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Alex Hunter #8
From Hell
Pompeii, present day: Archaeologist Maria Monti is working at a new dig site. Like hundreds before her she is investigating the night that Vesuvius erupted, consuming the ancient city with choking ash, scalding steam and rivers of lava.
But she has just unearthed something that shouldn't be there, something that makes her question everything she knows about the disappearances of that fateful event.
Several hundred miles away Alex Hunter's family is holidaying in southern Italy when Mount Etna begins to shake, and ash blankets the countryside. Hideous figures are moving about in the smoke, snatching people from the streets, and scans indicate they are being taken into the core of the erupting volcano.
Hell is rising and Alex Hunter must gather a team of his most battle hardened HAWCs to take on an adversary from the very depths of hell. Nothing will stop him from rescuing Aimee and Joshua, not even the devil itself.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2019
198 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Greig Beck
46 books1,147 followersHi GoodReaders, I’m an Australian author residing in Sydney with my wife, son and a mad Golden Retriever named Jessie. My novels are now available globally, also in Large Print and now in full AUDIO format.
I grew up spending my days surfing at Bondi Beach before entering a career in Information technology which took me around the world. After completing an MBA, i was appointed both an Australasian director of a multinational software company, and tasked with setting up the USA arm of the organisation.
Today, I spend most of my time writing... with plenty left over for surfing.
More information about me and my works can be found at either www.greigbeck.com, or join me on FaceBook (Greig Beck Author).
I grew up spending my days surfing at Bondi Beach before entering a career in Information technology which took me around the world. After completing an MBA, i was appointed both an Australasian director of a multinational software company, and tasked with setting up the USA arm of the organisation.
Today, I spend most of my time writing... with plenty left over for surfing.
More information about me and my works can be found at either www.greigbeck.com, or join me on FaceBook (Greig Beck Author).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
September 17, 2019
Beck finally jumps the shark
More later. But for now, all pretense of believable SF has flown out the window. Beck has turned Alex Hunter into a parody of a comic book superhero. The biology makes no sense. The weapons are not believable. The writing is sloppy. What a pity.
JM Tepper
Merged review:
I've ben reading Greig Beck since he burst onto the sci-fi/adventure scene with BENEATH THE DARK ICE and introduced "the Arcadian", supersoldier Alex Hunter in 2009. I've bought and read everything he's published since then. Many of the novels are terrific. They were well-researched, based on at least semi-plausible science and technology and really exciting. Many noteworthy characters in addition to Alex Hunter, including Matt Kearns and even a teen-aged native American, Arnold Singer, who starred in his own two book YA series.
But in the last few years, the science has grown more and more fantastical and unbelievable. Alex Hunter novels are now more like fantasy than sci-fi, and the research and even the writing seems to have become more and more sloppy. And now, with FROM HELL, all pretense of believable SF has flown out the window. Beck has turned Alex Hunter into a parody of a comic book superhero. He has gone from a wounded specialist ops guy who was on the verge of death when subjected to experimental treatment that not only cured him but made him very strong and very fast, to someone who is for all intents and purposes Superman without the cape. He can't fly, but has become able to lift many tons, heal super fast, possess super vision and other super senses. He's no fun anymore. And the tech that the his band of more human brother HAWCS possesses has far surpassed the wildest inventions of Ian Fleming's weapons master Q. And the carefully researched biology that many of the earlier novels was based on has, well, mostly evaporated. What a pity.
I give FROM HELL 3 stars, grudgingly, because Beck can sure as hell still plot with the best of them, and his pacing is still great, and I am curious where he is going to take the quickly developing superpowers of his son Joshua and their psychic link, but I sure miss the old Alex when he was still just a man and could be hurt or killed.
Recommended Only for Alex Hunter fans.
JM Tepper
More later. But for now, all pretense of believable SF has flown out the window. Beck has turned Alex Hunter into a parody of a comic book superhero. The biology makes no sense. The weapons are not believable. The writing is sloppy. What a pity.
JM Tepper
Merged review:
I've ben reading Greig Beck since he burst onto the sci-fi/adventure scene with BENEATH THE DARK ICE and introduced "the Arcadian", supersoldier Alex Hunter in 2009. I've bought and read everything he's published since then. Many of the novels are terrific. They were well-researched, based on at least semi-plausible science and technology and really exciting. Many noteworthy characters in addition to Alex Hunter, including Matt Kearns and even a teen-aged native American, Arnold Singer, who starred in his own two book YA series.
But in the last few years, the science has grown more and more fantastical and unbelievable. Alex Hunter novels are now more like fantasy than sci-fi, and the research and even the writing seems to have become more and more sloppy. And now, with FROM HELL, all pretense of believable SF has flown out the window. Beck has turned Alex Hunter into a parody of a comic book superhero. He has gone from a wounded specialist ops guy who was on the verge of death when subjected to experimental treatment that not only cured him but made him very strong and very fast, to someone who is for all intents and purposes Superman without the cape. He can't fly, but has become able to lift many tons, heal super fast, possess super vision and other super senses. He's no fun anymore. And the tech that the his band of more human brother HAWCS possesses has far surpassed the wildest inventions of Ian Fleming's weapons master Q. And the carefully researched biology that many of the earlier novels was based on has, well, mostly evaporated. What a pity.
I give FROM HELL 3 stars, grudgingly, because Beck can sure as hell still plot with the best of them, and his pacing is still great, and I am curious where he is going to take the quickly developing superpowers of his son Joshua and their psychic link, but I sure miss the old Alex when he was still just a man and could be hurt or killed.
Recommended Only for Alex Hunter fans.
JM Tepper
September 14, 2019
This series have some good books and some fairly mediocre books. This one is closer to the latter than the first. In many of the books the author has ventured into the realm of ancient mythology or prehistoric creatures and some of those stories has really been quite cool.
In this one however, the story, or rather the monstrosity Alex is facing in the story, seems to be more from the authors fantasy than from any existing mythological or prehistoric source. To me, this monstrosity, felt way too far out, illogical and too unbelievable for my taste.
I also do not like the twist the author has taken with this “the Other” thing that constantly threatens to take over Alex’s mind. Alex is a cool, seriously kick-ass, special forces operative with “special” powers and I kind of like it to stay like that. The internal monologue and other complications just messes up the story for me.
Having said that, Alex and his HAWC buddies are still very much kick-ass and contributes to some nice action in the book. Apart from the unbelievable monstrosity, the story is not really bad. Overall I have to say that I enjoyed the book even though it had some flaws.
The ending was cheap though. That’s the kind of cheap ending I would expect from some cheap horror movie, not from this kind of book. Totally unnecessary.
In this one however, the story, or rather the monstrosity Alex is facing in the story, seems to be more from the authors fantasy than from any existing mythological or prehistoric source. To me, this monstrosity, felt way too far out, illogical and too unbelievable for my taste.
I also do not like the twist the author has taken with this “the Other” thing that constantly threatens to take over Alex’s mind. Alex is a cool, seriously kick-ass, special forces operative with “special” powers and I kind of like it to stay like that. The internal monologue and other complications just messes up the story for me.
Having said that, Alex and his HAWC buddies are still very much kick-ass and contributes to some nice action in the book. Apart from the unbelievable monstrosity, the story is not really bad. Overall I have to say that I enjoyed the book even though it had some flaws.
The ending was cheap though. That’s the kind of cheap ending I would expect from some cheap horror movie, not from this kind of book. Totally unnecessary.
August 31, 2022
Maybe I need to review the series again but I found it hard going this time reading this. I found Arcadian to be selfish and basically put a whole lot of other people at risk to save his family and with him being essentially a soldier I found that very hard to accept. I didn’t mind the usual suspension of disbelief. I just really disliked his characterisation. I also didn’t like the Maria woman. I basically rushed through the last 30% of the book just to get it over with and it ended in a cliffhanger. Despite that I can’t say I’m rushing to pick up the next book. He needs to figure out the characterisation because I spent half the book really disliking Alex Hunter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2023
These just keep getting better
January 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this and flew threw it, the latest in the Alex Hunter series. I get what other people who have rated this lowly are driving at too, it is definitely pushing suspension of disbelief a bit if you compare it to earlier novels, but the story of Mount Etna erupting and creatures emerging from the ash, and Alex Hunter’s fight to save his family from this insidious evil, was actually very good, for a number of reasons. In particular is his harking back to This Green Hell (still the greatest novel in the series in my opinion) and the links and somewhat full circle-ness of a plot line from there into this story was actually one of the greatest strengths and most enjoyable part of this novel. It worked, and developed the plot, allowing for interesting scope in upcoming novels, if any. So for that reason it gets five stars from me.
February 6, 2022
Another great chapter in the Alex Hunter saga with a bit of a cliffhanger ending leaving me excited for the last book in the series (hopefully so far as opposed to forever!).
This novel takes us back in time to the Pompeii volcano tragedy and adds in what is now fairly standard in the series: a new mythological creature to defeat. I miss the level of believability of some of the earlier novels but still appreciate the basis in historical fact that the unbelievable and fantasy is added on top of. Ultimately though what originally captivated my attention and made me fall in love with the books has changed from that reality vs surreal nature to the backstory and character development of Alex Hunter and his family and so, although I miss the former, I still love the books and am excited to see them through to the end.
This novel takes us back in time to the Pompeii volcano tragedy and adds in what is now fairly standard in the series: a new mythological creature to defeat. I miss the level of believability of some of the earlier novels but still appreciate the basis in historical fact that the unbelievable and fantasy is added on top of. Ultimately though what originally captivated my attention and made me fall in love with the books has changed from that reality vs surreal nature to the backstory and character development of Alex Hunter and his family and so, although I miss the former, I still love the books and am excited to see them through to the end.
August 30, 2019
Alex Hunter is back on another unbelievable mission with his HAWCs. Greig Beck has a fascinating imagination. All of the regulars are back including Professor Matt Kearns. A tale that is weaved around the city of Pompeii. Horrifying monsters that only you can imagine. Thanks for the great summer read.
August 2, 2019
4.5 Stars
November 6, 2025
Audiobook
January 18, 2024
So I skipped book #7 in the series because I just couldn't get into it, BUT I devoured books #1-6.
I have also read a few other Beck books, and he can create great plot, atmosphere, strong characters, good character arcs, decent romance, excellent sci-fi... Just not in this book...
It's like Beck changed editors?!?!?
I cared less about what was going on in the book and more about finishing just to tally up how bad this book was...
Starting with the cover, honestly, publisher..it terrible, cheap C-movie cover that doesn't match the previous Really good art covers at all
As for the text... Sorry dog, but Tor was that much fantasy too far right away. I put the book down for a bit because of a psychic dog. Make Tor an amazing police dog, make him extra smart, make him extra fast, extra strong, let Josh piggy back in his eyes, but no psychic link, no special powers, direwolf reference was eyerollingly cringey. A dog speaking English outside of a kids' movie is unappealing.
Totally fine that Josh is on the path to rivaling his dad in the super fast, super strong, heal like lightning departments, fine, he's had the DNA from day 1 where Alex only got it in his thirties. For sure give Josh some 6th sense powers, make him very Firestarter or Carrie (King), but there should be a cost for exerting such "forces" headaches, nosebleeds, seizures, losing his super-physical forces. He was vulnerable, unaware, and unconscious, while "sharing space" with Tor was reasonable. It means it's risky to use his powers.
But the psychic strength stuff, the developing extra senses is gimmicky and sloppy writing. The over developement of both Josh and Alex is Mary Sue'ing Alex into a superhero instead of just a super human (whose flaws as a human who could be hurt and killed and infected made him a well-rounded tension building character). Another reviewer wrote that it's now a "parody of the original Alex Hunter," and that is spot on!!
Also the other/the dark being is getting OLD, if I get to edit, we have the dark half stick around books 3-6, where reunited with Amy and Josh, and with all the high science, full support, money, not a problem "the other" integrates and we can just mention him in passing or maybe not at all.
The monster(s) were not as semi-stretched-fact-based as some of Becks other work, but was very Color Out of Space, The Thing (barn scene), Oatmeal Studios Zygott inspired. There are at least a couple of other inspirations I could name, but I'm drawing a blank. I didn't love it, make it a mold, make it a yeast, make is a fungus (cortyceps diseas/last of us/the girl eith many gifts style) and all the surrounding details... YESH, no skin bags, no hostages as such, no "big main boss" the playdough monsters really were medicore but fine. Everything else was a mess(I'll get to that in a second here).
Honestly, it felt like a rough draft, lots thrown in, but nothing organized sorted out.
SO I AM EDITTING THIS! WHAT DO I DO??
Toss out Maria's character, she's annoying and stupid, and she is allowed to do so many stupid things. AND that Kearns is not stuck in the situation, but being brought along is also dumb. You can easily skip Marias whole bit and have the Italian Governerment and Gladiators bring in Hammerson who brings in Kearns. Because an entire town and then an entire special forces group vanish. Have Matt fall in love or lust with a sweet, nice italian girl, who maybe turns out to be part of the HUMAN cult who believes in sacrificing people to Gaia via volcanoes still plot twists but believable. So he is drawn in parallel to the soldiers, BUT the soldiers are not bringing him along as a liability and responsibility when they KNOW he's going to take up resources and put them all at risk. Beck previously did such a good job of writing from that space, of hard men make hard choices, that sacrifice is expected of these people and the military machine is all brain and no heart. Hammerson was going to let Frank's, Ried, Hunter be nuked (Green Hell) if they couldn't get themselves out of the contamination area.
As mentioned, the weird cultists in my version are human, so they get no protection from the bacteria, they cannot wander into volcanoes or withstand crazy heat levels. It's the cult of Dagon, practiced in secret, and they regularly they sacrifice themselves to magma/volcanoes/immolation/and / or the bacteria. Then, to appease Gaia, they sacrifice others during a natural disaster as the natural disaster is, in fact, cause by too few scarifices. Maybe we toss in something really terrible like the best people to sacrifice are babies, baby humans and animals, or pregnant mothers (human and animal). The cultists and the bacteria are totally separate. Throw the weird she devil, goddess blah blah in the trash because it's nonsense.
We have the bacteria that cause amalgamation fine. It can be an extremophile, but we do not have the soldiers going INTO a volcano or any survivors IN a volcano at 200-400 degrees. The problem is that the bacteria is getting out, toss in that it's the biggest biological weapon imaginable if someone can capture it. Chimera babble goes in the trash bin. It's like Beck had this idea and just fished around that found something demi mythic that kinda sorta really doesn't fit to jam in there. Square peg in a round hole.
Here's the key, we also have no Amy, no Josh, no Tor, and maybe even no Alex Hunter in this Alex Hunter book. Alex Hunter is busy being a family man (because, as mentioned, the dark half is gone) he is raising the beyond human Josh who being a typical kid whose not typical smashes tables when frustrated and rips doors of hinges when angry, a kid who wants to run a footrace with friends but can run faster than a car (THINK Incredibles Dash or Smallville Superman). So Alex goes in for tests with the scientists in Hammersons lab but will not go on a mission.
Enter mech-man Sam Ried as team leader. We don't have Alex Hunter being impulsive, making poor choices, and not behaving like Captain A. HUNTER. We have Casey Frank's and Sam Ried butting heads because Sam was "off mission" for so long, we have the story of our new HAWKS and maybe some throwbacks to some of the lost HAWKS, the Japanese solider lost in Beneth the Dark Ice is the uncle of the current small samurai lady.
Maybe a twist that the HAWKs are trying to retire Frank's, she's not a mech human, or Hunter, she's been hurt, she's aging out, they want her in training new troops, just trying to pull her out of active duty and that's making her be extra crazy to prove she still has it (but is actually proving she should be retired), make there be a rival young man or woman with her kind of attitude competing for her spot!
Toss the android in to replace Hunter, but have it go Ripley Alien. Being willing to sacrifice humans in order to get the bacteria to HQ, ir be willing to sacrifice any number of Italian people,places, and things to stop the bug.
Have the soldiers hate the android, particularly Frank's, after all the android is a supersolider that may even rival Hunter. Throw in some Skynet or Matrix evil machine vibes.
MAYBE after losing Frank's or after Frank's is infected by the bacteria (not some random that I didn't even track was in the book until he was infected) Alex Hunter swoops in at the last minute to help after Hammerson who was just keeping him in the loop on this difficult but routine mission (because HAWKs are ready for anything) realizes his team is at risk. Alex is callously more invested in saving Sam and Casey and maybe Grey over anyone else because they are his friends. That is breaking protocols, and then because of those human choices, there is conflict with the android who is programming only.
And/ or
Make our single surviving Gladiator a madman after watching an entire little Italian town vanish, presumed dead and losing all his battalion of soldiers. He's determined to nuke that corner of Italy and destroy the bacteria's"home. "... but that nuke will possibly set off a bunch of volcanic eruptions and spread the bacteria all over. The man is too unhinged to care... lots of ways to keep with the style of Becks other books but also change things up
Again, like a publisher said, "we need another Alex Hunter NOW," and this was just slapped together and sent out.
There were so many good options, and they chose THAT MESS!! Driving me crazy. Anyways.. do not recommend this one (sadly, it's a waste of reading time).
I have also read a few other Beck books, and he can create great plot, atmosphere, strong characters, good character arcs, decent romance, excellent sci-fi... Just not in this book...
It's like Beck changed editors?!?!?
I cared less about what was going on in the book and more about finishing just to tally up how bad this book was...
Starting with the cover, honestly, publisher..it terrible, cheap C-movie cover that doesn't match the previous Really good art covers at all
As for the text... Sorry dog, but Tor was that much fantasy too far right away. I put the book down for a bit because of a psychic dog. Make Tor an amazing police dog, make him extra smart, make him extra fast, extra strong, let Josh piggy back in his eyes, but no psychic link, no special powers, direwolf reference was eyerollingly cringey. A dog speaking English outside of a kids' movie is unappealing.
Totally fine that Josh is on the path to rivaling his dad in the super fast, super strong, heal like lightning departments, fine, he's had the DNA from day 1 where Alex only got it in his thirties. For sure give Josh some 6th sense powers, make him very Firestarter or Carrie (King), but there should be a cost for exerting such "forces" headaches, nosebleeds, seizures, losing his super-physical forces. He was vulnerable, unaware, and unconscious, while "sharing space" with Tor was reasonable. It means it's risky to use his powers.
But the psychic strength stuff, the developing extra senses is gimmicky and sloppy writing. The over developement of both Josh and Alex is Mary Sue'ing Alex into a superhero instead of just a super human (whose flaws as a human who could be hurt and killed and infected made him a well-rounded tension building character). Another reviewer wrote that it's now a "parody of the original Alex Hunter," and that is spot on!!
Also the other/the dark being is getting OLD, if I get to edit, we have the dark half stick around books 3-6, where reunited with Amy and Josh, and with all the high science, full support, money, not a problem "the other" integrates and we can just mention him in passing or maybe not at all.
The monster(s) were not as semi-stretched-fact-based as some of Becks other work, but was very Color Out of Space, The Thing (barn scene), Oatmeal Studios Zygott inspired. There are at least a couple of other inspirations I could name, but I'm drawing a blank. I didn't love it, make it a mold, make it a yeast, make is a fungus (cortyceps diseas/last of us/the girl eith many gifts style) and all the surrounding details... YESH, no skin bags, no hostages as such, no "big main boss" the playdough monsters really were medicore but fine. Everything else was a mess(I'll get to that in a second here).
Honestly, it felt like a rough draft, lots thrown in, but nothing organized sorted out.
SO I AM EDITTING THIS! WHAT DO I DO??
Toss out Maria's character, she's annoying and stupid, and she is allowed to do so many stupid things. AND that Kearns is not stuck in the situation, but being brought along is also dumb. You can easily skip Marias whole bit and have the Italian Governerment and Gladiators bring in Hammerson who brings in Kearns. Because an entire town and then an entire special forces group vanish. Have Matt fall in love or lust with a sweet, nice italian girl, who maybe turns out to be part of the HUMAN cult who believes in sacrificing people to Gaia via volcanoes still plot twists but believable. So he is drawn in parallel to the soldiers, BUT the soldiers are not bringing him along as a liability and responsibility when they KNOW he's going to take up resources and put them all at risk. Beck previously did such a good job of writing from that space, of hard men make hard choices, that sacrifice is expected of these people and the military machine is all brain and no heart. Hammerson was going to let Frank's, Ried, Hunter be nuked (Green Hell) if they couldn't get themselves out of the contamination area.
As mentioned, the weird cultists in my version are human, so they get no protection from the bacteria, they cannot wander into volcanoes or withstand crazy heat levels. It's the cult of Dagon, practiced in secret, and they regularly they sacrifice themselves to magma/volcanoes/immolation/and / or the bacteria. Then, to appease Gaia, they sacrifice others during a natural disaster as the natural disaster is, in fact, cause by too few scarifices. Maybe we toss in something really terrible like the best people to sacrifice are babies, baby humans and animals, or pregnant mothers (human and animal). The cultists and the bacteria are totally separate. Throw the weird she devil, goddess blah blah in the trash because it's nonsense.
We have the bacteria that cause amalgamation fine. It can be an extremophile, but we do not have the soldiers going INTO a volcano or any survivors IN a volcano at 200-400 degrees. The problem is that the bacteria is getting out, toss in that it's the biggest biological weapon imaginable if someone can capture it. Chimera babble goes in the trash bin. It's like Beck had this idea and just fished around that found something demi mythic that kinda sorta really doesn't fit to jam in there. Square peg in a round hole.
Here's the key, we also have no Amy, no Josh, no Tor, and maybe even no Alex Hunter in this Alex Hunter book. Alex Hunter is busy being a family man (because, as mentioned, the dark half is gone) he is raising the beyond human Josh who being a typical kid whose not typical smashes tables when frustrated and rips doors of hinges when angry, a kid who wants to run a footrace with friends but can run faster than a car (THINK Incredibles Dash or Smallville Superman). So Alex goes in for tests with the scientists in Hammersons lab but will not go on a mission.
Enter mech-man Sam Ried as team leader. We don't have Alex Hunter being impulsive, making poor choices, and not behaving like Captain A. HUNTER. We have Casey Frank's and Sam Ried butting heads because Sam was "off mission" for so long, we have the story of our new HAWKS and maybe some throwbacks to some of the lost HAWKS, the Japanese solider lost in Beneth the Dark Ice is the uncle of the current small samurai lady.
Maybe a twist that the HAWKs are trying to retire Frank's, she's not a mech human, or Hunter, she's been hurt, she's aging out, they want her in training new troops, just trying to pull her out of active duty and that's making her be extra crazy to prove she still has it (but is actually proving she should be retired), make there be a rival young man or woman with her kind of attitude competing for her spot!
Toss the android in to replace Hunter, but have it go Ripley Alien. Being willing to sacrifice humans in order to get the bacteria to HQ, ir be willing to sacrifice any number of Italian people,places, and things to stop the bug.
Have the soldiers hate the android, particularly Frank's, after all the android is a supersolider that may even rival Hunter. Throw in some Skynet or Matrix evil machine vibes.
MAYBE after losing Frank's or after Frank's is infected by the bacteria (not some random that I didn't even track was in the book until he was infected) Alex Hunter swoops in at the last minute to help after Hammerson who was just keeping him in the loop on this difficult but routine mission (because HAWKs are ready for anything) realizes his team is at risk. Alex is callously more invested in saving Sam and Casey and maybe Grey over anyone else because they are his friends. That is breaking protocols, and then because of those human choices, there is conflict with the android who is programming only.
And/ or
Make our single surviving Gladiator a madman after watching an entire little Italian town vanish, presumed dead and losing all his battalion of soldiers. He's determined to nuke that corner of Italy and destroy the bacteria's"home. "... but that nuke will possibly set off a bunch of volcanic eruptions and spread the bacteria all over. The man is too unhinged to care... lots of ways to keep with the style of Becks other books but also change things up
Again, like a publisher said, "we need another Alex Hunter NOW," and this was just slapped together and sent out.
There were so many good options, and they chose THAT MESS!! Driving me crazy. Anyways.. do not recommend this one (sadly, it's a waste of reading time).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2019
With this installment, Alex Hunter is doing more than dealing with his demon. He's saved the world countless times, and all he receives, in reward, is time in The Box. It's by his own creation, but is it working? (Sorry, I won't tell you haven't a clue.) When his family winds up in turmoil, leaving his team of HAWCs to literally battle against hell, he has to come out with controlled swing9ing. Thankfully, he's got a little help.
Also, Joshua's showing signs of telekinetic advancement, connecting with both his father on expeditions, as well as with Tor, the family pet. Sadly, these particular skills places him in danger from a source one would never have imagined. Can this magnificent family ever find happiness? And will the world stop for just one moment, foregoing the desire to devour humanity, body and soul?
Wow- that's my big summary! And it still doesn't tell enough on why I loved this book so much. So I began reading while halfway through Camp NaNoWriMo. Thankfully, my story was complete, but I had to edit, so I finished the book in 5 days instead of my usual 3 or so. I was compelled to see what was going to happen next, how the foe would be defeated and then it was like, "Ka-BlAM!" ALEX was in it, and I was utterly blown away!
*For my full review, please visit http://bit.ly/FromHellBookReview
Also, Joshua's showing signs of telekinetic advancement, connecting with both his father on expeditions, as well as with Tor, the family pet. Sadly, these particular skills places him in danger from a source one would never have imagined. Can this magnificent family ever find happiness? And will the world stop for just one moment, foregoing the desire to devour humanity, body and soul?
Wow- that's my big summary! And it still doesn't tell enough on why I loved this book so much. So I began reading while halfway through Camp NaNoWriMo. Thankfully, my story was complete, but I had to edit, so I finished the book in 5 days instead of my usual 3 or so. I was compelled to see what was going to happen next, how the foe would be defeated and then it was like, "Ka-BlAM!" ALEX was in it, and I was utterly blown away!
*For my full review, please visit http://bit.ly/FromHellBookReview
September 23, 2024
Archeologist Maria Monti finds gruesome evidence of what may have happened to the missing people of Pompeii. And it’s happening again.
A very intense, fascinating horror adventure done right. Everything’s well balanced. Best way to do horror is to encourage the reader’s imagination to take over. The scary stuff is just enough to get your imagination growing with enough personal details of the victims and others to let you feel their panic without over describing everything.
The final scenes as Alex try to rescue his family and they all escape from the volcano are intense. But the ending has a cliff hanger over what happens with Alex. When’s the next book coming out?
Footnote: 1) I found the advanced archeological processes fascinating. It’s different from how the Egyptian digs are handled. And the new way to preserve the body cavities is amazing.
2) If the hostages were handcuffed to the furniture how were they able to put their hands on their head and march out of the room?
Fave scenes: Joshua becoming the dog, the grenade trail out, the captured creature blowing up and courageous Torben.
A very intense, fascinating horror adventure done right. Everything’s well balanced. Best way to do horror is to encourage the reader’s imagination to take over. The scary stuff is just enough to get your imagination growing with enough personal details of the victims and others to let you feel their panic without over describing everything.
The final scenes as Alex try to rescue his family and they all escape from the volcano are intense. But the ending has a cliff hanger over what happens with Alex. When’s the next book coming out?
Footnote: 1) I found the advanced archeological processes fascinating. It’s different from how the Egyptian digs are handled. And the new way to preserve the body cavities is amazing.
2) If the hostages were handcuffed to the furniture how were they able to put their hands on their head and march out of the room?
Fave scenes: Joshua becoming the dog, the grenade trail out, the captured creature blowing up and courageous Torben.
March 13, 2022
A nice family trip to Italy, for a conference Amy is attneding. She and Joshua go ahead, while Alex stays behind to complete some training, agreeing to meet up with them in a couple of days. What could go wrong?
Well, it's Alex Hunter, so most likely it's something that's going to possibly spell the end of the human race, right. It's only the how that's the question.
Strange lumbering beasts come out of the mist arising as Mount Etna threatens to erupt again, followed by human helpers. An entire city goes missing, and next thing you know Josh and Amy are among the missing. With Alex temporarily unavailable, Jack Hammerson sends in our favorites - Casey and Sam, along with the requisite crew of expendables - I mean HAWCS.
While there, we meet up with another old favorite, Professor Matt Kearns, who is investigating a strange phenomenon that a colleague of his has found that may pertain to the HAWCS mission. Excitement ensues, will Alex make it in time, and what is the secret that S.O.P.H.I.A is hiding?
Well, it's Alex Hunter, so most likely it's something that's going to possibly spell the end of the human race, right. It's only the how that's the question.
Strange lumbering beasts come out of the mist arising as Mount Etna threatens to erupt again, followed by human helpers. An entire city goes missing, and next thing you know Josh and Amy are among the missing. With Alex temporarily unavailable, Jack Hammerson sends in our favorites - Casey and Sam, along with the requisite crew of expendables - I mean HAWCS.
While there, we meet up with another old favorite, Professor Matt Kearns, who is investigating a strange phenomenon that a colleague of his has found that may pertain to the HAWCS mission. Excitement ensues, will Alex make it in time, and what is the secret that S.O.P.H.I.A is hiding?
May 30, 2020
From Hell is book number eight in the Alex Hunter series, I loved this book, not only did it feature Pompeii and volcanoes which are my favourite subjects but it also held the complexity, horror, action and gore that makes the authors books so interesting to read. Things are definately becoming more futuristic and I love how characters are coming into their own and adding to the storyline. After the ending that he wrote, I'm hoping the author isnt too long in following that up because I wasn't expecting that at all...It is obvious that a lot of research goes into these books and it 100% pays off.
September 21, 2019
Couldn’t put it down!
If you like action & sci-fi, you’re gonna LOVE this novel! This could be read as a stand-alone, but is best enjoyed by Alex Hunter fans that have an understanding of who and what Alex Hunter is, and also have previous background on Alex’s son Joshua, and Torben, Joshua’s special canine companion. Alex, Josh and Torben continue to grow in their psychic bonds to each other, and Josh is starting to demonstrate some abilities that guarantee we will be enjoying more novels in the future! Absolutely loved it!
If you like action & sci-fi, you’re gonna LOVE this novel! This could be read as a stand-alone, but is best enjoyed by Alex Hunter fans that have an understanding of who and what Alex Hunter is, and also have previous background on Alex’s son Joshua, and Torben, Joshua’s special canine companion. Alex, Josh and Torben continue to grow in their psychic bonds to each other, and Josh is starting to demonstrate some abilities that guarantee we will be enjoying more novels in the future! Absolutely loved it!
December 14, 2019
I am a big fan of this author's book and I enjoyed this one too.
The monsters in this book made me shiver and I was turning pages very quickly when the team went into the volcano. I love Alex and his team of HAWCs and the fact that Alex had a very personal reason to go and rescue people in this story, made it all the more thrilling. The only part I wasn't too keen on was the ending.
Looking forward to the next book!!
4.5 stars from me.
The monsters in this book made me shiver and I was turning pages very quickly when the team went into the volcano. I love Alex and his team of HAWCs and the fact that Alex had a very personal reason to go and rescue people in this story, made it all the more thrilling. The only part I wasn't too keen on was the ending.
Looking forward to the next book!!
4.5 stars from me.
August 1, 2019
Another great Alex Hunter story
Alex is back, better than ever! Let's not forget Professor Matt. Something has come up from the depths of a volcano and Alex is sent to stop it and rescue his family. Lots of action and adventure as well as a big of history! Highly recommend this series be read in order to fully enjoy the fascinating characters and their adventures.
Alex is back, better than ever! Let's not forget Professor Matt. Something has come up from the depths of a volcano and Alex is sent to stop it and rescue his family. Lots of action and adventure as well as a big of history! Highly recommend this series be read in order to fully enjoy the fascinating characters and their adventures.
May 4, 2022
Another fantastic addition to the series. A perfect blend of horror, futuristic action and storytelling as this series seems to keep providing.
It was well written as usual and keeps building on the established characters and their growth as well. Looking forward to continuing with the series and reading the others I've missed!
It was well written as usual and keeps building on the established characters and their growth as well. Looking forward to continuing with the series and reading the others I've missed!
October 31, 2022
Yes! yes! yes! The Sophie storyline is coming along nicely! Can’t wait to see what happens next. All the things that make the Alex Hunter series awesome are here and it makes for an unputdownable read. My only concern right now is that I am about to complete the series. Only 2 books left. Mr Beck sir you betta get to writing.
August 16, 2019
Exciting read
Greig Beck has done it yet once again.
Couldn't put it down, just had to keep reading. You felt like you were there as you followed each character.
Can't wait for the next book and to continue following Alex Hunter!
Greig Beck has done it yet once again.
Couldn't put it down, just had to keep reading. You felt like you were there as you followed each character.
Can't wait for the next book and to continue following Alex Hunter!
August 18, 2019
What a wonderful book. It seems to me SOPHIA may be the subject of book 9 and I can't wait. Also it was good to see that Sam and Casey are still there, but I feel Hammer and Alex may be hitting heads sooner rather than later over a very special subject.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2019
Roller coaster!
Couldn't put it down! I love the ongoing maturity of Joshua's abilities and the relationship with his dad and Tor. Without giving anything away, it's safe to say that the author has set up the plot for his next novel.😊
Couldn't put it down! I love the ongoing maturity of Joshua's abilities and the relationship with his dad and Tor. Without giving anything away, it's safe to say that the author has set up the plot for his next novel.😊
August 24, 2019
THE FLAMES ARE ALIVE, THEY ARE..
Hello, this is a very neat and interesting story. Very well written and entertaining to read. Bad Mojo all around in this one. Good stuff. Thanks.
Hello, this is a very neat and interesting story. Very well written and entertaining to read. Bad Mojo all around in this one. Good stuff. Thanks.
September 19, 2019
Another great Alex Hunter book
Again, I couldn't put the book down due to the intriguing stories line. I love reading this series and cannot wait for the next book to release.
Keep up the awesome writing.
Again, I couldn't put the book down due to the intriguing stories line. I love reading this series and cannot wait for the next book to release.
Keep up the awesome writing.
October 3, 2019
More over-the-top monster adventures from Beck. If you want a diversion that reads well when you are by yourself on a stormy night in an isolated spot, this may be for you. I guess 'over-the-top' also suggests many 'just in time' saves.
Read
August 19, 2020Another great Alex Hunter book
It was a fast paced thriller. I like the continuation of the characters of the previous novels.
They seem more like a family unit now.
This for people that like thrillers and fast paced action with a bit of government tech thrown in.
It was a fast paced thriller. I like the continuation of the characters of the previous novels.
They seem more like a family unit now.
This for people that like thrillers and fast paced action with a bit of government tech thrown in.
January 16, 2021
Best of the best
Another day for the Arcadian. Alex is a tremendous character. Greig has such a vivid imagination, makes his books come to life. Great read and one of the best books.
Another day for the Arcadian. Alex is a tremendous character. Greig has such a vivid imagination, makes his books come to life. Great read and one of the best books.
March 28, 2021
Another great one in a great series!
Alex Hunter and the team are back saving the world. Plenty of action from street to finish. Good character development of old and new characters. I can't wait for the next one on this series.
Alex Hunter and the team are back saving the world. Plenty of action from street to finish. Good character development of old and new characters. I can't wait for the next one on this series.
July 9, 2022
Horrifyingly creepy
This is an over the top, horrifying action novel that surges insanely away from other novels of this genre. Definitely more than the usual good guys versus a definable foe!
This is an over the top, horrifying action novel that surges insanely away from other novels of this genre. Definitely more than the usual good guys versus a definable foe!
October 17, 2022
3.5⭐
😊 What I liked:
Tough as nails special force soldiers ✅
Nightmarish Creatures ✅
Ancient Mysteries ✅
Seat gripping action ✅
🤨 What I didn’t like:
parts of the story dragged
some scenarios where too unbelievable 🤣
😊 What I liked:
Tough as nails special force soldiers ✅
Nightmarish Creatures ✅
Ancient Mysteries ✅
Seat gripping action ✅
🤨 What I didn’t like:
parts of the story dragged
some scenarios where too unbelievable 🤣
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews