Contest (1996)

by Matthew Reilly

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1,375	29	13,554	(3.73)	33
Readers all over the world have been cheering about Matthew Reilly's lightning fast adventure thrillers. Contest, the action-packed extravaganza that launched this international bestselling career, is vintage Reilly at his explosive best. The New York Public Library. A silent sanctuary of knowledge; a 100-year-old labyrinth of towering bookcases, narrow aisles and long marble hallways. For Doctor Stephen Swain and his daughter, Holly, it is the site of a nightmare. Because for one night this historic building is to be the venue for a contest. A contest in which Swain is to compete - whether he likes it or not.The rules are simple: Seven contestants will enter, only one will leave. With his daughter in his arms, Stephen Swain is plunged into a terrifying fight for survival. The stakes are high, the odds brutal. He can choose to run, to hide or to fight - but if he wants to live, he has to win. For in this contest, unless you leave as the victor, you do not leave at all. "offers constant, nail-biting action" - Publishers Weekly… (more)

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Member:	krysteria
Title:	Contest
Authors:	Matthew Reilly
Info:	St. Martin's Paperbacks, Mass Market Paperback, 448 pages
Collections:	Your library
Rating:
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Contest by Matthew Reilly (1996)

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Dr. Stephen Swain and his daughter Holly are teleported into the NY Public Library, which has been sealed by an massive electric field, along with a guide named Selexin. Selexin explains that Swain is the sole human in mortal combat with extraterrestrials, and the rules of the Presidian competition. (Holly's presence was only an accident because she was too close to Swain when he was snatched.) Brutal, violent, fast-paced action, with ineffective, secret U.S. governmental interference. Swain's creativity and cool demeanor under pressure is impressive. This was Australian author Reilly's first book, which was originally self-published. (

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skipstern | Jul 11, 2021 |

I love almost everything that Matthew Reilly writes….so I wasn’t too surprised that I love this one also. If you were to mix “Juristic Park” and “Die Hard” together you would have the ingredients that compose Contest. Matthew Reilly has an incredible talent for creating characters that matter and that you can care about. Contest will take you for one wild ride and you will be glad that you went along. . Have fun! Don’t try too hard to make it make sense in the scheme of reality…just sit back and enjoy. (

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Carol420 | Sep 9, 2020 |

Great plot for a quick read. (

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AnnaHernandez | Oct 17, 2019 |

A little too sci fi/aliens for me. It was ok. (

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cubsfan3410 | Sep 1, 2018 |

good (

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UGRLibThing | Jul 14, 2018 |

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New York Public Library, New York, New York, USA

New York, New York, USA

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Epigraph

Do I dare/Disturb the universe? - TS Eliot

Dedication

For Mum and Dad

First words

Mike Fraser pressed himself flat against the black wall of the tunnel.

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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)

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English

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Contest (novel)

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Readers all over the world have been cheering about Matthew Reilly's lightning fast adventure thrillers. Contest, the action-packed extravaganza that launched this international bestselling career, is vintage Reilly at his explosive best. The New York Public Library. A silent sanctuary of knowledge; a 100-year-old labyrinth of towering bookcases, narrow aisles and long marble hallways. For Doctor Stephen Swain and his daughter, Holly, it is the site of a nightmare. Because for one night this historic building is to be the venue for a contest. A contest in which Swain is to compete - whether he likes it or not.The rules are simple: Seven contestants will enter, only one will leave. With his daughter in his arms, Stephen Swain is plunged into a terrifying fight for survival. The stakes are high, the odds brutal. He can choose to run, to hide or to fight - but if he wants to live, he has to win. For in this contest, unless you leave as the victor, you do not leave at all. "offers constant, nail-biting action" - Publishers Weekly

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