"A non-stop action fest that bleeds action and thrills on every page....A wonderfully complex saga." (The Associated Press)"Buckle in and enjoy the ride. Another spectacularly fun romp from the reigning master of high-concept adventure!" (Booklist (starred review))About the AuthorMatthew Reilly is the New York Times and #1 international bestselling author of numerous novels, including The Tournament, The Great Zoo of China, The Five Greatest Warriors, The Six Sacred Stones, Seven Deadly Wonders, Ice Station, Temple, Contest, Area 7, Scarecrow, the childrens book Hover Car Racer, and the novella, Hell Island. His books have been published in more than twenty languages in twenty countries, and he has sold more than seven million copies worldwide. Visit him at MatthewReilly.com and at Facebook.com/OfficialMatthewReilly.Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.The Four Legendary Kingdoms Jack West woke with a lurch, startled and gasping for air. He was alone and in darkness. He didnt know where he was, how hed got here or how long hed been here. The air was cool and moist, like in a deep cave. The floor was dusty. The wall against his back was solid stone. He was wearing jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt, but no shoes. His head was sore. He touched it... only to pull his hand away in shock. His hair had been shaved off With a piercing shriek, the rusty iron door of his cell swung open and light flooded in. A horrifying silhouette filled the doorway. The outline of a bull-headed man. A minotaur. Or at least a man wearing a bull-shaped helmet. He was well muscled, with knotty biceps and a stocky chest. While his upper bodysave for the bull maskwas bare, on his lower half he wore modern black army-issue cargo pants and black combat boots. I must be dreaming, Jack thought. He didnt have time for a second thought because right then, with a roar, the minotaur charged at him. A serrated hunting knife appeared in the masked mans right hand and it came slashing down at Jack. Instinct kicked in. Half rising, Jack grabbed the minotaurs knife-hand, twisted it and threw the man to the side, springing to his own feet as he did so. The minotaur tackled him, and they rolled, struggling, wrestling, ending up on the ground with the masked man on top, straddling Jack and pressing down with the knife. Clenching his teeth and using all his strength, Jack gripped the hilt of the knife, keeping its blade at bay, two inches from his own throat. The blade edged closer to his Adams apple, and in a faraway corner of his brain, Jack recalled that if you died in a dream, you woke up. He wondered if that would happen here. Only what if its not a dream, Jack... ? His opponent pushed harder and from behind the black bull mask, Jack heard the man inside grunting with exertion. Its just a man! his mind screamed. Its just a man! And every man can be beaten. Energized, Jack shifted his weight and reverse-rolled, sending the minotaur smashing headfirst into the stone wall. It was a sickening blow. A dull crack echoed outthe sound of the minotaurs neck breakingand the masked man slumped to the dusty floor and lay still. Jack heaved for breath. What a way to wake up. Regaining his composure a little, he took in his cell for the first time. The door was still open a little, letting in light. The cell looked exceedingly old: the walls were made of sandstone; the heavy rusted door sat on ancient iron hinges. As for what lay beyond the open doorway, God only knew. On one wall of Jacks cell were two images carved deep into the stone: The first one Jack knew: it was the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph ankh, meaning life. As for the second symbol, it looked like a swirling four-armed octopus. It was a variant of a rare and ancient symbol found in Hindu, Buddhist, and Neolithic cultures called a tetragammadion. As he looked at it, Jack had the distinct feeling he had seen this symbol only recently, but he couldnt recall where. He blinked, trying to remember. But it was no use. His mind was still too groggy. Instead he tried to recall the last place he had been before he had lost consciousness and woken up here. Pine Gap, he thought. The top-secret base deep in the Australian desert. Hed gone there to attend a meeting, a high-level meeting. Something about the SKA Array... *** He remembered arriving at the base outside the remote town of Alice Springs with Lily, Alby, and the dogs, and being allowed inside by the armed gate-guards. And he recalled being met outside the observatory lab at Pine Gap by the tall, bespectacled figure of General Eric Abrahamson, the genial yet whip-smart man who had replaced Jacks longtime boss and friend, General Peter Cosgrove, after Cosgrove had been promoted to higher office. Theyd shaken hands and Abrahamson had introduced Jack to his soon-to-be replacement, a stern-faced general named Conor Beard. With his angular features and neatly trimmed red beard, Beards operational call sign had been a slam dunk: since his early days in the military, hed been known as Redbeard. Glad you dressed up for the occasion, Jack, Abrahamson had said wryly. Jack had been dressed casually, wearing jeans, sneakers, and a blue shirt over an old white T-shirt. He wore a brown suede glove over his titanium left hand and a simple Casio G-Shock watch on his right wrist. Hed smiled back at Abrahamson in the desert sun. I dont work for you anymore, so I get to dress any way I like. After exchanging greetings with Lily and Alby, Abrahamson bent down to pet the dogs. Havent seen these two since they were pups. Jack said, They own me now. Everyone owns me now. Zoe. Lily. The dogs. I was once the fifth greatest warrior, you know. Abrahamson laughed. What about Horus? What does she think of the dogs? Jack whistled sharply and a moment later, his loyal peregrine falcon, Horus, previously soaring overhead, had landed lightly on his shoulder. Looped around her neck was a leather collar from which hung a GoPro camera. She glared at Abrahamson and Beard, as if peering into their souls. She tolerates them, Jack said as Horus took to the air again. Come inside. Abrahamson guided them through the doors of the lab. I have something important to show you. And then nothing... ... nothing till he woke up here with a man dressed as a bull trying to kill him. what is the most popular book in the world The Four Legendary Kingdoms (Jack West, Jr.)
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Jacks Back!By TomBOne of my all time favorite characters is back in an all new adventure thats sure to please. JACK West Jr. Has been kidnapped and drafted against his will to participate in a modern day Trials to the Death in order to, what else?, save the world. Action, adventure, cunning traps and deadly mazes, plus more, await Jack and the other challengers in this non-stop roller coaster ride. And what a surprise one of those challengers is indeed! Great fun and an ending that does more than just hint at more action to come. Loved it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Matthew Reilly Rocks!!!!By kendra from TexasJack West, Jr. is back and in more trouble than ever! Matthew Reilly kicks The Four Legendary Kingdoms off in classic Reilly style. And it is non-stop action all the way to the end. I love these books so much, and I honestly think this is his best yet. There are a couple of really cool surprises, and I think we've been given the name of the next book in the series. An all around great read.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Another Awesome Ride!By Kindle CustomerLove Matthew Reilly and Jack West.....And spoilers..Scarecrow!!And Mother, Astro, Stretch, Alby, Lily......So much actions, so many twists and turns. Of course, I can not wait for more. I just wish we didn't have to wait so long to find out what's next.