The Two Lost Mountains

This is a story about a brave dedicated adventurer who has to pass a series of tests in a breathless and exhausting race to be the first to complete a very important mission... but enough about me getting my review onto GoodReads 😹
Seriously, this is the sixth book in the epic Jack West Jnr series which began in 2005 with Seven Ancient Wonders, and has been counting down, so we all know this is the penultimate book. Reilly is the only author I buy in hardback (luckily they usually come out around my birthday) but that still seemed a long way away, so my squeal of excitement when I saw it was available on NetGalley, and then repeated when I was actually approved, was probably heard over in Australia. I dropped my current book and fully intended to stay up all night reading, but the Siren Bell must’ve knocked me out, so this has engaged me for most of today instead. I really think it’s the best one yet. (You absolutely have to read this series in order.)

The last book ended with the devastating sacrifice of Jack’s adopted daughter Lily in a secret ceremony under the Rock of Gibraltar, one of steps necessary for the salvation of the universe. An epilogue hinted that perhaps it wasn’t Lily after all, and this opens with the revelation that she is indeed still alive but in big trouble, tied up on the steps of the Kremlin. Evil megalomaniac Sphinx has hatched a plan to subjugate the whole world under his rule, which means completing a death-defying challenge called The Fall in one of five hidden mountains around the world, then navigating the labyrinth to get to the throne. He’s not the only one - we meet other dastardly villains with their own plans for the world. Jack West is also set on getting there, but he only wants to save the universe from the pending Omega event - and they’re running out of time. Can Jack and his family of friends and allies solve the ancient riddles and hold off the terrifying baddies before it’s too late?

Matthew Reilly may not be the world’s greatest writer, but he is arguably one of it’s best story-tellers. The way he is able to come up with ever more original predicaments for Jack and his team to escape from, to play with our emotions as characters we’ve come to adore face almost certain death, only to be rescued at the last second by the unlikeliest heroes, but not always - there are also some gut-wrenching losses in this one, make him one of my absolute favourite authors. “The voice had a distinct accent, one that Jack knew well. A New Zealand accent.” was a line to make my adopted Kiwi heart sing. Somehow he constructs the most elaborate challenges out of real places and names from history, throwing in elaborate drawings so you can picture exactly what he means. He also comes across as a genuinely nice guy. This is not serious literature, but it is seriously good fun. I think I enjoyed this even more than the last few because for a change Jack is doing the chasing and rescuing, rather than being trapped and beaten, and also because of the fantastic female characters in this one, some from before and some new - especially the brilliantly kick-ass potty-mouthed nuns! Oh and those dogs...

Obviously this is not the end, but it finishes at the perfect place to set us up for The One something something, due to come out Christmas 2021. It’s going to be a long wait. Meanwhile The Two Lost Mountains is published on November 13th. An enormous thank you to Matthew Reilly, NetGalley, and Pan MacMillan Australia for the ARC which allowed me to give my honest review (and be first, yay)! Matthew, I can honestly say, “‘Mmmm, that was satisfying. I enjoyed that.”

Excellent book and a great addition to the series. Very popular fiction for everyone but especially men and father's. Great fathers day gift or christmas gift. Very exciting.

You always know what you will get with Matthew Reilly and this book is no different - a roller coaster ride full of excitement, close calls and adrenaline rushes. A bit formulaic, this book relies a bit on the popularity of the previous books in the series and the charisma of the protagonist, which is undeniable. The series itself is nearly at an end and it will be interesting to see how it winds up. This is a book you’ll want to read in one go so set aside some time!

The 6th book in the Jack West Jr series follows on from the events of The Three Secret Cities. It starts with the race to find Lily, who thankfully, was not sacrificed in the ritual in the end of the last book. The pieces sown all the way through the series are falling into place and we revisit some clues that were there right from the beginning in Seven Ancient Wonders. This is a fast paced wild ride of a book, which is what you would expect from a Matthew Reilly. Can’t wait for The One Something Something. I know Jack and his team may not all make it out alive of this series, but they aren’t going down without a fight.

Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan Australia for an advanced copy of one of my most anticipated read of 2020 in exchange for an honest review.

This is insane by even Matthew Reillys standards! It has everything. Mythology, the moon, pyramids, the Kremlin and off course things blowing up left right and centre. Jack West Jr you were a hero to me back in The Seven Ancient Wonders and you still are today in The Two Lost Mountains. Well done Matthew this is one hell of a head chopping ride! All the stars!!

Thank you Matthew for another great book. You did not disappoint and am looking forward to No1 due next year yeh!!!! We do not have to wait 2 years. 😁😁😁😁

Thankyou to NetGalley, Pan McMillan Australia and the author, Matthew Reilly, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Two Lost Mountains in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Absolutely fantastic read from the very first page. Great tie-ins with all the characters. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Highly recommended.

In The Two Lost Mountains, Matthew Reilly delivers another fast-paced novel that puts action movies to shame. The plot moves like a Japanese bullet train as Jack West Jr seeks to save the world from slavery or destruction. Armed with a range of weapons, a quick-thinking brain and the help of his family, he fights a range of enemies in different locales, ultimately leading to a showdown in one of mythology's most interesting locations.

This book is everything you want in a book from Matthew Reilly, and everything you want from a Jack West Jnr novel. The characters from these books are some of my all time favourites. I started reading last night and I stayed up until I finished it. The action started on the first page and it never let up. The unanswered questions from the previous book were answered and frankly I can't wait for the next one. I adore these characters, but Jack hold a special place in my heart. Reilly knows how to weave a story and I believe he has established himself as the king of mythology. If you have never read a Matthew Reilly book do yourself a favour and pick up one today.

‘Lily West woke up with a jerk, startled and terrified, and freezing, freezing cold.’

The last book in this series ended with the apparent sacrifice of Jack’s adopted daughter Lily in a ceremony which was one of the steps necessary to save the universe. But, as we learn on the first page of the penultimate book in this series, Lily did not die. She is in trouble.

Lily is in the hands of that evil megalomaniac, Sphinx, who has a plan for world domination. Pick up this novel, and plunge into a frenetically paced series of challenges and close calls as Jack West Jr and his cohorts try to save Lily. And the world. Of course, Sphinx is not the only bad guy. If you have read the first five books in this series, you will recognise some of the others. I strongly recommend reading this series in order: it’s the best way to meet the characters and to get a sense of what Jack West Jr and his team are up against.

‘Jack didn’t know what to do.’

The Jack West Jr novels (this is the sixth) are great escapist fun. Action-packed adventures involving suitably horrific villains, some seriously awesome heroes (both male and female), elaborate challenges and totally impossible situations. Alas, not everyone is likely to survive to make it to the final instalment in the series.

I have found this series hugely entertaining and am looking forward to the finale.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Oh Matthew Reilly you have done it again!! Our Australian hero West takes us on another fast paced thrill seeking adventure. So many emotions while reading this. I can't believe there is only one book to go! 😭

Great book by Matthew Reilly.
Sixth in the series.
A thrilling ride from start to end.
Against all the odds, Jack West Jr found the Three Secret Cities but at a heartbreaking cost.

The Sphinx has a very cruel ancient ritual. Which falls many a men and women.
Lily is caught up in the fall, which is heartbreaking to Jack.
Jack's rivals are way ahead of him in the rate to get to the five iron mountains, and perform the feat that will save or destroy the world.

Alby can work out the mystery of the symbols and clues, but will e get it to Jack in time, and will everyone survive the Bells and the Bronze and Silver men.

Heart breaking, but thrilling and of course here is another story as we are left hanging.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publishers Pan Macmillan for this electronic ARC of The Lost Two Mountains by Matthew Reilly for my honest opinion and review.

Another action packed thriller from this fabulously creative author. The book is fast paced with events and characters that hold the reader's attention in constant alert, a hard to put down book. While it is part of a series it stands alone well.

Lily, inside a ceremonial chamber in the heart of the Rock of Gibraltar is preparing to die and awaits for the inevitable when all of a sudden there are pistol shots, the Sphinx is wounded but to her dismay she recognises her saviour who now would be the one to be sacrificed. The chamber reveals with the strange light from the bloodstained water the Word of Thoth and with Lily able to translate reads the events and actions that will prevent Omega and where the Supreme Labyrinth with the ultimate throne as Emperor at its core awaits, only available in the first instance by performing the Fall at an Iron Mountain to acquire the Mark. It further describes the possible use of armies and the Siren Bells.

Now, within the chamber five rings of red gems are also revealed. Taking the largest one, Sphinx is now in control of the armies of Bronzemen automatons. Not content, Sphinx wants control of the Siren Bells that would make the world's inhabitants wherever necessary his slaves.

Moscow: Jack West Jnr is desperately dragging the bodies of Stretch, Aloysius and Lily, in their Siren Bell induced sleep while being pursued by the Bronzemen.

From here on the pace really picks up with the reader taken on an amazing journey including the Vatican, Mont Saint Michel, Jerusalem and Egypt with Jack conceding that he is being beaten at every stage by his rivals until finally with still more automatons in pursuit he and his companions drop into the Labyrinth entrance just as the door is sealed.

I once read a review of a Matthew Reilly book in which it was said that while he may not be the greatest writer Matthew Reilly is by far one of the best story tellers around and I have to say that I full agree with that. His books always take of with a bang and never ease off until you turn that last page Yes we have been counting down this series since the books Seven Ancient Cities and we are now down to the second last book and there was quite a wait between The Three Secret Cities and this one but we know that Matthew had some personal issues and we where all willing to wait and now he is back. I hope the adventures of Jack West Jnr won't end with the next book

This is a adventure ride as Lilly Jacks adopted daughter proves to not be dead as was hinted in the previous book and now they must fight their way against the machinations of Sphinx and other evil characters to try to rescue her Can Jack and his allies finally safe her and will they save the world yet again as we line up ready for the final confrontation that we will have to wait until 2021 for.

It is hard to avoid spoilers when talking about the 6th book in the series, but lets give it a crack.

Are you ready for the next step of Jack West Jr's story? Be warned, the pace does not let up and the stakes grow ever higher. As you would expect from the penultimate book in such a series, this novel works to both advance our heroes towards their conclusion, raising the bar of the action and setting up the final stage.

This time though, Jack is constantly one step behind. He doesn't have all the information, he doesn't have the army, and he doesn't have a head start. You would think being the fifth greatest warrior would have some perks, but apparently it really means you have annoyed a lot of powerful people.

This does not conclude the story, and sets up the final novel. It is not a jumping in point for new readers, with far too many call backs to previous adventures and details. For those following on with Jack and Co though, it was a great read.

After we thought that we lost Lily we were all surprised that she was still alive but she is in even more danger than before. But will Jack be able to save her this time? Sphinx will stop at nothing to get what he wants & doesn’t care who gets killed in the process. Will Jack & his team be able to beat him one last time?
Unfortunately not everyone will survive this test as Sphinx has the siren bells and no one can beat them so how will they find a way to stop him for good?
They will need all their strength & wits about them to save the world from the Omega Event.
Jack knows that he can’t stop now no matter how much he has lost he has to finish this last challenge but will this be last?Another great book in the series going to miss Jack & his team when it all ends.
I was lucky enough to receive a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Two Lost Mountains is the latest audaciously good-hearted action-adventure thriller in Matthew Reilly’s much-loved Jack West Jr Series.
Read our full review >> https://www.bookloverbookreviews.com/2020/11/the-two-lost-mountains-matthew-reilly-review.html