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Marina Alexander Adventures #1
Siberian Treasure
"Gleason mixes historical mysteries with current events and exciting technology--creating a fast-paced story that takes you on an action-packed ride!"
--New York Times bestselling author Jana DeLeon
In the tradition of Clive Cussler comes the first novel in an exciting series of thrilling adventure, high-stakes international threats, and lost treasures....
Moscow, 1560 A lost Byzantine library...last seen in the possession of Russia's Ivan the Terrible...
Siberia, 1942 A World War II female fighter pilot crashes in the mountains of Siberia and is taken away by a small, mysterious tribe...
United States, 2007 Four simultaneous earthquakes erupt across the United States in areas without fault lines....
Marina Alexander lives for adventure. She pilots small planes in order to participate in search and rescue missions with her dog, deep in the most dangerous caves on earth.
She also studies antiquities at the University of Michigan, and is just about to depart on the most important trip of her career when she is swept into an adventure of high-stakes, international intrigue--for little does she know, she has a connection to a dangerous group of eco-terrorists that will bring her face to face with them--and leave her with a terrible choice.
From the deep, dangerous caves of mid-Pennsylvania to the southern shore of Lake Superior, to the desolate mountains of Siberia and the slick urban oil center of Riyadh, Siberian Treasure will take readers on a fast-paced, thrilling ride.
..".there's nothing better than a book by [C.M.] Gleason!" --Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author
--New York Times bestselling author Jana DeLeon
In the tradition of Clive Cussler comes the first novel in an exciting series of thrilling adventure, high-stakes international threats, and lost treasures....
Moscow, 1560 A lost Byzantine library...last seen in the possession of Russia's Ivan the Terrible...
Siberia, 1942 A World War II female fighter pilot crashes in the mountains of Siberia and is taken away by a small, mysterious tribe...
United States, 2007 Four simultaneous earthquakes erupt across the United States in areas without fault lines....
Marina Alexander lives for adventure. She pilots small planes in order to participate in search and rescue missions with her dog, deep in the most dangerous caves on earth.
She also studies antiquities at the University of Michigan, and is just about to depart on the most important trip of her career when she is swept into an adventure of high-stakes, international intrigue--for little does she know, she has a connection to a dangerous group of eco-terrorists that will bring her face to face with them--and leave her with a terrible choice.
From the deep, dangerous caves of mid-Pennsylvania to the southern shore of Lake Superior, to the desolate mountains of Siberia and the slick urban oil center of Riyadh, Siberian Treasure will take readers on a fast-paced, thrilling ride.
..".there's nothing better than a book by [C.M.] Gleason!" --Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author
326 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
455 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
About the author
Colleen Gleason
106 books1,677 followersAward-winning, NEW YORK TIMES and USA Today bestselling author Colleen Gleason (who also writes as Colleen Cambridge) has written more than fifty novels in a variety of genres…but always feature smart, strong women determined to right wrongs and get shit done.
Colleen lives in the Midwest United States where she is fortunate enough to be working on her next book.
She loves to hear from readers via her website, Facebook, or GoodReads.
Colleen lives in the Midwest United States where she is fortunate enough to be working on her next book.
She loves to hear from readers via her website, Facebook, or GoodReads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
September 6, 2022
This was fun .... though certainly unbelievable. But most adventure/action, save the world books are, aren't they? Marina, is definitely a Lara Croft figure with way too many skill-sets for her job as historian, but again, that's what makes this fit so well in the genre. I'll read the next in the series, since the author manages to leaves quite a few things hanging. 3.7 almost a 4, so I'm rounding up.
May 1, 2015
Moisier’s Moore Field School and the Mystery is age appropriate with good vocabulary and grammar. It is a readable story; however, the plot does not appear until half way into the book and seems to be somewhat of an after thought. The plot then develops rather slowly throughout the book. There is little character development. Additionally, the dialogue between the children is stilted. There is some humor that will appeal to the younger readers in its targeted audience. As the book ends suddenly, I assume the author is planning a sequel and this one will lead into the next; however I doubt most children will be interested enough to read the second one. I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. (C.M. Huddleston, author of Greg’s First Adventure in Time)
July 14, 2021
Interesting story about ancient culture affecting modern life. Characters were well developed, and plot moved along at a decent pace. I would be interested in reading further stories with these main characters.
April 10, 2021
Woman is pilot and rescuer of people trapped in caves. Interesting, page-turner at first, but heroine is a little unbelievable. Kind of like Lara Croft from Tomb Raiders. I should have liked this more than I did. What I wanted to be an action/adventure story really was more of a soap opera that just didn't click with me. There is a dog in part of book and I liked that. There is some sexual tension and possible romance and I liked that, although that is not a requirement for most of my reads. I just skimmed through the last few chapters to get it over with. I read the ebook. Copyright 2010; updated 2015.
July 15, 2015
Definitely not what I expected or hoped for. Uninteresting plot, mundane heroine and one dimensional villians. The writing style was in need of a bit more editing which tends to distract me from the story. I also didn't think the author thought things out well. For example, the villians were devoted to preserving the earth but their stronghold was loaded with plastics and technology. Too many unnecessary characters and an oil spill plot line that went absolutely nowhere. I'll be skipping the sequel.
July 25, 2018
Siberian Treasure is simply not worth the valuable reading time. The plot is stale, character development is shallow. Suspense is poorly maintained. Too many good books are waiting to be read to waste time here.
January 14, 2019
Meh.
This book was described as being in the same vein as Clive Cussler. While there are similarities in how the story unfolds, the writing is trite and the heroine less than believable. I won't rush to read the sequel.
This book was described as being in the same vein as Clive Cussler. While there are similarities in how the story unfolds, the writing is trite and the heroine less than believable. I won't rush to read the sequel.
April 3, 2018
Started off quite good, looses it's way in the middle . The end just feels rushed to set up the sequel and as such no real resolution for the reader..
Sorry.
Sorry.
August 23, 2018
Not bad.
I enjoyed the book, but did find it incongruous that GPS and Satellite Phone worked underground. They don't. Otherwise it was good.
I enjoyed the book, but did find it incongruous that GPS and Satellite Phone worked underground. They don't. Otherwise it was good.
June 2, 2023
I got this book from my library because I wanted to break away from the usual genres I like to read and try something different. This sounded like a great combination of history, suspense and action, plus it was billed as having a strong female main character, which is always a draw for me.
Unfortunately, I knew pretty early on this was not going to be for me, and sure enough this ended up a DNF.
First off, there are way too many characters introduced very early in the book. Honestly, I stopped reading at the 70 page mark of a 400+ page book and I had already lost count of all the different characters in different locations with different back-stories that had already been introduced at that point. We hadn't even met the main character yet and I was already feeling like I needed to create an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of everyone we had already met so I'd be able to remember who was who and what their stories were.
I don't mind a large cast of characters when it is handled well and the reader has context for who everyone is and how they fit into the overall plot, but that was not how it felt to me with this book. Each new group of characters seemed to be independent and unconnected to any of the others and while I'm sure the connections were explained eventually, I found it extremely tedious wading through all these - seemingly - random groups of people without having any idea why I was being asked to remember them. The investment of time and attention this book asked of me did not feel worthwhile, and when there are so many books I'm dying to read, spending time with one that just isn't engaging me doesn't make sense.
This was a miss for me and it went back to the library.
Unfortunately, I knew pretty early on this was not going to be for me, and sure enough this ended up a DNF.
First off, there are way too many characters introduced very early in the book. Honestly, I stopped reading at the 70 page mark of a 400+ page book and I had already lost count of all the different characters in different locations with different back-stories that had already been introduced at that point. We hadn't even met the main character yet and I was already feeling like I needed to create an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of everyone we had already met so I'd be able to remember who was who and what their stories were.
I don't mind a large cast of characters when it is handled well and the reader has context for who everyone is and how they fit into the overall plot, but that was not how it felt to me with this book. Each new group of characters seemed to be independent and unconnected to any of the others and while I'm sure the connections were explained eventually, I found it extremely tedious wading through all these - seemingly - random groups of people without having any idea why I was being asked to remember them. The investment of time and attention this book asked of me did not feel worthwhile, and when there are so many books I'm dying to read, spending time with one that just isn't engaging me doesn't make sense.
This was a miss for me and it went back to the library.
April 10, 2019
finished this one today about eight aye em the 1oth of april 2019 wednesday morning #74 for the year first from gleason for me three stars good read i liked it didn't like that scene with the roll-over, the aftermath didn't make much sense, explained afterward, that the two guys were chasing another who got away. i was thinking what's going on, where'd the two guys go? was it two? maybe only one chasing? whatever. ambitious, too, the plot elements, has that james bond feel, or as i was thinking as i read it, an erb-feel, as in edgar rice. will suspension and all, very willing. there's this phrase uses in the story, too, ashes to ashes as it is in the bible, thus spoke the writer here...and i wanted to grab the thingie...thing that has all words used? off to the races...
...concordance...the exact phrase is not in the bible didn't think it was...meh...churches, so forth so on, this that the other. gleason also uses some towns in the u.p. marquette l'anse and has a highway 43 between them. not that it matters much in the scheme of fiction, but why use real towns, lakes, superior, real countries, u.s.a canada russia...and not use the actual highway, 41?
anyway, on to something else now. (supposed to be getting another storm tonight, 5-10" os snow forecast, half an inch or better of freezing rain oh joy oh joy) over to the greek with sports, jimmy? take it away.
...concordance...the exact phrase is not in the bible didn't think it was...meh...churches, so forth so on, this that the other. gleason also uses some towns in the u.p. marquette l'anse and has a highway 43 between them. not that it matters much in the scheme of fiction, but why use real towns, lakes, superior, real countries, u.s.a canada russia...and not use the actual highway, 41?
anyway, on to something else now. (supposed to be getting another storm tonight, 5-10" os snow forecast, half an inch or better of freezing rain oh joy oh joy) over to the greek with sports, jimmy? take it away.
August 27, 2021
I really liked the characters in this story as well as the hair raising antics the characters get mixed up in. The scenes written for Marina in the cave rescue were edge of the seat drama. The description really fit the action. As the story unfolded, one waited in anticipation for what would happen next. In some places , I was afraid to turn the page in case something bad happened to the good guys. The dialogue is superb in this story, it really fit the characters. Some parts ventured into the unexplained or what some might consider the supernatural. I liked the mix that the author has provided and will be reading Marina’s next adventure. Lucky for me it is already out and in Kindle Unlimited. I don’t have to wait 5 years. This is a well researched book in both history and science so it was a real treat to read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants adventure.
August 26, 2021
This was quite an adventure. A lot happens in this book and there are quite a number of different things going on in flashbacks to different eras, as well as the present time (which present in the book was 2007). Marina aka Mariska is an interesting main character. She's quite independent and very capable and smart. She "teams" up with Gabe, an FBI agent who is a good character too. The plot is very different, with a group of people living underground in Siberia - very smart people who are part of a cult who worship the earth and are very concerned with pollution. It was a good story and I enjoyed the book.
February 2, 2017
Good story
This is the first time I have read anything by this author and was pleasantly pleased with the book as it was a fun read and will now have to read the next one I. The series !
This is the first time I have read anything by this author and was pleasantly pleased with the book as it was a fun read and will now have to read the next one I. The series !
January 28, 2018
Intrigue? Antiquities?
Intrigue? Yes. Antiquities? Yes. History? Yes. Fast paced? Not so much. Beginning is engaging while the middle is muddle. The end picks up the pace again. Decent read. I won't likely move on to the second book.
Intrigue? Yes. Antiquities? Yes. History? Yes. Fast paced? Not so much. Beginning is engaging while the middle is muddle. The end picks up the pace again. Decent read. I won't likely move on to the second book.
July 28, 2020
Mari's dad Victor never acted fatherly; his brother Roman, their dad Lev, won't reveal past till not-so-surprise end finds hidden library. Mari, Gabe follow Gaia clues to Siberia for sequels.
Typo:25p2 with Roman IS with Lev
Typo:25p2 with Roman IS with Lev
June 7, 2017
A great read! Started it on vacation and could not put it down. Sucks you right in. Get ready for a ride. Looking forward to book two!
December 29, 2017
Great adventure!!
This book just rolled along with action. Characters blended well with each other! I have ordered next book in series. Can't wait to read it
This book just rolled along with action. Characters blended well with each other! I have ordered next book in series. Can't wait to read it
March 14, 2018
Loved it
This is the first book I have read by this author and I have to say that I have really enjoyed the story. I will be looking at his next book in the series.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I have to say that I have really enjoyed the story. I will be looking at his next book in the series.
dnf
August 26, 2019I seem to have very particular tastes in thrillers, and this wasn't fitting the bill.
Read
December 23, 2019Excellent reading
The book started with action and continued with intrigue .
The end of the story really wasn't the end but the beginning of more adventures.
The book started with action and continued with intrigue .
The end of the story really wasn't the end but the beginning of more adventures.
May 14, 2021
What a great adventure!!! I was completely caught up in the story and couldn't put it down.
June 18, 2022
This was a good read.
June 22, 2023
International adventure with a strong female lead, historical connections, surprising technology, and a hidden society. I am looking forward to reading the next book of the series.
January 24, 2015
This book takes the reader on quite the adventure! As part of a new reading challenge this year, I'm to read a book by an author I love, but it must be one of their books I haven't read before. I love Gleason's Gardella Vampire Series, and usually stick to romance and paranormal as my go-to reads. This book (which has sat on my kindle forever), being an adventure, thriller, mystery, political statement, mixed with a dash of sic-fi, is definitely a genre that is out of my norm.
It took me a while to really get into the story. There was a lot going on. Short chapters read like mini scenes in a movie. Chapters took place on different continents, different time periods. There was quite a bit to digest at first. Lots of characters introduced and names to keep straight. I admit, I was confused when characters were called by their first name, then last name, then first . . . I wasn't feeling this book at the get-go. The main character, Marina, wasn't even introduced until about 15% of the way through.
But things really started to come together. All the strands that seemed disorienting at first, began to interweave to create a really detailed and vibrant adventure tale. Marina Alexander anchors this story. She's strong, smart, courageous, but also very grounded and very real. The motives of the eco-terroists were not so far fetched (you only have to suspend your disbelief a bit for the secret society they've created, including their awesome mode of transportation!)
This book is so very different from other books I've read by this author, and I really enjoyed it. I really was at the edge of my seat as the story played out. There are some lose ends that will hopefully move into a sequel, because I'd really like to revisit some of these characters. Marina's work is far from over!
It took me a while to really get into the story. There was a lot going on. Short chapters read like mini scenes in a movie. Chapters took place on different continents, different time periods. There was quite a bit to digest at first. Lots of characters introduced and names to keep straight. I admit, I was confused when characters were called by their first name, then last name, then first . . . I wasn't feeling this book at the get-go. The main character, Marina, wasn't even introduced until about 15% of the way through.
But things really started to come together. All the strands that seemed disorienting at first, began to interweave to create a really detailed and vibrant adventure tale. Marina Alexander anchors this story. She's strong, smart, courageous, but also very grounded and very real. The motives of the eco-terroists were not so far fetched (you only have to suspend your disbelief a bit for the secret society they've created, including their awesome mode of transportation!)
This book is so very different from other books I've read by this author, and I really enjoyed it. I really was at the edge of my seat as the story played out. There are some lose ends that will hopefully move into a sequel, because I'd really like to revisit some of these characters. Marina's work is far from over!
January 24, 2015
This story is about a long lost ancient library, and a long hidden group of people who worship the earth called the Skaladeskas. It was such a major departure from everything I've read by the author, that I was uncertain what to expect. I should have known better though! The authors ability to draw you in with her excellent character building and descriptions is very evident in this book. The story was fast paced without being rushed! I loved the concept of a mother earth worshipping religious order intent on protecting it, or her, "Gaia"
The level of technological advances these people possess is amazing, and yet, there is no way to save the planet from man's destructive activities except with violence.
Our heroine is an earth lover herself. She is a spelunker, a rescue worker, an ancient manuscript scholar, among other things. Marina is a strong woman! But there is more than meets the eye. She just doesn't remember much of it.
The story has many players and at first I may have had a hard time remembering who and where each one was, but after a few chapters, I was so into the story that it was easy to follow.
The science and tech in the book are just fantastic! I wish we had some of it today!!
This was a very satisfying read! There were no cliffhangers as another reviewer suggested. But I want more! I'd love to know what happened to certain people from the book. I highly recommend this book, not just to lovers of this genre, but anyone who likes a good mystery.
I will be looking for more along this line from the author!
The level of technological advances these people possess is amazing, and yet, there is no way to save the planet from man's destructive activities except with violence.
Our heroine is an earth lover herself. She is a spelunker, a rescue worker, an ancient manuscript scholar, among other things. Marina is a strong woman! But there is more than meets the eye. She just doesn't remember much of it.
The story has many players and at first I may have had a hard time remembering who and where each one was, but after a few chapters, I was so into the story that it was easy to follow.
The science and tech in the book are just fantastic! I wish we had some of it today!!
This was a very satisfying read! There were no cliffhangers as another reviewer suggested. But I want more! I'd love to know what happened to certain people from the book. I highly recommend this book, not just to lovers of this genre, but anyone who likes a good mystery.
I will be looking for more along this line from the author!
April 1, 2015
This story is about a long lost ancient library, and a long hidden group of people who worship the earth called the Skaladeskas. It was such a major departure from everything I've read by the author, that I was uncertain what to expect. I should have known better though! The authors ability to draw you in with her excellent character building and descriptions is very evident in this book. The story was fast paced without being rushed! I loved the concept of a mother earth worshipping religious order intent on protecting it, or her, "Gaia"
The level of technological advances these people possess is amazing, and yet, there is no way to save the planet from man's destructive activities except with violence.
Our heroine is an earth lover herself. She is a spelunker, a rescue worker, an ancient manuscript scholar, among other things. Marina is a strong woman! But there is more than meets the eye. She just doesn't remember much of it.
The story has many players and at first I may have had a hard time remembering who and where each one was, but after a few chapters, I was so into the story that it was easy to follow.
The science and tech in the book are just fantastic! I wish we had some of it today!!
This was a very satisfying read! There were no cliffhangers as another reviewer suggested. But I want more! I'd love to know what happened to certain people from the book. I highly recommend this book, not just to lovers of this genre, but anyone who likes a good mystery.
I will be looking for more along this line from the author!
The level of technological advances these people possess is amazing, and yet, there is no way to save the planet from man's destructive activities except with violence.
Our heroine is an earth lover herself. She is a spelunker, a rescue worker, an ancient manuscript scholar, among other things. Marina is a strong woman! But there is more than meets the eye. She just doesn't remember much of it.
The story has many players and at first I may have had a hard time remembering who and where each one was, but after a few chapters, I was so into the story that it was easy to follow.
The science and tech in the book are just fantastic! I wish we had some of it today!!
This was a very satisfying read! There were no cliffhangers as another reviewer suggested. But I want more! I'd love to know what happened to certain people from the book. I highly recommend this book, not just to lovers of this genre, but anyone who likes a good mystery.
I will be looking for more along this line from the author!
August 2, 2011
For those who like fast-paced adventure laced with romance and historical mysteries, sprinkled with sci-fi fantastic innovations that threaten our world as we know it, this is the book for you!
And Marina, Colleen Gleason's heroine, is a most unusual woman: she is as strong and clever as James Bond, but she is not a spy. She is sexy but not flirtatious: she is only attracted to men who are her equal. She has a brain, she is a universtiy professor with a deep knowledge of history and ancient manuscripts, yet she is physically strong and brave: this is no egghead! And then, she never gives up and never gives in! Her personal integrity, her sense of justice, her deep, unwavering humanitarian impulse - she is always willing to risk her own life to save someone else's - is unrivalled. So, as a reader, you come to admire her and root for her as she battles ruthless eco-terrorists, a bunch of weird, mad Siberians out to destroy our cililization.
The stakes are high and Marina is truly a heroine for our Times: someone with strength and gumption to carry out all the battles against every sort of violence and extremism. The very battles we ourselves would like to carry out.
But Marina is not perfect, towards the end of this book which hopefully is the start of a long series, you are given a glimpse into a (small?) defect, you are not quite sure what it is...
As readers, we can't wait for the next book and get to know more about Marina: she is so human!
And Marina, Colleen Gleason's heroine, is a most unusual woman: she is as strong and clever as James Bond, but she is not a spy. She is sexy but not flirtatious: she is only attracted to men who are her equal. She has a brain, she is a universtiy professor with a deep knowledge of history and ancient manuscripts, yet she is physically strong and brave: this is no egghead! And then, she never gives up and never gives in! Her personal integrity, her sense of justice, her deep, unwavering humanitarian impulse - she is always willing to risk her own life to save someone else's - is unrivalled. So, as a reader, you come to admire her and root for her as she battles ruthless eco-terrorists, a bunch of weird, mad Siberians out to destroy our cililization.
The stakes are high and Marina is truly a heroine for our Times: someone with strength and gumption to carry out all the battles against every sort of violence and extremism. The very battles we ourselves would like to carry out.
But Marina is not perfect, towards the end of this book which hopefully is the start of a long series, you are given a glimpse into a (small?) defect, you are not quite sure what it is...
As readers, we can't wait for the next book and get to know more about Marina: she is so human!
April 13, 2015
THE BEGINNING OF AN ADVENTURE WORTH READING
I started this series in the middle. Which induced me to go back to the beginning.
And I am VERY glad, because this is an adventure story, with a bit of romance, and a lot of suspense. Plus, an enormous amount of imagination, all of which combines to build a story that snapped me right out of reality.
The characters were either lovable, admirable, or flat-out evil, depending on the place they had in the story. Marina is a phenomenal young woman, and I am particularly impressed with the fact that she doesn't need a man beside her. Not to say she minds the creatures-just, they have their place. Maybe opening peanut butter jars. Her father, and her FATHER, on the other hand ... let's just say, no wonder she had to get strong!
The multiple plots were nicely intertwined, resulting in a weave a lot like a Celtic knot-no end, no beginning, except for the end and beginning. Crossing over, dipping. While there are several plots, each alone nice, as a group they create something no single one (or even, two) of them could.
Read this one. Then read "AMAZON ROULETTE, " because you'll be really, really, really glad!!!
I started this series in the middle. Which induced me to go back to the beginning.
And I am VERY glad, because this is an adventure story, with a bit of romance, and a lot of suspense. Plus, an enormous amount of imagination, all of which combines to build a story that snapped me right out of reality.
The characters were either lovable, admirable, or flat-out evil, depending on the place they had in the story. Marina is a phenomenal young woman, and I am particularly impressed with the fact that she doesn't need a man beside her. Not to say she minds the creatures-just, they have their place. Maybe opening peanut butter jars. Her father, and her FATHER, on the other hand ... let's just say, no wonder she had to get strong!
The multiple plots were nicely intertwined, resulting in a weave a lot like a Celtic knot-no end, no beginning, except for the end and beginning. Crossing over, dipping. While there are several plots, each alone nice, as a group they create something no single one (or even, two) of them could.
Read this one. Then read "AMAZON ROULETTE, " because you'll be really, really, really glad!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews