This was pretty great. I really liked it and had been looking forward to it since I knew that it introduced my favorite character, Kowalski. I was a little disappointed to learn that Kowalski didn't get to use his ability to sign in this at any point, it's well after he would have learned how to sign, but I can understand that it might not be a skill that the author had thought of for him at the time.

This is however a great thriller. I had thought when I'd tried reading it before that the whole "secret mission" of the base had been based off of the monsters that were found there. And while I was partially right I was really surprised with how plausible the science was when it was revealed what was really going on.

The ethics argument wasn't one that was expecting in a book where guys shoot monsters in the face and the monsters keep on coming to eat them. But it was well thought out and well argued from both sides.

This is a very good thriller and has some very likeable characters and at least one very noticeable Firefly reference, which is fine with me.

Also: the heelturn that happens and the final punishment for the ultimate badguy is not only fitting, but very chilling and one of the more disturbing things to think about. It's what I think of as the "80's Treasure Hunting Rule": If your bad guy is really terrible he can't just die, he has to die in a way that is both terrible and ironic. This totally hits that and does it in a way that is really, really disturbing to think about, but which isn't described in a way that's too graphic.

2.5 stars

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! ESPECIALLY THE ENDING!!
I reread the ending alone sometimes just to re-horrify myself.

3.5

I picked this up with hesitation and because I was desprate. I was surpiringly but not surprised that this was a great read. one of my favorite sigma series characters was in this book. the plot started slowish but definitely got better. as this is one of rollins earlier books it is clear thathe is less subtle with thrill writing techniques, for example the mysterious floor number four. overall I am glad I read it and will probably pick up another early rollins novl in the future.

Heard on audiobook. I almost gave up partway through it, but then Kowalski from the Sigma Force novels showed up and I stuck around for him. It was ok. Some neat ideas. The very last chapter had a great ending.

Well, after reading this book, it's no wonder Kowalski loves his explosives! I've read all the Sigma Force novels to date, and then finally picked up Ice Hunt to get some idea what happened before all the rest.... Wow! What a wild ride! Very wild indeed. The grendels are enough to give a girl nightmares. It always amazes me how fabulously Rollins ties together real archaeology & paleontology, history, social and science news, and gives a killer story from the lot.