Rating: 
Summary: Inconceivable, yet fun
Review: P>I liked the book.I read the first book, "Ice Station," and like that one I devoured this one. I didn't rush through this book because the plot was gripping, it was educational, or because I was emotionally attached to the characters. I ripped through it because I wanted to know how it ended! As far as I'm concerned, if a book makes me want to get to the end quickly, then I'm happy with it because it means that it got my attention and held my attention! (But what can you expect when you have unheard of military weapons, killer komodo dragons, empathic genetically engineered kids, beyond studly marines, and a little splash of romance?!) He might not be the best writer technically speaking, but Matt Reilly does know how to spin a good yarn. Read this book if you want to spend a few hours involved in mind-blowing non-stop action. In fact, if you're bored read this instead of going to a movie because it reads like an action flick and it will last longer. After reading it, when you're bored again read the first book, "Ice Station." Since there is really no character development (who cares!) it doesn't matter which one you read first! I'll be waiting for the 3rd book eagerly (hear that, Matt Reilly? - get writing!!).
Rating: 
Summary: It's Just Fiction!
Review: Don't get caught up in how plausible the plot is....or the character development. If you like action - I mean heart-pounding, breath-taking action - you gotta read this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Some say the next clancy...
Review: But this Mathew R is not even close.
This story is for 12-14 year olds. The characters are thin
and the plot is a joke. I got 3/4 of the way through before
I just junked it.
The other reviews here must be written by teens.
Rating: 
Summary: Take a pill, Matthew...
Review: Matthew Reilly has become the self-appointed master of italicized fiction. When he writes something that even he, the author, can't quite believe, he puts it in italics. It's kind of the equivalent of the WHAM, BAM, POW of the old Batman TV series. The problem is, with "Area 7," about 90 percent of the text should be italicized. Is it fun? Yes. Is it a "Guilty Pleasure?" Absolutely. Is it believable? Holy Gullibility, Batman! Not even close. "Area 7" brings back Shane "Scarecrow" Schofield from Reilly's "Ice Station." This time he's part of a group protecting the President on a trip to a highly secretive military base in Utah. The base turns out to be a scientific enclave searching for a virus to protect all non-asian peoples from a killer "Sino-Virus" developed by the Chinese to kill all on earth not blessed with asian DNA. Add to that a demented Air Force General (who has been executed, but does not let that stop him), who wants to kill the President and take over the United States, making it a haven for skinheads and white separatists. Toss in a gaggle of serial killers, Komodo Dragons, Bears, Space Shuttles, a huge arsenal of small and not-so-small arms, crop dusters, X-Rail vehicles and a small boy named Kevin. Stir vigorously and watch the whole thing boil over. You want action? No lack of that here. But the non-stop, race against the clock fury gets in the way of really understanding (or more important, caring about) what's going on. "Area 7" at times reminded me of a Tomb Raider game set to prose. Secret pick-ups, a myriad of levels, and mindless enemies Schofield manages to dispatch even after taking unbelievable damage himself. The problem is Lara Croft is a much better developed and believable character than anyone in this book. So why give it even 2 stars? Despite everything, it is a quick read, and can be fun. I have said before (about "Temple", Reilly's previous effort), that Matthew Reilly is perhaps the most enthusiastic writer out there (italics on the word "enthusiastic"). I bet he had a ball writing this. And this young man has real talent. I just wish he would take a breath (and a pill), and develop his characters and plots with the energy he displays in the POW! WHAM! and BLAT! of the action.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, not enlightening
Review: I've seen others say that Reilly's books are written to be Hollywood movies, and I can't say I disagree. But does it matter? I kept turning pages, I was entertained, and I didn't feel like it was a waste of time. I guess my one complaint would be that the book is littered with diagrams and drawings, and they can keep you from your own view of what scenes and objects look like. That said, I did really like this book. But it won't trigger a life-changing epiphany. I would read Reilly again when I'm looking for a light read.
Rating:
Summary: gripping read
Review: I read this book in two days, still got the bags under my eyes! If you want to be a purist, you couuld rip this book to pieces, but for excitement it cannot be beaten. Great follow up to Ice Station, it is such a shame it takes Mr Reilly a year to write a book as I have now read his four novels in a fortnight.
Rating:
Summary: This is one super-stupid thriller
Review: I have to admit, I've read Reilly's other novels. They were overly done and worse than most comic books or James Bond wannabes. Their plot ideas, though, were pretty interesting, though totally impossible in every way. Area 7, though, has no plot, just comic book action that would make Superman wince with embarassment. The plot is just too idiotic to be believed. For no reason, an Air Force general and hundreds of military personel want to destroy 14 of America's largest cities. Look out, Dr. Evil, you have competition, no matter how inept it is. The general decides to do that by killing the president, but I'm not going to bother explaining the plot. The ensuing action is directly from the imagination of a 6 year old pretending to be a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger (even their plots were more believable). Super-computers, super-soldiers, super-machine guns and super-helicopters, what more could a thriller need? How about komodo dragons, grizzly bears, secret bio-weapons, and South Afrikaan assassins? The hero even crashes a 737 into the bottom of a 100' shaft, smashing the cockpit flat, and walks away! Reilly did no research for this book. It was obvious that he was distracted most of the time and didn't realize how badly he was messing up. FORGET THIS BOOK! Hopefully, Reilly will some day go to writing school and learn to actually create plots and character that we won't laugh out loud at.
Rating:
Summary: Area 7 - Don't waste your money
Review: This has got to be one of the most badly written books I have read in a long long time. How it achieved a 'best seller' rating amazes me. The language used takes me back to the days of comic books, I cannot realistically see how this book is aimed at adults. After just completing the Watchman by Chris Ryan, Area 7 is a massive disappointment. Verdict - don't waste your money.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe a bit TOO much
Review: I was thrilled to find Area 7 was available. I picked Ice Station up in Australia and was about a third of the way into it when I bought Reilly's other books, it was so good. Now I don't want to sound like I have no ability to suspend my disbelief, as Ice Station was a flash-bang ride which would realitically kill even a superhuman, but Area 7 was a little too much to be believed. The hero is inhumanly fast, strong and tough, with the endurance of the Terminator. I have no problem with this, I know it's not a non-fiction book. At the same time, a few of the feats Scarecrow does are SO impossible that they defied even my ability to suspend my own disbelief. That said, it was a fun read, just not what I'd hoped in the follow-up to the magnificent Ice Station. I understand Reilly is working on a third Scarecrow book. Can't imagine where he'll get sent next, or what he'll have to survive, but I'll get it regardless.
Rating:
Summary: I was ambivelent
Review: I started reading this book with trepidation as i was told its a guys book, well that may be true but from start to finish it took me six hours to read and i loved every minute of the wild ride i took with Schofield and co.
The storyline caused me some minor ? in places as some things didn't quiet add up, and the characters were only developed enough to just be able to id good gugs, bad guys and idiots but not for one moment was i bored nor did the book slow at all from its fast paced adventure.
My final comment would be that the characters were developed enough to allow me to use my imagination for the rest and the storyline while being a little out their (what was ET if not out their) was interesting, busy and unique with out losing me for one moment. So unless you want to learn about thermonuclear physics or some such other thing my advice would be to read and enjoy the ride. (I loaned this to my sister and she enjoyed the book also so you be your own judge)
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