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Alex Hunter #0.5
Arcadian Genesis
An aeon ago it crashed into the frozen earth. Millennia later it was removed from the icy soil, still functioning. They opened it … they shouldn't have.
Alex Hunter – in the mission that turned him from a normal man into the weapon known as the Arcadian – and the elite team of soldiers known as the Hotzone All-Forces Warfare Commandos must enter a hostile country to rescue a defected Chechen researcher from the center of a country at war.
But the HAWCs are not the only ones looking for the rogue scientist and the mysterious package he carries with him. A brutal and relentless killer and his death squad are on the trail too – and they bring a savagery with them that Hunter and his team have never witnessed before in modern warfare.
In this prequel to Beneath the Dark Ice, the HAWC team must race the clock to rescue the scientist, prevent the package from falling into the wrong hands … and save the world from a horror that should never have been woken.
Alex Hunter – in the mission that turned him from a normal man into the weapon known as the Arcadian – and the elite team of soldiers known as the Hotzone All-Forces Warfare Commandos must enter a hostile country to rescue a defected Chechen researcher from the center of a country at war.
But the HAWCs are not the only ones looking for the rogue scientist and the mysterious package he carries with him. A brutal and relentless killer and his death squad are on the trail too – and they bring a savagery with them that Hunter and his team have never witnessed before in modern warfare.
In this prequel to Beneath the Dark Ice, the HAWC team must race the clock to rescue the scientist, prevent the package from falling into the wrong hands … and save the world from a horror that should never have been woken.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2012
109 people are currently reading
789 people want to read
About the author
Greig Beck
46 books1,150 followersHi GoodReaders, I’m an Australian author residing in Sydney with my wife, son and a mad Golden Retriever named Jessie. My novels are now available globally, also in Large Print and now in full AUDIO format.
I grew up spending my days surfing at Bondi Beach before entering a career in Information technology which took me around the world. After completing an MBA, i was appointed both an Australasian director of a multinational software company, and tasked with setting up the USA arm of the organisation.
Today, I spend most of my time writing... with plenty left over for surfing.
More information about me and my works can be found at either www.greigbeck.com, or join me on FaceBook (Greig Beck Author).
I grew up spending my days surfing at Bondi Beach before entering a career in Information technology which took me around the world. After completing an MBA, i was appointed both an Australasian director of a multinational software company, and tasked with setting up the USA arm of the organisation.
Today, I spend most of my time writing... with plenty left over for surfing.
More information about me and my works can be found at either www.greigbeck.com, or join me on FaceBook (Greig Beck Author).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
August 4, 2021
So far, so good!
Okay, I have to say... I am a new reader of the Alex Hunt series, and I have to say... I am enthralled!
There is so much action going on, on every page, that, I have to say it’s hard to breathe.
I am definitely enjoying this new series.
A fantastic…four stars 🌟
Okay, I have to say... I am a new reader of the Alex Hunt series, and I have to say... I am enthralled!
There is so much action going on, on every page, that, I have to say it’s hard to breathe.
I am definitely enjoying this new series.
A fantastic…four stars 🌟
August 9, 2017
What can I say? It was okay.
It's just a taste of a modern gun-porn mil-sf technothriller.
Stop me if you've heard this before: super-competent crack-team of treasure hunters with lots of guns. Add a mysterious alien artifact. Mix well with Russians. Maybe add a touch of superpowers. Voila!
It's just a taste of a modern gun-porn mil-sf technothriller.
Stop me if you've heard this before: super-competent crack-team of treasure hunters with lots of guns. Add a mysterious alien artifact. Mix well with Russians. Maybe add a touch of superpowers. Voila!
August 9, 2017
I was told to read this prequel before starting with the series (we're reading book 1 with the group) but it turns out I needn't have. The little we actually know about the origin of Alex Hunter's abilities is summed up in the blurp of the novel, nothing is actually revealed in this novella. Except that the author is also one of those that let himself be steered towards creating a wholly unrealistic team of spec-ops guys (hint: there is a British woman here that definitely couldn't keep up). But I liked the "probe" and can't really believe that after everything that thing was able to do, it got handled (successfully) the way it was described in this story. Nope. Aliens gonna be back.
Anyway, it was fast-paced, though not overly original. The thing with such thrillers is that I do have suspension of disbelief but when an author can't be bothered to get simple details right (like the British woman on an American spec-ops team; or that the hero is incredibly stupid in his fighting tactics which even I realized and I'm by no means an expert), it just throws me off.
I hope I'll enjoy the novel more. I'm really OK with somewhat cardboard cut-out characters, but the rest has to fit and it didn't here. :/
Anyway, it was fast-paced, though not overly original. The thing with such thrillers is that I do have suspension of disbelief but when an author can't be bothered to get simple details right (like the British woman on an American spec-ops team; or that the hero is incredibly stupid in his fighting tactics which even I realized and I'm by no means an expert), it just throws me off.
I hope I'll enjoy the novel more. I'm really OK with somewhat cardboard cut-out characters, but the rest has to fit and it didn't here. :/
February 25, 2024
Subsequent books have revealed enough about the Arcadian (Alex Hunter) and there were some lines of back story in the initial Alex Hunter books.
Here we get into the details that started the process of making him super human.
Rest of this story is just chaff to fill up the novella pages. True to the form of the series there is an exceptional item and organism to make merry and we have our first introduction of the Russian Borshov, the nemesis to the Arcadian.
This book fills up a lot of blanks for people who are reading the series.
It is fast and travels at breakneck speed and finishes quite fast. Great entry to the series.
Updated Feb 2024. 3rd reading
This book is the prequel and origin story for the blockbuster series, sci-fi action thrillers.
Alex Hunter is a member of an elite soldier group HAWC, which goes to all the hotspots including black ops solving problems that require terminal solutions.
This short story involves alien artefacts and obviously the Russians.
I had read some series books before coming into this and can safely say that the series delivers more than this short story and presents some intriguing problems that require intervention.
Here we get into the details that started the process of making him super human.
Rest of this story is just chaff to fill up the novella pages. True to the form of the series there is an exceptional item and organism to make merry and we have our first introduction of the Russian Borshov, the nemesis to the Arcadian.
This book fills up a lot of blanks for people who are reading the series.
It is fast and travels at breakneck speed and finishes quite fast. Great entry to the series.
Updated Feb 2024. 3rd reading
This book is the prequel and origin story for the blockbuster series, sci-fi action thrillers.
Alex Hunter is a member of an elite soldier group HAWC, which goes to all the hotspots including black ops solving problems that require terminal solutions.
This short story involves alien artefacts and obviously the Russians.
I had read some series books before coming into this and can safely say that the series delivers more than this short story and presents some intriguing problems that require intervention.
June 26, 2017
4.25 Stars
September 3, 2021
A great look back at how everything started.
April 30, 2015
I started to read 'Beneath the Dark Ice', which I believed to be the first in the Alex Hunter series, when I discovered that 'Arcadian Genesis' is the prequel novella. So hoping that it would give me a good introduction as to who is who in future books within the series. In this book the HAWCs (Hotzone All-Forces Warfare Commandos) have already been formed, under the command of Major Hammerson. At this point Alex Hunter is just a member of a HAWC team.
As you might have guessed it is a military/action/thriller, but with a bit of science fiction technology thrown in for good measure. Set against the backdrop of war torn Chechnya, an unknown probe has been discovered, and it appears to have come from space millennia ago. On investigation, it seems that despite its age it still has a functioning power source. Something which could solve the world's reliance on fossil fuels, but it could also be used for military purposes. A scientist with no love for Russia escapes from the research establishment, taking the power source with him.
The race is now on as to who will get to him first, the Americans who he contacted, or the Russian special forces unit. If you set aside credibility, it was quite a good suspense thriller, and explains how Alex Hunter became he Arcadian.
As you might have guessed it is a military/action/thriller, but with a bit of science fiction technology thrown in for good measure. Set against the backdrop of war torn Chechnya, an unknown probe has been discovered, and it appears to have come from space millennia ago. On investigation, it seems that despite its age it still has a functioning power source. Something which could solve the world's reliance on fossil fuels, but it could also be used for military purposes. A scientist with no love for Russia escapes from the research establishment, taking the power source with him.
The race is now on as to who will get to him first, the Americans who he contacted, or the Russian special forces unit. If you set aside credibility, it was quite a good suspense thriller, and explains how Alex Hunter became he Arcadian.
August 9, 2017
I was about to start Beneath the Dark Ice but was advised to read this novella first. This turned out to be an action-packed military story with shades of scifi and horror. Its primary mission is to introduce us to Alex Hunter and his 'skills', which I guess it did pretty well, although I have no idea what those are since this is my first array in this world.
Moving on to the novel :O)
Moving on to the novel :O)
September 12, 2012
This is a very welcome extension on the Alex Hunter story. It tells the tale of the beginning of the whole thing. It's very nicely priced for a novella, and fills in some pre-story gaps that have, so far, been missing and only hinted at.
It's well-written, and the technical aspects are spot-on.
At a buck, this is real value-for-money, and if you are yet to read any Beck, this is the perfect place to start, as it introduces the ongoing hero Alex Hunter, as well as giving us more on the antagonist from the first novel (Beneath the Dark Ice).
Short, sharp and perfect as a lead-in to the next Alex Hunter release in a few months.
Now to wait with bated breath for the release of Black Mountain.
Five stars. This novella is a WIN!
It's well-written, and the technical aspects are spot-on.
At a buck, this is real value-for-money, and if you are yet to read any Beck, this is the perfect place to start, as it introduces the ongoing hero Alex Hunter, as well as giving us more on the antagonist from the first novel (Beneath the Dark Ice).
Short, sharp and perfect as a lead-in to the next Alex Hunter release in a few months.
Now to wait with bated breath for the release of Black Mountain.
Five stars. This novella is a WIN!
October 15, 2014
A thrilling introduction to a brand-new thriller series (at least to me). I don't know how I got a hold of this book. But I'm glad I did.
Alex Hunter and his team are tough dudes. But so are the bad guys. (Russia, in this story, is being ruled that makes Putin look like a pussycat.) The future books look really interesting. Special Forces meets the X-Files. Can't wait to read the future books!
Alex Hunter and his team are tough dudes. But so are the bad guys. (Russia, in this story, is being ruled that makes Putin look like a pussycat.) The future books look really interesting. Special Forces meets the X-Files. Can't wait to read the future books!
February 8, 2013
Only read the 0 book so far, and at present have no intention of proceeding further.
October 14, 2023
First half of the origin story, it seems. This gave us the situation and what lead to the need for Alex's transformation into the Arcadian. Harrowing and smeared with the smut of dirty wars.
Would have liked more details into the how.
Would have liked more details into the how.
August 1, 2019
way cool read. nice to know how Hunter got his "powers" great characters and technology
March 17, 2020
So Far, So Good
Okay, I’m a new reader of the Alex Hunter series, but I have to say, I am enthralled! I really enjoyed this book! There was so much action on every page that I didn’t get a chance to breathe.
Okay, I’m a new reader of the Alex Hunter series, but I have to say, I am enthralled! I really enjoyed this book! There was so much action on every page that I didn’t get a chance to breathe.
August 13, 2016
Although the series is now at four novels plus this novella, ARCADIAN GENESIS serves as an introduction to.the character Alex Hunter, and to the ops group of which he becomes such an integral part. It clarifies some specifics of personality about Hunter, which color his actions and decisions as part of HAWCS. I found the story line thrilling, given its near-apocalyptic-potential overtones. Violence is rampant, but effective in the story context. Oddly enough for a thriller, I found I quickly developed empathy, even for the characters only.temporarily "on stage, " and consequently found my heartstrings tugged repeatedly.
February 17, 2015
Being an Alex Hunter series fan, I was very happy to come across this story that gives us the full story of the mission that changed everything Alex. The start of it all. I am not a big short story fan but this one was completely satisfying. Readers had already been given the bare details of the story. This is just icing on the cake. Filled with Greig Beck's usual tight writing and fast-paced action, the pages fly by. Thank you, Mr. Beck for this tale.
July 15, 2020
And intriguing story line look forward to seeing where
Always a good read from this author, interesting ideas and great concepts.this goes and future books in the series.
Always a good read from this author, interesting ideas and great concepts.this goes and future books in the series.
September 8, 2021
Arcadian Genesis is a prequel (book 0.5) to the Alex Hunter series. Since I prefer reading series in the order they were written, I decided to read Arcadian Genesis first. It wasn’t bad but in a vanilla sort of way. All the cliches are there: big Russian baddy, tough American general called “The Hammer”, and of course, the hero who is intelligent, brave, strong and athletic. And there is some futuristic weaponry that makes for exciting reading.
But still, the book is a good yarn. It won’t stretch your imagination too much, let alone your intelligence. Greig Beck is an accomplished author, and I have always enjoyed his books. The Siberian Incident still remain one of my favourite reads the past year.
This is not the best military action book I have read, but I will give the first book in the series, Beneath the Dark Ice, a chance. After all, it is set in one of my favourite settings, Antarctica.
But still, the book is a good yarn. It won’t stretch your imagination too much, let alone your intelligence. Greig Beck is an accomplished author, and I have always enjoyed his books. The Siberian Incident still remain one of my favourite reads the past year.
This is not the best military action book I have read, but I will give the first book in the series, Beneath the Dark Ice, a chance. After all, it is set in one of my favourite settings, Antarctica.
October 31, 2025
I am reviewing this novella from the perspective of it being a prequel to the Alex Hunter series proper. I read this before reading book 1 of the series. As prequels go, it does what a solid prequel should do. It introduces the main character and a couple other key characters including Borshov (who is pretty much on the other side from Alex Hunter - in pretty much every respect you can think of including the psycho-metaphysical) and provided a little back story and motivational context.
There is action aplenty - even if it is a little hard to imagine happening in real life - and a tantalizing dose of the other worldly and worlds within world.
I was satisfied with it as a prequel, but there was a slight feeling of disconnectedness for me when I started to read book 1 - although nothing which dampened my enjoyment.
I should also note that I read the expanded edition.
There is action aplenty - even if it is a little hard to imagine happening in real life - and a tantalizing dose of the other worldly and worlds within world.
I was satisfied with it as a prequel, but there was a slight feeling of disconnectedness for me when I started to read book 1 - although nothing which dampened my enjoyment.
I should also note that I read the expanded edition.
January 30, 2024
An Arcadian origin story and a clue as to why they can't replicate Alex Hunter in the Laboratory .
Did anyone notice that when Alex was shot by the Russian leader of their special forces it blew a small fraction of the Alien artefact he was attempting to retreive into his head where it was impeded in his brain..
Significant because the Aliens contained in that ship were cooled and kept alive by that that tech.
Mu view is the embedded fragments caused the anomaly, the manifestation of the other and helped regulate his core temp which ran out of control in all clones subsequently created from Alex Hunter
His replication is not possible due to the intersection of certain events .
Did anyone notice that when Alex was shot by the Russian leader of their special forces it blew a small fraction of the Alien artefact he was attempting to retreive into his head where it was impeded in his brain..
Significant because the Aliens contained in that ship were cooled and kept alive by that that tech.
Mu view is the embedded fragments caused the anomaly, the manifestation of the other and helped regulate his core temp which ran out of control in all clones subsequently created from Alex Hunter
His replication is not possible due to the intersection of certain events .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2022
I've never read anything by Greig Beck, and I thought that starting with his most famous series and his 'origins' story written after Mr. Beck had numerous books under his belt would give me the best glimpse into his writing style, characters, plot, tempo, etc. This book was a pretty big miss on all fronts. I may be a little harsh here because I expected more from a prequel, so I'll give the first novel in the series a try. If it doesn't grab my attention, I'm done with this series, and likely Beck, too.
August 23, 2017
Short story (0.5) that introduces the Alex Hunter series. This is mission that starts the whole Arcadian Project and explains why/how Alex was involved.
Intense, deep cover operatives. Menacing, alien organism. Power-hungry Russian politicos. Add in one impetuous person’s dream of personal revenge and it all falls apart. Has the feel of the ‘Alien’ movies.
Fave scenes: the two blankets, the black worm and the final bullet.
Intense, deep cover operatives. Menacing, alien organism. Power-hungry Russian politicos. Add in one impetuous person’s dream of personal revenge and it all falls apart. Has the feel of the ‘Alien’ movies.
Fave scenes: the two blankets, the black worm and the final bullet.
January 26, 2020
This is the origin story for Greig Beck's brilliant Alex Hunter Series. War, a mission, a package, alien technology and a man determined to survive. This is such a fantastic short story and gives a great insight into Alex Hunter and what made him who/how/what he is. I would definately reccomend this if you enjoy this genre.
May 26, 2021
Ah, “all” is revealed…
Certainly worth a read, and like Matthew Reilly, before him, Mr Beck’s writing is intensely cinematic in its descriptives, visualisation and scope.
I look forward to the movies, when Netflix makes them. Jason Statham for Hunter? (I jest, of course… honest? ;) ).
Certainly worth a read, and like Matthew Reilly, before him, Mr Beck’s writing is intensely cinematic in its descriptives, visualisation and scope.
I look forward to the movies, when Netflix makes them. Jason Statham for Hunter? (I jest, of course… honest? ;) ).
September 3, 2021
well...that was fun ! Sean's narrative in the beginning had me concerned but after adjusting the speed he was back to his awesome self...like listening to an old friend. How interesting to find out how Alex became the Arcadian...brilliantly written and always a joy to listen to. Thank you Greig and Sean.
November 4, 2023
Fast paced and action packed! Love that.
I haven’t read any Alex Hunter so I know much about him and I finished the book feeling like I still really didn’t learn much about him. 🤷🏻♀️
The story itself is not totally unique but the writing was good enough to keep me turning pages. I think this may have been Hehehe to read AFTER having read the proceeding books even though this is a prequel.
I haven’t read any Alex Hunter so I know much about him and I finished the book feeling like I still really didn’t learn much about him. 🤷🏻♀️
The story itself is not totally unique but the writing was good enough to keep me turning pages. I think this may have been Hehehe to read AFTER having read the proceeding books even though this is a prequel.
February 27, 2025
Fantastic start to a great series! I love the combination of thriller, adventure, military, myth, legends, horror and just a bit of gore.
I will always love Matthew Reilly's books, but damn! Greig Beck has taken the place of my favourite adventure writer because his writing and ideas are so wonderful.
I will always love Matthew Reilly's books, but damn! Greig Beck has taken the place of my favourite adventure writer because his writing and ideas are so wonderful.
July 4, 2020
The Prequel Sets The Tone For Book#1 of The Arcadian
Start with Arcadian Genesis and follow onto the rest of the series that outlines the making of the super soldier and his regeneration from the edge of death.
It's an engaging narrative and fast paced!
Start with Arcadian Genesis and follow onto the rest of the series that outlines the making of the super soldier and his regeneration from the edge of death.
It's an engaging narrative and fast paced!
November 15, 2020
Very short intro to the Alex Hunter series. Not necessary to start the series with though it does give some hints to how the main character gets his abilities. It was an ok read. The first book of the series was better.
March 10, 2024
I thought this was a really good prequel. After reading books 1 and 2, which I loved, I always wondered how Alex became this super soldier and the reason for his grudge against Boris. Now it makes more sense!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews