Title: Area 7
Author: Matthew Reilly
First published November 9, 2001
507 pages, Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 9780312983222 (ISBN10: 0312983220)
Rating: 4.11
Overview
Matthew Reilly has done it again with another heart-pounding adventure featuring Shane “Scarecrow” Schofield. In his latest mission, Schofield finds himself at America’s most top-secret facility, Area 7, located deep in the Utah desert.
The President of the United States has arrived to inspect the facility, but what he doesn’t know is that danger lurks within. Luckily for the President, Schofield is among his helicopter crew, and his reputation as a good man in a storm precedes him.
With hostile forces closing in, it’s up to Schofield to protect the President and save the day. Will he succeed?
Area 7 is a non-stop, explosive thriller that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.
About the Author
Matthew Reilly was born in Sydney in 1974 and didn’t always enjoy reading. It wasn’t until he was introduced to To Kill A Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies during Year 10 that he realized how books can transport you to another world.
He began creating stories of his own and wrote his first novel, Contest, at the age of 19 while studying law at university.
After being rejected by major publishers, Matthew self-published Contest in 1996, printing 1000 copies. He sold the novel to bookshops throughout Sydney, one at a time, and produced a high-quality book that resembled a big-budget publication.
In 1997, a Commissioning Editor for Pan Macmillan Australia stumbled upon Contest at Angus & Robertson’s Pitt Street Mall store and purchased a copy. The editor was able to track Matthew down through his contact details in the front of the book.
Interestingly, those original self-published copies of Contest are now highly sought-after collector’s items, with one recently selling on eBay for $1200.
Matthew Reilly is now a bestselling author, with his books published in over 20 languages and worldwide sales of over 7 million copies. He is known for his Scarecrow and Jack West series, as well as standalone novels such as Temple and The Great Zoo of China.
Since Seven Ancient Wonders was released in 2005, Matthew’s novels have consistently been the biggest selling new fiction title in Australia for that year.
In addition to writing novels, Matthew has also written short stories, including a prequel to The Tournament called Roger Ascham and the King’s Lost Girl. When he’s not writing or working on film scripts, he enjoys playing golf and even owns a DeLorean DMC-12, made famous by the Back to the Future movies.
He also has a life-sized Han Solo in carbonite hanging on the wall of his office.
Matthew Reilly currently resides in Los Angeles.
Editoral Review
Area 7 by Matthew Reilly is a wild and thrilling book that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. Reilly is a talented Australian writer who is known for his fast-paced and action-packed stories, and Area 7 is no exception.
This book, first published on November 9, 2001, falls into the genre of thriller novels and is aimed at readers who are looking for an exciting and intense reading experience. The story is set in a top-secret military research facility, Area 7, in the American desert.
The facility is home to a deadly virus that could be used as a potent weapon by terrorists. When a group of heavily armed men storms Area 7, it’s up to a team of marines led by Shane “Scarecrow” Schofield to stop them.
But as the team delves deeper into the facility, they discover that the terrorist threat is just the tip of the iceberg. They soon realize that there are much more dangerous things lurking in the depths of Area 7.
Reilly does an excellent job of creating tension and suspense throughout the book. The plot is well-crafted, with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
The pacing is fast and relentless, with hardly any breaks in the action. Reilly’s descriptive writing style is vivid and evocative, making it easy for readers to imagine the dangerous situations faced by the characters.
The characters in Area 7 are well-drawn and memorable, with distinct personalities and motivations. Shane “Scarecrow” Schofield, the no-nonsense marine leader, is an especially compelling protagonist.
He is tough, resourceful, and fiercely dedicated to his team, making him a likable and admirable hero. The supporting cast is also well-developed, with each character adding a unique element to the story.
One of the main themes explored in Area 7 is the danger of technology and its potential to be used as a weapon. Reilly touches on this issue several times throughout the book, showing how vulnerable modern society is to those who would misuse it.
This theme is still relevant today and adds to the book’s significance. One weakness of the book is its reliance on action scenes over character development.
While the characters are well-drawn, they don’t have much depth beyond their roles in the plot. However, this is a common trait of thrillers and may not bother some readers.
Overall, Area 7 is an exciting and entertaining read that is sure to satisfy fans of the thriller genre. Its fast-paced plot, vivid writing, and memorable characters make it a strong entry in Reilly’s extensive catalogue.
Anyone looking for a thrilling ride should definitely give this book a try. Rating: 4/5 stars.
