A mysterious civilization lost to time, a discovery that defies accepted archaeological dogma, and a plot to reawaken the darkest chapter of mankind…
It’s 1646 BC, and Atlantis, the jewel of the ancient world, faces oblivion. A cataclysm is brewing – one which will wash over an empire at the very height of its power and shroud it in mystery forever. A resolute general is tasked with unravelling the gods’ ominous warnings, but nature is about to unleash devastation that will ripple across millennia. Perhaps even crushing the nascent concept of democracy, before it can ever be born.
Famed archaeologist Nick LaBounty is no stranger to ancient myths – and when he’s recruited to help uncover the remains of an ancient wreck off the coast of Greece, he jumps at the chance. But he quickly finds himself catapulted into a sinister scheme revolving around dark mysteries from the ancient world and recent past. Both with terrible consequences.
Facing off against a shadowy aristocrat who dreams of rekindling history’s bloodiest regime, Nick fights to solve the legend of Atlantis and prevent history from repeating itself. Unable to tell friend from foe and crossing paths with the world’s preeminent secret service organization, he’s dragged into in a deadly web of deceit and subterfuge that has life-threatening consequences. The ghosts of the past are about to awaken, and Nick’s next moves could decide the fate of nations…
Archeological Action-Adventure author Jay LaBarge expertly blends unsolved historical mysteries with plausible, real-world outcomes. In page-turning fashion, he immerses readers in the ancient past and turbulent present. Journey along with everyman Nick LaBounty as he attempts to unravel long-held secrets and myths through keen insight, good science, and a touch of luck.
A businessman by profession but historian by passion, Jay and his wife Sandy raised their daughters Ashley and Kara in Central New York, with frequent trips to his childhood home in the Adirondack Mountains. He continues to pursue his love of ancient and world history by traveling with his wife to historically significant destinations both domestically and abroad.
If you liked the previous installation in the Nick LaBounty series, you will like this follow-up as it is more of the same. You got a dual timeline with Nick in present day and an Atlantean/Minoan timeline prior to the eruption of Thera and the collapse of the bronze age. Not entirely sure how a trained expert in Mesoamerican migration ends up on a grecian archaeology dig, but if it works for Indiana it can work here. In this case, Nick is on the outs with the love of his life (see book 1) and just needs a distraction (if you thought that would spare you the frat boy hijinks and personal drama … think again).
Like the previous story, you still get way too much drama and detail here, so the story takes forever to really get started. The big bad is yet another agent of the secret criminal cabal intent on ruling the world because there is only room for one ego on this planet. Still not clear on why we needed the imagined Minoan story … maybe a story about a Nazi U-Boat will make it all better … because Indiana/Nick is always running into Nazis. Ultimately all of the pieces for a decent story are here, but the way it was stitched together didn’t work very well for me.
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
As usual, Jay laBarge keeps us on the edge of our seats as he creates characters for us representing the good and evil people who either built up or took life and killed the very democracies or people choosing peace died centuries ago, helping us to discover ourselves and the people who came before, creating this particular point in time. Our troubles and struggles, presented in the past are written to remind the reader that fear cannot rule us, we must stand strong and together to keep our cultures going, by being the best people we can be, and leaving behind fear that leads to anger and then feeling of entitlement that leads to cycles of feeling superior which 8s evil and only leads to more and more death. Now we are again at a point where our country needs to unite for the greater good instead of building up arms which will only le3ad to death and abuse of those who are different in whatever way. Very appropriate for late 2022.
I took a chance with this book and was pleasantly surprised at how much better it was than the first book in the series, Aztec Odyssey. This time I was hooked quickly and never lost interest. I liked both storylines although if I had to pick I would have to say the one I found most interesting was the historical one. The modern storyline was interesting and moved along providing a few unexpected surprises. Main character Nick LaBounty was not a superhero which put him firmly in the believable category. Supporting characters were interesting. The only exception being that of the villain who was a bit cliche. Verdict - I'm looking forward to this author's next Nick LaBounty novel.
This book was incredible. It is actually two stories in one and I found I was always anxious to get back to the last one. There was a part of me that wanted to cheat and skip through and read only get the parts from the past and then go back to the future. Fortunately I didn’t do that. Instead I stuck with what the author wanted and he ended up taking me on a ride through history and science and my imagination. It was a grand adventure. You cannot go wrong reading this book.
The Nick LaBounty series just keeps getting better. And who isn’t interested in Ancient Greece or the Mediterranean Sea? I love how the author, Jay, combines the story of protagonist Nick LaBounty and the struggles of modern politics and archeology with scenes showing the same location but in ancient times. And his romance subplots are entertaining and gripping yet well-balanced and woven in as only the subplot.
I found this refreshing author quite by accident. This was the second of his books that I have read and thoroughly enjoyed.I intend to read more of his work.This He obviously does a great deal of research before he writes and he has the ability to keep his readers riveted.
The fall of Atlantis revealed. The discovery of the lost city of Atlantis explained. A high action, high stakes wild ride with a multitude of characters brought to life before your eyes. The entire history of the Mediterranean peoples woven into a mesmerizing tale.
Adventure in ages before and current which gives history and knowledge. Nick being an archeologists in modern time finds ancient items which is an adventure. Love some of the quotes relevant now. If you enjoy history and adventure you should enjoy this book.
This was a good book though sometimes confusing. I appreciated Times with the Natzi and the time of retrieving the gallery. I also enjoyed the time with Kali and Demos giving a path to the future.
I really enjoy this series of books and this author. His writing is so vividly descriptive that it is hard to not believe that these events are real and I’m not living through them.
I thought that this was overall an okayish read. I felt that this story had an identity crisis. I liked the flashbacks to the downfall of Atlantis. The story seemed to drag through the middle. I thought that some of the elements around the story were problematic, especially around the conclusion.
This story takes one back to ancient times and the people who lived then. Then mixed in modern day archeology with the desire to learn from the past. Great book!
The legend of Atlantis meets Nick La Bounty. Begins with a very different and graphic depiction of life in 1600 BC Atlantis. Not the classic cultured, enlightened Atlantis we’re used to.
During an attack on her small village, a young Mycenean girl, Kalli is captured by an Atlantean war galley and claimed by the Admiral of the Fleet Thalassa to be his personal slave. Her childhood love ends up being one of the galley slaves on the same ship. But when the fleet arrives home at Atlantis, they find something odd is happening. Sulfur smoke is coming out of the island volcano Mount Thira spewing out a hail of bits of stone and ash, then dead fish and other sea life are found floating in huge areas of the sea nearby.
Now that the Aztec discovery has settled down, Nick La Bounty is trying to figure out what he wants to do next. Then he is invited by his mentor Dr. Storm to come to Greece and help excavate a perfected preserved Minoan trireme found underwater in the port of Athens. But first he stops in Hamburg, Germany to help and old friend do some research on sunken and missing Nazi submarines.
Right from the start, I didn’t like Persa. She was just too odd, showed up in Nick’s life too fast, confusing him. But I love Kalli’s ending. Sad but sweet.
Footnote: 1) I can understand how Nanook, the dog from the previous book was able to hunt to feed itself, but how is Nick’s dog in Athens, Artemus able to feed itself in the city. I don’t see them feeding her anything, just water and a bit of sandwich.
2) I saw Robert de La Salle’s ship the ‘La Belle’ at the museum in Austin, Texas where it’s being housed during its restoration. Very cool.
Fave scenes: the mama bear, Thalassa helping the boats load refugees, Nick’s trip wire and Charlie saving Nick.