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Michael Dunne

Ark - A Review


Ark © David Wood (cover image)

(Originally published 5/20/2016) If you identify as a Christian or Jew, it's likely that you believe, in some measure, that the biblical flood occurred. Creationists tend to agree that Noah built the biblical ark (and God flooded the earth) round about 1,600 years or so after Adam died. Other cultures have their own flood story as well - it's been a very hot topic of archaeologic and geologic study for many, many years.

Author David Wood has used the ark mythos as the centerpiece (and title) for his 2015 historical action/adventure novel, Ark.

Ark is the seventh novel in the Dane Maddock adventure series. Beyond these seven, the Maddock universe is populated with at least fourteen other books that expand on Maddock's origin story and also delve into other characters' adventures. Central to the Maddock canon is his best friend, sidekick and comic relief, Uriah "Bones" Bonebrake. A six-foot five-inch wrecking crew of a man, Bones' Cherokee heritage is often brought into play, in both positive and negative ways.

In this reader's opinion, issues of diversity in Wood's novels are always handled with aplomb and their usage is always appropriate to the story. The latter aspect is something that Wood weaves into the core story line in Ark, when a group of ne'er do wells use Bones and Maddock for target practice early in the book. I don't look upon that as a spoiler - people are always shooting at these guys. However, it is a Native American artifact that points the heroes in the direction of one of the greatest legends in history. New character, professor and archaeologist Dima Zafrani, receives a mysterious package: one containing fragments of an unknown text that proves the existence of the lost Book of Noah. While Dima is pursued by agents of a shadow organization known only as The Trident, she encounters Maddock and Bones, former Navy SEALs turned treasure hunters. The book blurb for Ark asks the five-thousand year-old question: can the three find the legendary Noah Stones before the Trident can harness their power? And that search is what drives the plot, action and character development in this installment of the Dane Maddock Adventures series. One aspect of these books that I love is the underlying myth and legend Wood weaves into them. Combine that with engaging and fantastic plot elements, great characters and a story line that moves along quickly without skimping on necessary back story, historical details and all the other things that flesh out a great novel, and you've got the recipe for an excellent read. It's not necessary to read all the Maddock books to enjoy Ark. However, I'm guessing that once you finish, that is exactly what you will want to do. The embedded links for Ark point to Amazon, however, Ark is also available at Barnes & Noble and other fine booksellers in both electronic and print form. Enjoy! MD Disclaimer: This review is unsolicited and no compensation in any form was provided by or on behalf of the author. I purchased my own review copy of Ark and read it on my personal Amazon Kindle app.

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