This was a new author to me and I have to say a really easy read. I flew through the book.

Thank you for the opportunity to review

Dr. Laura Reynolds had a job she loved & was good at - until she lost it all. She saw a colleague committing a crime & in response he frames her for it & Laura takes the fall. Unfairly found guilty, stripped of her career & facing jail, plus the recent loss of her father, Laura is approached by a firm offering her a lifeline - a job working at their remote facility in Antarctica for 3 years. As her only chance to practice medicine again & being pressured by the justice system, Laura agrees & after attending her father's memorial, she travels to Antarctica. She has agreed to collect information for the government but when she starts to investigate, she realises that things are definitely not what they seem.

The initial set-up was really interesting & it seemed like it was going to be a decent thriller-type read (barring the fact that the investigation into Laura seemed to be perfunctory & no-one thought to drug test Laura & her accuser), but partway through, the plot did a 90 degree handbrake turn into sci-fi territory. That was all well & good until about 40% of the way in, when a large chunk of the narrative is basically the main character having a long conversation with a talking car. Think KITT but with less personality. This really slowed things down as although it's a convenient way to info-dump, it's not really thrilling for the reader. There was also zero chemistry between Laura & Joe so their sudden declaration of feelings is jarring. Overall, it was OK but the middle section bogged things down, the romantic chemistry was sadly lacking & the ending is bizarre.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Head of Zeus/Ad Astra, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Another A G Riddle hit this author doesn't disappoint. Full of action and suspense and a race across Antarctica. Good characters and plotting I would recommend this author. Thanks to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this review copy.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

think matrix
think end of the world
think abuse of power

and then think of the Antarctic

there were elements to this story that kept me glued but there was also something that didnt gel.... but it was a quick easy read and one that is though provoking enough for me to finish to see how it ended....

have to admit to loving transport...

Well, that didn`t work for me. I felt like there was a beginning missing. Then a few things just sort of happened and everything was rushed. The plot, the characters, the writing, the logic and reasoning... nothing makes sense and there`s nothing to be liked in this book. The only good thing about it is that you can read through it within two hours. Two stars, because I have read worse.

I love how unique Riddle's books are! This is the second of theirs that I've read, the way they make me think is amazing. I adored Lost in Time even though I did get very confused and many things went over my head, so I appreciate how this didn't have the timey-wimey aspect, while still keeping me totally gripped. This whole novel was a stress-fest to be honest. I had no idea what was going to happen next, and the suspense kept me definitely on my toes. I can't wait to see what else Riddle writes!
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One thing I wish was worked on a little more were the characters. This was such an isolated book, however I didn't feel like I actually knew or cared about anyone. I was more along for the ride in Transport to see the world and the settings and experience Antarctica.

I got in a right muddle with trying to follow this book. I don't know if it's me or the book but, after a couple of attempts, I sadly had to give up.
Like a few other books in recent times, I will try and get hold of an audio book of this and see if that makes my experience better. It has before so...
Fingers crossed.

I’ve read and really enjoyed a few of this authors books before so when I saw Antarctica Station I was excited to read it. Unfortunately, this one didn’t really live up to my expectations based on previous books. I found I just couldn’t engage with it at all which was a pity because I had been looking forward to it.

Within a few days time the life of Dr. Laura Reynolds falls apart. Accused of drug abuse while practicing medicine, framed by one of her closest friends, and her father dying navigates her in a position in which she has no choice but to give in to a proposition of a somewhat mysterious company to go work on Antarctica. She soon learns that something is off there, and that she has to escape the base she works at and Antarctica with its freezing cold as soon as possible. It’s the start of an exciting rat race.

The story shares some similarities with several other A.G. Riddle-books. There is a --kind of-- pandemic situation and the main protagonists are racing against some villains in order to set things right or protect the world from entering an even worse situation. There is some new technology we don’t have yet but that isn’t too alien to us, and it’s not unrealistic to imagine that at least some of it will become real in a near future. It brings the story closer to the reader without the need to invest in profound character development before it grabs you. And there is a tiny bit of romance, mostly left to the imagination of the reader, an approach that this kind of books best. Riddle’s trademark often is: some hard science, something nasty going on with it, a smart somewhat well-willed main character who defies that. And of course, action. Riddle delivers exactly this, as always. Almost at least.

There are a few minor flaws. Nothing that kept me from liking the book but nevertheless worth mentioning. To get the story going, the author jumps a few hurdles in a somewhat unrealistic way. Laura allows herself to be cornered too easily. It’s fiction, so none of this bothered me too much. The middle section is a lot about Laura trying to escape in a transport vehicle (which has a very likable AI by the way) and would have benefited from a little bit more of something else, like some more physical confrontation between the good and the bad guys. And the end game at last felt too rushed and was relying heavily on a deus ex machina approach, which is not one my favourite ending types.

Even with this, the book kept me reading because I wanted to know how it went on. A pandemic-like situation is about to occur and is called the Event throughout this book. Readers are kept in the dark about what it is, but I could guess it fairly rapidly. The “twist few will see coming” that is mentioned in the book description, wasn’t really a surprise. It was no deal breaker, I kept enjoying the book. It’s fast-paced, written in a way that supports that (e.g. short sentences, lots of dialogue), has okay-characters (although none of them as interesting as the transport AI) and a scenery that is relatively close (it’s on Earth, no some faraway planet) and yet feels alien and hence intriguing. It’s fun to read and has no major issues. I think it would make a nice movie too. 4.5 stars.

An intriguing and fast paced science fiction crime mystery set in Antartica. I enjoyed the descriptions of the icy continent though did get a bit confused with some of the technical details such as stasis. However, the novel kept me enthralled til the end.

I love books set in arctic regions, or super cold and snowy, so when I saw this book was set in Antarctica and the plot sounded fun I instantly wanted to read it. And the whole set up of the book, the first part, was so flimsy and didn't really make much sense, but I was enjoying reading it and wanted to see where it would go so it didn't bother me too much. I'm not going to go into too much detail as I don't want to spoil anything, but overall it was a fun read.

I will say our main character was not the brightest, but she tried. There was a reveal about halfway through the book that I didn't expect, but was also not surprising, and right after that I feel like the story got so much better even if it was painfully obvious what was going on. But then again I wanted fun adventures out in the snow and ice, which is what I got! The first part felt like it wanted to be a romance, but didn't really work as one (the whole romance subplot was not great in general, but not the worst I have read so I went with it). I do have questions about Samir during the second half of the book because what was going on with him didn't make much sense to me, but I again just went with it. I went with a lot of stuff because even though it didn't make sense it was still fun to read.

Now this book was fun, but I gave it a lower score because the ending was way too quick and too easily tied up in a bow. Like some of the characters there is no way they that easily changed into completely different people or just trusted others in no time. Like...it takes time if that is going to happen. And some things are unforgivable. But like everything else I just said sure. Fine. I don't love this, but it wasn't the worst read either. I ended the book feeling like that was fine. I would be curious to read more from the author and see if I enjoy his other stories more.

A. G. Riddle’s *Antarctica Station* presents a thrilling journey into the icy depths of Antarctica, combining elements of suspense, scientific intrigue, and personal redemption. The novel starts strong, pulling readers in with a gripping premise and a relatable protagonist, Dr. Laura Reynolds. Riddle’s engaging writing style makes the book easy to read and hard to put down, especially in the first half.

One of the standout features of the book is the detailed map of Antarctica included at the beginning. It provides a fascinating overview of the various bases and the surprising number of people inhabiting the frozen continent, setting the stage for the adventure that follows. This attention to detail enriches the narrative and immerses the reader in the setting from the very start.

The plot of *Antarctica Station* is fast-paced and captivating, with Laura Reynolds’ struggle to rebuild her life after a colleague’s betrayal driving much of the tension. The story’s progression from her initial desperation to her cautious hope and determination is compelling. The cold, isolated environment of the research facility is vividly depicted, making it an ideal backdrop for the story. As a fan of cold settings, I found this aspect of the book particularly enjoyable.

The first half of the novel excels in maintaining suspense and developing the plot. Riddle skillfully builds anticipation and keeps the reader hooked with each chapter. I found myself deeply attached to Laura and eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next. This part of the book is a testament to Riddle’s ability to craft an engaging and dynamic narrative.

However, as the story progresses into the second half, some of the initial momentum begins to wane. The novel shifts focus to lengthy transport scenes through the snowy landscape, which tend to drag on and diminish the excitement. This change in pace felt like a missed opportunity to further explore the mysteries and dynamics within the Antarctica Station itself. While the plot picks up again around the 80% mark, the prolonged transport sequences detract from the overall experience.

Moreover, the character development in the latter half of the book leaves something to be desired. Despite a strong start, the characters, including Laura, seem to lose some of their depth and complexity. More emphasis on their interactions and growth within the station could have strengthened the narrative. Instead, significant portions of the book are devoted to the logistical challenges of traversing the Antarctic terrain, which, while realistic, do not provide the same level of engagement.

In conclusion, *Antarctica Station* by A. G. Riddle begins as a promising and exhilarating read with a strong protagonist and an intriguing premise. The first half of the novel delivers on its potential, offering a captivating and immersive experience. However, the second half's focus on extended transport scenes and weaker character development ultimately detracts from the overall impact. Despite these shortcomings, the book remains a worthwhile read for its engaging start and unique setting.