Reviews

The Loch by Steve Alten

summerseeds's review against another edition

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3.0

Under no circumstances would I put this book on par with King Kong or The Lost World. That being said, it was an interesting little read. A fast-paced new take on the Loch Ness Monster myth. What bothered me most was the accents. I hate when authors try to write in anccents. It's so aggravating trying to decipher what is being said. Also the old-timey font used when going back to Wallace's journal was a huge pain. I honestly could not read half of it.

divinemrsm's review

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

2.0

iceberglives's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Monsters in Loch Ness?!?! And they're attacking people?! Sign me up! Fun scifi thriller that you'll love if you like aquatic momsters.

shadow1ane's review against another edition

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dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

lochlinn13's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

The action is fun, the pace is quick, the fusion of history and sci-fi is interesting. The female characters are overly simplistic, however, and no characters really grow all that much. Makes a fun, quick summer read.

ingo_lembcke's review against another edition

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5.0

Liked the use of mobile tech (phones, internet on laptops) with realistic and spotty coverage.
The book felt rather long but it was worth it, if even for the main setting, Loch Ness, alone!
The science felt sound and the devastating deaths and fight scenes well describes.
Warrants still not really 5 stars, but as I write this now (3 months later, sorry) I do not care.
In my childhood I read some real-world (-ocean) books like Hans Hass, Costeau and others, having an interest in Ocean-Life, so this is right up my alley.
The descriptions of the places makes me want to be there, even if it is not for me (wandering does not suit me, sitting in a wheelchair).
Still, I am not sure wether to read another book by this writer. Probably not anytime soon.

jlsrau's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

badseedgirl's review against another edition

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3.0

This was a fun summer read. I could have done without the "black knights," but they moved the story along. Steve Alten did rip off the movie Lake Placid, but I will forgive him for that!

heylook's review against another edition

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3.0

Didn't expect this to be any good, and was pleasantly surprised. What's interesting is the way the author incorporates his educational-novel program to heart, so that within the story, you also learn about marine biology, sonar, and, of course, the history of monster sightings at Loch Ness, (among other things).

jamesbullinger's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

So bad, and also so good. It was so fun to spend time around Loch Ness, but he tried to write a character driven story and his characters were terrible. Their relationships were terrible. Their reactions were terrible. It was terrible. BUT I loved how he talked about the areas around Loch Ness, 100% just because we have a trip planned there. If you are not going to Scotland anytime soon, I do not recommend you read this book.