Book Summary
Ryan Pote’s Blood and Treasure kicks off with a chilling premise: the International Space Station (ISS) loses contact with Earth, and when footage is recovered, it reveals a gruesome massacre in zero gravity. The sole survivor, Iranian astronaut Mojdeh Zahedi, crashes into the Indian Ocean near Ethan Cain, a former special ops pilot turned treasure hunter. Cain, in Mozambique recovering the fabled Ark of the Covenant, rescues Mojdeh—only to find himself entangled in a conspiracy involving a hijacked Cold War satellite, Hezbollah terrorists, and a race to control an ancient artifact with world-ending implications. Pote’s debut is a relentless adrenaline rush, merging Indiana Jones-style adventure with Tom Clancy-esque military precision.
The novel’s dual timelines—Ethan’s treasure hunt and the ISS disaster—converge explosively, with Pote’s Navy helicopter pilot background lending authenticity to the action. While the pacing is breakneck, some readers may find the early chapters dense with technical jargon. However, the payoff is worth it: a cinematic finale that pits Ethan against a fanatical adversary in a battle spanning deserts, jungles, and even orbit. Pote’s blend of history, sci-fi, and espionage makes this a standout in the thriller genre, though the romantic subplot between Ethan and Mojdeh feels underdeveloped compared to the main plot’s intensity.
Key Themes
Identity and Betrayal: Mojdeh’s shifting allegiances—from CIA operative to Iranian double agent—mirror Ethan’s own struggles with trust after military betrayal. Pote explores how trauma reshapes loyalty, particularly in Ethan’s case: his burn scars (a nod to the author’s real-life near-fatal helicopter fire) symbolize both physical and emotional wounds. The Ark of the Covenant, sought by terrorists for its rumored power, becomes a metaphor for the destructive potential of blind faith—whether in religion, nationalism, or revenge.
Technology vs. Ancient Mysteries: The clash between cutting-edge weaponry (like the hacked satellite) and biblical relics underscores Pote’s theme that progress doesn’t erase humanity’s oldest impulses. One standout scene involves Ethan using sonar to locate the Ark underwater, only to confront its eerie, almost supernatural presence—a moment reminiscent of Raiders of the Lost Ark, but with modern military tech.
What Makes It Unique
Authentic Military Detail: Pote’s Navy experience elevates the action sequences, particularly a harrowing raid in East Africa inspired by real-life counter-narcotics ops. The jargon-heavy dialogue (e.g., “Dash-8 surveillance bird”) may overwhelm casual readers but will thrill military buffs. Unlike typical thrillers where heroes shrug off injuries, Ethan’s chronic pain from his burns adds grit—a detail borrowed from Pote’s friend who survived a helicopter crash.
Genre-Blending Narrative: Few debuts attempt to merge space thrillers with treasure hunts, but Pote pulls it off by grounding both plots in character-driven stakes. Mojdeh’s arc—is she a victim or villain?—keeps readers guessing until the final act. The novel’s structure, with short, cinematic chapters, mirrors Pote’s admiration for James Patterson’s “freight train” pacing.
Reader Reactions
Early reviewers praise Pote’s “cinematic” prose and Ethan’s “Indiana Jones meets Jason Bourne” appeal. A Goodreads user notes, “The ISS scenes felt like Gravity meets Die Hard—terrifying and claustrophobic” :cite[4]. Critics highlight the “jaw-dropping” satellite hack sequence but note that the large cast (CIA agents, terrorists, Ethan’s crew) can be hard to track. Publishers Weekly calls it “a satisfying ride” despite “goofy contrivances” like the Ark’s sudden relevance to modern geopolitics .
Negative reviews focus on the rushed romance (“Ethan and Mojdeh’s chemistry fizzles faster than a dying star”) and info-dumping in the first 50 pages. However, most agree the novel’s strengths—like Pote’s insider knowledge of cartel operations (“timber-trafficking is the new cocaine”)—outweigh its flaws. Fans of Dan Brown and Jack Carr are already clamoring for the sequel .
About the Author
Ryan Pote is a 12-year Navy veteran who served as a helicopter pilot in counter-narcotics task forces across Central and South America. His near-death experience in a cabin fire inspired Ethan’s scars, while his Master’s in History (Ashland University) fueled the novel’s archaeological depth. Post-military, Pote worked as a federal investigator on prototype aircraft—a background that informs the book’s tech-heavy plot. He began writing as therapy for PTSD, channeling his trauma into Ethan’s character .
Pote’s journey to publication was arduous: 400 rejections and five unpublished novels before landing a deal with Berkley. His breakthrough came after winning a finalist spot in the Clive Cussler Adventure Writers’ Competition, where he connected with mentor Mike Maden (Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon). Blood and Treasure was drafted in just 28 days, adhering to James Patterson’s “freight train” approach to first drafts .
Memorable Quotes
“Blood in space doesn’t drip—it blobs. Like burgundy marbles floating in zero-G, clinging to gloves and walls until someone’s left spinning in a cloud of it.”
“The Ark wasn’t just gold and wood. It was a weapon. And like all weapons, it demanded blood.”
Where to Buy
- Amazon (Hardcover, Kindle)
- Barnes & Noble
- Bookshop.org
- Simon & Schuster