Blood and Treasure

Blood and Treasure #1

by Ryan Pote

The destruction of the International Space Station and the discovery of an ancient scroll are inextricably intertwined in this debut crossover thriller from a former Navy helicopter pilot.

The International Space Station inexplicably loses contact with Earth. When a NASA tech devises a way to restore the feed, the images that come through are a scene of terrible violence, the crew unresponsive, droplets of blood hovering in zero gravity. But which of the astronauts on board would have done such a thing? And why?

Off the coast of Mozambique, former special ops pilot and current treasure hunter Ethan Cain sees something he can’t an object shot out of the heavens plunging deep into the Indian Ocean. When he goes to investigate, it becomes even less intelligible. A space capsule has crashed into the sea, and inside is a woman—alone, unconscious, and injured. Ethan knows he must save her. What he doesn’t know is who she is, how she got there . . . or why she’s the only survivor from a killing spree conducted 254 miles up in the sky.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Adventure, Science Fiction

368 pages, Hardcover

Published July 22, 2025

About the author

Ryan Pote is a twelve-year veteran Navy helicopter pilot who was part of a joint interagency special operations task force, deployed throughout Central and South America conducting counter narcotics. Before the Navy, he was a scuba diving instructor in Hawaii and a lab tech conducting algae-biofuels research. He holds a Masters degree in History from Ashland University. He lives with his wife and children in New England. Follow on IG, Facebook, X, and Goodreads @ryanpotebooks

Reviews

[Mira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gripping crossover thriller, and I can hardly believe it's a debut! At the beginning, the author introduces quite a few characters, so it took me a bit of time to get used to everyone, but soon I was flipping through the pages without even noticing.

The book follows two main plotlines–events take place at the Johnson Space Center and in Africa. The main character, Ethan Cain, is a treasure hunter searching for an artifact off the coast of Mozambique. He’s brave and daring, with a body marked by scars that still cause him pain. He really reminded me of Indiana Jones. Overall, the author paints vivid descriptions and presents the story from different angles, so I could clearly picture everything in my mind. I honestly think this book would make an excellent movie in the style of a ‘90s action film.

I also loved how the author played with my emotions. There’s one character, whose role kept me on edge—my feelings toward them kept shifting, and by the end, I was truly shocked.

I feel like the ending hints at a possible sequel! I’d gladly read more about Ethan Cain’s adventures.

________

Pre-read: My first ARC from Berkley!🤩

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group (Berkley) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[nika.ex.libris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley publishing group for the ARC!

The plot keeps you on edge, making you care about the characters.

The book has many different tropes, including adventure, espionage, fantasy, and teamwork, which I love.

The story is constantly moving and is easy to read.

Vivid descriptions give a sense of immersion in the plot.

It's immediately clear that the author knows what they're writing about.

However, I personally don't like when belief is involved in thrillers, so all those moments felt dull to me...

At times, it reminded me a bit of the atmosphere in Dan Brown's books.

The themes of faith, different cultures, and technology intertwine with a race for ancient relics.

• NASA
• Treasure hunters
• The Old Testament

⭐️3,5/5

🪂🛩🗺🪬

[Anna (annareadit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such a captivating read! From the very first sentence, you’re immersed in the story through the author’s vivid descriptions. I’m not sure what else to say without giving away any plot details. But I can say one thing: if you’re a fan of adventure stories in the spirit of Indiana Jones, Lara Croft, and The Mummy, you’ll likely enjoy this book.

The author took storytelling very seriously and paid great attention to detail.

I wouldn’t be surprised if someone bought the rights and turned this story into a movie.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride. This is the kind of book that throws you into the action and does not let off the gas the entire time.

There are location spanning the globe (and off in space) and multiple points of view. And you are just dropped into the action. But as Pote establishes all that we need to know, he doesn’t let us get bogged down in the massive amount of information and dynamics, because he gives us all these details in the midst of incredible action sequences.

Themes of religion and extreme loyalty were prevalent here and I really enjoyed how these topics were woven in and handled in sometimes unexpected ways.

The whole time I was reading I kept thinking how cinematic this felt. I can imagine this being a summer blockbuster movie. I could smell the fumes, experience salty ocean air, feel dry desert heat, fear the enemy closing in, and have my heart race as I searched for treasure too. Everything was vibrant and tangible.

It’s hard to believe this is a debut! I can’t wait for more of Ethan Cain. This is going to be a fun series to continue.

This is for readers who like a more action packed version of Dan Brown/National Treasure.

Content Warning: Graphic killing and violence, torture, abuse, death, cursing

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Pub for the gifted book.

[Paris (parismaereads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up for Goodreads

My quick takes:
- 4.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
- Language 🤐 moderate
- Spice ❤️‍🔥 none
- Content 🤔 graphic killing and violence, torture, death, abuse

What 👏🏼 a 👏🏼 debut 👏🏼 Blood and Treasure hits you with action and never lets off the gas. I was instantly consumed in the plot and the book was hard to put down.

There are multiple points of view, different locations around the globe (and off the globe 👀), and an underdog feel to the ex military male main character. I will say, his past is STILL shrouded in mystery and I’m very intrigued to learn more about Ethan Cain and get some good character development in the coming books!

I thoroughly enjoyed the different religious aspects woven throughout the book, I have a religious studies minor and always love seeing common threads alongside the stark differences in religion. The multifaceted, religion-based treasure hunting was a fun added detail throughout the plot.

While the storyline leans heavily into the action/adventure side of the thriller genre, I really enjoyed that there was an aspect of military and political intelligence as well. I’m very intrigued to see where this series goes and planning to read the next books!

If you like Dan Brown, Joel C. Rosenberg, National Treasure, this one’s for you. Thank you to the author and Berkley Publishing for a copy of the book to read and review. #bloodandtreasure #netgalley

[Josh Caporale · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Review to follow.

[Terrance Layhew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood and Treasure by Ryan Pote is a modern adventure story, combining up to date events and technology with the classic spirit of treasure hunting heroes.

His main protagonist, Ethan Cain leaps onto the page with charisma and energy. Fully formed and ready for countless more adventures yet to be published.

Complete with the International space station, espionage, religious zealotry and an artifact which is shrouded in ambiguity, Blood and Treasure weaves the various genre elements into a satisfying adventure you can’t set down.

[Christopher Geraghty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic fun to read. Another author Brad Taylor described the hero Ethan Cain as "a mix of Indiana Jones and Jason Bourne." As I was reading the book, Ethan Cain reminded me of Jack Du Brul's geologist hero Philip Mercer.

The plot was one wild and wooly spy-fi adventure. And that last line! I imagine that was how Dr. Stanley Goodspeed felt when he recovered the microfilm from the church in Kansas at the end of the movie The Rock.

[S.B. (Beauty in Ruins) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blood and Treasure is a decent thriller with flashes of excitement, but it ultimately left me wanting more—particularly in the “treasure” department. For a book with such a promising blurb, it’s far heavier on the blood and action than on any real treasure-hunting adventure.

The setup hooked me immediately: a massacre aboard the International Space Station, a mysterious crash landing in the Indian Ocean, and treasure hunter Ethan Cain stumbling upon the lone survivor. Unfortunately, most of the thrills teased in the cover blurb are frontloaded into the opening chapters. After that, the story becomes another generic action thriller full of gunfights, chases, plane crashes, and more.

Ethan Cain is a likeable enough lead in the Clive Cussler mold, but character development across the board is thin. Several secondary characters—especially the women—felt underutilized or sketched in just enough to move the plot forward without ever becoming compelling in their own right. The mix of sci-fi, spy thriller, and military adventure could have worked so much better, but it felt like it was trying to do too much. Also, and this is a personal peeve, but the repetitive intrusion of prayer got on my nerves.

All in all, Blood and Treasure delivers some decent popcorn thrills, but never quite lives up to the promise of its premise. If you enjoy shootouts at sea and techno-thriller detail, it might scratch the itch—but if you’re looking for a true treasure-hunting adventure, the title oversells what you’ll actually find inside.

[melhara · Rating 4 out of 5]

July 24, 2024 Review:
This wild adventure starts with a crisis aboard the International Space Station then features a former Navy pilot-turned-treasure hunter who retrieves an ancient artifact while stumbling across and rescuing the lone surviving astronaut who crashed landed off the coast of Mozambique. Chaos ensues as competing parties hunt down the mysterious astronaut and the even more mysterious artifact.

This page-turner has major Indiana Jones vibes but with higher stakes (I mean, the space agency is involved!), and non-stop exciting action with daring feats that should be re-enacted on the big screen.

If you’re looking for a thrilling high-stakes adventure off the coast of Africa (without having to leave the comforts of your own home) then you might want to check out this book.

I will note that there were a lot of technical and product details included throughout that were a bit excessive in my opinion (I’m not sure it was necessary to include the make and model of every device, tool, and weapon that the characters use). Also, the number of times the Garmin Fenix 7 watch was mentioned made me wonder if this book was sponsored by Garmin or if the author is simply just a fan of this thousand plus dollar multisport GPS solar-charging smartwatch (and yes, the not-so-subtle hints as to how amazing this watch is made me look it up out of curiosity).

*I received a free physical copy of this book from the publisher (Berkley) for review consideration, but all opinions are my own. *

*** #10 of my 2025 Popsugar Reading Challenge - A book you got for free ***

July 22, 2025 Pre-Review:

Happy publishing day to this fast-paced, action-packed, should-be-adapted-into-a-movie, page-turning thriller!

I'm halfway through this book right now and it's such a thrilling adventure with major Indiana Jones vibes (but with higher stakes and modern tech).

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

As several astronauts are found murdered aboard the International Space Station, treasure hunter and ex-Special Ops pilot Ethan Cain sees an object crash into the Indian Ocean. When he investigates, he finds a space shuttle with an unconscious woman inside, thrusting Cain into a wild and deadly adventure. Blood And Treasure blends genres here, part sci-fi, part spy thriller which would have worked better as two separate stories. Instead, the two storylines are muddled and confusing, often branching out into even other genres, and it just gets too confusing. The battle scenes are overly detailed and borderline cartoonish, and the reader learns little about the characters, even Ethan, whose burn scars are described too many times to count. The plot teaser really grabs your attention and seemed promising, but this one was a huge disappointment. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book pulls you right in from the beginning and does not let up. The one thing I really enjoyed about the book is the character development, I felt like I got to know many of the characters well and want to know what is going to happen next to them.

An action/adventure novel mixed with political intrigue and archeology made for an interesting plot. I really enjoyed this book.

You do not want to miss this new book and I hope to see another in the series coming next.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast paced story that drew me in right away. The character development was fantastic - I really connected with all the characters. This was a quick read too. I'm always leery when faith and religious belief are interwoven into books, but the author did a good job here so that even those that don't believe in that kind of thing will still enjoy this one. I would highly recommend this book to any thriller fan and any fan of authors like Dan Brown.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for this arc. #BloodandTreasure #NetGalley

[A.W. Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood and Treasure is a compelling thriller packed with solid characters, exciting twists, and globe-trotting adventure! Pote seamlessly blends the quest for an ancient artifact with a murder mystery in outer space, of all places. It's an intoxicating concoction that will keep you reading late into the night. Touches of humor appear in all the right places. This is one novel you will not want to miss!

[London Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is what would happen if Jack Carr wrote Indiana Jones.

I absolutely loved it.

The action and story were tight and the plot was riveting.

[Jason Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating plot, great pace, and fantastic ending!

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!! This is a great start to hopefully a long line of books in my favorite genre, adventure. Pick it up, you won't be disappointed.

[Cory Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!! Can't wait to see what Ethan Cain is up to next.

[Cameron | mr.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his debut novel, Blood and Treasure, author Ryan Pote takes you on an adventure that will constantly keep you guessing. Space warfare, treasure hunting, foreign espionage, torture, manipulation, and redemption. If you like Clive Cussler, Dan Brown, and Jack Carr, this is a must read you will not want to miss!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, @RyanPoteBooks and @BerkleyPub for the free book. #Berkley #BerkleyPartner #BerkleyBookstagram

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Blood and Treasure by Ryan Pote
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 368
Genre: Action & Adventure
Release Date: July 22, 2025

Up in space, sabotage onboard the International Space Station leads to a crew of murdered astronauts except for one. Meanwhile, in the depths of the Indian Ocean, former special ops pilot and current treasure hunter Ethan Cain has unearthed what his employer believes to be the Arc of the Covenant. These two stories combine into one hell of an adventure.

This book had some of my favorite things: short chapters, fascinating characters, and incredible action. It was fast-paced and incredibly interesting. I only have two beefs that kept it from being five stars for me. First, the advertised blurb made it sound like there was going to be a lot more space stuff happening. That was really only in the beginning and it was fantastic, my favorite part of this book. Second, the ending. I went through this whole adventure and I don’t get it. What was it? They made it seem like I should get what he saw, since only his reaction was described. But what was it? Am I supposed to know or is it a cliffhanger and I’m not actually missing anything, I just have to wait for the sequel?

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an exciting, fast-paced thriller from debut author Ryan Pote. We start out with a crisis aboard the International Space Startion followed by introduction to the main character, Ethan Cain, diving for a lost artifact off the coast of Africa. After seeing a large object crash into the ocean, he rushes to the scene and rescues the loan survivor from the ISS after crashing to earth. Little do they both know they will be joined at the hip on an adventure of biblical proportions.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC and the ability to get a sneak peak at what is a great yarn. This will be a great summer read for thriller fans, this book has the feel and flair of the adventures that you would find in a Clive Cussler or James Rollins novel, with a great blend of history, science, and exotic locations. The story telling here is really good. While the pace really moves, it’s not at the expense of developing characters or scenes. The author does a great job blending historical details with religious beliefs and incorporating these into what the characters think and believe. This is evident as the story progresses; there are many times where the question of trust comes up between the characters and how they work together or against each other. His attention to detail really brings the story to life.

While developing the characters, the author also teases out partial details from their background, which makes the reader understand who they are but also leaves them wanting to know more about their past. Hopefully these will be elaborated on in future novels. There is something special here and I look forward to more from the author.

[Heather | Heather's Book Shelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is just plain, good, fun! 'Blood & Treasure' is a wild, action-packed thriller that jumps right out at you. With a blend of political intrigue, religious history, and a touch of the magical, this book delivers an extremely high-stakes, globe-trotting adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

There are a lot of characters introduced early on, which can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but stick with it. Once you settle into the story, the cast becomes one of the story’s strengths, each character adding momentum to the fast-moving plot.

What really stands out is the level of detail and authenticity throughout. They often say, "write what you know," and it’s clear that the author’s background played a key role in shaping this story. Everything from the action sequences to the global settings feels vivid and believable. The accuracy and immersive descriptors were fascinating, elevating the experience far beyond a standard thriller. Pote has definitely found his sweet spot as an author.

If you're looking for a bold, intelligent, and adrenaline-fueled read with layers of mystery and mythology, 'Blood & Treasure' delivers.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Murder and mayhem on the space station. A secret orbiting weapon seized by anti-American forces. The lone surviving astronaut, Moj, an Iranian woman, survives the return to earth in an escape pod, happens to be recovered by Ethan Cain, who had just recovered the long lost Ark of the Covenant, which Moj’s handler has also been searching for. When the Iranians come to collect the Ark and their agent, things get crazy. Meanwhile, back in the US, ace programmers are trying to regain control of the stolen space weapon, while another squad goes after the Ark and kill the Iranian astronaut. Lots of dead bodies, lots of impossible escapes for both Moj and Ethan and an encounter with caretaker of a hidden church. In the end, the good guys win and the bad guys are punished (along with uncounted scores of innocents). Overall the plot had some interesting elements. The characters were a little too “typical” to be engaging.

[Mike Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debut novel from Ryan Pote featuring a treasure hunting main character, Ethan Cane. Violence erupts at the International Space Station leaving everyone feared dead. Ethan Cain is on a mission trying to complete a job off the coast of Africa when he see an object plunging into the ocean from space. He investigates and discovers a survivor from the International Space Station massacre. Ethan saves her from the escape pod, but that is only the beginning as it leads him down a path the could change the world as we know it.

This was a great novel, especially a debut novel. This book mixes a lot of genres together to come up with a fascinating story. This book is part spy thriller and part Indiana Jones movie. The pace is fast and full of suspense. Ethan Cane is a strong main character.

This book is well with the read as it fun and different from your typical spy thriller. I can’t wait for the next in the series.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of us who have been fans of iconic characters of the caliber of Jack Ryan and Dirk Pitt, this new addition, Ethan Cain, stands alongside them as a character which will perhaps exceed them. Readers, particularly those who favor literature as a primary source of entertainment, often recognize the exceptional talent and unique perspective of authors. Ryan Pote's "Blood and Treasure" exemplifies this, showcasing the author's remarkable skill. The narrative immediately captivates the reader, with the initial chapter serving as a compelling introduction that sustains interest throughout the entirety of the work.
Well written.

[Michael Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very similar to Clive Cussler.
Interesting plot.
Pretty likeable main character.
Women in the book cut short, except for Devine at Nasa.
Mogden is so mysterious, you really don't get any expansion of the character,
she's driving the plot, but through her actions not as a character.
Lana in really not needed, but probably introduced for futher books.
No crime if you skip this book.

[Jeff Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

An action/adventure like no other! Hold on tight because this book has it all! From action to science, to international espionage and the threat of war. Wow! Loved every page!

[Deirdre Jost · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't my usual genre, but I enjoyed the action-packed plot and dynamic cast of characters.

(I received this as a free ARC through Goodreads)

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indiana Jones meets a space capsule into a thriller ride of two plots…hold on tight readers! This storyline is constantly moving, easy to read, a true page turner. This reader learned how NASA works, The Old Testament, faith, different cultures and plutonium. Enjoy

[Stacia Vega · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood and Treasure by Ryan Pote
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The International Space Station has been compromised and everyone is dead except for one astronaut who escaped in a capsule and landed in the ocean. Former special ops pilot, Ethan Cain, finds the capsule while on a treasure hunting job. What he doesn’t know yet is that his current job and this astronaut are connected.
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What I liked:
-I love how this book just kept surprising me! I thought I knew what it was about and then learned a new point to the plot and realized the story was not what I thought. That happened again couple of times.
-I really liked how this book tied events happening in space with events happening on the ground. That was a cool aspect.
-Lots of suspense! I didn’t really want to put it down.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A really solid spy thriller from a debut author! I’ll keep my eye open for more books from Ryan.