Cover Image: The One Impossible Labyrinth

The One Impossible Labyrinth

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Member Reviews

All our favourite characters are back even the evil ones. Jack & his team need to find the fabled throne in the Ladybrinth before the others do. But it isn't all plain sailing as the other not so good teams will stop at nothing to reach it first.
Jack knows that he has to reach the throne first to be able to stop the Omega event but can he do it? And what happens if he is too late?
A exciting adventure full of twists & turns. Who doesn't love Jack West Jr and his band of mismatch warriors. A great way to end the series.
I liked that we got to see what happens to everyone in the future.
This is a definite must read series. You won't be able to put it down.
I received an ARC copy from Netgalley & the publisher Macmillan Australia. This in my voluntary honest review which could have been so much longer but there is just too much to put into words.

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The end is here! Jack West Jr is sent off in a way that only Matthew Reilly can deliver. A fantastic end to the series.

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As this is book 7 in the series I wondered whether I would be able to understand what Jack West was all about.
And having read other reviews I think maybe I should go back and read the full series and then re-read this one again.

Although I found it riveting, thrilling and suspenseful I still found I was a bit lost as to what had happened in the past with Jack West. So having said that I think it is a good book but think for me it will be better if I read the series in its entirety.

It is not really a stand-alone book but I think I would recommend reading all the series in order so that you feel you haven't missed out on something!

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‘The Omega Event — the collapse of the universe— is only three days away!’

This, the final instalment in the Jack West Jr series, picks up where ‘The Two Lost Mountains’ ends. Jack and his remaining team have made it to the Supreme Labyrinth. But so have four teams of his rivals. The race is on: someone needs to reach a throne within the labyrinth to stop the universe collapsing. And, whoever gets there first and sits on the throne will be very powerful!

‘There are no shortcuts when the fate of the universe is at stake.’

Okay. What can I say without spoilers? Well, there is non-stop action in a very tight timeframe. The maze to be negotiated is very complex and not everyone will survive. There are plenty of twists as Jack and his team try to prevail against seemingly impossible odds. Great page-turning action, with terrific diagrams by Gavin Tyrrell. If you have enjoyed the first six books in the series, then I think you’ll enjoy this one as well. A fitting ending to the series.

‘We can sleep after we’ve saved the universe.’

Oh, and I want a Warbler!

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

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This is a fantastic end to a series I have been with from the start classic Reilly and the reason we read these books. Don't put off reading this one.

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I loved this last book in the series. Matthew Reilly delivers the climax to Jack West’s adventures in an uncompromising explosive finale. His adversaries seemingly discard Jack’s team one by one until Jack alone is left to face his enemies and the impossible trek through an age old labyrinth. You hold your breath at every stage as Matthew Reilly colourfully describes the building momentum leading to the end of the universe. Long live Jack West Junior.

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The One Impossible Labyrinth marks the end of an era. As a long time unabashed fan of Matthew Reilly’s globe-trotting action-adventure Jack West Jr series, I approached this finale with a sense of excitement but also much nostalgia and a tinge of sadness. Sadness at knowing it was time to say goodbye to the loyal band of misfit characters we had grown to love. Nostalgia because, despite so much changing in our world since the first series title Seven Ancient Wonders was released in 2005, one of the constants was Reilly regularly delivering us opportunities to escape into Jack West Jr’s world – one where karma is both benefactor and executioner. Continue reading: https://www.bookloverbookreviews.com/2021/10/the-one-impossible-labyrinth-matthew-reilly-review.html

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Thankyou NetGalley, Pan McMillan Australia and the author, Mathew Reilly, for the opportunity to read The One Impossible Labyrinth in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

☆☆ May contain spoilers☆☆
I have been looking forward to this book for a long time. The premise and build up from Matthew Reilly was awesome so I was thrilled to receive a copy.
Initially, I found that the storyline seemed rushed, with the previous books attention to detail, lacking in this book. This was a disappointment as in previous books, you really got a sense of place and development of a true family feeling between the characters and Jack West.
I realise that the Omega event was on a countdown and maybe the author was trying to impart a sense of countdown to the reader. I found as I was reading the book, it did start to revertback to a more descriptive and well formed structure.
I really enjoyed the trials that Jack and his party had to deal with, although once again, I found some of the storyline seemed rushed.
The trials in the tunnels went from descriptive to skipping through quite quickly.
It was a relief to read that most of the main characters in Jack's entourage managed to escape, though thinking Zoe had been taken really threw me. Lilly was beautifully written into the story and her sense of family and loyalty was brilliant. Alby didn't feature as much but still played a pivotal role.
The final battle was really well written. I think the author has it right in saying that some Governments are ruled by ultra-rich factions pulling the strings and deciding the future of our destiny.
I loved the way the story concluded, with describing what happened to the characters lives after everything had been realised. Also, the Jack had not used the power he had been blessed with to rule over people. I think a majority of people that had gained that power would find it hard to not use it to gain unlimited wealth. The author stuck with his theme and let's Jack retire into obscurity, to enjoy life with his family and friends.
Overall m I was happy with this book and the ending. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Well worth a read.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan Australia for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The finale in the Jack West Jr series. 7 books and it all boils down to One Impossible Labyrinth. If you haven’t picked up this series, go back and start with Seven Ancient Wonders and begin the journey of preventing cataclysmic events. If you are all caught up, sit back and see how it all ends. Matthew Reilly promised a satisfying end and he delivered. I don’t want to spoil anything by saying how it turns out but everyone got the end they deserved and it was a great finish to a 16 year journey. I’ll be sad to see the Team go and never read another Jack West book, but can always revisit old friends on a re-read.

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What can you say. Sorry Jacks series has come to an end but as usual from Matthew a real Tour de Force. Well done Matthew..👏👏👏

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Another amazing story from Reilly.
I can’t fault this book at all.
From the first page you are sent on the wild rides around the globe, fighting the bad groups in order to save the world.
Disappointed that it is the end of the Jack West series but in the it is end is one hell of a book.
Thankyou Netgalley for the opportunity to read this one.
Thankyou Reilly for continuing to write as you do.

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16 years of following jack west jnr and his tribe of loyal warriors and it all came down to this.
Thank you Matthew Reilly and Pan Mac for letting me finish this ride.
Now please Matthew get back to the desk and write me a Scarecrow book. I need more Schofield!!! And Mother....

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‘This is all coming together . . .’ he breathed. ‘Here. Now. In this place.’

4.5 stars
A heartstopping finale to an epic series.

The One Impossible Labyrinth is the 7th and final novel in the series featuring our hero, Jack West Junior. The book immediately opens where the previous book left off diving straight into the action. I'd recommend starting from book 1 if you're new to the series.

The Jack West Jnr series is an exhilarating packed adventure series and this latest entry is n exception. Knowing this was the last one, I wanted to savor it but once I started I couldn't put it down devouring page after page as the story raced towards the grand finale.

For Jack and the team the stakes are the highest so far as the fate of the world hangs on their completion of this last Impossible challenge. Each obstacle they have to overcome is more complex, obscure and challenging than the last. Just when you think things couldn't possibly get any more hopeless, thr author pulls.put another gut wrenching twist.

The settings are detailed, intricate and well developed. The pictures help to visualize the locations and puzzles.

The series and this book feels like Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones crossed with a Tom Cruise action movie. While the book focuses heavy on plot and action, the characters are well developed, realistic and each lovable in their own way so its hard to pick a favorite. The alternate and different take on many real historical and mythological events and locations are well done and thought provoking.

Overall, I'd highly recommend this book and series. It's sad to say goodbye to a beloved series after 16 years and 7 books but overall the ending was satisfying and wrapped everything up well.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Matthew Reilly's quintessential hero Jack West is the star of this final book in the series well his team stars as well and what a roller coaster ending it is The perfect pace that draws you in the usual in depth history and diagrams that allow you to feel like you are there and a rollicking ride that never slow down Once again Matthew has given me a story that had me reading into the early hours of the morning thinking just one more chapter only to find myself turning the final page

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The One Impossible Labyrinth is the final part of the epic seven part Jack West Jr adventure series, which began in 2006 with the Seven Ancient Wonders. I used to buy these on publication day, in hardback, and read them within hours. For the last one, I was lucky enough to get an ARC really early, and was proud to get the first review up on GR, so this time it’s been torture waiting for it to appear on NetGalley. It finally did, a couple of weeks ago, and I waited anxiously, before conceding defeat the night before and hitting pre-order. Then, to my shock, the day after publication, I was approved! I’ve actually taken several days to read this as I wanted to savour this last instalment, and am happy to report that it does live up to expectations. One warning - you absolutely need to read the previous books in order for this to make any sense, as there is little recap and Jack’s adventure has been going on for twenty years!

This begins directly where The Two Lost Mountains ended, with Jack and his loyal team of adventurers about to enter the labyrinth, with the goal of being first to reach the magical throne, which will prevent the universe-ending Omega Event, and grant the winner power over all beings. Jack doesn’t care about ruling, but needs to stop evil overlord Sphinx from taking over the world, and nihilistic General Rastor, who wants to end all things, as well as various other nefarious competitors. The challenges are the toughest yet - can Jack prevail against the odds to save the world as we know it?

If you’ve read the previous books - and if you love breathless rocket-paced action, then you really should - you know full well how this will end, but not how we’ll get there. Jack and his team will endure pain, fatigue, humiliation and shocking losses, but keep going no matter what, one death-defying leap at a time. You’d think Reilly couldn’t possibly come up with new ways for Our Humble Australian Hero to cheat death, over and over, but each time he managed to surprise me with some new clever escape. Not everyone survives, so be ready for some sad parts, but this is made up for by a deeply satisfying ending and epilogue. I loved the way History and mythology are woven in with an original new slant, and traditional monsters get to become heroes. Also, how different members of the Jack-verse come together in some surprising new friendships/partnerships, and even a tiny bit of romance!

I was nervous that I might not feel able to give this 5 stars, but Matthew has not let us down and delivered another complete winner. He’s also been busy directing a movie and writing a stand-alone, which is all very exciting, but all I really want now is another Scarecrow book - is that too much to ask?

My thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan Australia for the ARC - I forgive you for making me wait - it was worth it. The One Impossible Labyrinth is available in the Antipodes now, and published elsewhere later this year.

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There is no question, I was always going to give this 5 stars. This is the culmination of 16 years and 7 books making an epic yarn of gargantuan proportions. Also do NOT read this unless you have read the preceding books. This one picks up right where the The Two Lost Mountains left off so it’s basically the same story. And what a story it is!

Also I’m not going to say much about the plot. Captain Jack West Jnr. must stop the omega event in a few days to save the world. He only needs to navigate the impossible labyrinth. And he only needs to beat the three others teams that have arrived before him. No pressure really!

The books are all high adventure with some mythology thrown in. The mythology is real mythology sometimes looked at from a different perspective. I’ve long been impressed by the author’s ability to blend fiction and reality and he does it so well. Again I looked up some of the historical places mentioned and they do exist, and they are as stunning and interesting as Reilly makes them out to be in the books.

Despite the drama, the forces arrayed against them and the pressure the characters of Jack’s entourage hang tough and guts it out. There is a childish glee to some of the writing. Not surprising when you think of the mind that dreams these plots up. The imagination it takes is quite breathtaking.

The author has never claimed to be a literary genius. He writes books that are first and foremost - fun. With characters you can root for. Characters that push all your buttons for niceness and all the good qualities you’d want to see in your children, any maybe politicians. I’m sad that that’s the end of such an awesome series but I’ll be keen to see what the author comes up with next. Many thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan Australia for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

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Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

OMG...absolute non stop action from beginning to end. Thanks Matthew Reilly for the years of history lessons, adventure and thrills in Jack West Jr's world. I'll miss him and his lovely family.

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The one impossible labyrinth was easy to read and I really enjoyed it. I have not read the other books in the series and I found I was still able to understand what is happening, the map and the visuals were really helpful and I think made the book really entertaining to read. I will be reading the other books in the series and I would rate this a four out of five stars.

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16 years and 7 books - One impossible labyrinth marks the conclusion of Jack West Jr's Adventure. Racing against the clock to save the world, hours behind multiple groups of rivals, Jack and his team are fighting desperately to keep the ones they love safe.

Matthew Reilly's latest novel is a short, fast paced action explosion. It has all the speed, detail and tension that we have come to love from him. This is the story that ties together and resolves the mysteries of the series. If you have read the preceding novels, you have to read how it all ends.

Although you could read this story without reading the prior books, as there is a brief recap to start things off, I could not recommended that. The novel relies quite heavily on the relationships, worldbuilding, and emotional connections developed in the earlier installments. This piece serves as closure, not introduction.

After so much investment, I enjoyed racing through the final chapter of this series.

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