If you're looking for books that capture the thrilling treasure hunts, ancient mysteries, and globe-trotting adventures of Indiana Jones and Uncharted, you're in luck! There's a whole genre of action-adventure and archaeological thrillers that fit the bill.
Here are some top recommendations:
Series that deliver ongoing adventures:
- Sigma Force Series by James Rollins: This series follows a covert team of former Special Forces operatives with scientific expertise who protect the world from threats by uncovering ancient mysteries and scientific secrets. Each book involves high-stakes situations blending cutting-edge technology with historical intrigue. Rollins also wrote a novelization of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
- Dirk Pitt Series by Clive Cussler: These iconic novels feature marine engineer and adventurer Dirk Pitt as he uncovers ancient mysteries and thwarts sinister plots around the globe. They are known for their mix of historical intrigue and high-octane action. Many consider Clive Cussler to be the "epitome of this genre."
- Cotton Malone Series by Steve Berry: This series often involves historical conspiracies and the hunt for lost artifacts, with a blend of action, mystery, and history.
- Jack West Jr. Series by Matthew Reilly: These books are frequently recommended for fans of Indiana Jones and Uncharted, featuring maps of tombs and traps that the adventurers must overcome. The series begins with "Seven Ancient Wonders."
- Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase Series by Andy McDermott: This series follows an archaeologist and her ex-SAS bodyguard on thrilling quests for ancient treasures and lost civilizations.
- Dane Maddock Adventures by David Wood: Dane Maddock, a former Navy SEAL turned treasure hunter, embarks on thrilling quests to uncover lost artifacts and ancient secrets with his partner, Bones Bonebrake.
- Robert Langdon Series by Dan Brown: These books feature Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon as he unravels complex codes and ancient mysteries hidden within famous works of art and historical monuments, often involving fast-paced action and religious conspiracy. Popular titles include "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels & Demons."
- Fargo Adventures by Clive Cussler: This series introduces husband-and-wife treasure hunting team Sam and Remi Fargo, who embark on international quests to uncover legendary treasures.
Standalone and Classic Adventures:
- "King Solomon's Mines" by H. Rider Haggard: This timeless classic is considered a foundational work for the modern adventure genre, featuring an expedition into Africa to find legendary diamond mines.
- "The Lost World" by Arthur Conan Doyle: This novel sees explorers discover an Amazonian plateau where dinosaurs have survived.
- "Congo" by Michael Crichton: This book follows a group of scientists and explorers into the remote jungles of Africa in search of diamonds and a lost city.
- "Excavation" by James Rollins: This standalone novel is a thrilling adventure set in Peru where an archaeology team faces traps, ancient mysteries, and dangerous adversaries while uncovering a lost Inca civilization.
- "The Eight" by Katherine Neville: This historical novel follows two parallel stories across different centuries, both revolving around the search for a chess set believed to have magical powers.
- "The Lost City of Z" by David Grann: This non-fiction book reconstructs the mysterious 1925 expedition of Percy Fawcett and his son into the Amazon rainforest in search of an ancient city.
- "Thunderhead" by Douglas Preston: This novel follows archaeologist Nora Kelly as she investigates a mysterious letter from her father, leading her to search for the lost city of Quivira.
- "The Labyrinth of Osiris" by Paul Sussman: This archaeological murder-mystery-meets-spy-thriller is set in Egypt.
- "Uncharted: The Fourth Labyrinth" by Christopher Golden: If you're looking for a direct tie-in, there's an official Uncharted novel that offers a globe-trotting, ancient treasure-hunting adventure with Nathan Drake and Sully.
These books offer a blend of historical intrigue, pulse-pounding action, cryptic clues, and exotic locales that fans of Indiana Jones and Uncharted are sure to enjoy.
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