connorjdaley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Gave this a go when I saw that all except for 2 are currently included with audible. Just in time to head into October spooky reads, and I love some scifi shark horror. Each one’s been a little less science and a bit more fiction, but parts have remained fun.
So I should have been expecting the curve ball. I mean, coming from the guy that has apparently edited/rereleased books post publishing, getting his own characters ages wrong, entirely stepping away from his somewhat ‘plausible’ science behind the survival of megalodon, his continued harping on them being gigantic great white sharks—years after they were removed from the same scientific family, the fact that every plot is virtually 100% the same, but I honestly didn’t. Didn’t see it coming.
This book mixes Alten’s Jonas Taylor with Zachary Wallace, the biologist from his Loch series. I really typically like when authors add snippets of their other books into the same world. Whether it be names, locations, or characters. However, out of absolutely nowhere, he has completely meshed the two, so that with next to no explanation, their worlds are the same. Oh, and did I mention time travel? Well…not exactly, but ‘multiple futures’ make an appearance in this one. Not only are they after one of the largest sea creature to ever live, a Liopleurodon, but guess what, Wallace is saying that they’ve already done this before.
The rails are right here where I’m writing…
…and here’s where Alten’s plot has fallen. Absolutely insane. Unhinged. Completely irrelevant to the series. How do you write five books about megalodon? By making them about anything but.
Somehow, unbelievably, perhaps even insanely, personally still a 3/5*. He does write thrilling ocean action.
So I should have been expecting the curve ball. I mean, coming from the guy that has apparently edited/rereleased books post publishing, getting his own characters ages wrong, entirely stepping away from his somewhat ‘plausible’ science behind the survival of megalodon, his continued harping on them being gigantic great white sharks—years after they were removed from the same scientific family, the fact that every plot is virtually 100% the same, but I honestly didn’t. Didn’t see it coming.
This book mixes Alten’s Jonas Taylor with Zachary Wallace, the biologist from his Loch series. I really typically like when authors add snippets of their other books into the same world. Whether it be names, locations, or characters. However, out of absolutely nowhere, he has completely meshed the two, so that with next to no explanation, their worlds are the same. Oh, and did I mention time travel? Well…not exactly, but ‘multiple futures’ make an appearance in this one. Not only are they after one of the largest sea creature to ever live, a Liopleurodon, but guess what, Wallace is saying that they’ve already done this before.
The rails are right here where I’m writing…
…and here’s where Alten’s plot has fallen. Absolutely insane. Unhinged. Completely irrelevant to the series. How do you write five books about megalodon? By making them about anything but.
Somehow, unbelievably, perhaps even insanely, personally still a 3/5*. He does write thrilling ocean action.
sorrymyscheduleisbooked's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
circus_of_damned's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fifth book in the Meg series, this book fallows the fourth book in the series by having multiple plot lines that intersect at the end of the book. Jonas and David each have there own plot line hunting giant, prehistoric sea monsters. This book adds a third plot line fallowing the recapture of Lizzy and Bella that Jonas isn't involved in. Jonas plot lone involves some science that isn't related to the prehistoric sea monsters that adds this wierd time travel element that I didn't love. It was minor in the greater scope of the book. The ending took several turns I wasn't expecting, that said I'm looking forward to see what happens with future books in the series. A common issue throughout the series is the way female characters are depicted and treated and that continues in this installment. This was a fun, fat paced, action read that I enjoyed.
kelskiiz's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
i do actually really enjoy these books, despite the frequent eye rolls over the treatment of the female characters. lots of monster shenanigans, and so many threads to pull together at the end of every book, but it’s always so satisfying.
linbee83's review
4.0
Really loved the new array of creatures that have been introduced. Also, more Bella and Lizzie time. The time travel was a bit strange, not quite what I expected though.
mythicalbeastxiii's review
2.5
At this point, this series is beginning to feel like a chore to get through. I’m not sure I plan on reading the final released book. The book starts out strong, picking up where Hell’s Aquarium left off. It follows the release of other prehistoric predators. It should be a fun creature feature, but I feel like this has been lost. What I loved about Meg and The Trench is gone. The cast of characters has grown and you find yourself following multiple storylines. Then the story completely jumps the shark (no pun intended) with time travel - which is apparently introduced in Vostok. I chose not to read Vostok, happy with where Zack Wallace’s story ended there. Also, with the way Alten info dumps in his later books, I had no need to read it as I got a whole synopsis in Nightstalkers. While this story could have been a fun action packed thriller, it falls flat.
brandisix's review
5.0
As with all of Steve’s books, this was amazing. And added the fact that the original Meg will be in theaters in August, I can only hope others will join in on reading this author. He is VERY fan friendly. He has always personally answered every one of my emails and he often holds contest for his readers, with the winners being characters in his upcoming books!!!
ferrisscottr's review against another edition
3.0
I've been reading this series since the first book (Meg) and always enjoyed them for what they are - fun, airport, beach reads that appeal to my slight fear of the things in the water (I grew up in the 1970's so lived through Jaws).
This is the 5th book in the series and for a plot we've got Jonas Taylor back again trying to capture the "sisters", two offspring of Angel (Megalodon). We've got his son, David, reeling from having his girlfriend eaten by the Liopleurodon in the last book, so let's send him after the Lio again. But we've also got prehistoric whales and about a bazillion other things from the dinosaur era.
It was ok. Lots of action and monsters eating people but there was just too much going on. At one point we had three seperate story lines where three groups were all hunting different creatures. The meg was supposed to be a once in a lifetime anomoly and in this book it doesn't seem like you can go ten feet without tripping over a creature that should have died out 50 million years ago. You already have to suspend disbelief a little in these books but in this book he stretched that to unbelievable lengths.
The writing is still good but the plot had too much going on and too many creatures. I did enjoy it for what it was but it was just "ok".
This is the 5th book in the series and for a plot we've got Jonas Taylor back again trying to capture the "sisters", two offspring of Angel (Megalodon). We've got his son, David, reeling from having his girlfriend eaten by the Liopleurodon in the last book, so let's send him after the Lio again. But we've also got prehistoric whales and about a bazillion other things from the dinosaur era.
It was ok. Lots of action and monsters eating people but there was just too much going on. At one point we had three seperate story lines where three groups were all hunting different creatures. The meg was supposed to be a once in a lifetime anomoly and in this book it doesn't seem like you can go ten feet without tripping over a creature that should have died out 50 million years ago. You already have to suspend disbelief a little in these books but in this book he stretched that to unbelievable lengths.
The writing is still good but the plot had too much going on and too many creatures. I did enjoy it for what it was but it was just "ok".
danarosebailey's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
5.0
triplebriiii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
Okay, what the fuck is this bullshit. Idk if I'm just no longer feeling my giant shark books or if this one is really that bad but what the fuck. This is all going under spoilers bc fuck this.
*Lizzy spyhopping* Bela and I deserved better! *sinks beneath the surface*
So to start, the summary of this book definitely makes it seem like Bela and Lizzy will get equal screen time to the fucking Lio. Only we BARELY get any Bela and Lizzy which is a fucking shame bc I love those fucking sharks. Instead, we focus almost entirely on the Lio (who does grow on me I guess, but this series is also freaking called "Meg" not "Giant Prehistoric Creatures The Didn't Even Exist") and then some fucking weird ass sperm whale ancestor with big teeth. Like who the fuck cares about this whale - I sure don't.
Speaking of Bela and Lizzy - again love those sharks, go girls go! But are you fucking kidding me, you're telling me that Jonas and Terry just walk the fuck away from trying to recapture them and then never even contact the people who are taking over again???? ESPECIALLY bc Jonas made that dumb ass deal to sell the institute as long as the two megs are captured??? Talk about un-fucking-believable. And literally the only reason that even happens is so that the end battle happens where all the monsters are just in the lagoon now. Like, what the fuck Jonas, Agrickula (or however you spell that) was holding his end of the bargain, you just dropped the fucking ball there jesus. AND THEN THEY KILLED THEM!!!! THEY KILLED MY BABIES BEFORE WE EVER REALLY GOT TO KNOW THEM!!!!! I'M SO FUCKING MAD.
As for the characters, hoo boy. So Alten has never been the best at writing female characters but with this book I feel like it's starting to get personal. Like bruh, who hurt you? Terry used to be an actual character with depth - where did that go? After book 2 it's like he just gave up on her, turning her into the stereotypical nagging wife who's only plot point in the book is to act as a spoil sport to her action star husband. Even here when she tries to take a stand and tell Jonas she's leaving him unless he stops playing with these sharks falls flat bc she gets back with him just a few chapters later!!! Not even in the end where she piloted the sub to save David and the crews of the tankers made up for this bc it was clearly an afterthought. Also, where the heck did her Parkinson's come from? This book is supposed to take place immediately after the prior book and in that one there was absolutely no mention of this. There was a brief mention of shaking in book 3 that could be Parkinson's, so I guess it didn't come completely out of left field, but that disease doesn't advance so quickly that we would have heard nothing about it in book 4.
I don't even want to talk about Dani but she's basically been a non-existent character since book 3. Which is a fucking shame bc she was one of the only characters that had any sort of development in that book. Also, where did this grad school at Cambridge come from? Girl didn't even want to go to undergrad and we're supposed to believe that she somehow earned her undergraduate and then decided to fly half way around the world for school when her brother recently tried to kill himself and her mother's Parkinson's is advancing? Un-fucking-believable.
As for David, Mary Sue Jr., what the fuck. Boy used to be my favorite character and now I just want to strangle him. I was never a fan of his romance with Kaylie in the last book, but it seemed at least that he took it seriously. But in this book, the first pretty girl he sees her bats her eyes at him and he jumps into bed with her, absolutely no thought to Kaylie or any guilt about moving on?? nothing??? Bruh was going to marry that woman and he just immediately jumped ship to the next one.
WHEN IS THIS FUCKING PRINCE GOING TO FUCKING DIE I FUCKING HATE HIM. And David is working for him?? Like David, my darling, he was just going to leave you and Kaylie on the fucking ocean floor to die and he would have felt absolutely no guilt. Asshole needs to die bloody and I'm so mad that he hasn't yet.
Okay that's enough, we won't even go into the weird ass time travel plot. Worst book of the series so far. If we don't go back to the Megs in the next book I'm going to riot.
*Lizzy spyhopping* Bela and I deserved better! *sinks beneath the surface*
Spoiler
So to start, the summary of this book definitely makes it seem like Bela and Lizzy will get equal screen time to the fucking Lio. Only we BARELY get any Bela and Lizzy which is a fucking shame bc I love those fucking sharks. Instead, we focus almost entirely on the Lio (who does grow on me I guess, but this series is also freaking called "Meg" not "Giant Prehistoric Creatures The Didn't Even Exist") and then some fucking weird ass sperm whale ancestor with big teeth. Like who the fuck cares about this whale - I sure don't.
Speaking of Bela and Lizzy - again love those sharks, go girls go! But are you fucking kidding me, you're telling me that Jonas and Terry just walk the fuck away from trying to recapture them and then never even contact the people who are taking over again???? ESPECIALLY bc Jonas made that dumb ass deal to sell the institute as long as the two megs are captured??? Talk about un-fucking-believable. And literally the only reason that even happens is so that the end battle happens where all the monsters are just in the lagoon now. Like, what the fuck Jonas, Agrickula (or however you spell that) was holding his end of the bargain, you just dropped the fucking ball there jesus. AND THEN THEY KILLED THEM!!!! THEY KILLED MY BABIES BEFORE WE EVER REALLY GOT TO KNOW THEM!!!!! I'M SO FUCKING MAD.
As for the characters, hoo boy. So Alten has never been the best at writing female characters but with this book I feel like it's starting to get personal. Like bruh, who hurt you? Terry used to be an actual character with depth - where did that go? After book 2 it's like he just gave up on her, turning her into the stereotypical nagging wife who's only plot point in the book is to act as a spoil sport to her action star husband. Even here when she tries to take a stand and tell Jonas she's leaving him unless he stops playing with these sharks falls flat bc she gets back with him just a few chapters later!!! Not even in the end where she piloted the sub to save David and the crews of the tankers made up for this bc it was clearly an afterthought. Also, where the heck did her Parkinson's come from? This book is supposed to take place immediately after the prior book and in that one there was absolutely no mention of this. There was a brief mention of shaking in book 3 that could be Parkinson's, so I guess it didn't come completely out of left field, but that disease doesn't advance so quickly that we would have heard nothing about it in book 4.
I don't even want to talk about Dani but she's basically been a non-existent character since book 3. Which is a fucking shame bc she was one of the only characters that had any sort of development in that book. Also, where did this grad school at Cambridge come from? Girl didn't even want to go to undergrad and we're supposed to believe that she somehow earned her undergraduate and then decided to fly half way around the world for school when her brother recently tried to kill himself and her mother's Parkinson's is advancing? Un-fucking-believable.
As for David, Mary Sue Jr., what the fuck. Boy used to be my favorite character and now I just want to strangle him. I was never a fan of his romance with Kaylie in the last book, but it seemed at least that he took it seriously. But in this book, the first pretty girl he sees her bats her eyes at him and he jumps into bed with her, absolutely no thought to Kaylie or any guilt about moving on?? nothing??? Bruh was going to marry that woman and he just immediately jumped ship to the next one.
WHEN IS THIS FUCKING PRINCE GOING TO FUCKING DIE I FUCKING HATE HIM. And David is working for him?? Like David, my darling, he was just going to leave you and Kaylie on the fucking ocean floor to die and he would have felt absolutely no guilt. Asshole needs to die bloody and I'm so mad that he hasn't yet.
Okay that's enough, we won't even go into the weird ass time travel plot. Worst book of the series so far. If we don't go back to the Megs in the next book I'm going to riot.