better. If, like me, you enjoy watching an author develop, then you should start watching Rollins with "Subterranean" ... unless you have claustrophobia. Claustrophobics should probably avoid Rollins altogether: Many of Rollins' novels take place under ground or underwater, in confined, dark spaces (not surprising, since Rollins is an amateur spelunker and scuba diver!). They provide plenty of thrills and chills for anyone with a moderate tolerance for far-fetched plots. Yes, "Subterranean" does postulate a slightly improbable scenario -- marsupial hominids (oops! Sorry, spoiler-haters.), undiscovered until now -- but, as Hamlet said, “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” In his subsequent novels, Rollins unfolds many other fascinating, unlikely-yet-possible speculations. If you enjoy Preston/Child, then you will, most likely, enjoy Rollins.

As for the reader, John Meagher, I say: Give him a try. At first his tenor voice put me off a bit, I admit. However, he turns out to have pretty good acting skills; and, like Rollins, he gets better. I have to take the Australian reviewer's word for Meagher's unconvincing Australian accent (it sounded O.K. to me); but, hey, Australian accents are hard to do!

Not a bad thriller, for a first novel.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Always a good story

Another success for Mr. Rollins. Enjoyed the listening and the narrator is ok once you get used to the tone of his voice. He does do a good job at keeping you interested. I like the story and all of the characters.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Annoying Performance

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Average, Story ok but narration very bad.

What didn’t you like about John Meagher’s performance?

The female characters and the boy were more often than not whining and pouting and delivered in a high pitched annoying tone. It got to the point that I cringed whenever Linda or Jason spoke.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

LOVE IT

What made the experience of listening to Subterranean the most enjoyable?

THE WAY JAMES ROLLINS WRITES KEEP YO GUESSING AND ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT

What other book might you compare Subterranean to and why?

ALL BOOKS OF JAMES ROLLINS ARE GOOD

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

KEPT ME AWAKE ALL NIGHT

Any additional comments?

I WILL KEEP GETTING THE BOOKS BY JAMES ROLLINS

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

One of My All Time Favorites

Great book and narrator. You won't be sorry with this one. I loved it in print and audio.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Recording is a bit off

I loved the strange animals, and the fast paced story. It was easy to picture everything happening. But there are a few blips that I think has to do with the recording.

Poorly Written

The story is ostensibly interesting, although the reality of what is happening in Antarctica is obviously much more fascinating, hence the recent visits to the frozen continent by John Kerry, Buzz Aldrin, and a slew of other dignitaries and scientists. The reports of what they've found are fascinating.
Returning to this book, it reads as if it were written by a 16 year old boy. The dialogue is horrible; stiff, awkward. The characters are one dimensional cliches.

I have no doubt this will make a highly profitable Hollywood "blockbuster" it is so poorly written. Dan Brown would be proud.

Just as good as the first time I read it!

Would you listen to Subterranean again? Why?

Well I’ve read it twice already, James Rollins is one of my favorite authors!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Subterranean?

There is not just one, the whole book is suspenseful and full of twists and turns.

Have you listened to any of John Meagher’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

He does a very good job in all of them!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No... but I had a few gasps!

Any additional comments?

I love most books that have anything to do with archaeology or paleontology and Rollins books never fail me!

Subterranean

One of the best audio books I've ever had the pleasure of listening to. The narrators voice is very pleasant and the story flows along with many 'gasping' moments. If you enjoy ice, dinosaurs and plenty of action this one won't disappoint!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The exciting "Subterranean" (Unabridged)

What a great story. I am so glad I downloaded this audio book even though I had not heard of the author before. I am particularly fond of Sci Fi and adventure stories and have been fascinated by tales of underground passages and secret places for many years, so this story certainly fitted the bill. The excitement never lets up, the characters are great and mostly believable. I was disappointed when the end came, but happy that the end was good. This book should be made into a film, perhaps by Spielberg, although it did constantly remind me of one of his famous films (I don't want to say which one because that might give away some of the plot). I would thoroughly recommend this audio book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

brilliant

keeps to guessing at every twist and turn. I really enjoyed this. James Rollins rocks!

awesome

Really gripping story and well written by the author with a great narration too. Well worth it.

Predictable but enjoyable

Would you consider the audio edition of Subterranean to be better than the print version?

Yes. The narrator was able to put across the different characteristic of each of the individuals in the story.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I found the story enjoyable enough. It was a pleasant listen.

What about John Meagher’s performance did you like?

He made the whole audio book a pleasure to listen to and added to the mood of the story.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Beware below the ice

Brilliant Book - Interesting & Gripping Story

Brilliant Book - Interesting & Gripping Story. The background & plot is outlandish but strangely believable. It has you wishing that the story was true. Thoroughly recommend this book.

Unputdownable

This audio book went everywhere with me, even at work. James Rollins early work is a good as his current novels. Thoroughly enjoyable for a Rollins fan

Action movie on audio

Not terribly good. In the same vein as Matthew Reilly for those who have subjected themselves to his writings. This book seems to be what happens when an author prostrates themselves at the foot of the huge iron gates of Hollywood and begs to be let in.

There were aspects of it which were worth listening to. There were hints of good writing and a story that could have been so much more. The only problem was that this book was written as such a cliche. There was the brilliant female scientist; A creepy Aussie action man who seemed to be the authors idea of charming; a whole host of Navy Seals positively looking to get killed for glory; lots of underground monsters and a subterranean race of psychic midgets descended from some sort of marsupial. Lots of explosions, gorings, beheadings, plot holes and deus ex machina moments to fill those holes in.

If I were you, stay above ground with this one.

1 of 3 people found this review helpful