In 1974 local farmers outside Xi'an, China, discovered an army of more than 8,000 life-sized ancient terracotta warriors buried in a series of pits. Historians believed that the warriors were placed there to guard the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.
But the terracotta army was also there for a second, and much more secret reason: they were there to prevent the evil buried within from ever surfacing again.
Now Sam Reilly must disentangle fact from fiction, and discover what ancient danger has been uncovered. . .
Christopher Cartwright writes spellbinding mysteries and suspense novels. Often with a backdrop of ocean adventure. Born in 1983, he has a background as a paramedic, and is an avid sailor and SCUBA diver.
He holds degrees in paramedics, nursing and emergency management.
Chris currently lives in Sydney with his wife and two children.
Sam Reilly and crew go in search of a mysterious artifact called the Dragon's Breath in a Chinese Emperors elaborate tomb. Dragon's Breathe is said to be highly dangerous to world safety and Sam is only one of 3 groups in the search and encountering the various traps of the tomb as well as their encounters with each other. Shades of Tomb Raiders cross nation chases and action.
I have really enjoyed Christopher Cartwright’s books over the years however recently the amount minute detail has increased. This latest book has an overload of technical detail and it seriously detracts from the story. Whilst I accept a few weapons experts may love a whole page and half describing a weapon and its ammunition. I found it tedious and off putting and has certainly discouraged me from continuing the series in the future.
I went into this book not know any of the historic kernels the author was using - my google-fu has left me empty :(
Listened over winter break and into the new year. I enjoy the Sam Reilly books - although the author can get a bit repetitive in their description. I don't need to know a person is out of breath when you say they're running for their life. And then you tell me they're straining for breath, as if they were running for their life. I love the descriptions of the place settings and I found that I google where the events take place and the kernels of history that the author puts in the book. Absolutely fascinating. (Yes it's the same review for prior books, because it's true for all the books IMO.)
As usual Christopher Cartwright has struck it rich with his last book. He is an incredible writer and keeps you riveted page to page. You never know what’s going to happen but you know it will turn out good eventually. How he gets Sam Riley into some of these dire situations and he’s able to maneuver himself out of it is beyond me. The extensive research that he does writing all of these books is great. I recommend to anybody who has never read his books to get them starting with book one as soon as possible. And I’m hoping for book 26 come out as soon as possible!
This book was disjointed, the story hard to connect between chapters. It reads like the proofreaders or editors took the day off. Wrong words were used- a “gelded” instead of “gilded” gold book, powder that “flustered” into the helicopter instead of “fluttered” just to name a couple. Facts were incorrect, there were multiple descriptions of the same thing like they were trying to make the book long enough. Somebody was comma happy- there were so many commas in places they didn’t belong. This book is a far cry from the first ones that I read and couldn’t put down. This is likely the last one I will read. Either an intern wrote this book, or it was auto-generated by a computer. It certainly was a disappointment.
Wow this was so worth the weight. I found Sam Reilly not to long ago and devoured each and every book in the series, lost wen there were no more to read. I had to weight. And wow! I believe Mr. Cartwright has outdone himself with his grasp on history. I could “see” everything through Sam’s eyes.
The only problem is that we need to wait for the next adventure! Worth reading!
Yes, this novel is fairly similar to the other Sam Reilly novels. What makes it a very good read is that the problems, the locations and the actions kept me wondering what could be next. I had to keep looking on the internet to find information on the places mentioned. That the areas were not only real, but pretty much as described in the novel. I learned a lot about China.
There are so many books that I have not finished because of the language. I am so sorry that a good writer feels he cannot rely on his talent to write a book. There are hundreds of thousands of decent readers in this world who do not use, and don’t appreciate the use of foul language. If this is the direction this writer is going in, I will not read his books. It is a shame that books are not rated like movies and television.
You have to love reading highly detailed thoroughly researched fact based action packed on the edge of your seat fun. I am now itching to read the next installment and can not wait. Some of the best fun and characters you want to hang out with. Do read from book 1 it just makes knowing how these people tick so much more fun..
For a series that is very entertaining, if one puts basic physics & believability to the side. This series is for you. Just read and enjoy, don't put too much thought into reality. The action is non-stop, with a very creative plotline. The locations mentioned thru-out sound very detailed and well researched. For a Clive Cussler knock-off series, this one is still quite enjoyable to follow.
Christopher Cartwright, I will bet that you would be great on Jeopardy!
Wow, just wow! I loved this book, and the other 24 before it. Why hasn't anyone asked you for movie rights yet? Each book you write teaches me new facts and locations. I never, ever want to be against you on Jeopardy. Dragons Breath is another win for you! Thanks, and keep writing!
Sam Reilly is in action again saving the world from.an ancient historical artifact which could destroy the world as we know it. This was not my favorite of the series. It was the usual over the top action thriller but seemed to be missing some of the thrill.
The audible narration was great the story average.
I have read all of Mr. Cartwright Books In the Sam Reilly series. I have found the story line in each book very entertaining. And I love the 2 main characters.
Sam and Tom ever the adventures are on yet another mission that could not only cause a war breaking into history but could cause havoc all over the world. Its fast full of adventure and time matters against the villains. Highly recommended
Page to page its full of suspense/action. When you’re trading a book and you think to yourself “This would make a good movie “ you know you have a good book. Get this, you won’t be disappointed.
Good action book, however author gets a little deep on some of the technical stuff. Sometimes it feels like he's showing off. Also, getting too preachy about the climate stuff! Hear that all day long, don't need it when reading for entertainment.
Abandon disbelief all ye who enter here. Phew. And frequently the author does a brain-dump, telling the reader all s/he needs to know and a lot more. If atomic physics interests you, you will love it. If not, skip a few paragraphs or pages.
This is a story about long forgotten artefacts that could destroy the World as we know it! The scary thing is know body knows what it is. As Sam follows the clues he is bested at every turn...
Dragon’s Breath, Sam Reilly #25 is incredible. Very long and complex, but very exciting. Learn a bit about physics as the plot unwinds. Plenty of sci-fi to spice and mix it up. It is amazing! How will Sam ever resolve this one and save the country, ( can he, will he this time? ) or even the world? Seems impossible. Pretty amazing story.