ake Your Marks, by Belinda Yench:

The first (and shortest) Matthew Reilly book to hit shelves has made a commercial resurgence, with a reprint by Reilly's now publishers, Pan Macmillan. Originally snubbed by several publishers, Reilly self-published Contest in 1996, only to have it read by an executive at Pan Macmillan, and found himself promptly signed up for a two-book deal. Now reprinted with some plot and detail reworking, Contest is a great way to acquaint yourself with Reilly's work, if you are still in the dark.

Contest begins with trademark Reilly breakneck-speed, and keeps you guessing, gasping and giggling alternatively, all the way to the end. For something a little bit different, Contest employs the age old bad-guy, the Alien, to torment mild mannered young radiologist, Stephen Swain, and his eight year old daughter, Holly. Swain is plucked from obscurity in Connecticut (in a very spectacular teleportation module) and planted firmly in the New York State Library, the scene of an Intergalactic battle of minds and muscle, entitled The Presidian.One member of each galaxy (apparently there are seven) is selected to represent their species, and of course, humans are the least evolved, and certainly have no idea that The Presidian even exists. So you can imagine the odds of Swain winning.

But this is a Matthew Reilly novel, and anything can happen. The rules of The Presidian are simple: Winning is everything. Seven competitors go in, only one will come out, and unless you kill everyone else first, you won't ever get home. Reilly keeps readers entertained the entire time, with all sorts of Alien weaponry and a cast of truly hi tech extra-terrestrials. This second edition of Contest even features two new aliens, building the dramatic tension a little more. Fans of Star Wars, Star Trek and any other space related TV shows and movies will appreciate a lot of the alien gags and gadgets. And even I (a non-trekkie), was intrigued (if a little amused), by the cast and fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants plot. A great read for a lazy afternoon on the couch - but be warned - once you pick it, get comfortable, because you won't be able to put it down.

he Examiner, by Ivy Fleming:

Huge Risk for Hero

The wait is over. Matthew Reilly's first novel, Contest (Macmillan, $27.41) has finally emerged, following his mammoth success with Ice Station and Temple.

The 26-year-old Sydney author failed to find a publisher for it and had to self-publish 1000 copies. But he hasn't had a hard time since.

Reilly admits that a few changes have been made to the original, but only those 1000 readers with an original copy will ever know.

Contest is not unlike Ice Station and Temple - the pace is frenetic and there is a reluctant, unlikely hero - in this Dr Stephen Swain, who one minute is talking to his mate on the phone and the next is in the middle of the New York State Library with his daughter and a midget, who tells him about the contest in which Swain has been selected to represent Earth against six intelligent beings from other galaxies. Among the seven contestants there will be only one winner - the rest will die.

Swain learns there is no escape: the library's walls are electrified and the game has already started.

It gets worse for Swain when he learns that these intelligent creatures are killing machines of dinosaur proportions.

Although Contest may not be exactly what most were expecting, its complex weave of characters and action will not disappoint.

he Manly Daily, by Conal Healy:

It's really good to see an Aussie author doing so well, especially a young author, too. At 26, Matthew Reilly already has three bestsellers under his belt - Contest, Ice Station and Temple.

If you haven't read any of Reilly's work - and you enjoy a good thriller - then, as they say, do yourself a favour.

A good place to start is Contest, Reilly's first book which has just been re-released.

Perhaps the best way to describe this book is an episode of 'Survivor' - but with a bunch of nasty aliens being the other contestants. Dr Stephen Swain and his young daughter, Holly, are trapped inside the sprawling labyrinth that is the New York State Library. They have to survive the night. Of course, it's not just any night: the building has been chosen as the venue for a contest. A very special contest where seven contestants will enter, but only one will leave. Dr Swain must win against overwhelming odds in order to survive.

he Northern Territory News, by Penny Baxter:

Strap Up for the Contest of your life.

Take a seat, strap yourself in and prepare for the game of the century.

Contest, by Matthew Reilly, will have you rooted to your seat, hammock or bus bench as he takes you through the ultimate contest.

If you win, you live and if you lose, you die…

[story summary]

…In the ensuing carnage that follows, Reilly provies seom amazingly colourful battles, not to mention fantastic descriptions of the aliens. He also displays an enviable scientific and technical knowledge, in most minute detail. It is action-packed and never lets the hero, let alone the reader, pause for breath. A great read.

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