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Burial Ground
When the body of Hunter Gearhardt washes up on the banks of a seasonal river outside of Pomacochas, Peru, with only samples of vegetation, a handful of feathers, two black- and gray-streaked rocks, and a golden headdress of indeterminate origin in his possession, his grieving father launches an expedition to determine how his son died. The party uses these clues to divine Hunter’s route into the jungle, where they find a surviving offshoot of a primitive tribe, long thought to be extinct, and something far more sinister, something that’s been able to avoid discovery for eons for one simple reason: No one leaves the rainforest alive.
Black Voltage Series #14
This edition contains the bonus story "Death of a Thousand Cuts" not included in the Hard Rain Edition.
Black Voltage Series #14
This edition contains the bonus story "Death of a Thousand Cuts" not included in the Hard Rain Edition.
375 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
309 people are currently reading
930 people want to read
About the author
Michael McBride
123 books480 followersMichael McBride was born in Colorado and still resides in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. He hates the snow, but loves the Avalanche. He works with medical radiation, yet somehow managed to produce five children, none of whom, miraculously, have tails, third eyes, or other random mutations. He writes fiction that runs the gamut from thriller to horror to science fiction...and loves every minute of it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
May 31, 2014
Once again, Michael McBride has managed to astound me with the accuracy and details that he puts into his novels. BURIAL GROUND takes place mainly in Peru, and the imagery conveyed is enough to make you feel as though you were actually walking through there with the characters. McBride doesn't take any short-cuts when it comes to atmosphere and setting--he painstakingly points out all the intricacies such as vegetation, insect life, even as much as the minute differences on the feathers of different types of birds!
With the exception of a few characters (whom I felt played relatively minor roles), McBride goes into enough background with each person involved that you don't get the stereotypical feeling common with so many other books. His novels and novellas are realistic on so many levels. The graphic descriptions and gore combined with scientific explanations and injections made this a novel that really carried me away!
Another incredible read from an author at the top of his game!
Highly recommended!
With the exception of a few characters (whom I felt played relatively minor roles), McBride goes into enough background with each person involved that you don't get the stereotypical feeling common with so many other books. His novels and novellas are realistic on so many levels. The graphic descriptions and gore combined with scientific explanations and injections made this a novel that really carried me away!
Another incredible read from an author at the top of his game!
Highly recommended!
March 22, 2015
The son of a wealthy treasure hunter (not so ironically named Hunter) turns up dead (murdered) in the Peruvian jungle and the team that accompanied him is still missing. Found in Hunter's backpack is an odd assortment of things that all point to the very real possibility that he had stumbled upon an ancient burial site shortly before his untimely demise. The anguish, drive for revenge, and possibility of undiscovered treasure is more than enough reason for his father, Leo Gearhardt, to assemble his own expedition to re-trace his sons tracks through the Andes Mountains.
Unfortunately, Leo isn't he only one who is aware of the contents in Hunter's backpack or the implications that they carry. However, competition for the prospect of treasure may be the least of their concerns. Something is out there. Something that Leo's guides call a demon and that has the capability of obliterating its prey--and it doesn't appear to discriminate as to what that prey is... In one of the few places in the world that has yet to be tamed (and pilfered), the question is whether Leo will find the answers to both his son's death and a lost civilization, or will he and the rest of his team meet the same fate as Hunter in the jungle of Peru?
Another great story from Michael McBride. Reminiscent of his book Fearful Symmetry (or is it the other way around?), Mike takes you deep into the unknown and shows you the things you never wanted to know that lurk out there.
Unfortunately, Leo isn't he only one who is aware of the contents in Hunter's backpack or the implications that they carry. However, competition for the prospect of treasure may be the least of their concerns. Something is out there. Something that Leo's guides call a demon and that has the capability of obliterating its prey--and it doesn't appear to discriminate as to what that prey is... In one of the few places in the world that has yet to be tamed (and pilfered), the question is whether Leo will find the answers to both his son's death and a lost civilization, or will he and the rest of his team meet the same fate as Hunter in the jungle of Peru?
Another great story from Michael McBride. Reminiscent of his book Fearful Symmetry (or is it the other way around?), Mike takes you deep into the unknown and shows you the things you never wanted to know that lurk out there.
March 12, 2024
Another “Have-time-like-sand”review because of bloody Corona. McBride’s Burial Ground ranks above average in the adventure genre. As we follow his adventurous characters through the 🇵🇪 Peruvian jungle , we realize that McBride takes his craft, and consequently his readers, seriously. The accuracy and realism by which the author describes setting and circumstances of both the South American jungle and the stimuli and incentives of his characters, makes this feel real - never mind an occasional action-serving exaggeration or unlikelihood. This is, after all, an action adventure and not a literary proposition.
All in all, this novel ticks in all the right places and I would thoroughly recommend it to all fans of the genre. What I did find a bit peculiar, however, is the author’s choice of figurative language. There is talk of “laying siege to small countries, - assaulting a small army”, and right at the beginning the claim “he had raised battalions of ships”. It may just be me but such does sound a bit odd to my ear. Nevertheless, a great reading experience for demanding readers of the adventure genre.
All in all, this novel ticks in all the right places and I would thoroughly recommend it to all fans of the genre. What I did find a bit peculiar, however, is the author’s choice of figurative language. There is talk of “laying siege to small countries, - assaulting a small army”, and right at the beginning the claim “he had raised battalions of ships”. It may just be me but such does sound a bit odd to my ear. Nevertheless, a great reading experience for demanding readers of the adventure genre.
September 8, 2016
Burial Ground by Michael McBride is a very good action, adventure, thriller involving an exploration in the Peruvian forest that went bad and a man obsessed with finding out what happened to his son out in the jungle. Oh yeah, there may also be a lost native tribe, ruthless mercenaries, corrupt government officials and ancient creatures with a taste for flesh stalking the exploration party. Yep. A lot going on in this one.
If you have ever read Michael McBride then you know one thing for sure – dude does his homework. He has an uncanny knack for getting pretty deep in his research and always relays his information in a manner that you can understand. Michael takes his time with the details and relates them in an easy, but not simple manner (if that makes any sense.)
I highly recommend anything that Michael puts out there. Definitely on my “must read” author list. A solid 4+ Stars.
If you have ever read Michael McBride then you know one thing for sure – dude does his homework. He has an uncanny knack for getting pretty deep in his research and always relays his information in a manner that you can understand. Michael takes his time with the details and relates them in an easy, but not simple manner (if that makes any sense.)
I highly recommend anything that Michael puts out there. Definitely on my “must read” author list. A solid 4+ Stars.
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May 19, 2015Free on Amazon.com today: Burial Ground: A Novel
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September 11, 2012Verdict
I'm sorry to say, this novel turned out not to be for me. At all.
Don't read on if you want to avoid spoilers.
There was waaaaay too much mayhem and gore, explicitly and repetitively detailed; too many interior monologues, endlessly repeated; too many descriptions of a setting that was, at first, unusual and intriguing but eventually became boring as a waiting room.
And the ending? Oh lordie, could it have been more predictable? No, it couldn't. Exactly what I hoped wouldn't happen did happen. Out of the multitude of people traipsing through the jungle, guess which two were the only survivors?
I'm not going to rate this book. It wasn't poorly written; it just wasn't written to my tastes. Had I been the editor, I would've suggested shaving off a whole lot of verbiage, tightening the plot, excising the romantic crap (which wasn't in the least bit believable, anyway), shading the bad guys (who were ludicrously stereotypical), and coming up with an ending that couldn't be so quickly and easily anticipated. Hell, I'd inferred it when I was just a fraction of the way into the story.
If you don't mind the stuff I've been kvetching about, you just might like this book.
* * *
Update, not review. Yet.
This well-written and -researched adventure novel (with a horror twist) was doing a great job of holding my interest and garnering my respect, until . . .
The character who's shaping up to be the book's hero began obsessing over a female academic who's a member of the expedition. And another male character began mooning over a female member of the documentary crew. The first woman is brainy, beautiful, and spunky. Kid you not: SPUNKY! She's thus far crossed her arms over her chest in a huff and been tempted to "stomp her feet" in frustration. The second woman is incomparably, goddess-level gorgeous.
Oh, puh-leeze! My eye-rolls proved so painful, I could barely continue reading. I'm still proceeding with this novel, but if more BS ensues with these Mary Sues, I'm deleting the book from my Kindle.
Note to male authors. DO NOT attempt to stuff hackneyed romantic subplots into your otherwise engaging fiction -- especially when the principals are stereotypes drawn from 1980s category romances. Please, please, I beg you! Cop a clue from Ridley Scott and his Alien series of films. Let your female characters simply be germane to the plot without becoming groan-worthy cliches.
Second Update
Close to 50% finished.
So, imagine you've been slogging through a Peruvian rain forest for days, pushing through thick, moist vegetation, batting at clouds of vampiric mosquitoes, keeping your eyes peeled for poisonous snakes, aware of hostile natives ('cause you've come face to face with them), and . . . knowing members of your party have been shredded to bits by some unseen creature who seems to move at supersonic speed.
Now I ask you, would you notice, with admiration and longing, the "swishing hips" of the person slogging in front of you? Would you wonder what it would be like to kiss that person's dirty, sweaty neck?
Yeah, I thought so. I'm waiting for something to happen aside from endless trekking, occasional mysterious attacks, and inappropriate jungle lust.
I'm sorry to say, this novel turned out not to be for me. At all.
Don't read on if you want to avoid spoilers.
There was waaaaay too much mayhem and gore, explicitly and repetitively detailed; too many interior monologues, endlessly repeated; too many descriptions of a setting that was, at first, unusual and intriguing but eventually became boring as a waiting room.
And the ending? Oh lordie, could it have been more predictable? No, it couldn't. Exactly what I hoped wouldn't happen did happen. Out of the multitude of people traipsing through the jungle, guess which two were the only survivors?
I'm not going to rate this book. It wasn't poorly written; it just wasn't written to my tastes. Had I been the editor, I would've suggested shaving off a whole lot of verbiage, tightening the plot, excising the romantic crap (which wasn't in the least bit believable, anyway), shading the bad guys (who were ludicrously stereotypical), and coming up with an ending that couldn't be so quickly and easily anticipated. Hell, I'd inferred it when I was just a fraction of the way into the story.
If you don't mind the stuff I've been kvetching about, you just might like this book.
* * *
Update, not review. Yet.
This well-written and -researched adventure novel (with a horror twist) was doing a great job of holding my interest and garnering my respect, until . . .
The character who's shaping up to be the book's hero began obsessing over a female academic who's a member of the expedition. And another male character began mooning over a female member of the documentary crew. The first woman is brainy, beautiful, and spunky. Kid you not: SPUNKY! She's thus far crossed her arms over her chest in a huff and been tempted to "stomp her feet" in frustration. The second woman is incomparably, goddess-level gorgeous.
Oh, puh-leeze! My eye-rolls proved so painful, I could barely continue reading. I'm still proceeding with this novel, but if more BS ensues with these Mary Sues, I'm deleting the book from my Kindle.
Note to male authors. DO NOT attempt to stuff hackneyed romantic subplots into your otherwise engaging fiction -- especially when the principals are stereotypes drawn from 1980s category romances. Please, please, I beg you! Cop a clue from Ridley Scott and his Alien series of films. Let your female characters simply be germane to the plot without becoming groan-worthy cliches.
Second Update
Close to 50% finished.
So, imagine you've been slogging through a Peruvian rain forest for days, pushing through thick, moist vegetation, batting at clouds of vampiric mosquitoes, keeping your eyes peeled for poisonous snakes, aware of hostile natives ('cause you've come face to face with them), and . . . knowing members of your party have been shredded to bits by some unseen creature who seems to move at supersonic speed.
Now I ask you, would you notice, with admiration and longing, the "swishing hips" of the person slogging in front of you? Would you wonder what it would be like to kiss that person's dirty, sweaty neck?
Yeah, I thought so. I'm waiting for something to happen aside from endless trekking, occasional mysterious attacks, and inappropriate jungle lust.
February 1, 2015
What's worse than trudging through a jungle? How 'bout trudging uphill through a jungle? Set in the Peruvian rainforest nestled along the mountains, a dead body is discovered and prompts and expedition to find out who--or what--killed him, and where he found that snazzy gold artifact tucked in his bag.
After a wealthy industrialist learns his galavanting son has died under mysterious circumstances in South America, he leads a recon team of scientists and mercenaries into the jungle for answers, guided by the bush pilot that found his son's corpse and the golden crown in his possession. Suspicion on all sides over who knows how much weighs heavy as they venture into the wild, but their own little quabbles are quickly outweighed as it becomes all too apparent that there is a tribe in the jungle, one that has until now gone undiscovered, and the team finds themselves in a race for answers as well for their lives.
If you like those globe-trotting thrillers and encounters with the unknown, you're likely to really get a kick out of this book. What could just be a paint-by-numbers horror/thriller fare is quite capably handled by McBride, who turns this into something just a little bit more riveting than what you might find late at night on SyFy. The characters are fleshed out much more than the run-of-the-mill stories you might be used to, and while the broad premise of the book doesn't feel all that original, its execution helps it stand out from the pack.
The ending isn't quite so revelatory, but a minor complaint for an audiobook helmed by Gary Tiedemann who does a great job in keeping the tone and pace of the story just right, and the characters engaging the whole way through.
If you're a fan of those Preston/Child novels, I'd wager you would be a fan of this one.
After a wealthy industrialist learns his galavanting son has died under mysterious circumstances in South America, he leads a recon team of scientists and mercenaries into the jungle for answers, guided by the bush pilot that found his son's corpse and the golden crown in his possession. Suspicion on all sides over who knows how much weighs heavy as they venture into the wild, but their own little quabbles are quickly outweighed as it becomes all too apparent that there is a tribe in the jungle, one that has until now gone undiscovered, and the team finds themselves in a race for answers as well for their lives.
If you like those globe-trotting thrillers and encounters with the unknown, you're likely to really get a kick out of this book. What could just be a paint-by-numbers horror/thriller fare is quite capably handled by McBride, who turns this into something just a little bit more riveting than what you might find late at night on SyFy. The characters are fleshed out much more than the run-of-the-mill stories you might be used to, and while the broad premise of the book doesn't feel all that original, its execution helps it stand out from the pack.
The ending isn't quite so revelatory, but a minor complaint for an audiobook helmed by Gary Tiedemann who does a great job in keeping the tone and pace of the story just right, and the characters engaging the whole way through.
If you're a fan of those Preston/Child novels, I'd wager you would be a fan of this one.
November 6, 2015
This book is a prize of contradictions. The level of writing is on par w/ the best of Crichton in a shocking affront to those who claim self-published books aren't well-written or edited. McBride's mastery of the jungle setting of Peru provides prose worth studying. And the suspense which is created from early on, coupled with the way the author uses the "baddies" (no spoilers here) is a lesson learned from Spielberg's Jaws, where less is more and the stakes are raised not through shoving them on you but from allowing your imagination to run wild.
Now, the contradictions...
I found myself swept up in this book, for all of the reasons listed above, at least at first. However, it took me much longer than normal to finish this one, primarily because of the pacing. What at first began with little cliff hangers of suspense at the end of each character's "chapter" after awhile grew frustrating as I wanted the book to move quicker into the meat of the story. I think there could have been a lot more explored here than the straight-forward "there and back again" plot line, especially with the length of the novel.
Despite the pace and very linear plot, I did find this an enjoyable read and it's certainly one I would recommend. McBride writes with authority and certainly whisks you into the jungles to travel along with his characters, even if the pace of that journey is a little slower than you might like.
Now, the contradictions...
I found myself swept up in this book, for all of the reasons listed above, at least at first. However, it took me much longer than normal to finish this one, primarily because of the pacing. What at first began with little cliff hangers of suspense at the end of each character's "chapter" after awhile grew frustrating as I wanted the book to move quicker into the meat of the story. I think there could have been a lot more explored here than the straight-forward "there and back again" plot line, especially with the length of the novel.
Despite the pace and very linear plot, I did find this an enjoyable read and it's certainly one I would recommend. McBride writes with authority and certainly whisks you into the jungles to travel along with his characters, even if the pace of that journey is a little slower than you might like.
April 27, 2017
This was a suspenseful mystery. A group of experts, each in their own different fields, set off on an expedition to find out what happened to a retired, treasure hunters son. Not only are they being followed by a group of missionaries, but what they are faced with in the jungle is nothing less than frightening. Think Congo, but it is not apes they meet up with.
October 13, 2015
Ok, so I liked this book but I didn't love it. First the bad.....
It was a little too long and the climax seemed to last forever. And the ending itself? Eh.
I thought the characters were kind of cliche, the powerful wealthy industrialist, the tough as nails mercenary, etc..
The love story seemed forced as if the author felt like he somehow HAD to weave in a love story and kind of threw it together.
But like I said, I did like the book. The setting was really cool (South American jungle) and I liked the overall concept of old gods and creatures. A couple reviews I read called the author to task for being overly descriptive of some of the flora ad fauna but I did not find it tedious and thought it added to the story. Plus.....monsters and gore! I did enjoy that aspect for sure.
All in all a decent read....perfect for beach or plane ride. I would read this author again.
It was a little too long and the climax seemed to last forever. And the ending itself? Eh.
I thought the characters were kind of cliche, the powerful wealthy industrialist, the tough as nails mercenary, etc..
The love story seemed forced as if the author felt like he somehow HAD to weave in a love story and kind of threw it together.
But like I said, I did like the book. The setting was really cool (South American jungle) and I liked the overall concept of old gods and creatures. A couple reviews I read called the author to task for being overly descriptive of some of the flora ad fauna but I did not find it tedious and thought it added to the story. Plus.....monsters and gore! I did enjoy that aspect for sure.
All in all a decent read....perfect for beach or plane ride. I would read this author again.
March 30, 2016
Something that should be extinct isn't so it kills people.
I still like this kind of horror and enjoyed the book but it was less than exceptional. The writing was solid. Recommended if you don't have anything else to read.
I still like this kind of horror and enjoyed the book but it was less than exceptional. The writing was solid. Recommended if you don't have anything else to read.
April 24, 2022
I will never get enough of Michael McBride’s adventures!! They’re just pure fun, intense, suspenseful and bloody!!!!
He does survival adventures superbly and I’m always ready for more!!!
Burial Ground is definitely one of my favorite McBride stories! I absolutely loved it!!
He does survival adventures superbly and I’m always ready for more!!!
Burial Ground is definitely one of my favorite McBride stories! I absolutely loved it!!
July 5, 2021
I enjoyed this book but I have to agree with other reviewers who complained about the cliched characters and the drawn-out climax. I liked the way McBride didn't reveal much about the creatures and kept us guessing. This makes it scarier than detailed descriptions.
Overall it kept me reading and on edge. And it was sitting on my tbr for years so I'm glad to check it off the list.
Overall it kept me reading and on edge. And it was sitting on my tbr for years so I'm glad to check it off the list.
July 3, 2015
Man, I love this kind of story (ancient native ruins, mysterious creatures), and this one delivers. It follows an expedition to uncover the cause of death for a rich man's son as they follow his trail to a set of ruins, but there's a lot more going on plot-wise, and it all holds together very well. It may not be perfect - some of the characters were a little cliche, for example - but it kept me enthralled from start to finish, and the ending was quite satisfying. If you haven't read anything by Michael McBride, why the heck not - what rock have you been living under!?! :-) He's one of the best authors working in this field right now.
July 29, 2016
OMG what can I say about it , I loved it , and I'm definitely picking it up again to read, if you love Michael Crichton's book Congo or any of his work then you'll like this one by Michael McBride or at lest I think so. my cope even has a free bonus novella: Xibalba which is also five out of five stars. So go check it out. This story kept me coming back for more and had me on the edge of my bed the entire time I was reading it, going to have to get it in paperback so I can have 2 copies of it.
October 2, 2013
Interesting premise . . . but way too predictable. It could have used some editing.
I've enjoyed some of Michael McBride's other books, but this one just wasn't for me.
I've enjoyed some of Michael McBride's other books, but this one just wasn't for me.
February 14, 2022
An ok read but a story line that went on longer than it needed to
January 13, 2022
McBride books are always entertaining. I really enjoyed the last few lines of this one.
August 5, 2012
Started off very good, but I quickly became annoyed by the author's need to explain, in detail, every bit of blood, sinew, muscle and bone that was splattered across the pages of the book. I found myself getting to the descriptions of the violence and actually just skimming over it. It seemed unnecessary and really didn't add much to the scare factor. The story was interesting and I enjoyed the archeological aspects of it, but overall it didn't grip me like Jurassic Park.
December 4, 2014
My friend was the narrator on the audiobook, so got it. I was excited. The first chapter is exciting. And even though he's my friend, I think Gary does a great job narrating it. However, I just couldn't get excited about it. I made it just past the half way point and had to abandon it. Life's too short to waste with a book that I don't look forward to picking up. Gary's awesome. I hope some better authors pick him up, because his voice deserves to be heard, but this book just wasn't for me.
February 5, 2023
Very exciting with nearly non-stop action!
Some of the wordcrafting bothered me, however. There were similes that didn't make sense to me. Also, some of the descriptions were self-contradictory, such as the admiring of a sunrise then hiking up through the layer of clouds.
I recommend this action-packed thriller!
Some of the wordcrafting bothered me, however. There were similes that didn't make sense to me. Also, some of the descriptions were self-contradictory, such as the admiring of a sunrise then hiking up through the layer of clouds.
I recommend this action-packed thriller!
June 6, 2015
What could have been a fast paced book was bogged down in minute description of plants (over and over)
Read
June 21, 2022Agnozingly repetitive! This would be an INCREDIBLE short story. The writer spends way too many pages saying the same thing so often you can easily skip ahead and STILL be reading the SAME thing. It seems like he was trying to make it into a full novel-length and attempted to build suspension but all he managed to accomplish was wasting too many pages and annoying the reader rather than making it suspenseful.
He also gets stuck in a rut using the same words on repeat just as much as he gets stuck repeating the same concept. The ground is never the ground it's always detritus. The "monster/creature/whatever" doesn't make any other sounds except "scree" and on the rare occasions he doesn't use scree ad nauseam he uses "avian screech." We start with being obsessively informed there are mosquitoes (in a rainforest? SHOCKING!) but then he seems to forget about those and focuses an obscene amount of ink on the flies.
Way too much description of the surroundings takes away from the experience. Not only is he overly describing things we all can easily envision he makes the scenes last for an ungodly amount of time. We don't need countless pages dedicated to the descriptions of the river, the trees and vines, the rainfall in a rainforest, and every nuisance of their boat trip (break in boat trip) return to boat trip. 80% of the book seems to be describing things needlessly with 20% dedicated to actually moving the story along with action and dialogue elements. It's a good thing to paint a picture of the surroundings so the reader can help place themselves into the situation but too much time was spent on that and not enough spent on building the characters so we actually care if anything happens to them - and by the time we get to the end we just simply don't care who lives or dies. In fact, I'd be happy if they all died just so we'd stop hearing about a scree every few lines.
He spends so much time trying to build up the dramatic reveal of the monster/creature that by the time we get to it you're so exhausted by mucking your way through the excess verbiage you don't even care about the creature.
McBride has skill, there is no doubt about it. But in two books I've checked out of his so far he has the same major failing. The repetition of both concept and word usage. If you trimmed out all the needless excess this 430+ page book could have been a truly spine-tingling powerful short story or novella. It would be so easy to chop 250-300 pages off this and not only maintain the core story but make it even better.
He also gets stuck in a rut using the same words on repeat just as much as he gets stuck repeating the same concept. The ground is never the ground it's always detritus. The "monster/creature/whatever" doesn't make any other sounds except "scree" and on the rare occasions he doesn't use scree ad nauseam he uses "avian screech." We start with being obsessively informed there are mosquitoes (in a rainforest? SHOCKING!) but then he seems to forget about those and focuses an obscene amount of ink on the flies.
Way too much description of the surroundings takes away from the experience. Not only is he overly describing things we all can easily envision he makes the scenes last for an ungodly amount of time. We don't need countless pages dedicated to the descriptions of the river, the trees and vines, the rainfall in a rainforest, and every nuisance of their boat trip (break in boat trip) return to boat trip. 80% of the book seems to be describing things needlessly with 20% dedicated to actually moving the story along with action and dialogue elements. It's a good thing to paint a picture of the surroundings so the reader can help place themselves into the situation but too much time was spent on that and not enough spent on building the characters so we actually care if anything happens to them - and by the time we get to the end we just simply don't care who lives or dies. In fact, I'd be happy if they all died just so we'd stop hearing about a scree every few lines.
He spends so much time trying to build up the dramatic reveal of the monster/creature that by the time we get to it you're so exhausted by mucking your way through the excess verbiage you don't even care about the creature.
McBride has skill, there is no doubt about it. But in two books I've checked out of his so far he has the same major failing. The repetition of both concept and word usage. If you trimmed out all the needless excess this 430+ page book could have been a truly spine-tingling powerful short story or novella. It would be so easy to chop 250-300 pages off this and not only maintain the core story but make it even better.
May 20, 2018
No matter how much you might like literary fiction, sometimes you need a bit of "B-movie" fun, and this book fits the bill pretty well, if not exactly perfectly. The plot, as such, is that a group of people are heading into the Peruvian jungle in search of some previously undiscovered ruins, when they stumble upon creatures with a taste for human flesh. It is of course somewhat more complicated than that, and I won't spoil the monsters for you, but really that's all you need to know about it. The characters are sufficiently developed, if not more than a little stereotypical, and the writing is above average, especially for a self-published book. The author really excels at describing the scenery, making it very easy to visualize the group's surroundings. Things move along at a decent pace, though at times it feels like it could have been edited down a bit. Still, it's hard not to want to pick the book back up and see where the adventure heads next. Unfortunately, it never really feels scary, which is kind of a shame giving the promising set-up. It was an enjoyable enough read, though it's not something I am ever likely to pick up again.
February 7, 2021
The body of an exploratory party in the remote Andes washes up near a remote village. An American expatriate takes the body and personal effects to the U.S embassy, starting several people with different motives on a possible search and recovery mission of the remaining expedition members.
Since this a genre I read frequently, I suppose it shouldn’t seem odd that I had read something very similar before. And, when my son asked me what I was reading when I was not quite a fifth of the way into the story, all the pieces clicked in my head as to the eventual conclusion. It still didn’t spoil the fun I had reading. After finishing, I give the author credit for an interesting take on a common plot. The was detailed description of violence, but surprisingly little if any profanity, which was unexpected and appreciated.
The ebook version I read also included a short novella, Xibalba, which had a similar theme as Burial Ground, but with a lesson about a Central American god I was not familiar to me. While occurring over a fairly close timeline as the main story, the length made it feel more frantic.
Since this a genre I read frequently, I suppose it shouldn’t seem odd that I had read something very similar before. And, when my son asked me what I was reading when I was not quite a fifth of the way into the story, all the pieces clicked in my head as to the eventual conclusion. It still didn’t spoil the fun I had reading. After finishing, I give the author credit for an interesting take on a common plot. The was detailed description of violence, but surprisingly little if any profanity, which was unexpected and appreciated.
The ebook version I read also included a short novella, Xibalba, which had a similar theme as Burial Ground, but with a lesson about a Central American god I was not familiar to me. While occurring over a fairly close timeline as the main story, the length made it feel more frantic.
December 31, 2024
This book was nonstop action and suspense pretty much the entire time. The story was a real page turner, and thru about the last half of the book, I kept wondering how they were going to get out of their predicament. The main character, Merritt, was interesting, and I enjoyed seeing his character develop. Some of the other characters were pretty much stock but a few were able to capture my attention and empathy. I found the monsters unique and terrifying, which is fairly rare for me. Several other reviewers thought the climax was too long but I thought the author did a great job ramping up and then maintaining the suspense. I'm not sure I took a breath during the last 20%of the book. Finally, when I got to the end and the author revealed this was his first foray into creature horror I was shocked. I've read other books by Mr. McBride and thought this was easily on a par as those. Recommended!
December 28, 2021
my favorite by the author so far
I’ve been reading my way though the author’s catalogue and this one is by far my favorite. The rest have all been lots of fun, but creature features always too my list. The characters are interesting and even the ones that could usually be dubbed cannon fodder are fleshed out to where you feel for them. The creatures were a surprise to me as I’d thought I had what they were figured out, so I was delighted to be wrong.
I’ve been reading my way though the author’s catalogue and this one is by far my favorite. The rest have all been lots of fun, but creature features always too my list. The characters are interesting and even the ones that could usually be dubbed cannon fodder are fleshed out to where you feel for them. The creatures were a surprise to me as I’d thought I had what they were figured out, so I was delighted to be wrong.
February 3, 2022
3.5. I wasn't sure what to expect with this book as reviews are all over the place, but I was pleasantly surprised with how good it was. The descriptions of the locale was great and the characters were well done. The plot was a bit predictable which is why I can't quite give it 4 stars. It is reminiscent of a James Rollins' book, which I always enjoy. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it as much, but enough that I will check out some more of this author!
2022 Reading Challenge
January Letter: B
2022 Reading Challenge
January Letter: B
March 17, 2024
What a great read! If you are looking for a "they lived happily ever after", then skip this book. Very graphical description of wounds inflicted by a new type of "raptor", including gruesome depictions of death scenes - not for the faint of heart but still a wonderful thriller. Definitely will look for more books from this author. And a short novella at the end that will take your breath away from the horror.
April 14, 2022
Wicked and Sharply Written
What a gory fun read! This author can hang in there with Preston and Child. The Relic is my all time favorite, Burial Ground has cracked my top five. Great story, atmosphere, characters, and monster(s) that are not overused. This would make a great mini-series. Almost better than Jurassic Park…almost…
What a gory fun read! This author can hang in there with Preston and Child. The Relic is my all time favorite, Burial Ground has cracked my top five. Great story, atmosphere, characters, and monster(s) that are not overused. This would make a great mini-series. Almost better than Jurassic Park…almost…
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