Rating: 
Summary: Good, but ...
Review: "The Sphinx" is the fourth in a series of 4 (soon to be 5) books by Doherty relating to fictional events surrounding the existence of aliens on Earth. The premise of the series is quite interesting. Area 51 is a top secret government installation that has been studying aliens for a long time. Actions by the researchers have re-ignited a civil war between two alien factions that landed on Earth a long time ago. The story ties the aliens into many of the mysteries of ancient times, e.g., the existence of Atlantis, the Ark of the Covenant, the building of the Sphinx and the Pyramids in Egypt, and even the building of the Great Wall of China.What I found most interesting about the series is how Doherty ties together many of these historical enigmas into Area 51 and the history of the aliens. The work seems to be researched quite well and the first two books in the series (Area 51 and Area 51 The Reply) are both entertaining and satisfying. This book, however entertaining, suffers from a fatal flaw in my opinion. Many subplots in the book are begun but not completed within the book's pages. Whereas the first two books are pretty well self-contained (i.e., the story ends at the end of the book), subplots in this book and the 3rd book (Area 51 The Mission) are not completed before the end of the book. They leave the reader hanging until the next book is purchased. By the time I got half way through Area 51 The Sphinx, I became tired of everything dragging on and not knowing how many of the subplots will end. At the end, I felt very unsatisfied. I wonder if the subplots that began in books 3 aqnd 4 will even end in the next book (Area 51 The Grail). I have sworn off reading any more books in the series because of the unsatisfying feeling I had at the completion of Area 51 The Sphinx. It is a shame, actually, that such a great premise and a great start to a series seems to have degenerated into a tactic just to sell the next book in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but ...
Review: "The Sphinx" is the fourth in a series of 4 (soon to be 5) books by Doherty relating to fictional events surrounding the existence of aliens on Earth. The premise of the series is quite interesting. Area 51 is a top secret government installation that has been studying aliens for a long time. Actions by the researchers have re-ignited a civil war between two alien factions that landed on Earth a long time ago. The story ties the aliens into many of the mysteries of ancient times, e.g., the existence of Atlantis, the Ark of the Covenant, the building of the Sphinx and the Pyramids in Egypt, and even the building of the Great Wall of China. What I found most interesting about the series is how Doherty ties together many of these historical enigmas into Area 51 and the history of the aliens. The work seems to be researched quite well and the first two books in the series (Area 51 and Area 51 The Reply) are both entertaining and satisfying. This book, however entertaining, suffers from a fatal flaw in my opinion. Many subplots in the book are begun but not completed within the book's pages. Whereas the first two books are pretty well self-contained (i.e., the story ends at the end of the book), subplots in this book and the 3rd book (Area 51 The Mission) are not completed before the end of the book. They leave the reader hanging until the next book is purchased. By the time I got half way through Area 51 The Sphinx, I became tired of everything dragging on and not knowing how many of the subplots will end. At the end, I felt very unsatisfied. I wonder if the subplots that began in books 3 aqnd 4 will even end in the next book (Area 51 The Grail). I have sworn off reading any more books in the series because of the unsatisfying feeling I had at the completion of Area 51 The Sphinx. It is a shame, actually, that such a great premise and a great start to a series seems to have degenerated into a tactic just to sell the next book in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: This latest instalment is even better than the predecessors!
Review: And man, there's plenty of action and astounding questions about alien existence! In this fantastic new Area 51 instalment, aliens hijack STAR WARS technology and the USA is under a grave threat. Easter Island's guardian computer holds the US Navy hostage as microrobots take over the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON(see, carrier battle groups do have their weaknesses!). In Africa and China, archaeologists locate links between ancient folklore and the aliens' existence. But it seems that the key to the whole thing is hidden underneath the Sphinx on Egypt's Giza plateau. Can ongoing heroes Mike Turcotte, SPECFOR operative and scientist Lisa Duncan find out more and save the US from nuclear Armageddon at the hands of the renegade aliens? Just when you think you know the end . . . what, nothing more until 2001? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! But it was a brilliant continuation in a first-rate series! Unputdownable.
Rating:
Summary: Borderline Fiction . . . ?!
Review: Continuing the series begun with The Rock, Doherty kept me reading straight through book #5! I can hardly put the series down, because (most of) it seems so plausible to me. But I still can't picture myself as a "real-life Area 51" fanatic, but while browsing Amazon I saw something that brought me to a dead stop. . . . To see what I mean, read this Area 51 series, first. Then search Amazon.com for NON-FICTION, HISTORY books by Graham Hancock (particulary The Message of the Sphinx)...if you can't grab his books, at least read some of the descriptions of the material covered, and I'll bet you freeze in your tracks as I did. I have to wonder if Mr. Doherty gets some inspiration from Hancock or . . . if the Truth is actually that close to the mark . . . (it's just so creepy if you ask me)!
Rating: 
Summary: Future Lion
Review: Disappointment reigned supreme at the ending of this book, even though the story kept me interested with the technical and archaelogical info. It just stopped when it really was getting to the 'truth' and real action of the story.
Rating: 
Summary: complex but ultimately exciting
Review: Do not read this book unless you have read its predecessors in the series, else you will be submerged in a confusing avalanche of subplots and information. The story moves apace and pays homage to the mystique of Sir Francis Richard Burton, the English explorer of the last century. One is left with the sensation that our history has been much involved with warring alien factions, and that, perhaps, more historic anomalies shall be explained, the Knights Templar having been mentioned. The story is, however, compelling and one is carried along with the mystery. The great antiquity of the Sphinx is confirmed and the Arch of the Covenant found. The horrors of nanotechnology released on Easter Island. The sequel is going to have to deal with a lot of problems.
Rating:
Summary: Back on track
Review: Great book - couldn't put it down. Much better than the Mission (the last book in the series). Area 51 is a wonderful sci-fi series. I can't wait to see where the story goes from here. I checked the author's web site - he's got at least 3 more books planned. I worry that he might string it along rather than stick to heart and soul of this great adventure. Mr. Doherty/Maguire/Dalton, etc, please be cautious to not dilute the action! For those of you who enjoy this sort of "alternate history" sci fi, check out Ian Douglas' Heritage Trilogy (Semper Mars, Luna Marine & forthcoming Europa Strike) - its very much in the same genre.
Rating:
Summary: Epilogue? What Epilogue?
Review: Great book in a great series with one fatal flaw....Absolutely no ending. Great sales tactic for "The Grail" but I would have bought it anyway. Hope the next in the series has some sort of conclusion. A 5 star series all around....just wish a few details could've been wrapped up in this last round.
Rating:
Summary: Questionable Story Lines
Review: I find this book on par with the previous stories. It is excellent reading. Although each book has some problems in the area of common sense. Example, STAAR members are known to be of pale skin with red eyes and wear dark glasses. How come Katyenka the Russian female agent for the GRU was able to fool everyone when everyone knew of these various characteristics? None of the other stories makes any references to hiding skin coloring or wearing contact lens. In a previous story why was the method of extraction of Professor Nabinger a helicopter when it would have been a lot safer to use a bouncer from the beginning. The loss of Professor Nabinger and Col Kostanov were a waste. Also, who would believe that a simple reporter (Kelly Reynolds) would be allowed access to a bouncer (a very important resource)for a personal mission that could have interfered and most likely did interfere with the destruction of Easter Island. How come a dumb bomb could not penetrate the shield of Easter Island but a dumb torpedo could? I hope the military community in the future knows how to destroy Foo fighters? Many questions should be hashed over before the next book is written.
Rating:
Summary: Area 51 The Sphinx
Review: I found the book very engaging. I have not read the previous book series but, still found that I understood and loved this book. The combination of military and sci-fi is excellent. I hope the rest are as intresting as this one.
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