Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Ancient Quest Mystery #2

The Lost Metal Library

Rate this book
Deep within Ecuador’s rainforest lies a vast subterranean world, and an incredible, yet dangerous secret…

The Tayos Caves System in Ecuador is one of the most astonishing, yet mysterious places on earth. It hides wondrous secrets, both ancient and deadly.

Rick Braeden has heard rumors of what treasure these hidden caves might hold, potentially one of the greatest discoveries of all time. Driven by a desire to prove himself and write his name into the history books, he hopes to uncover the truth of The Lost Metal Library and bring this discovery to light.

However, a shadowy enemy also seeks to possess this discovery and will let nothing, and no one, stand in their way.

Seeking this place of untold wonder may give Rick everything he ever hoped for, or cost him everything, even his life…

*******

Fun Fact about The Lost Metal Library:

In 1976, astronaut Neil Armstrong was part of a British expedition, led by an explorer & civil engineer from Scotland, Stan Hall, to the Tayos Caves System in Ecuador. Over 100 people, including those from multiple scientific disciplines, members of two militaries, skilled & experienced cavers, as well as a film crew, participated. It was a massive undertaking; one of the most extensive & costliest of its kind in history. They were not only mapping the extensive region, they were in search of hidden passageways, & lost ancient artifacts, including a metal library. They didn't find it. However, Neil Armstrong described the adventure as "right up there with the moon landing."

*******

The Lost Metal Library is a standalone novel and is the second book in the Ancient Quest Mystery Series, by Rai Aren, the co-author of The Secret of the Sands Trilogy, which explores the mysterious Great Sphinx of Giza and so much more!


Author's note: You can get the first Ancient Quest Mystery, the novella Lost City of Gold, for FREE by signing up to my mailing list at: raiaren(dot)com


Go on this unforgettable archaeology adventure today!

*******

From Rai Aren

I love reading & writing archaeology adventure stories. I have been fascinated by the ancient world my whole life. In my stories, I hope to not only entertain you & give you a memorable & fun adventure to go on, but I am also exploring the meaning of life while doing so. I look forward to sharing the journey with you!

*****

5-stars, June 6th, 2021: The Lost Metal Library Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

“The nervous and scared, yet determined, foursome headed out onto the highway, for the long, almost four-hour drive east from Cuenca, nearly all the way to the border with Peru. Into the rainforest and into the unknown. Hoping against hope that all was not already lost.” Rick Braeden vows that he will be the one to find a mysterious lost metal library, filled with powerful ancient and otherworldly knowledge. It's located somewhere in the Tayos Caves system in the rainforest of Ecuador. Unfortunately, a powerful organization is also interested in the ancient site and they are willing to sacrifice lives to find it. The Lost Metal Library is the second installment of the Ancient Quest Mystery series by Rai Aren.

Set in the region of South America that is rich with history and biodiversity, the story premise of The Lost Metal Library uses both facts and fiction in this fast-paced and well-developed plot. With a combination of actual locations and a fictionalized ancient site, the world-building is sufficiently vast for characters who have their own agendas; the protectors, the rescuers, the power-hungry organization, the one who seeks personal justification, and a complex antagonist who’s looking to achieve unlimited success. As the clear and engaging narrative contributes to the story’s sense of suspense and mystery, the way the power that resides in the ancient library affects the characters differently is fascinating; the knowledge it offers is unlike one would expect. Simply put, this second volume of Rai Aren's Ancient Quest Mystery is a great read for fans and newcomers alike as its ending promises more archaeological adventures for Rick and his newfound friends.

196 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2021

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Rai Aren

11 books154 followers
I’m a total geek who loves reading & writing archaeology adventure stories, cuddling kitties, watching sci-fi & mystery shows, & I’m a vegan animal rights supporter - love to all, harm to none :)

I’ve been fascinated by ancient Egypt since childhood & love anything to do with the ancient world. Co-authoring the The Secret of the Sands Trilogy was a dream come true for me. I’m currently writing new stories in my Ancient Quest Mystery series & more. My latest release is the archaeology adventure novel The Lost Metal Library:




You can get a FREE ebook copy of the first story in my Ancient Quest Mystery series, the novella Lost City of Gold, by signing up to my mailing list - just click on this link or the image below: raiaren.com/Subscribe
You will also get other exclusive bonuses & news on upcoming releases by being a part of my mailing list :)



Below is more info on the Secret of the Sands stories:

The Secret of the Sands Trilogy is an archaeology adventure series that combines alternate historical fiction & speculative sci-fi to explore ancient Egyptian history & the mysterious Great Sphinx of Giza in a time before the Pharaohs. The novel has a double storyline where the past & present intertwine, as each sheds more light on the other...Secret of the Sands is a little bit like mixing INDIANA JONES + THE MUMMY + NATIONAL TREASURE & is suitable for young adult to adult readers :)

Click on the image below to find the trilogy at your favorite retailer:



"A deep probing mystery riddled with prophecy and danger, Secret of the Sands uses Egypt and her mythology as a backdrop to delve into the meanings of life and religion." -McNally Robinson

"Rai Aren and Tavius E. have crafted a fast-paced, exciting novel overflowing with mystery and intrigue. The tension is constant. The characters fully developed. And the plot gripping. Ancient history and present day relevance are so expertly intertwined, that you might forget you are reading a work of fiction." -Thomas Phillips, author of The Molech Prophecy

******

Happy reading always, Goodreads friends!

Rai Aren

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
13 (50%)
4 stars
10 (38%)
3 stars
2 (7%)
2 stars
1 (3%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
453 reviews4 followers
May 18, 2021
A great adventure for Rick Braeden, whose love of archaeology has brought him to the jungles of Ecuador and the Tayos Caves System. Lots of action and suspense.
Profile Image for Annette.
2,073 reviews34 followers
May 22, 2021
This was a fast paced book with a lot of action and adventure. I always wanted to be an archeologist growing up so any book with that as it’s theme appeals to me
It was an enjoyable book
Profile Image for Gary Tenuta.
Author 17 books37 followers
June 11, 2021
Watch out Alan Quartermaine! Move over Indiana Jones! There's a new adventure hero in town and his name is Rick Braeden! Well, okay, he's not entirely new. "The Lost Metal Library" is actually his 2nd, and long-anticipated, appearance following his exciting adventures in "Lost City of Gold", Rai Aren's first book in her "Ancient Quest Mystery" series. One of the things I really enjoyed about this book is that we get to learn so much more about Rick Braeden. He's so much more than just a shallow cardboard cut-out created simply as a convenient vehicle to carry the story.

There are two things that stand out for me in this adventure. One is, as mentioned above, the unveiling of the deeper aspects of the hero, Rick Braeden, his background and the motivations behind his obsession to search for things lost. Perhaps one of those "things" is much closer to home rather than in some far away exotic locale. The other aspect of the story that sticks with me is the lost Metal Library itself. I had no idea, not a clue, what it could be. So, when that mystery is revealed, I was stunned. The build-up to the climax was great and the reveal of the nature of the mysterious artifact was spectacular. Suffice to say, cliché as it may sound, I didn't see that one coming!

And I really should add a 3rd aspect that stuck with me: the ending. Just prior to finishing the book, I had watched a couple movies, both of which were entertaining stories but.... the ending of each story sucked! It wasn't just that I didn't like the way they ended. What sucked was that they didn't HAVE an ending! They just stopped. It was as if the writer didn't know how to end the story so he just stopped writing. The ending of "Lost Metal Library", on the other hand, was well thought out, ultimately satisfying and left me not only feeling good but looking forward to more. Bravo!
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,197 reviews49 followers
May 30, 2021
Rick Braeden and the Search for the Lost Metal Library - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Returning after a stressful jungle experience on his last adventure, Rick is somewhat doubtful whether the trip to a similar South American country's, jungle-dominated region is wise. Then he reads an article by investigative journalist, Sofia and after saving a young man, fleeing from his brutal attackers, he's surprised and delighted that Luis's sister is that very woman.
They decide to make an expedition to rescue the pair's father, Diego - only to end up in a most peculiar, dangerous yet unforgettable situation,
they'd never forget - and neither will you!
Who is Oz and why does he deserve the fate he gets in the eponymous library?
What changes Rick's life for the better?

Get your copy of Rick Braeden and the Search for the Lost Metal Library, by Rai Aren, for a rip-roaring, Young Indiana Jones-like romp you're sure to enjoy and remember for a very long time!
Profile Image for Ken Wallin.
Author 7 books4 followers
June 1, 2021
The second book in this series is worth the wait! Rick finds himself in Ecuador, on the trail of a mysterious ancient artifact that he hopes will finally let him make a name for himself as an archeologist. In the back of his mind though, are the inner demons driving that desire for fame and respectability. And what he finds will hold more meaning for Rick and his newfound friends than he can imagine. What really made the story for me was the cool twist involving the nature of the tablets. (A bit of a Richard Bach inspiration, perhaps?) And coming from the viewpoint of a fellow adventure novelist, I got a kick out the ending! I'm hooked on this series and I'll be looking forward to the next adventure!
Profile Image for Margaret.
677 reviews4 followers
February 15, 2024
Very well written book about the hidden ancient metal library said to be in the Peru and Ecuador area of South America. The characters are well developed. The search to save prisoners held by the mercenaries hunting for the library is exciting and and vivid. The explanation about the use of the library by the indigenous tribe is creative and ties together the plot and sub plots. Quite creative! Fast moving and hard to put down!
Profile Image for William Beck.
Author 5 books14 followers
June 1, 2021
A fast-paced paced and exciting tale!

Rick Bearden is back in another fun filled adventure. Suspense, mystery, breath taking action all conspire to create a well-written page turned you won't put down as you race to the finish.
678 reviews11 followers
June 15, 2021
With a little more work this book would have 4 stars. As it is it is a very similar plot to Indiana Jones style books. The writing was quite good.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.