Overall rating and opinion of "Zona: The Forbidden Land" by Fred G. Baker

[Florence Nalianya]

I liked the book though the author didn't maintain the pace in the plot.The first chapters are very interesting.

[ankushavhad]

When talking about 3 or 4 stars! I argue why not 4?
See, besides the facts about the books summarized in the reviews, the core theme of the book should liken you to rate it high. One who dreams of visiting forbidden beauty of the nature, such as this wonder land, would definitely like to go on touring in the story. Well,
I wish the Zona would have been on the map.

[AvidBibliophile]

Classified documents, redacted files, mysterious keys and disappearances, unconfirmed rumors, secret nooks, identifiable Russian landmarks, and scrumptious local cuisine. I loved this initial 25% of the book!

Wolf tracks and body bags, bubbling sulfur swamps, deep volcanic rumblings, geothermal mists, and compasses confused. Mysterious lights, thermal detectors, journal entries, amplified emotions, and airborne pheromones amidst medicinal plant extracts. This next portion of the book traveled to a totally different locale but was still intriguing! Then came malevolent dire wolves (like some Grimms’ dark fairytale hellhounds) and mammoths and saber-toothed lions. A little more fantasy/sci-fi but entertainingly exotic for sure!

Suddenly the story becomes less about botany, field research, and perimeter checks, and more about libidos, tempers, shared sex partners, and trysts. To me, this portion of the book did nothing to further develop the plot or propel the storyline. Then all the characters seem shocked when mutiny soon follows.

Their insatiably foolish desire to explore a land of unusual lifeforms (and the resultant human death toll) proves why we probably shouldn’t challenge apex predators in a territory they’ve already dominated. Soldiers and scientists then setting live animals on fire and muddling the ferocity of friends vs. foes became a bit too far-fetched to continue to enjoy.

I really enjoyed the writing style, but the story itself seemed to start high and then slide steadily downhill. The promiscuity and excessive violence somehow zapped most of the magic away, at least for me. I gave it 3 stars, but it’s been interesting to read all of the various impressions on this one!

[shynmr]

Overall, I liked the book. I don't think it was extraordinary, but it was very good. I would give it three out of four stars and I would recommend it to other people. I had fun reading the book, and I think many of my friends would too.

The thing I disliked the most about the book is that the author could have capitalized more on the angst caused by the change in inhibitions. I felt like he set it up perfectly for more conflict and then never went for it.

The thing I liked most about the book was the imagination behind it. Scheming in Siberia may not be a novel concept, but the specifics about (literally) larger-than-life animals was great. I also liked the ending a lot, but I don't want to spoil that for anyone!

[drwcroaker]

Judging by the cover, I expected this to be a non-fiction book about the pre-history of Arizona state, not an adventure novel taking place in Siberia. The picture on the cover looks more like the Grand Canyon than the cold wastes of Siberia. After reading the sample pages I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was drawn into the story. It reminds me of an Indiana Jones or National Treasure movie. Even though it is set in modern-day it has an early WWII vibe. Grant and Irina are fun characters. Irina has a mysterious air to her and could be a Femme Fatale to Grant's naive hero. I have to say I am more likely to pick this book up now, but they have got to change that cover.

[Stephanie Runyon]

As part of the first ten, I ended up getting drawn into the book more than I originally thought I would. I would agree with the need to change the cover as another reviewer stated. The tension was built well in the first chapters but seemed a little bit drawn out. I would rate 3 out of 4 currently. The sexuality and how Grant seems to lose motivation was disappointing.

[Vic Chimezie]

Actually I didn't mind at all. I wasn't bothered by the pace at the start of the book, it was setting the scene.

Most books start this way and then progress into an interesting and fast paced read. I have read another of Fred's book and I think he is a good storyteller. So I agree with you.

[Lorraine De Vos]

I was initially put off by the title, but when I started reading I was hooked. The protagonist is realistically portrayed and his sense of curiosity was easily passed on to me.

[Lorraine De Vos]

I felt a sense of adventure compared to the likes of Indiana Jones in just the first couple pages, so I am excited to see what the rest of the book will bring.

[HusainNecklace52]

I give this book three stars, not because I didn't like it - I really did - but because it seems to lag at times. The author has done well by creating an exciting story with really well-crafted characters. However, at some point, I feel like the plot isn't moving at the pace that it should for this kind of genre.
Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the book!

[InventorT]

The first few chapters were more engaging and the book was cool in general. I recommend it to people w
It’s interest in sci-fic, fantasy or romance

[Tan TR]

The book was interesting. It started off great, I mean, from the first chapters the tension is already being built. However, the more I kept reading, the slower it got. And it got to the point that I was very bored.

[Acwoolet]

I am intrigued by the premise of this book. I like a fun sci-fi with suspense thrown in. It seems to have decent reviews too.

[Tan TR]

I find that it was a good book, however, it seems to have a problem with building tension in the later part of the book and it has some faults. But overall a good book.

[Delaney35]

Well the first three chapters were more engaging than the others combined, nonetheless, it was overall an interesting read.

I agree. It started off really well but went a bit downhill from there. It still was a good read though.