Subterranean
Adventure/Science Fiction
By James Rollins
Reviewed by D Williams
5 out of 5 stars
The team proceeded as a group into the cavern, flashlights flared out like the spokes of a wheel. The chamber was similar to the others they had crossed in their journey here. Stalagmites littered the floor, stalactites stabbed downward. Except there was one new feature. Ashley rubbed a snowflake from her eyelash. “It’s snowing in here.” A small flurry of flakes fluttered through their light beams. Ben shouldered his way to Ashley’s side, brushing at the sifting of flakes. “This is bad,” Ben said. “Why?” “It’s not snow. It’s gypsum crystals. They’re fragile. If body heat passes by, they can weaken and flake away.” Ashley’s eyes widened with the implication. “We’re not alone down here.”
When a mysterious network of tunnels is discovered under the surface of present-day Antarctica, a team of elite scientists is sent to explore. Ashley, a tough-as-nails paleontologist, and Ben, a wisecracking cave expert, are two members of this group. Underground, the team finds amazing evidence that could change scientific theories and the world. Ashley and Ben travel deeper and deeper into the Earth, looking to solve the questions their findings bring. But the lower they go, the more danger they encounter. Suddenly, the dark is the least of their many fears as the underground tunnels reveal some of their best kept secrets. And their race to go deeper… may become a race to get out.
There are many themes to this book, the main theme being fear of the unknown. Because the underground tunnels have never been explored before, the research team has no idea what to expect and must try to adapt to the new dangers around every turn. Discovery is another large part of this story because of the alien world below. There are also many minor themes, such as trust, survival, and deceit.
I enjoyed this book immensely. The author never settles for a dull moment and is a great writer. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an adventure and can handle somewhat gory details. Foreshadowing was used a great deal, as well as excellent characterization. If you are looking for a great book, Subterranean is the book for you.
