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Sam Reilly #25

Dragon's Breath

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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. . .

. . .and if there was any way to stop it.

439 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2022

205 people are currently reading
123 people want to read

About the author

Christopher Cartwright

93 books251 followers
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.

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5 stars
466 (59%)
4 stars
225 (28%)
3 stars
70 (8%)
2 stars
18 (2%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Bob.
1,984 reviews20 followers
September 10, 2022
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.
4 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2022
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.
13 reviews
January 9, 2024
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.)
13 reviews
May 20, 2022
phenomenal read

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!
37 reviews
August 1, 2022
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.
Author 7 books3 followers
May 1, 2022
Nonstop Adventure and Thrills

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!
76 reviews
February 3, 2023
A Typical Sam Reilly Novel?

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.
35 reviews2 followers
November 8, 2025
gutter language

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.
47 reviews1 follower
April 21, 2022
never a Dull Moment

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..
287 reviews3 followers
May 11, 2022
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.
Profile Image for Candice.
6 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2022
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!
877 reviews
June 18, 2025
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.
1,038 reviews4 followers
April 19, 2022
Always a Great Read....

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.
Profile Image for Sheila Walker.
463 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2022
Its a kind of a magic secret

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
94 reviews
April 28, 2022
This is good, this is dam good.

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.
1 review
April 9, 2024
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.
Profile Image for Joan Lloyd.
Author 56 books56 followers
July 13, 2025
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.
37 reviews1 follower
November 5, 2025
So what is Dragon Breath

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...
16 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2022
Fresh

One of the better stories in this series. The Blending of history was seamless throughout the book. The story line was fresh.
702 reviews4 followers
May 15, 2022
Great unique story

Sam at his best, Tom as well. A different twist that was facinating and suspenseful. Well written action kept you in the edge of your seats.
94 reviews
Read
December 6, 2022
Action and adventure

Once again Sam Reilly finds himself in a dangerous situation and once again works it out. Fun read with a few twists and turns.
Profile Image for Randal Gritzner.
Author 29 books5 followers
February 4, 2023
Top Notch Science Fiction, even if you don’t call it Science Fiction! I must read the rest of this series!
Profile Image for Fred.
6 reviews1 follower
October 11, 2023
Lots of action and thrills...just what I would expect from Sam Reilly & Gang !!
19 reviews
May 26, 2024
Good read

I really enjoyed this book. I think the best part was where the author gave himself credit and added his name to the books in the secret library.
Profile Image for Alyx Clarke.
30 reviews
June 7, 2024
Love Sam Reilly but some of the technical scientific parts were a bit confusing. Not one of my favourites.
Profile Image for Margaret.
792 reviews5 followers
August 11, 2024
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.
2 reviews1 follower
March 29, 2025
poor

Too far fetched even for this series. Normally enjoy reading these stories and it’s amazing how often they need someone to dive into an abyss
530 reviews3 followers
October 20, 2025
quit reading. just couldn't get into it
145 reviews
November 16, 2025
Dragons breath

Like all of Mr. Cartwright books well researched and always exciting subjects. The world has a new protected and can't wait to read more about them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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