The One Impossible Labyrinth by Matthew Reilly, Review
The One Impossible Labyrinth is the 7th novel and triumphant finale in Matthew Reilly’s warm-hearted Jack West Jr action thriller series. Read my full review.
The One Impossible Labyrinth (Jack West Jr #7) Synopsis
THE END IS HERE
Jack West Jr has made it to the Supreme Labyrinth.
Now he faces one last race – against multiple rivals, against time, against the collapse of the universe itself – a headlong race that will end at a throne inside the fabled labyrinth.
AN IMPOSSIBLE MAZE
But the road will be hard.
For this is a maze like no other: a maze of mazes. Uncompromising and complex. Demanding and deadly.
A CATACLYSMIC CONCLUSION
It all comes down to this.
For it ends here – now – in the most lethal and dangerous place Jack has encountered in all of his many adventures. And in the face of this indescribable peril, with everything on the line, there is only one thing he can do.
Attempt the impossible.
(Pan Macmillan Australia, October 2021)
Genre: Action-Adventure, Thriller
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Book Review
The One Impossible Labyrinth marks the end of an era. As a long time unabashed fan of Matthew Reilly’s globe-trotting action-adventure Jack West Jr series, I approached this finale with a sense of excitement but also much nostalgia and a tinge of sadness.
Sadness at knowing it was time to say goodbye to the loyal band of misfit characters we had grown to love. Nostalgia because, despite so much changing in our world since the first series title Seven Ancient Wonders was released in 2005, one of the constants was Reilly regularly delivering us opportunities to escape into Jack West Jr’s world – one where karma is both benefactor and executioner.
Rarely will I say this… do not read this novel as a standalone.
Reilly himself concedes he has written The One Impossible Labyrinth as a gift to long-running fans who will understand the multitude of brief but meaningful references to the characters loved and lost in Jack West Jr’s past missions. So much so that, at times, the action-packed final showdown involving complex new puzzles, brazen red-herrings, grand scale carnage and death-defying heroics, takes second place to the walk down memory lane. But, it does reinforce and indeed celebrate one of this series’ wonderful key messages – a team that works together, values and harnesses each person’s unique talents and strengths, will always be stronger than the individual.
Matthew Reilly has always been the consummate teller of tall tales in a narrative style that is audaciously simple, and The One Impossible Labyrinth is no exception. His books are quick and easy reads that celebrate old-fashioned goodness. So it really is worth putting your literary pretensions and plausibility meter aside, and enjoying the warmhearted, wild ride that is the Jack West Jr series from the beginning.
BOOK RATING: The Story 4 / 5 ; The Writing 3 / 5 – Overall 3.5
Get your copy of The One Impossible Labyrinth (Jack West Jr #7) from:
Amazon Booktopia AU Book DepositoryOR listen to the audiobook FREE with Audible’s Trial (check eligibility)
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‘Matthew Reilly’s writing is completely and utterly ridiculous, in the best possible way. He breaks all the rules of “good literature” in creations that are escapist, violent and fanciful. The result is bloody excellent and you should go read all his books right now.’ – Ben Hunter, Booktopia
‘The One Impossible Labyrinth is a classic Matthew Reilly novel — quick, compelling storylines with imaginative and engaging puzzles. The book is filled with fast-paced action and authentic, realistic dialogue. ‘ – Jess Just Reads
About the Author, Matthew Reilly
Matthew Reilly is now the internationally bestselling author of the Scarecrow novels: Ice Station, Area 7, Scarecrow, Scarecrow and the Army of Thieves and the novella Hell Island; the Jack West novels: The Seven Ancient Wonders, The Six Sacred Stones, The Five Greatest Warriors, The Four Legendary Kingdoms, The Three Secret Cities, The Two Lost Mountains and The One Impossible Labyrinth; and the standalone novels Contest, Temple, Hover Car Racer, The Tournament, Troll Mountain, The Great Zoo of China and The Secret Runners of New York.
His books are published in over 20 languages with worldwide sales of over 7 million copies. He is the director of his first movie, Interceptor, a Netflix film co-written with Stuart Beattie. Check out his website or connect with him on Facebook or Twitter.
This review counts toward my participation in the Aussie Author Challenge 2021.
* My receipt of a review copy from the publisher did not impact the expression of my honest opinions above.
