Daniel P Warner

Always intensifying action in a brutal environment with realistic villains and a horde of nasty creatures that would destroy any of Michael Crichton’s creations – yeah, this is a fantastic debut thriller by Benjamin Cross that I couldn’t put down.

A team of scientists performing a variety of ecological impact studies on a remote island in the Arctic learn the hard way that they are no longer at the top of the food chain. Not even close. With every chapter we learn something more deadly about what these monsters are capable of. Are they bears? Dragons? Dinosaurs? Birds? Aliens? Where did they come from, and how long have they been on this island?

But the creatures are not the only obstacles for our heroes. Freezing weather, a 24-hour sun, a debilitating mist that I can’t describe anywhere near as well as the author, and a beautiful but treacherous landscape form the backdrop. Worse than the environment are the actions of a greedy and powerful former KGB agent and an eco-terrorist; actions that strand them on the island, with only an undermanned but valiant military escort to defend them.

Cross constructs distinct, engaging characters with interesting backgrounds and motivations that make sense.

One more thing – plot twists. This isn’t a simple thriller novel where the protagonists are on the run for their lives. It’s got that, but unexpected moments and turns in this novel caught me by surprise. And yet the puzzle pieces all fit together nicely.

By the way, Benjamin Cross, I’m crossing the Arctic off my bucket list of travel destinations. 😱