Thirst

Aug 05, 2012 Karen Brooks rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fortunate enough to be sent an ARC of Thirst, the second novel by Australian writer, LA Larkin, I spent a cold, rainy afternoon devouring this page-turning adventure in one sitting. While you could liken it to Matthew Riley’s Ice Station, I much preferred this and feel it’s more comparable, for various reasons, to Dan Brown’s Deception Point (set in the opposite pole), though fans of either writer would consume this original novel with pleasure.

Set in Antarctica in present times, Thirst is best...more Fortunate enough to be sent an ARC of Thirst, the second novel by Australian writer, LA Larkin, I spent a cold, rainy afternoon devouring this page-turning adventure in one sitting. While you could liken it to Matthew Riley’s Ice Station, I much preferred this and feel it’s more comparable, for various reasons, to Dan Brown’s Deception Point (set in the opposite pole), though fans of either writer would consume this original novel with pleasure.

Set in Antarctica in present times, Thirst is best described as an eco-thriller that has as its protagonist, the rebellious and solitary but very ethical glaciologist, Luke Searle. Part of an Australian team over-wintering at Hope Station on Pine Island Glacier (or PIG, as it’s known), a small group led by the headstrong Maddie Wildman, Searle is a brilliant researcher and expert not only on glaciers, but climate change and as it conveniently happens, radios.

The book opens with a countdown that reduces over the course of the story, adding to the tension created in the first chapter when hostile intruders accost two of the PIG team. With a blizzard threatening, a rescue party is sent out to account for the missing members and, it’s on the team’s return to base that Searle and Wildman’s abilities and trust in each other are put to a brutal and relentless test.

Segueing between Sydney, China and the Antarctic, the story is fast-paced and, despite some initially clichéd villains (cultural stereo-type warning issued), utterly gripping. The gradual unfolding of the main characters’ backgrounds creates a context for their current choices and later actions and adds a satisfying depth that’s often lacking in books in this ouevre.

Oft-times unpredictable, the action builds quickly and furiously and the descriptions of Antarctica add a chilling frisson (forgive the pun) that keeps you turning the pages.

Larkin clearly has a passion for the environment and a sound knowledge of climate change. The refreshing thing is that though the book can be didactic, the lessons offered do not sacrifice plot, story or characters, which remain strong and consistent throughout. The twists are not obvious and the cliffhanger endings to chapters keep you both guessing and reading.

My only criticism (and this may be because I received an ARC and not the finished book), is I feel a map of the glacier and surrounds would have been really helpful. In books of this kind where location is so important, I would have liked to ground the action and movements of the various groups within the cartography. But this is a minor point in an otherwise excellent addition to the genre.

Overall, this was a fast-paced and furious book that grips you from the first page, holds you in its icy thrall, and doesn’t release you until the nail-biting climax. A terrific read.(less)

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Jan 22, 2013 Monnie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Let me say at the outset that I'm one of those strange dudettes who, given a choice, would much rather have weather that's too cold than too hot. Still, the very thought of spending time at a place that's so cold that you can say goodbye to any body part that's exposed to the air for more than a couple of seconds sends chills up and down my spine.

So when I had a chance to get a free Kindle version of this book, I admit I almost passed it by; the setting is Antarctica - certainly not what I'd ca...more Let me say at the outset that I'm one of those strange dudettes who, given a choice, would much rather have weather that's too cold than too hot. Still, the very thought of spending time at a place that's so cold that you can say goodbye to any body part that's exposed to the air for more than a couple of seconds sends chills up and down my spine.

So when I had a chance to get a free Kindle version of this book, I admit I almost passed it by; the setting is Antarctica - certainly not what I'd call a hotbed. That said, the country has a sort of "connection" to our area and thus a sort of fascination to me. Jerri Nielsen Fitzgerald, who gained fame after diagnosing herself with breast cancer in 1999 as the only doctor working at the National Science Foundation's Amundsen-Scott Station in that country, hailed from my neck of the woods (after a rather dramatic rescue from that country, she returned to the United States and died in 2009).

The minute I opened the book, though, my first instincts kicked in and I almost had to force myself to keep at it; no, I thought, I just can't deal with all this never-ending cold. But I weathered on, and that's perhaps the best testament to the fact that it's really pretty darned good.

The story begins with the disappearance of two of researchers working at an Australian station. When it's learned they were murdered, it becomes clear that the station is under attack - but in this remote part of the world, who could the culprits possibly be? And perhaps more important, what's the motive behind their actions?

As the plot slips along, these questions are answered - but not without the loss of even more lives and the threat of an international disaster of major proportion. Here and there it's a bit trite; there's the obligatory good-looking single guy who's mad at the world and single gal who can't stand him who are forced to cooperate to stay alive (and oh gosh, how do you think that turns out)? In addition, the main characters are put to physical tests that defy belief a bit too often.

Everything moves along quickly, though, and it's clear the author, who also wrote The Genesis Plan, has done lots of research, especially when it comes to environmental issues and what could happen if (when) the fragile Antarctic ice is disturbed. A bit of a twist near the end adds interest as well.
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Aug 30, 2012 Lauren Murphy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: aussie-author, aww2012, thriller, crime-mystery

3.5 stars
Australian female crime writer, L.A. Larkin has cut through the hard-as-ice male-dominated genre with her second thriller, Thirst. Set in Antarctica and featuring an Australian research team, I appreciate Larkin using characters from our shores who are toughing it out in an exotic location, one of the most untouched regions of the world.

Recluse glaciologist, Luke Searle tends to clash with his team leader Maddie, because his strengths don’t lie in working as a team or following directio...more 3.5 stars
Australian female crime writer, L.A. Larkin has cut through the hard-as-ice male-dominated genre with her second thriller, Thirst. Set in Antarctica and featuring an Australian research team, I appreciate Larkin using characters from our shores who are toughing it out in an exotic location, one of the most untouched regions of the world.

Recluse glaciologist, Luke Searle tends to clash with his team leader Maddie, because his strengths don’t lie in working as a team or following direction. Most of the time, Luke gets away with doing whatever he likes because he is the most knowledgeable and skilled research scientist at the station. But when two men from their team are found murdered, the remaining six members of Hope Station (the Australian team) must band together to escape this icy continent alive.

The expectation of suspense is set from the very beginning; a countdown begins, ticking away the minutes until the intruders unleash their ultimate plan.

Luke is an admirable character; he is rebellious but persistent and accepts responsibility for the fate of his colleagues. He is also believably flawed, he is separated from his young son who lives in Melbourne and his little boy is what drives him toward survival. He also discovers a soft-spot for his boss Maddie, until then they’ve butted heads but when they are thrown together in a life or death situation, personal disclosures are shared and a connection is formed. When Maddie is kidnapped by the intruders, Luke has two motivations: to save Maddie and to keep his son safe.

L.A. Larkin’s knowledge of climate change from her former job as a consultant is clear and it forms an undercurrent throughout the book, exploring politics, treaties and essentially the lengths people will go to, to have power over the world’s resources.

There’s varying viewpoints from Luke, to the villain (a little clichéd in the beginning but expanded throughout the story), to the mysterious Wendy Woo back in Sydney investigating her father’s death. From Sydney to China to the Antartica there’s plenty of geographical dimensions added to this story, topped off by avalanches, frost bite and amateur sleuthing.

Thirst is action-packed with a cast of intriguing characters who are challenged to push above and beyond their limits to achieve their goals. A recommended read for crime thriller fans who enjoy the Aussie voice in this genre.

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Feb 09, 2013 Douglas Cook rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mysteries-outdoors

T MINUS 5 DAYS, 2 HOURS, 53 MINUTES 5 March, 9: 07 am (UTC-07) Pine Island Glacier, Antarctica, 74 ° 55' S, 101 ° 11' W At minus thirty degrees Celsius, the trickle of blood on Mac’s beard froze rapidly. ‘Wh – what do you want?’ he stammered, spreadeagled on his back. His masked attacker didn’t respond. In the struggle, Mac’s prescription goggles had been torn off, so the man pointing an assault rifle at him was a terrifying blur. Minutes earlier, Mac had been helping Dave to remove fragile scie...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Peter Mccloud rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-thriller, thriller, antarctica, suspense, environmental, mystery

I was lucky enough to get hold of a first proof copy of L.A. Larkin's awesome Antarctic thriller, Thirst. I can see why it is described as 'The best Antarctic thriller since Ice Station.' The action hooks you in from the very start, the setting is breath-taking, the characters are complex and Luke Searle - the hero, Maddie Wildman - the station leader, Wendy Woo - the daughter of a murdered tailor, and the adversary, all go on character journeys that make them intriguing. And the climax certainl...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Ronald Roseborough rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: action-adventure, adventure, fiction, suspense

Luke Searle is a hot headed glaciologist who is studying the glaciers of Antarctica as a member of an Australian research team. Personal family problems, plus a need to do things his way,have not endeared him to the team leader Maddie Wildman. Communication with some members of the research team is mysteriously lost. Luke naturally wants to go cowboy and investigate on his own instead of listening to Maddie's orders. The attempt to recover the missing team members is just the start of the troubl...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Karen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: australian, thriller, review-books

One of the earliest thriller writers that got me hooked on the genre was Alistair MacLean. Granted that was a very long time ago now, but in my mind, his books always had a sort of triple threat scenario - place, weather and people. Reading THIRST by L.A. Larkin I was really struck by the similar environment, albeit with a touch more romance than MacLean would ever have countenanced. I was also struck by the characterisation of the central male protagonist. Luke Searle, maverick glaciologist, a...more One of the earliest thriller writers that got me hooked on the genre was Alistair MacLean. Granted that was a very long time ago now, but in my mind, his books always had a sort of triple threat scenario - place, weather and people. Reading THIRST by L.A. Larkin I was really struck by the similar environment, albeit with a touch more romance than MacLean would ever have countenanced. I was also struck by the characterisation of the central male protagonist. Luke Searle, maverick glaciologist, a cool, calm man much like MacLean's hero's, although slightly less cynical, and overtly more the devoted father than would have been even contemplated back in Ice Station Zebra days.

Set in Antarctica, the book provides a real sense of both the majesty and threat of such a harsh environment. Whilst there is obviously a strong environmental protection theme in THIRST it's done in a show, rather than tell fashion. This made the message all the more succinct and the scenario that the book is exploring even more sinister. There's precious little preaching going on here, but there is a sobering matter of factness about the potential that blatant, self-serving exploitation poses. After finishing the book I will confess to the smallest wish that Larkin might want to turn her attention a little more local, say somewhere in the middle of the mining areas of Australia, and take a long hard look at the effects of rampant greed ... but I digress.

Along with a very evocative setting, Larkin's got some good characters in this book. Both male and female protagonists were believable and felt extremely real. Granted there's a tad of requisite romantic tension, but it isn't all over the story, and didn't get too much in the road of what is, after all, a desperate bid for survival.

Interestingly enough Larkin has remarked that she is one of just a few female thriller writers in Australia, and looking at THIRST from that particular angle, there's nothing particularly obvious about a thriller written by a woman as opposed to those written by men that I've read lately. Perhaps the connection with his son is a little more overt in this book, but that's just pure guesswork on my part. What's important about this observation is that really, thriller fans who don't read books like THIRST just because they are written by women are crazy.

http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
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Aug 07, 2012 P.D. Martin rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the first work I've read by LA Larkin and I was impressed from the first page to the last.

There were lots of things to like about Thirst, but most importantly it was a page-turner, a book that kept me wanting to come back for more.

I also really enjoyed the setting of Antarctica. Although I’ve never been there, I felt that Larkin captured the environment incredibly well--particularly the feeling of penetrating cold and the sense of complete isolation.

Finally, I liked the way Larkin inter...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Book Bazaar rated it 3 of 5 stars

Thirst by L.A.Larkin is unashamedly a novel written in Matthew Reilly territory – and that isn’t a bad thing! This is a fast paced novel that is full of twists, turns and action.
The novel is set in Antarctica and the unforgiving landscape adds to the tension, as there is very little leniency allowed in the time line. The novel follows an Australian research team who are staying over the winter at Hope Station to continue their work. As you would expect, the main characters are full of interesti...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Lisa rated it 2 of 5 stars

I hate to say it, but this just wasn't very good. The author had no concept on how to build characters or character relationships. Almost all of the angry outburts felt sudden and awkward, like the author didn't know how to express genuine anger. The interactions between Luke and Maddie were neither believable nor deep. The chapter endings were overdramatic and cliche. There were too many exclamation points used. There was the lovely cliche of the bad guy telling the good guy his plans before th...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a rip-roaring adventure of a book! I love stories about Antarctica and "Thirst" was exciting, realistically written enough to be downright scary, and fast-paced. The descriptive passages were attention-grabbing, pulling me right into the beyond cold, desolate landscape.

Luke Searles was a grand, heroic protagonist, falling in love, fighting the bad guys until the bitter end, and loving Antarctica.

There was enough in the book about global warming and the dangers faced at the Antarctic to be i...more

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Aug 08, 2012 Deb Bodinnar rated it 5 of 5 stars

I did not want to put this book down!! The one thing I really loved was the fact that is was action packed from the first chapter all the way through to the end. Luke Searle, the Aussie in the middle of everything was a very likeable character and kept you on your toes with his "breaking the rules" attitude. When I was half way through this novel I had the pleasure of listening to L A Larkin discuss what she experienced while researching this Antarctic thriller, twice in the one day actually!! B...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Anand rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is what is expected of a thriller- pure entertainment. Intelligent and coherent storyline, lucid but precise narrative, and most importantly great characterisation and vivid imagery. Overall this is more of an action and adventure novel, rather than environmental thriller per se. Lots of guns, bullets and killings, but none of it grotesquely depicted. The vast white and desolate expanse of Antartica is well captured. The ending could have been a little different, in the sense the expectatio...more

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Nov 27, 2012 B.G.M. Hall rated it 3 of 5 stars

The blurb bills this as the best Antarctic thriller since Matthew Reilly's Ice Station, which is a fair description.
Luke Searle is a scientist living in the white continent, who has to battle mercenaries working for a Chinese company, plus a turncoat in his own ranks, to survive when his base is attacked.
Lacks some of the over-the-top action of Reilly, to the point of being a bit slow in places, but presents much more plausible, vulnerable characters than Ice Station's marines.

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Mar 10, 2013 M.G. Edwards rated it 5 of 5 stars

I’ve been a fan of Antarctica thrillers since John Carpenter’s 1982 horror film “The Thing” kept me up at night for a week after I watched it. In her nail-biting thriller “Thirst,” Author L.A. Larkin taps a similar vein of man (and woman) versus the unknown in the dreaded white and often hellish isolation of Antarctica. Her story about an attack on an Australian research station near Pine Island Glacier by terrorists offers spine-chilling suspense that rivals the frozen dread haunting “The Thing...more I’ve been a fan of Antarctica thrillers since John Carpenter’s 1982 horror film “The Thing” kept me up at night for a week after I watched it. In her nail-biting thriller “Thirst,” Author L.A. Larkin taps a similar vein of man (and woman) versus the unknown in the dreaded white and often hellish isolation of Antarctica. Her story about an attack on an Australian research station near Pine Island Glacier by terrorists offers spine-chilling suspense that rivals the frozen dread haunting “The Thing.” When the terrorists attack the station and kill most of its inhabitants in a secret operation to exploit the protected continent’s resources, it falls on maverick glaciologist Luke Searle and station leader Maddie Wildman to stop their attackers from committing an unthinkable act that will devastate Antarctica and the world.

The author writes in an easy-to-read, fast-paced style that makes this thriller a breeze to read. An environmental specialist who visited Antarctica to gather research for this book, Larkin paints a realistic portrayal of Antarctica. The combination of the two results in one of the more unique novels I’ve read in a setting infrequently used in the genre. The action is relentless with some scenes that help make the main characters more realistic. One can sense the animosity between Luke and Maddie that softens as the novel progresses. While the evolution of their relationship is predictable, it’s still plausible. The penultimate chapter could have been written for a James Bond movie, while the final one brings the story to a close that makes the reader wish it would continue.

If I have any qualms about the story, it’s the overuse of stereotypes. Although their Chinese ethnicity is a change from the stereotypical “bad guy” found in so many thrillers, the villains are caricaturized at times with bloodthirsty ambitions for power, inhuman cruelty, and issues with filial piety that leaves no room for redeeming traits. While this is no different than endless stories featuring villains who lack personality, making them more multi-dimensional would have improved the book.

“Thirst” is a great read. I give it five stars and recommend it to anyone looking to read a thriller off the beaten path (in this case, Antarctica), an environmental-themed story, or an action-packed novel with shades of “The Thing” and James Bond’s “Die Another Day.”
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Sep 15, 2012 Michael rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, australian, arc, thriller

This review originally found on my blog - http://literary-exploration.com/2012/...

In the harsh environment of the Antarctic, the people of Hope Station are been hunted down. Glaciologist, Luke Searle has to fight for survival against a mercenary that will win at any cost, while trying to prevent an environmental disaster. He only has 5 days to fix this, can he stay alive long enough? Does he really know what he is going up against? LA Larkin’s Thirst is an Eco-Thriller set in one of the harshest...more This review originally found on my blog - http://literary-exploration.com/2012/...

In the harsh environment of the Antarctic, the people of Hope Station are been hunted down. Glaciologist, Luke Searle has to fight for survival against a mercenary that will win at any cost, while trying to prevent an environmental disaster. He only has 5 days to fix this, can he stay alive long enough? Does he really know what he is going up against? LA Larkin’s Thirst is an Eco-Thriller set in one of the harshest environments known to man.

Thirst is a fast paced novel that will suck you right in with its constant suspense and the unpredictable elements within this book. The harsh setting of Antarctica and the sense of solitude and danger really helped drive this book and became my favourite element of this book. But there was something in the book that really didn’t sit well with me. This book has one of my Literary Bête Noires in it; the villains. I’ve blogged recently about how I never seem to enjoy cliché villains and unfortunately the fact that the protagonist was up against the Chinese in the book really detracted from my overall enjoyment of this book.

Apart from that one element, this book is a typical thriller, highly enjoyable read with some explosive situations. I’m happy that the book never seemed to go into the realm of formulaic but it did sit on the border and I did feel myself cringe at that thought it might head in that direction. Thankfully Larkin’s was able to recover with her writing style and her research of the environmental aspects of this book. I must admit that towards the end of the book, when I pictured the protagonist Luke Searle, I kept comparing him to Steven Seagal and expected him to act that way.

Thirst was an enjoyable Eco-Thriller which was a lot of fun to read, while I did struggle with the villains being cliché, I did enjoy reading this novel. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes a good light read. I know many people are going to compare this book to Matthew Riley’s Ice Station but that shouldn’t be deterrent, it’s nice to see a female (why is there a lack of thrillers written by women within Australia?) can write a thriller just as exciting as something written by Riley.(less)

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Feb 02, 2013 Maureen Kennedy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great Story, Stunted Writing
This is a great thriller and I gave it only 4 stars because of the writing--short stilted sentences, questions within the story that sounded like a middle school novel. I like my writing a little more sophisticated but still, the story was great. There were a few parts where things seemed a little to convenient and coincidental, but there were many more parts that took an unlikely turn and kept it quite the page turner. I'd recommend this for a snowed in day read.

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Jan 30, 2013 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a great read. It's pretty techy--along the lines of a Crichton or Clancy, which I don't usually like--but the action makes it well worth it. I also found the details in this book fascinating. It's a novel set in Antarctica and climate change is a big player in the action. The struggle to survive in such an unforgiving place, amidst a race between the good guys and the bad guys, makes this novel fun to read. It's hard to imagine that researchers choose to live there! I'll read more of Ms...more

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Jan 22, 2013 Laura Pilcher rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, thriller

I enjoyed this book, especially as it was one of the free ones from amazon. It is very comparable to Deception point by Dan Brown and i thought it wouldn't live up to it but it did. I liked the characters, they were complex and had lots of baggage which is how i like them lol. Starts with a punch and keeps punching until the climax at the end which is a good one.
An easy read that is quite easily read in a single or a couple of sittings. Will look out for more books by this author.

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Jan 21, 2013 Jackie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I should have known when I started reading it that I would b up way into the wee hours of the night. Like others have said if you enjoyed "Ice Station" you will enjoy this book too. Action packed & keeps you hooked chapter after chapter all the way to the end. This is a must to put on your reading list, you won't regret it!

Language definitely PG-13
Some violence but mild compared to some prime time TV shows

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Feb 27, 2013 Ann Bendes rated it 3 of 5 stars

The author took some literary liberties with what seems like humanly impossible feats at the of the book. It always amazes me how even some good writers get caught up in their own tale an cannot seem to end it with the same thoughtful and logical writing skills that they began with.

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Mar 30, 2013 Debi rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a pretty good thriller that kept me turning the pages. Set in Antartica (mostly), the parts about surviving in the Antartic were part of what made the book interesting. But the mystery of whether the researchers were going to survive after their station was attacked also kept me reading. Recommended for those who like thrillers.

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Aug 25, 2012 Anica rated it 2 of 5 stars

Thriller set in Antarctica. Bad guys, bad good guys and good good guys. Ecology, private enterprise, global warming. All there. Perhaps too many threads. Interesting story, with some Predictable threads. Good first attempt.

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Jan 26, 2013 Barbara Mason rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the fast pace of this book. I would not rate it as being up there with the Scarecrow Series, but it has much to recommend it on its own.
The characters were likable and easy to connect to.
I would suggest this book for any age.

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Feb 12, 2013 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Not a bad jaunt through Antarctica, although why I wanted to read this in the middle of a Nor'easter, I don't know. The book definitely lived up to its thriller designation. Yeah, some stereotyping going on, but still a good escapist read. I'd read another book by this author.

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Jan 08, 2013 James Pinakis rated it 2 of 5 stars

Mindless holiday reading that wasn't completely terrible, though a little predictable.

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Apr 22, 2013 David McLean added it

Chilling and plausible. Our need for water is going to get us in to trouble.

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Jan 22, 2013 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-free

It was free on kindle. It's a fast read and i would buy from the author in the future.

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Feb 23, 2013 Darshan Sonie rated it 5 of 5 stars

'Awesome'!
This is the only word that describes this book clearly.

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Mar 18, 2013 Mark Huber rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very entertaining! Villains you can easily love to hate!

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