Action/Adventure Aficionados discussion

In honor of the character Mother being such a memorable sidekick, we are reading Ice Station this month.

Please join in the discussion!

Optional Discussion Questions

1. How do you like the opening? Does it set the tone for this novel well?
2. Antarctica as a setting. How does this shape the narrative? What challenges are unique to this environment that the lead character has to deal with?
3. This novel calls for a lot of suspension of disbelief. How do you feel about that?
4. Scarecrow? What do you think about him as a lead? What do you like and dislike about his character?
5. The bad guys: did you pick out who the big bad was immediately? How did your thoughts change as you continue reading?
6. Action scenes: well-done? Too much blood and guts? Just right? Adrenaline packed read for you or did you get bored?
7. What about our standout sidekick character Mother? How does she blow away your expectations for a secondary character? What did you like about her?
8. What would you do if you were in Scarecrow and his team's shoes?
9. Would you rather fight bad guys in a cold environment or hot? Why?
10. What were your favorite things about this book? Least favorite?
11. Overall rating out of 1-5 stars or 1-10 rating?
12. Other books you'd recommend to readers who enjoyed this?
13. Will you continue this series?

I just love Matthew Reilly books and this one is a great intro to a fab series. I agree Mother is a great sidekick.

Ice Station is one of my all-time favs. And Mother is second to none. If I was a fictional character, I'd want Mother at my back.

I recommend keeping your seat-belts fastened and your tray tables in their upright and locked position on this read. Once it takes off, this book gets "hog wild!" (in a good way). For those of you with cardio-difficulties, please keep the Nitro handy.

This is a fun book... and man... I gotta get me one of those Grappling Hook things!

OMG,This book is fantastic!!! I've been holding my breath during the action and have come up for air...I am hooked!!

Loved all the characters in this book, but Mother was definitely the most memorable. Hope you all enjoy this one as much as I did. It is definitely one of my favorites of Reilly's books.

Magiccats, I'll be joining you shortly. This book comes highly recommened and I'm ready for the ride.

Had planned on joining but I don't have enough time yo read this in print and the audio is narrated by Sean mangan who I just don't get along with as a narrator

I was planning on doing the audio book myself. I'll have to check and see if I've listened to any books he's narrated.

My one and only experience with him was Beneath the Dark Ice which ruined the book for me but everyone has their own tastes when it comes to narrators.

Alas, I don't have time to reread this. :( I love this book like crazy. One of must read A/A books.

I posted the discussion questions.

I started reading today and I'm only a few pages in.

The point I'm at in the book I would give it 5 stars for action. Wow, this book starts off with a bang. I've noticed now which I like, we're getting to know everyone. I like to know what makes my characters I'm reading tick.

The action is incredible. It's very much an edge of your seat book.

And just when you think it's slowing down... hovercraft!

I loved the setting of the book. I think Reilly's best books are ones in which he focuses on some singular and obscure location. The setting is menacing in and of itself which played well for the story.

I read this book quite a while ago, so some of the details are fuzzy. I loved the setting. You know it's getting to you when you start to shiver when you're reading it. Great action, which is one of the things that sold me on Reilly, and I thought the characters were great.

I finished and have one question. Why was mother such a memorable sidekick? I'm guessing that she will be a recurring character in future books.

Eileen wrote: "I finished and have one question. Why was mother such a memorable sidekick? I'm guessing that she will be a recurring character in future books."

Mother is a recurring character. Just the thought of this tall powerful woman with a name that is short for Mother F-cker is awesome. She also has other distinguishing feature but I don't remember is her major distinguishing feature appeared in the first book or in the second. I would mention it but I don't want to spoil anything.

Tim wrote: "Eileen wrote: "I finished and have one question. Why was mother such a memorable sidekick? I'm guessing that she will be a recurring character in future books."

Mother is a recurring character. J..."

I agree with everything Tim says. I think she is just such a unique and interesting character...being something new and exciting for an action story, that you just don't see everyday, is what makes her so special.

I did enjoy Mother's boldness. She's a tough broad, I wouldn't mess with her. Looking forward to the next book and getting to know Mother better.

Tim wrote: "Eileen wrote: "I finished and have one question. Why was mother such a memorable sidekick? I'm guessing that she will be a recurring character in future books."

Mother is a recurring character. J..."

Tim said it very well about Mother!

Has anyone read Contest by Reilly? If so what did you think to it?

I read Contest a while ago. If I recall, it was one of if not his first stories, which he went back and revised a little and rereleased. The writing is not quite as polished as his later work, but I loved the concept and thought it was a lot of fun. Really fun. I would recommend it.

Tad wrote: "I read Contest a while ago. If I recall, it was one of if not his first stories, which he went back and revised a little and rereleased. The writing is not quite as polished as his later work, bu..."

I have read it and really enjoyed it. However some people slate it. Glad you liked it.

Tad wrote: "I read Contest a while ago. If I recall, it was one of if not his first stories, which he went back and revised a little and rereleased. The writing is not quite as polished as his later work, bu..."

Yes, Contest was Reilly's first published work of fiction. As I understand, he self published and had 1000 copies printed. Then he went to bookstores in Sydney and managed to get the book shelf space. It was at one of these bookstores where he was discovered by his publisher. Contest was recently re-released with some new content. I like the book, the plot is intriguing and it moves right along. But then, what else would you expect from Reilly?

Just finished Ice Station, and I know I'm a bit late to the discussions, just thought I shared my instantaneous reaction to the book.... the reaction is: I loved it. Let me say it again, I loved it loved it LOVED IT! This is why I'm a self-proclaimed Action-Adventure Junkie, because even though I love reading all kinds of good books, NOTHING keeps me more entertained than an INSANELY suspenseful Action Adventure Thriller on Exotic locations. I can practically visualize all the awesome sequences! I know, Matthew Reilly is not a great writer (oh-sooo-many italics, more than a liberal use of exclamation marks, one-line paragraph on every page etc), but damn it he can make Rollins or Cussler a run for their money on pure-addictiveness and absolutely unadulterated nonstop-thrill ride! Hell, the pages practically just FLEW after the Hovercraft chase began and didn't let it up till the very end.

Anyway, I'll try to post the answers to the discussion questions tomorrow. I think I'll start Area 7 next.

Glad you enjoyed it. Reilly is one of my favorite authors. He's the one that got me into reading A/A books.

Thanks Danielle.

Rizwan wrote: "Just finished Ice Station, and I know I'm a bit late to the discussions, just thought I shared my instantaneous reaction to the book.... the reaction is: I loved it. Let me say it again, I loved it..."

Glad you enjoyed Ice Station. The hovercraft chase is awesome isn't it!!!