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

addisonstrickland · Post by **addisonstrickland** » 14 Jul 2020, 12:42

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. At least for me. The promiscuity and excessive violence somehow zapped most of the magic away.

Siriusly_blank · Post by **Siriusly_blank** » 14 Jul 2020, 16:30

Let's follow Taylor on his life's biggest adventure to the mysterious forbidden land of Zona. The title of the book "Zona:the forbidden land" is a mystery in itself, the word "forbidden" invokes the curious rebel in us who wants to break into this barred land and unravel all it's mysteries. It was the title of this book that caught my eye and stole my heart. The story of the book is no less scintillating; the suspense , romance , adventure and the sudden plot twists keep the reader guessing . I love this book and recommend it to all sci-fi lovers like me

especially those nerds who secretly wish to find an adventure..." into the unknown "(

excuse my "Frozen " reference )

Falling4Ever · Post by **Falling4Ever** » 14 Jul 2020, 17:53

I thought it dragged on a bit, but I’ll always say yes to a sci-fi.

Siriusly_blank · Post by **Siriusly_blank** » 14 Jul 2020, 18:37

Another adventure...count me in!!

!

Sydney Nyamasoka · Post by **Sydney Nyamasoka** » 15 Jul 2020, 04:08

I have not yet read the book but from the review comments already made and the common rating of 3 out of 4 stars, it seems to be readable and enjoyable.

BookLoverMC · Post by **BookLoverMC** » 15 Jul 2020, 08:59

It was such an interesting premise, but I think it could have been executed better. For me, it was not fast-paced the way I would've liked, and it lost its strength towards the ending.

KingK123 · Post by **KingK123** » 15 Jul 2020, 12:49

It was written well but omg the characters were written so plainly. Irina was written as a man would write her so that sexism in itself was really annoying tbh

Priyanka2304 · Post by **Priyanka2304** » 15 Jul 2020, 13:08

I was hooked till the last page. It has all the elements that is expected from a science fiction. Though few of the things were unnecessarily dragged.

dsir · Post by **dsir** » 15 Jul 2020, 13:11

Randall is a scientist living in Russia. In one of his expeditions he disappears. Lawyers invade his house to dig deep into his death. His nephew, doc Tylor Grant is out to find the truth. The book is interesting and entertaining.

Barbie_sidhu · Post by **Barbie_sidhu** » 16 Jul 2020, 01:27

I was very excited at first to read this book, but as I started it turned into a slow paced and boring read for me. Not my taste maybe.

Maríe Wamakima · Post by **Maríe Wamakima** » 16 Jul 2020, 05:38

Nelson Reviews wrote: ↑01 Jul 2020, 10:33 Zona, The Forbidden Land, is quiet an Adventurous-Masterpiece.

Uncle Randell is missing and presumed dead. Dr Grant Taylor fists his eyes on what he believed to be Uncle Randell's journal; In it, is the possible location to find Uncle Randell. So, Taylor takes off for the search of Uncle Randell, which eventually turned into an awesome adventure. Taylor met Irina; they go off to find land high up in the mountains were large animals live. The read becomes more interesting as Irina and Taylor meets others.

Despite the read being overwhelming, I was put off by the book's sluggish build-up! In other words; the tale is a little wordy. Otherwise, it is an amazing novel. What is your take on this book's duration? Mostly, in the first 3 Chapters.

Mg head starts to spin when a story starts to slow down. I usually find myself rereading the same page over and over again.

Maríe Wamakima · Post by **Maríe Wamakima** » 16 Jul 2020, 05:43

addisonstrickland wrote: ↑14 Jul 2020, 12:42 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. At least for me. The promiscuity and excessive violence somehow zapped most of the magic away.

It's a bummer that the storyline starts to go down hill just after the adventure begins. I doubt I'll read it, it doesn't sound like my cup of tea.

Reader047 · Post by **Reader047** » 16 Jul 2020, 07:30

The book is fully packed with action, that would keep its readers glued on their seats. It was also interesting, and this allows me to rate it 3 out 4 stars with no doubt. The author did a lot as far as the plot of the book is concerned. I liked it most! I recommend this book to those interested in reading adventurous and suspenseful stories.

Bobo_K · Post by **Bobo_K** » 16 Jul 2020, 08:30

I give this book 3 out 4 stars because firstly I did not like that it started so well that you would not think it was fictional book but it grew less interesting , slow and extremely unbelievable as the pages went by.

Bobo_K · Post by **Bobo_K** » 16 Jul 2020, 08:33

Chinelookeke wrote: ↑01 Jul 2020, 09:06 It is quite interesting and there was suspense as well which makes one want to go on reading. I love adventure and I will advice anyone that loves adventure,romance and suspense to read this book because it is really nice. I will give it four stars.

I agree, the book is quite adventurous but in a very slow way. And yes, it is suspenseful like most science fictional books.