Blood and Ice

By: Robert Masello

Narrated by: Phil Gigante

Journalist Michael Wilde - his world recently shattered by tragedy - hopes that a month-long assignment to the South Pole will give him a new lease on life. There, in the most inhospitable place on earth, he is simply looking to find solace...until, on a routine dive in to the polar sea, he unexpectedly finds something else entirely: a young man and woman, bound with chains and sealed forever in a block of ice. Beside them is a chest filled with a strange, and sinister, cargo.

Now, in a bleak but breathtaking world of shimmering icebergs, deep blue crevasses, and never-ending sun, Wilde must unravel the mystery of this doomed couple. Were they the innocent victims of fear and superstition - or were they something far darker?

His search will lead from the barracks and battlefields of the Crimean War to the unexplored depths of the Antarctic Ocean, from the ill-fated charge of the Light Brigade to an age-old curse that survives to this day.

As the ice around the murdered lovers begins to melt, Wilde will have to grapple with a miracle - or a nightmare - in the making. For what is dead, it turns out, may not be gone. And here, at the very end of the known world, there's nowhere to hide and no place left for the living to run.

©2009 Robert Masselo (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

I really enjoyed this book

I like how it takes us back and forth from on century to the current day. I love how it really engaged me in the history and just interesting things about the South Pole. I was a great listen for me and I didn't want to stop until the end. Only thing I didn't like is the swear words. Seriously I think all books could do without them!!!

Too predictable

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would not recommned because it is predictable, shallow and lacked a satisfactory ending.

Would you ever listen to anything by Robert Masello again?

no

What didn’t you like about Phil Gigante’s performance?

I hated his pronounciation of Lieutenant. There is no F in the word!

Was Blood and Ice worth the listening time?

sure, I did not have a better book to listen to at the time.

Page Turner

Hard to put down. Grabs reader from the first pages while each chapter brings you closer to learning the how's and why's of the entire journey. Excellent narration.
Distinct voice differences. Will look for other books by this narrator. 5 stars

My interest was sustained throughout the unfolding

No one can do characters like Phil Gigante. His Negro voices were pretty good too. I think I might keep this book and read it next year.

cool twist

cool twist on an old theme. it's pretty well done in this version. couple ideas were out of synch, though

Interesting concept, not quite pulled off

I found the story difficult to get into at first and found that it dragged on a bit and became a bit hard to follow.

Pretty good book, not my favorite though...

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as some of the others books by this author. The performance was exceptional and loved the actor's ability to make all the characters so believable.

Just ok

Any additional comments?

The story was just ok, good for listening during my work commutes... but nothing I would have used other precious time for.
The narration was good which really saved the book for me.

Part historical romance, part modern horror story

An earlier effort by the author which is still well worth checking out. The story is vividly painted and populated by likeable and relatable characters.

The story did come across predicable in some spots and complete surprises in others. In the end, well worth the time to read/listen to.

Recommended.

Promising story but rediculous ending.

A research station with top level scientists discover an illness that exists from a century ago and it is brought back to life and spreads in minutes killing two valuable members of the team. Solution: Hide the deaths, discover a partial cure in days, and then release the illness on the world.