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devynkeith's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Body horror and Death
andrewhatesham's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Minor: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Medical content, Car accident, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
wanderingwonderbread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Medical content
Minor: Car accident
abicaro17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
omair's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Don't get me wrong - I actually very much enjoy this book. Over a decade after Jurassic Park, this is, in many ways, a reskin. Cutting edge technology theorized upon by the greatest minds but never thought to be seriously viable. The dilemma that comes with having that technology, the hubris in mishandling it, and the fallout from there. Sprinkle in a father figure with some bratty kids floating around and BAM. If you liked one of Jurassic Park or Lost World, I'm pretty confident you'll like Prey.
The tone Crichton carries in this work is really what sells it to me. It is, by most measures, a very predictable story, with beats that have been done time and again. But even if you know what's coming every step of the way, you don't mind reading on - or at least I didn't.
There is a lot more technical filler than maybe what is necessary, and the chapters with it definitely are bogged down enough to prevent a higher rating. But this may just be a personal thing as I'm now (re-)reading this long after the tech concepts are not exactly groundbreaking and my technical understanding is much greater than first read.
The only other real criticism I have with the book is that our protagonist is... kinda a schmuck haha. But ultimately, he's just a dude trying to make it and do right by his family, and that's quite alright. Just... you know... I hope he works on his flaws.
It's the end of March as I write this, and for anyone that stumbles across this review - if the summer months are coming and you're intrigued by the cover of the book, I'd say give it a read. It really carries the energy of the annual summer blockbuster movie, with similar strengths and pitfalls. It might not be worthy of standing in the spotlight with Jurassic Park, but it certainly lands somewhere on the island.
Graphic: Animal death and Death
mothreadsbookssometimes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3/5 nanobots
Prey is a thriller about nano-robots and artificial intelligence. And it does that very well. The rest of the story’s plot lines… not so much.
For starters, the narrator is incredibly sexist. The first half of the book is almost entirely him speculating on his wife having an affair and using some really misogynistic language. There’s also some racism in the portrayals of a few side characters, which was very uncomfortable.
In addition, because I’ve read it once before, I knew the twist already. It didn’t affect a lot because it’s been so long that I honestly forgot most of the ending.
The first half is also just a slog. It’s the span of a week, but the narrator doesn’t do anything except get mad at his wife. He also goes on a multi-paragraph tangent about some science concept at least once a chapter, and that slows the pace down and it feels very unnecessary.
Fortunately, the second half of the book had a lot less problematic language and the pacing picked up. Once I got past the 50% mark, I flew through the book and it was far more enjoyable. But that first half dragged the rating down to 3 stars.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death and Racism
rockyc5's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Infidelity and Car accident
swimfast724's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Infidelity and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, and Gore
Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
cola410's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Animal death and Death
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, and Car accident
megj23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Moderate: Death