Scarecrow

Reading to achieve challenges that I have signed up for is certainly pushing me to read what I wouldn't ordinarily read - which is good! I want to read as broadly as I can. Last week, I raced through Scarecrow by Matthew Reilly, as part of the Aussie Author Challenge.

This book is fast paced. It is over 400 pages, yet it has short chapters, short paragraphs and short sentences. It races past.
   The story was action packed. It reads like an American blockbuster playing in your head. Completely unbelievable, but a glorious indulgence. The blurb even reads like a film preview voice-over:

It is the greatest bounty hunt in history.

Fifteen names.

There are 15 targets, the finest warriors in the world - 

commandos, spies, terrorists. And they must all be dead by 12 noon, today.

The price on their heads: almost $20 million each.

One hero.

Among the names on the target list, one stands out.

An enigmatic Marine named Shane Schofield, call-sign: Scarecrow.

No limits.

And so Schofield is plunged into a headlong race around the world,

pursued by a fearsome collection of international bounty hunters -

including the 'Black Knight', a notoriously ruthless hunter who seems intent on eliminating only Schofield.

The race is on and the pace is frantic as Schofield fights for survival,

in the process unveiling a vast international conspiracy and the terrible reason why he cannot,

under any circumstances, be allowed to live ...

He led his men into hell in ICE STATION.

He protected the President against all odds in AREA 7.

This time it's different.

Because this time SCARECROW is the target!

It is not the type of book that I could read all the time, but it was fun. Don't read this is you want an emotional connection with the characters - (SPOILER ALERT) Matthew Reilly cannot even create an emotional response when the hero's girlfriend dies. But enjoy it for what it is - escapism.