The Silurian Period, approximately 420 million years ago. A time even before the dinosaurs. Evolution was just beginning to flex its muscles, and on land and in the sea, new creatures were evolving.
In this strange world arrive a team of time-travelling North Korean agents with one goal - change the past and alter the future. And if they are successful, the United States may never exist.
Following them back in time are Alex Hunter and his team of elite HAWCs. And for Alex, this mission is personal.
In this strange primordial world, the HAWCs find lifeforms that defy description and test the bounds of reality, or sanity. Things that evolution created and then cancelled. Or perhaps something entirely out of this world, that time wisely kept hidden from us. Until now.
Alex Hunter, The Arcadian, is in a race to save his team, his country, and the people he loves the most, his family, and literally bring them back from the dead. And pity anyone or any thing that gets in his way.
Hi 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).
For a series regular like me, there had been a slight dip in form in this series a couple of books before but here in this 11th Alex Hunter novel, Greig has hit the ball out of the park, coming up with a strong adventure and one that has been his strong point, monsters from legends coming alive in the story. This is an engaging blend of adventure, mythology, and science fiction.
The story follows two special-ops teams one defending and the other hellbent on destroying the US with an unique and innovative strategy that involves time travel into the distant past. The thrilling ride that brilliantly combines adventure, mythology, and a touch of the supernatural, features the Arcadian, Alex Hunter and the HAWC team which includes series regulars like Sam and Casey from earlier adventures.
All the characters are well-developed, each bringing unique skills and personalities that contribute to the dynamics of the group despite the fact that the team loses key people every single time they face adversity. The story is fast-paced, with twists and turns that maintain interest throughout. Greig weaves in elements of mythology, which adds a fascinating layer of depth to the narrative.
Alex Hunter, our protagonist is back at his best as a soldier who is resourceful, brave, and flawed all at the same time. The dynamics and banter among the HAWC members adds depth to the story, showcasing teamwork and camaraderie in the face of danger. The tragic deaths of Alex's wife and son at the start of the novel serve as a significant emotional anchor for the narrative and brings about a massive change in Alex that leads on to the further adventure.. Their loss profoundly affects him, shaping his motivations and driving his quest for answers throughout the story. The impact of their deaths is felt not only in Alex's personal journey but also in the themes of grief and revenge that permeate the book. His determination to confront the forces responsible for their deaths adds a layer of intensity to his character, revealing both his vulnerability and resilience.
The emotional weight of this loss also deepens the stakes of the plot, as Alex grapples with his past while navigating the dangers of the present. The juxtaposition of his personal tragedy against the backdrop of larger conflicts enhances the story's tension and provides a rich, complex foundation for his character's development.
Overall, their deaths are not just a plot device but the very pivotal aspect that drive Alex, hone his identity, forcing a rethink in him and keep driving the narrative forward and adding depth to his quest for justice and closure. The final scenes come as a stunning rejoinder of how politics works in real life and is something that the reader should uncover on their own.
The side adventure of Sam as the legendary Samson (Samson and Delilah) ties into the story's exploration of myth and reality as he breaches a different timeline. His embodiment of strength and heroism parallels Hunter's struggles, reinforcing the idea that true power comes not just from physical might but also from moral fortitude and sacrifice. This connection enriches the narrative, allowing readers to reflect on the nature of heroism and the weight of legacy.
I also loved how Greig has connected this story with his Centre of the Earth trilogy which will be of interest to series lovers and his fans.
The Silurian Bridge is a masterfully crafted tale that will satisfy both fans of adventure and those who appreciate a deeper dive into mythology. It’s a perfect addition to the Alex Hunter series and solidifies Greig’s place as a master storyteller.
Each adventure I share with Alex Hunter grows greater, deeper and internally terrifying. I have to admit, though, The Silurian Bridge also gave me an emotional fear- one I never imagined for one of my most favorite characters.
This book begins with a shock so heavy, so unbelievable, I put the book down. I literally put it down and paced my room, baffled. But when you get to the why behind it all, it walks you into another world- two worlds, actually! Well, technically, the same world, but at different times. I can‘t say more than that without giving SPOILERS, and you know I nothing away. What I can say is there is a chain of events that takes place that makes you think, while reading, “What if that could really happen?”
The Silurian Bridge is a different kind of Alex Hunter tale. It’s still creepy and crazy, but it’s more sciency and What If-y. While carrying rage, frustration and determination, you also think on what you’d do and how in the world you’d get out. Personally, I kept thinking, “What is wrong with these people? You don’t NEED to know!!”
The side story is where my heart truly stayed. Always Sam ❤️ I’m ready to listen to this book, once the audio releases… because I buy all versions of Beck books! Cheers
I've never regretted reading a book by Greig Beck. You will never get bored, never guess what is coming, or be able to put it down once you start reading. This book had a surprise I did not anticipate. If you're a fan, you'll get it when it happens. This is the 11th book featuring Alex Hunter. As far as I'm concerned, I'd read 11 more. If you are new to the series, don't worry, you will not feel lost, but it's your loss if you don't read any of author Greig Beck's other books. The audio book is performed by Sean Mangan again, providing nice continuity with other books in the series. - Mr.Bill
These books are always enjoyable and easy to read, and it's nice to reconnect with familiar characters. However, the plots are becoming quite formulaic and increasingly overly fantastical. I'll never not read an Alex Hunter book though 😁
Alex Hunter returns in a time travel adventure filled with monsters, crazy scientific and military ideas, some good things, and some bad. The novel kicks off with Alex suffering a horrible loss. At the same time, time travel is invented and stolen by North Korea. Their plan is to go back in time and destroy the US before it ever starts. The North Korean team is initially a big part of the book, but toward the end they just die without a climactic showdown. A little disappointing, but with the introduction of Dagon, it's understandable. Alex and the HAWC's follow the North Korean team and face off against a wide variety of monsters, including the Great One himself. The only real big mistake I noticed in the book was a character has a revolver and fires it multiple times until empty. The book says the magazine is then empty. For someone who does a lot of research during his writing process, the author should've known revolvers don't have a magazine. I understand he's from the prison state of Austrlia where anything gun related is frowned upon, but a little more research or editing would've fixed this mistake. At the same time as the main story, Sam Reid gets thrown off course in the time stream, ending up a few thousand years in the past and eventually becomes the legendary Samson. I was kind of confused about this secondary story line. It wasn't needed at all, it didn't have any effect on the main story. All it did was advance Sam's age by ten years and give him robot eyes in the end. It could have been cut out completely and wouldn't have changed anything. Alex eventually faces off against Dagon, trapping him underground hopefully forever. Another thing I wondered was how this tied into the Matt Kearns novel where Cthulu is introduced. Are they the same creature or different? Either way you would think after the events of both novels, someone would connect the dots between two giant underground elder gods. In the end, Alex and co all make it back to the present, Alex finds out who attacked his family, sort of, and continues to work for the HAWC's. It's revealed that Hammerson was secretly behind the attack in order to convince Alex to stay on. Couple issues here. This is a really big jump in logic for Hammerson's "do anything for the mission" mentality. Also, Alex is led to believe it was a Russian who attacked his family, but he never bothers to figure out why. Thirdly, nobody was able to figure out what Hammerson had done? Regardless, it's a good book with plenty of action. A solid entry in the series. What's next?
In the 11th installment of the Alex Hunter series, Greig Beck blends speculative science fiction, hard-boiled action, and even a hint of cosmic horror for another winner.
Time travel has been largely perfected. But enemies of the United Stated have their own plans for the world-altering technology.
Enter Alex Hunter, the commando made something more than human by exposure to alien technology. Hunter, simultaneously dealing with a horrific personal strategy, is dispatched to the mysterious Silurian era, 420 million years in the past, in hopes of derailing a North Korean plot forever alter the present. Accompanied by his fellow HAWC soldiers, Hunter finds himself in a hostile environment largely unexplored by modern scientists.
Beck, as always, lets his imagination run wild in constructing this prehistoric environment. Along the way, he peppers the story with clever asides to both earlier tales in the Hunter series as well as forging a connection to another series of novels. The tension continually ratchets up as the HAWCS race to halt the North Korean plot while also dealing with primeval terrors way beyond any of their expectations. Also, for those who remember their Sunday School lessons, there is an equally enjoyable subplot involving another time-lost HAWC.
All in all, this is another incredibly enjoyable novel, packed with pulse-pounding adventure and incredibly detailed world-building. If this is the Arcadian’s final adventure, Hunter goes out with a very satisfying band. But here’s hoping we’ll see more of the enhanced soldier and his team in the future.
I generally enjoy the Alex Hunter series, but The Silurian Bridge did not grab me as much as the previous installments. I was surprised to see that my rating was so much lower than the average on Goodreads.
Sam Reid's side-story was incredibly weak. It felt too far-fetched, and his character was given very little time in the story. I missed Sam's presence throughout the book, which detracted from the overall experience.
Splitting the story into three separate threads with Sam, Franks, and the Arcadian each having their own experiences was a let-down. It did not contribute to the overall satisfaction of the story and made it feel disjointed.
The book felt like it was aiming to be a Hollywood blockbuster, sacrificing a good storyline for bigger monsters and explosions. Perhaps it was too similar to Beck's Centre of the Earth or Mysterious Island series, but it did not feel like an Alex Hunter book. It was the same background with different characters.
Without giving away spoilers, the most interesting part was the twist at the end involving Colonel Hammerson. That twist added a much-needed element of surprise to the plot.
On the positive side, I enjoyed that Alex Hunter has become more edgy. I like that he acted decisively and without remorse when dealing with opponents that crossed his path.
If this had been my first Alex Hunter book, I probably would have given it four stars. However, it was too dissimilar to the other books in the series, and I feel cheated out of an Alex Hunter adventure that is atmospheric, magical, and somewhat creepy.
Wow, what a ride, great concept and characters. Loved the storyline also bringing into it elements from Greig’s other novels. That ending just blew me away now we wait for the next Arcadian and his HAWC’s adventure and just maybe someone else ?..
Goodreads doesn't allow ratings to be given in decimals so I have given it a 4 star otherwise as per me this novel is 4.5 star. The book as all Alex Hunter books are fast paced and engrossing. I have always been a fan of the Arcadian as Alex Hunter is often known. But there are two things I didn't like in this book. 1. Sam Reid was wasted in this story. I would have liked to see more of his powers at the place where he was transported. He could have been shown beating more villains and being on top of most situations with his support exoskeleton. 2. The main antagonistic character has now been nearly the repetition of the same being which has been present since the first Arcadian story and has been repeated in many of the books. But other than these minor issues I have loved the story. Now that I have finished this Alex Hunter book, I am now desperately waiting for his next adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
First fell in love with Grieg Beck with his First Bird (series of three then novel). Enjoyed it so much that’s it one of the few I have read again. Then I happened on the Arcadian series, each with a hint of something “other”. Normally, I’m not into series, the this one has just kept me enthralled. This book tended to lean more toward science fiction, not my favorite genre, but entertaining nonetheless. Another successful Alex Hunter journey. BTW, neat little twist with Sam!
I loved it. My favorite Alex Hunter so far. The first chapter was mind blowing (literally). I've felt a lot when reading all of the Grieg Beck books but none have yet to make me cry. Until now. This is the first time I cried. Multiple times. It's just a great rollercoaster of a ride the whole way through. Can't wait to see what comes next.
Unbelievable book! I have read all of Greig Becks books and they are all amazing. Amazon should consider making a series of the Alex Hunter books. The Arcadian series is beyond intriguing.
Action packed from start to finish. Great plot as usual. Strong characters. The landscapes are brought to life with imaginative descriptions. Overall if you like the Alex Hunter books you won’t be disappointed.
Enjoyed another of Alex Hunter adventures scary as usual when going into another dimension but oh so compelling to read Scary bits and all just love the book
If your a fan of the Arcadian, you will not be disappointed. Everything you’ve come to know and expect in the Arcadian series is found within. Action, suspense, and a plot twist at the end that made me read it twice.
Cannot wait for the next, Arcadian book. would make great movies of Hollywood would get off instead ass and make new flicks instead of fast furious, 35.
Grieg did an amazing job of keeping the time travel mechanics in a form that reader would find believable and concurrent to not become an over complex wibbly wobbly, timey wimey event that would hurt less smart readers.
Then the last 2 chs ruined it for me has Beck just overlooked why non-time travelers would still have memories from the old time line and why he overlooked the dogs/Alex ability to see memories an had an entire possibility to see who the mastermind really was in the present time.
P.S.
Looks like Samson will be compeation with Alex for worst experience in series now.
An absolutely fantastic addition to the Alex Hunter series, seeing Alex and the HAWCS travel back in deep time to save the United States and the world. It is tough to review this without giving away spoilers. There is one particular plot line I myself would have liked to see differently as a reader however this didn’t diminish the story in the slightest. I was a particular fan of the Lovecraftian elements in the novel and actually felt it was a nice throwback to the original Book 1, even if that wasn’t the intention or direction of that. Overall, 5 stars and a great first read of the year.
Despite Beck's non-explanation of how plate-tectonics work in his fiction, the book was enjoyable.
I just couldn't get past the question of the logic or the mechanism that was used to explain (or not) of land masses and their movement and formation over half a billion years.
I know it's fiction, and I can understand if the science was suspended; but suspension of logic was something I couldn't get over.
I had mixed reviews, I like the story of Alex and his HAWC's but, feels a little detached.
The Sam/Samson is just a lost of space and story, u can't tied down with anything else.
The characters are ok but not even Alex are good enough to give a 5⭐. The returned of a family is ok, but not good enough, as I said before, the story gets watered.
The premise is shaky, the characters are weak, the writing is repetitive and nonsensical at times. I really enjoyed the earlier entries in this series, but the last few have been bad. Sean Mangin is the worst audiobook narrator I’ve ever listened to. All this adds up to a story that has some entertaining parts but is too far-fetched to ever buy into.
The Silurian Bridge was great fun from one of my favorite icky bug authors. Greig knows how to write and makes the prose so easy to enjoy that I hardly realize I’m reading. The writing was solid third-person, past-tense with little to no head-hopping. The narrative was brisk and never bogged down in exposition. The plot had many layers and ended with a satisfying outcome. Highly recommended.
This book had me glued to it from the moment I started reading. Full of action and suspense. The Arcadian is the best main character to ever read about. With a great cast of other characters, the HAWCs. Greig Beck as such a great mind. I recommend reading this to all that love fiction.
Having left the HAWCs, Alex is enjoying his new life, until his world comes crashing down. With Amy and Josh gone, the Hammer comes calling, the HAWCs need his help, to stop the North Koreans destroying the US, by changing the past. Sent back in time, can Alex save the day and then maybe save his family.
Starting to wonder if the Alex Hunter character has been played out., or if Beck just went through the motions on this one. A fast read and an unbelievably dumb biblical crossover has me shaking my head and asking "Where's the substance, Greig?'
Brilliant. Greig Beck is the best writer I have had the pleasure of reading. This book was filled with everything you could want in a thriller. I wish all Alex Hunter books were made into movies they are so well written.