Let’s get right to it… BLOOD AND TREASURE by Ryan Pote surprised me, igniting a desire for adventure, and an immediate second read!
I read a lot of books. Like the average reader, most of us find that niche, that genre or that subgenre within a larger genre that clicks with us. Find the authors and series to keep up for each yearly release. As all y’all are well aware, thrillers are my forte and truthfully the espionage and/or military subgenre tend to consume most of my hours reading. Things like The Gray Man, a Mitch Rapp adventure, even a bit of western vibe’s with C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett novels. I even read a mystery here, or a crime thriller, and even I will read fiction or non-fiction. That all being said, there is always one genre or subgenre that feels unfulfilled.
Adventure thriller!
Simply stated, there isn’t enough of it. Now on Amazon or other sources, BLOOD AND TREASURE is listed as Thriller or Military Thriller or Thriller Suspense Action Thriller. None of those are wrong, but Blood and Treasure strikes a balance between Adventure and Military/Espionage/Political Thriller. Aside from Clive and Dirk Cussler, Steve Berry, James Rollins, Dan Brown, and perhaps a few others, this adventurous, dare I say swashbuckling adventure is prevalent in the publishing industry. It seems alive and well in the self-published/independent realm, but Blood and Treasure shines a light in the cavernous path to continue showcasing this genre. Ryan Pote actually pours gasoline on the fire to remind readers plenty of potential to read here.
What is Blood and Treasure?
A debut novel for author Ryan Pote, Blood and Treasure showcases a modern day thriller adventure that weaves a dash of geopolitics, a chase for an ancient mystery, a disruption with the International Space Station, and a killer swashbuckling hero in Ethan Cain.
Ethan Cain…
Cain is one of those heroes, rough and tough, capable of standing next to any other hero, but with a depth that pulls you in. Ethan Cain is the type of unrestrained action character able to risk it all facing danger and daring decisions while blending in naturally with the real world. With a physical appearance showcasing his past, Ethan aims his focus to keeping his excavation business and those involved headed on a positive path. He cares deeply for the mission and more importantly those around him. Stopping at nothing, Ethan Cain is the next big hero that will continue to live on in future novels. Each year readers will flock to this character, all because of how Ryan Pote weaved his hero in the midst of treachery and danger in this debut novel!
Supporting Characters…
Pote spreads the story amongst several supporting characters, all pivotal to forward progression of the plot and thoughtfully playing a role in the thematic elements. Each character has purpose and the pages are nearly painted with immersive writing to capture your attention and you embrace the weight of character decisions, as if you were on the adventure yourself. That sensation plunges you into sharing their pain and fortunately their joy.
Two characters, Mojdeh Zahedi and Azhar Arbab, keep an eye out for them. Both are impeccably written and add that extra thrill or chill to the adventure!
Mystery Artifact?
I will keep this short… I am not spoiling this point. Sorry, but five chapters in and you will know what Ethan and everyone is viciously on the hunt for. As I read, a sense of thrill and joy consumed me. Even if another ten chapters came before learning of the artifact, the story and characters suck you in from page one.
Should you purchase Blood and Treasure?
Do you like adventure? How about Indiana Jones? Maybe a mix of Dan Brown and Tom Clancy or Vince Flynn and Clive Cussler?
Then absolutely purchase this! Or if you like thrillers in general, then no question, this is the book to read.
Several books have the ability to contend as my book of the year. No shade to the likes of any other book… and yes we still have several months to go for book releases, but Blood and Treasure launches you into a high stakes adventure with deadly thrills lurking around every corner, while hunting an artifact that will change the world if it falls into the wrong hands!
Blood and Treasure earned a 5 out of 5 stars!
Synopsis:
The destruction of the International Space Station and the discovery of an ancient scroll are inextricably intertwined in this debut crossover thriller from a former Navy helicopter pilot.
The International Space Station suddenly loses contact with Earth. When a NASA tech devises a way to restore the feed, the images that come through are unfathomable: a scene of terrible violence, the crew unresponsive, droplets of blood hovering in zero gravity. But which of the astronauts on board would have done such a thing? And why?
Off the coast of Mozambique, former special ops pilot and current treasure hunter Ethan Cain sees something he can’t believe: an object shot out of the heavens plunging deep into the Indian Ocean. When he goes to investigate, it becomes even less intelligible. A space capsule has crashed into the sea, and inside is a woman—alone, unconscious, and injured. Ethan knows he must save her. What he doesn’t know is who she is, how she got there . . . or why she’s the only survivor of a killing spree conducted 254 miles up in the sky.
Order your copy of Blood and Treasure today!
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Great review!