Subterranean

by James Rollins

1999

Status

Available

Publication

Harper (1999), Edition: 1st Edition, 416 pages

Description

Beneath the ice at the bottom of the Earth is a magnificent subterranean labyrinth, a place of breathtaking wonders-and terrors beyond imagining. A team of specialists led by archaeologist Ashley Carter has been hand-picked to explore this secret place and to uncover the riches it holds. But they are not the first to venture here-and those they follow did not return. There are mysteries here older than time, and revelations that could change the world. But there are also things that should not be disturbed-and a devastating truth that could doom Ashley and the expedition: they are not alone.

User reviews

LibraryThing member Mendoza
First off - I absolutely love adventure novels. And as such I am willing to set aside practical physics and reality much of the time in order to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Great writing. Probably not. But Rollins writes fast paced and full of action novels. There is always something happening or
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someone running from someone chasing them.

I read him, and a handful of others, for the pure entertainment
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LibraryThing member thewere8472
A fun story set in the caves in Antarctica, which draws on the Author's on hobbies - it was fun but not this best work (in my opinion of course :-)
LibraryThing member krysteria
This book had an interesting premise, but the execution was nothing special. I just think finding a missing aboriginal tribe living underground would be a little more surprising to the people doing the discovery. I guess I just didn't think their reactions were very believable. Thank God for the
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character of Ben, who tried valiantly to pull the whole book together, yet failed in the end. No one else was believable, and the plot sorta dragged along. Any book I have to plod thru doesn't get a great review from me.

Not that great of a book...3 on a scale of 10.
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LibraryThing member youthfulzombie
My first foray into James Rollins' writing, and I found it entertaining enough to give him another go in the future. If you are looking for a thrilling adventure, this is not quite it, but it's not badly written or laughable.
LibraryThing member nicchic
**Spoiler** Subterranean was the last of James Rollins books that I had not read and I suppose it was a so-so experience. I do love the fast-paced action/adventure that Rollins delivers but I think there was just too much going on in this story. A research team is sent to discover a new environment
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found underneath the bottom of the world, there they discover the unimaginable…but what they have not been told is that another research team walked through the same passages before them…and disappeared.

I do love the blend of scientific details Rollins includes but Subterranean was a little too fantastical to me. It is interesting that the research teams discovered another type of environment underneath Antarctica but another “humanoid” species living devoid of light for eons…too much for me. Also the book ended without the members returning to their own world…which I thought unrealistic and hard to believe. So although this story delivered all the action I wanted the plot just did not do it for me.
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LibraryThing member Meggle
James Rollins debut novel is a fast-paced, imaginative, action/adventure in which a group of experts is sent to a remote caving system in Antarctica to discover what happened to the team who went before them. What they find is a Journey to the Center of the Earth type hidden world with dinosaurs,
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never before seen creatures, and an underground city. When the team loses their way they must preserve their lights while trying to find a way out and trying to survive this strange and dangerous new world. Okay, so this book is a little fantastical but it is a wonderful reimagining of an old classic and I loved a every page of it.
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LibraryThing member JRlibrary
The first Rollins book I ever read, which hooked me onto everything else he would write later on.... Was sad that I couldn't use it with students, but early on in the first chapter, there was a reference to how dark something was, and it was just too inappropriate for students for me to use the
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book in a middle school library. Too bad cause the rest of the book was great!
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LibraryThing member JoClare
I really love James Rollin's books. I love how he takes a historical tidbit of information and connects it to a slice of science, mixes it all together with a lot of adventure and a dash of romance and voilà!; I'm ready for an enjoyable read~

I also love how he points out the facts and the fiction
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at the end of his stories; more than once I have gotten lost on the internet satisfying my curiosity regarding the history/science he calls to attention there.

I think he does a great job with his protagonists, I find most to be really interesting and fleshed out. Sigma Force is a recurring theme in many of his stories and it adds another layer of interest for me, taking the adventure to the next level.

Rollin's novels are every bit as enjoyable to me as a big screen summer blockbuster; think I'll go get some popcorn~
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LibraryThing member gdill
Started off exciting, but took a turn for the worse. Struggled to finish the book. Had all the makings for a blockbuster action-packed thriller, but turned out to be hokey. The erect alligators, telepathic communication, naked half breed cave dwelling marsupials with Indonesian names, stereotypical
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characters, and contrived plot simply ruined the story. Rollins could have done so much better than this. But, as with all Rollins books it is always hit or miss. And, this one was definitely a miss.
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LibraryThing member debbie.menzel
Fantastical thriller about a team of scientists exploring caves found under a volcano on Antarctica. Found in the caves are previously undiscovered species of animals, plants, rocks and humans and all of these are pitted against the scientists. It's a fun book that I really enjoyed reading, but one
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has to suspend any sort of hold on reality and just roll with the story.
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LibraryThing member TJCams
First off I want to say how sorry I am for not including James Rollins in my books that I have read up until now. Wow....never knew what I was missing!!!!

Subterranean was an extremely fast paced, high action, thriller. It had elements of exploring, treasure hunting, and little Jurassic Park flare
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all mixed into one exciting read. Rollins even through in a little comic relief subtly.

One thing that stood out to me, and made this one of my favourites reads of all time, is Rollins sticks to the story, and doesn't bog it down with unnecessary information. Sure there are some cliches in terms of character traits, but overall, nothing to really make your eyes roll.

A good summary of this would classify it as a mix of Indiana Jones meets Jurassic Park with an almost Ancient Aliens twist?

I certainly will go out of my way to add more Rollins books to my bookshelf.
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LibraryThing member pussreboots
The book in the last 50 or so pages just gets too silly to further hold my suspension of disbelief. Journey to the Center of the Earth is the better book for this kind of story.
LibraryThing member Andrew-theQM
4.5 Stars. I enjoyed this book, especially the second half where I didn't want to put it down. A very good effort seeing as it was the first book he had published.
LibraryThing member bearlyr
You don’t read James Rollins, expecting a completely realistic story, it’s going to inevitably be far-fetched. Unbelievable, not only describes the tale, it also relates to how well his stories are written. I see the name James Rollins on a book cover, and know I will absolutely enjoy the
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read.

Intelligent civilizations living under Antarctica? This tale might just make you wonder! As with all James Rollins tomes, the characters are interesting and well developed. “Subterranean “ is a nice escape from reality, and a mesmerizing experience.
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LibraryThing member MontzaleeW
Subterranean
by James Rollins
I like books that have some exploration that discovers something amazing but hazardous too. The danger could be real or fantasy, a person or otherworldly, and the discovery itself could change history. This book has these things.
I have read a couple of this author's
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books but it's been ages. I liked them a lot so I saw this at the library and grabbed it.

I liked the suspense, creatures, very unique indigenous people, and I especially liked Ben's blood related talent. (You will understand when you read it or if you're part Australian aboriginal people in origin.)

I liked the characters, the world building, and plot. Great ending too! Don't recommend if you're claustrophobic.
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LibraryThing member bxwretlind
This is almost my last Rollins read, and it goes to show that a writer grows through his work. If this had been my first, I doubt I would have picked up a second. Still, this was fun to read despite the amateur writing and weak plot.
LibraryThing member lpg3d
I love underground exploration/adventure/thriller novels, and this is one of the best. Constantly exciting and mysterious, Subterranean is an easy, but very fun, read. Rollins very accurately captures the thrill and excitement of exploring a huge cave. Albeit his cave has some extraordinary
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features that come to bear on the explorers.
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Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

1999-06

Physical description

6.75 inches

ISBN

0380792648 / 9780380792641

Barcode

1602910
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