By D.L Thomas
Typically one thinks of an adventure book like Backlash by D.L Thomas as one of those guy books that will bore a female to tears. However, I can say for this female that it certainly was a great book and kept me on my toes the entire time wondering what the dwindling group of adventurers would encounter next.
Michael Stonewood has hired a group of adventurers, all experts in their own fields, to assist him in finding some treasure his Uncle Pete had searched for years ago. It would take a cave diver, a mining expert, two bodyguards, Stonewood himself, an aging archeologist, a mountaineer, and an all-around MacGyver type to attempt this task with little to no information as to what they were up against,
Uncle Pete’s treasure is the goal as eight head out down Snake River. Not even having begun their adventure, danger lurks around the bend and they race is off. No one knows really who they’re working for or against for that matter. All they know is that now they’re trapped and they’re a team who has only one another to lean on in order to get out of this predicament Mr. Stonewood has gotten them all in.
Our main protagonist on this treasure hunt Is Quinn Lewis, the MacGyver typed aforementioned. I swear the man could build a bomb out of a tampon and a paperclip. He’s the problem solving type and every time they encounter a situation on their great adventure, even if it’s not a part of his repertoire, he assists whoever is handling it to make it work.
The adventurers enter a world similar to those I’ve seen in movies such as Goonies, National Treasure, and the Indiana Jones franchise. They encounter impossible obstacles, booby-traps, and are running from an unknown antagonist. As their numbers dwindle, no one has a care in the world other than escaping their current predicament. When they finally escape, they’re finally met head-to-head with those that have hunted them since the beginning.
Will they make it out of the situation alive? Will any other them live to tell the tale of Uncle Pete’s treasure? You’ll have to read and find out. It’s a definite can’t-put-down-book. With some mild violence D.L Thomas’ Backlash will take you along on quite the adventure.
A. Fae
By D.L Thomas
Quinn Lewis is an expert problem solver, hired to lead a team of adventurers into the depths of Hell’s Canyon. With the best of the best at his disposal, Lewis has everything he needs to traverse the secret catacombs hidden beneath Snake River; explore the treacherous depths of Hell’s Canyon in search of a forgotten fortune; and face down a team of rival hunters whose skills and weaponry could put an end to their journey before they can even begin to solve the mystery of Uncle Pete’s treasure map.
What could possibly go wrong?
D.L. Thomas wrote an adventure tale that made me feel like a kid again. I remember reading Jules Verne and watching movies like Goonies, Indiana Jones, and National Treasure when I was growing up. This book brought me back to those times through clever, witty dialogue, swashbuckling action, and booby-trapped puzzles akin to the classics.
Quinn Lewis was a fun protagonist to follow on this joyride. Although his dialogue was overly corny and inappropriate to the situation at times, he came across as a man who had seen and done it all. It’s inspiring to see a resourceful, male protagonist in a primarily female dominated industry. The many challenges he faced were well thought out and complex, but Quinn’s solutions were even better.
But where would he be without his companions? Jennifer Gonzalez, an extremely accomplished cave diver, lends much needed assistance to this fool’s errand with a vast arsenal of underground knowledge and crucial survival skills. Throughout the story, she was an equal to Lewis, a sounding board for his crazy plans. She is a strong, female lead whose prowess and personality made me wish for another book showcasing her adventures. My other favorite character was Pierre Dubois, the mountaineer and thrill seeker of the group—very cool.
The twists and turns in Backlash were perfectly timed, yet often predictable. I found myself guessing what would happen next at many points in the book. I am firm believer in things being Cliché for a reason; I mean, why touch the classics? However, as a writer, I feel you have to take chances in order to deliver a compelling and original story. I was unsatisfied by the outcome of Backlash’s treasure hunt itself; however the ending was realistic and heartfelt.
I am unaware as to whether or not there are any plans to continue this series, but with such limitless potential and developed characters, it would be a shame not to. Backlash is a must read for anyone looking to indulge in a classic adventure novel. Thank you D.L. Thomas for a pulse-pounding, intelligent read.
J.B. Maynard