Reviews

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.

Firstly, I’m pretty positive the last book said that Jonas was 63 or 64, the book said he was about to turn one or the other, and that’s why I’m not entirely sure. His daughter in it, is 17, a point that is harped on because she is underage. Yet this one says it’s been 4 (?) years and somehow Jonas is only 66, meanwhile his daughter is 24? I’ve heard the author has edited or altered his stories before, but not knowing your characters ages seems pretty crazy to me. Or I’m missing something.

This book also continued the trend of referring to megalodons as gigantic great whites, which was never true, but is even further contested now. This cover does seem like the first one that is mildly edited though. And although it’s clearly a great white, it does look pale as if it could possibly be albino (it’s supposed to be).

This book focuses more on prehistoric times and different prehistoric animals, all surviving in the ancient, hidden remains of the Phantalassa ocean. Ocean and marine reptiles that did not live in the same eras, mind you, but why am I still splitting hairs at this point? The Tanaka institute is having issues housing the offspring of Angel, so they sell two pups to Dubai for a new attraction. Jonas’ son agrees to help with the transfer, and is of course enticed back to the sea by them after. David is virtually a carbon copy of Jonas, as the author needed someone young enough.

You know what, I could complain about these books all day, and hell, I probably will. Yet somehow, they’re still super fun. Personally a 4/5*, the megalodon is still supreme. (And weird how many plot points were stolen from this book for The Meg 2: The Trench movie.)

sorrymyscheduleisbooked's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

ashley7603's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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? Yes

4.5

mythicalbeastxiii's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense

4.0

When i first started this one, I was worried it was going to suffer the same problems I had with the third installment in this series. It started out with some heavy info-dumping but it quickly got into the meat of the story. Now 24 years after the initial events that kicked off the Meg Series, Jonas and Terry’s children are adults. The Tanaka Institute is home to Angel and her four pups. Representatives from an aquarium in Dubai reach out wishing to buy two of the pups to feature as one of their attractions. David, Jonas’ son, is hired on to oversee the transfer and train others to pilot the submersibles that the Tanaka institute created to work with the Megs. From here, two stories are set into motion. David’s time in Dubai isn’t exactly what first appeared to be and he’s drawn into a new scheme by his employers. Jonas and the others are left with trying to figure out how to keep Angel and her two largest and most aggressive pups under control while dealing with an offshoot of PETA called RAW. Soon enough blood and mayhem follow in true Alten fashion. Hell’s Aquarium easily redeemed the series after I was left feeling bored by Primal Waters.

kelskiiz's review against another edition

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adventurous tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

read_late's review against another edition

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adventurous tense fast-paced

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? Yes

3.5

If you want creature horror this might be right up your alley.

It isn't a stand out example of the series, it isn't particularly well-written, but to help pass a weekend while doing chores, it's a lot of fun.

There's a lot of exposition. A LOT. That's part of Alten's style but in this book it was particularly noticeable.

Alten's female characters could be stronger, there could be less slut-shaming, and his military characters could be less cliche, but it doesn't make the book unreadable.

With this audiobook version, the narrator does a lot of accents. Not all of them feel appropriate to the character.

All that being said--I was entertained. Despite its warts, it was still imaginative and immersive, and I'll probably read everything in this series (and everything Alten publishes) .

It's a solid 3.5.

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