The only reason I did not give this book a full 5/5 stars was because I felt the ending just abandoned the reader. I understand why the authors chose to leave the story as unfinished as they did and I admire them for it. But, still, some kind of more solid conclusion would have made me happy.
Beware readers: this is in the same genre and feeling as a Michael Crichton novel! It is scary and far too close to home for comfort. I was moved deeply by it and I'm pretty sure this novel will stay with me for a long time, if not forever.
Particularly, folks interested in biology and the environment, who aren't government happy will love this book.
Great read! Hard to put down once you've started. Keeps you guessing and hoping and praying, and then more praying.
Beware readers: this is in the same genre and feeling as a Michael Crichton novel! It is scary and far too close to home for comfort. I was moved deeply by it and I'm pretty sure this novel will stay with me for a long time, if not forever.
Particularly, folks interested in biology and the environment, who aren't government happy will love this book.
Great read! Hard to put down once you've started. Keeps you guessing and hoping and praying, and then more praying.
Helpful Score: 5
I absolutely enjoyed reading this one! I feel it's a great story written on a different scenario of the 'end of the world' theories. I know some people I have
talked with have defined their belief of the 'end of the world' means a drastic change in the world as we know it. Well, maybe the authors thought this too,
when they decided to write this book.
I highly recommend this book! I gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
talked with have defined their belief of the 'end of the world' means a drastic change in the world as we know it. Well, maybe the authors thought this too,
when they decided to write this book.
I highly recommend this book! I gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
Helpful Score: 3
James Patterson's books are usually not the genre that I go for so I have never read anything by him before. I saw this and decided to give it a try since it's different than what he usually writes. I started reading it and by the 10th page I "thought" I had the plot figured out, but since I liked what I was reading so far I thought I would just go along for the ride which I was sure would be enjoyable. Ok..you know how they tell you not judge a book by it's cover? Well this is one of those. I absolutley loved this book! It was right up there with a couple of my other favorites. The book did not end how I thought it would which suprised the heck right out of me. It starts out with a scientist who has been observing strange behaviors in animals for several years. He tries to get the word out, but he is ignored and laughed at by most until the animal attacks begin to get worse. Once the attacks start occuring in the most populated places he is called upon to figure what is going on, why, and how to stop it. I will stop there to avoid spilling out the details, but I do reccomend giving it a try.
Helpful Score: 3
My husband gifted with me Zoo because I love James Patterson. I had been looking forward to reading this book simply because of the author. Once I started reading, I was captivated. The plot seems real enough, and I kind of think "Ohh! It's like ZOO!" when I see news stories of animals attacking.
For James Patterson fans, you won't be disappointed. The story grips you and moves quickly like so many of his books do.
For James Patterson fans, you won't be disappointed. The story grips you and moves quickly like so many of his books do.
OK, this wasn't on a par with Faulkner or even Michael Crichton, however, I found it to be quite a page-turner as usual from Patterson, et al. This was not his usual fare, being an environmental sci-fi thriller rather than the usual mystery/crime novel (i.e. Alex Cross), but it still kept my interest. The premise was that the world's animals are suddenly going berserk and start attacking humans in swarms like insects. It is up to Oz, a suedo-biologist who dropped out of college, to convince the scientific community as well as the government of the threat and come up with a solution. Of course, no one wants to listen and people do not want to take the necessary steps to reverse what has affected the animals. Surprise, surprise! I would give this a mild recommendation but if you want a good novel in this genre, stick to Crichton.
I've liked Patterson's books for some time; adding Ledwidge as a co-author hasn't diminished the appeal at all.
An eco-catastrophe looms, but no one will believe it--or rather, no one WANTS to believe it or admit it. And since the very first step to curing a problem is to admit it exists... Well, if we don't take the first step, there's no way to make any second. We're in a real bind here.
From back cover: All over the world, brutal attacks are crippling entire cities. Jackson Oz, a young biologist, watches the escalating events with an increasing sense of dread. When he witnesses a coordinated lion ambush in Africa, the enormity of the impending violence becomes terrifyingly clear. With the help of ecologist Chloe Tousignant, Oz races to warn world leaders before it's too late. The attacks are growing in ferocity, cunning, and planning, and soon there will be no place left for humans to hide.
An eco-catastrophe looms, but no one will believe it--or rather, no one WANTS to believe it or admit it. And since the very first step to curing a problem is to admit it exists... Well, if we don't take the first step, there's no way to make any second. We're in a real bind here.
From back cover: All over the world, brutal attacks are crippling entire cities. Jackson Oz, a young biologist, watches the escalating events with an increasing sense of dread. When he witnesses a coordinated lion ambush in Africa, the enormity of the impending violence becomes terrifyingly clear. With the help of ecologist Chloe Tousignant, Oz races to warn world leaders before it's too late. The attacks are growing in ferocity, cunning, and planning, and soon there will be no place left for humans to hide.
This book was a fast read for me. I felt like it could've gotten a little more into details, but otherwise was a good read. I felt a little unsettled with the ending, but I guess it's a story that could've gone on and on.
I read this book after hearing it was going to be made into a TV series for the summer. After reading the book I do not see how this is going to be made into a tv series. The book was interesting, and kept me engaged for the most part, but I disliked the ending very much.
It was tense at times, but tended to be repetitive also. There were some pages that I just skimmed over. Overall a decent read.
I'm afraid that TV is going to ruin this story just the way The Dome was ruined by TV.
It was tense at times, but tended to be repetitive also. There were some pages that I just skimmed over. Overall a decent read.
I'm afraid that TV is going to ruin this story just the way The Dome was ruined by TV.
This appears to be written by an environmental wacko, an absurd solution to a ridiculous and improbable story line. I want the time I wasted reading it back.
The book is definitely an easy read. With over 98 chapters within 350 pages, it had a lot of break up to allow you to stop and pick the story up at a later time.
The best thing I can say about this book is the concept. Without spoiling the story, it deals with an epidemic with animals and how one scientist/graduate student drop-out communicates to a pretty ignorant world. The struggles that Oz faces becomes your own during his journey as he desperately tries to save human kind. The humor sprinkled throughout adds a great personal touch as well. The only reason I did not give it a higher score, is because I felt some parts were shallow. The scientific challenges should have been expanded, in my opinion, but instead was kind of hand waved out. Also the story ends abstractly (probably on purpose). I think some subplots with certain characters (Attila for instance) could have at least been wrapped up and the ending should have been more than just a faint paragraph. Overall a good book, but not one to go ape over (get it?!...nah?...because the title is zoo....no?....its okay).
The best thing I can say about this book is the concept. Without spoiling the story, it deals with an epidemic with animals and how one scientist/graduate student drop-out communicates to a pretty ignorant world. The struggles that Oz faces becomes your own during his journey as he desperately tries to save human kind. The humor sprinkled throughout adds a great personal touch as well. The only reason I did not give it a higher score, is because I felt some parts were shallow. The scientific challenges should have been expanded, in my opinion, but instead was kind of hand waved out. Also the story ends abstractly (probably on purpose). I think some subplots with certain characters (Attila for instance) could have at least been wrapped up and the ending should have been more than just a faint paragraph. Overall a good book, but not one to go ape over (get it?!...nah?...because the title is zoo....no?....its okay).
Excellent!!!! Great story of what could happen due to today's technology. How what humans put into the airwaves could affect animals.
I didn't care for this book. Animals taking over. Just didn't do anything for me.
This was on my shelf for about 2 years before I got around to reading it! Now that it is coming to TV, I finally read it because I always read the book first before watching anything. It is an exciting read and I was happy to find Patterson gives us a plausible explanation. It's a page turner and it does give food for thought. I enjoyed it.
It pains me to say this because I love James Patterson, but I did not enjoy this book. I stuck with it until the end and if it was any other author I would not have finished it. It pulls you in at the beginning which is his hallmark, but then, at least for me, drags on.
So I definitely like the book better than the t.v. series. The concept of animals being so aggressive and taking over is a little chilling.
I LOVE JP but I just didn't like this book. 5 chapters in I gave up!
Not Patterson's best book. I lost interest about half way through and I'm only sorry that I spent the money, and the time, on it.
This is a really fun book, and an interesting premise. It will definitely keep you wondering how it will end!
I have a little gripe with the ending, but I don't want to spoil it! It left me wanting a sequel!
I have a little gripe with the ending, but I don't want to spoil it! It left me wanting a sequel!
Awesome book, I really enjoyed it. It's really kinda scary.
Great book, quick read, hopefully the movie that CBS is doing will live up to the book.
Checked out of the library. I was disappointed because the language 'f...', 's...', etc, was totally unexpected. I do not recall reading a Patterson with so much this language before. If the story was better I might have been able to over look it.
James Patterson / Ledwidge fan but this just wasn't the typical rapid page turner for this duo. Good book though.
I did not like this at all! I don't think Patterson wrote a word of it and if he did then he needs better help in writing a good book.
There is too much description and too many words I have no clue what they mean or what they are or anything and that makes for bad comprehension.
There is too much description and too many words I have no clue what they mean or what they are or anything and that makes for bad comprehension.
