Contest by Matthew Reilly

Publisher's Synopsis

The New York State Library. A silent sanctuary of knowledge; a 100-year-old labyrinth of towering bookcases, narrow aisles and spiralling staircases. For Doctor Stephen Swain and his eight-year-old daughter, Holly, it is the site of a nightmare.

For one night, the State Library is to be the venue for a contest. A contest in which Stephen 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, Swain is plunged into a terrifying fight for survival. He can choose to run, to hide or to fight - but if he wants to live, he has to win. Because in a contest like this, unless you leave as the victor, you do not leave at all.

My Review of Contest by Matthew Reilly

Matthew Reilly had a bit of trouble finding a publisher for Contest, his first novel finished when he was only 19 years of age. Believing the book had what it takes to sell well, he went the self-publishing route and produced 1000 copies to flog around Sydney. Turns out, Matthew new what he was doing, he was noticed and signed in time for the publication of his second book Ice Station. So, although many might think Ice Station was his first book, it wasn't, it's Contest, a spine tingling thrill a minute science fiction action-fest.

As Matthew Reilly has explained, he has always been a fan of the tearaway action movies and so he wanted to write books that were no holds barred action adventures. The very nature of Contest is to entertain and no apologies are made for the outrageous escapes or impossible feats of heroics that take place from the first chapter to the last. I think he has met his goal in no uncertain terms.

Dr Stephen Swain has been handed one of the most sought after and prestigious opportunities in the universe. He has been chosen to represent Earth in the Presidian, a game played against the other 6 inhabited worlds. What an honour! What an opportunity! There's only one catch, the game is actually a fight to the death. Seven participants enter a labyrinth but only one leaves. Oh yeah, and Earth's participants have all performed remarkably poorly in past events.

Swain is afforded an advantage albeit a small one. This Presidian will be fought on his home ground or, more specifically, inside the New York Public Library. But any advantage he may have begins and ends there. Apparently, because previous representatives from Earth who were chosen based on their warrior backgrounds have performed so badly, Swain's selection was based solely on his ability to think his way around problems. So he enters a deadly fight to the death armed with - his wits.

So the battle begins after a quick rundown of the rules and the action becomes frenetic. It's a frantic bid for survival against the odds that doesn't fail in its number one objective - namely to provide edge of the seat thrills.

The important warning you need to remember as you prepare to slip between the covers of Contest is not to expect a literary masterpiece. There are no great character analyses or lessons to be taken away by the story's end, so if you're prepared for this you won't be unduly disappointed. Instead comes one life or death confrontation after another set at a blistering pace and designed to hold your attention in a vice-like grip.

Quite frankly, there are no real surprises in the way the story pans out, but the fascination lies in the ride rather than the destination. From the moment Swain is transported into the New York Library and is greeted by his first fellow competitor, the impossible becomes possible and every loophole and escape clause is used. There are plot holes a mile wide, but who cares, this is an all-action adventure that is just made to be enjoyed.

Given that Matthew Reilly strives to make his books as memorable through feats of the impossible then he started with in perfect fashion with Contest. If you're after a few hours of pure escapism this is the kind of book for you.