Australian author writes another hit

The Three Secret Cities

AUTHOR: Matthew Reilly PUBLISHER: Pan Macmillan RRP: $39.99 (hardcover) REVIEWER: Jason Gibbs

I’M HONESTLY running out of ways to sing Matthew Reilly’s praises.

Every time I pick up his latest offering I’m amazed by his continued ability to produce captivating, imaginative and emotionally layered reads.

I’ve read all 17 of his books and the 10 short stories available from his website and I have no issue saying there isn’t a “flat” or disappointing read among them.

In fact, I firmly believe they’ve only strengthened over time as Reilly honed and developed his craft.

After receiving my review copy of The Three Cities, the latest in the Jack West Jr series, I devoured it in a matter of days.

Picking up exactly where The Four Legendary Kingdoms left off, The Three Cities is another high-octane thrill a minute book.

After winning the Great Games, Jack threw the four legendary kingdoms into turmoil.

Now dark forces are coming after him in ruthless fashion.

With the end of the world fast approaching, thanks in no small part to Jack’s actions, he must find the Three Secret Cities.

Under ideal circumstances it’s an almost impossible task, made all the more challenging now that Jack is being hunted – hunted by the greatest hunters in history.

Some will argue Reilly’s books are formulaic – reading like a typical blockbuster film you can see on the big screen.

Those people, however, are doing Reilly a great injustice.

Yes there are some adrenaline-charged action “set pieces” in his books – my favourite

‘‘ REILLY DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB OF LAYERING HIS STORIES WITH GREAT CHARACTERS, REAL-LIFE MYTHOLOGY, EMOTION AND ACTION.

in The Three Cities involves tanks, helicopters and the middle of London.

But his books are so much than that.

Reilly does an excellent job of layering his stories with great characters, real-life mythology, emotion and action.

I liken the Jack West Jr series to James Bond meets Indiana Jones in a “universe” populated by characters you feel an emotional connection.

And the fact Reilly isn’t afraid to deliver the odd emotional gut-check when it comes to our favourite characters make his books all the more enticing.

Speaking of gut-checks – earlier this month Reilly issued an ominous warning on social media.

He posted “Do you remember in Scarecrow when I did a very bad thing? In The Three Cities I do worse”.

I can assure he’s not lying and that’s all I have to say about that.