I last read this book in 2015 and remember quite enjoying it then. Little more than 6 years later and I still loved this book. “The Seven Deadly Wonders” by Matthew Reilly hit all the right notes that resonated with the Indiana Jones in me. This is the first of the Jack West Jr. series of books, and the story follows Jack West Jr., an Australian special forces operative, and his team as he travels to find the seven ancient wonders of the world, each holding a piece to a secret that a lot of people covet. The book is action-packed and is quite the page turner. There are numerous historical references within the book, but mind you, not all of it is accurate. I spent a little too much time googling a certain fact because the kid in me wanted it to be true. The author, Matthew Reilly, has admitted that around 85% of the facts stated are true, and while 15% is fiction he won’t tell us which facts in the book fall within that 15%. And in some cases, I’d rather not know. There is something about the hope of buried treasure or a lost temple, that could this very day (unlikely) be waiting for some intrepid explorer, that is exhilarating to me. Safe to say that in spite of all the unrealistic events within the book, it was thoroughly enjoyable. Not a small book by any means but so fast paced it’ll be done before you know it. Definitely recommended, and I cannot wait to pick up the next books in the series. Until then, cheers!

Rating: 4/5

Links:

• goodreads: The Seven Deadly Wonders – Matthew Reilly
• Seven Ancient Wonders of the World