Originally posted by MP-05
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I LOVE conspiracy theorists. They are like human versions of the cymbal clapping, dancing monkeys. No one takes them all that seriously and they get bored with them after about 10 minutes.
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They made me wait until 12:59 am EST.
Made me wait.
THEY MADE
DOOM
WAIT.
DOOM DOES NOT "WAIT."
The best squadron of my Doombots are on their way to the Amazon head office to show them the errors of their ways.
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MEG: Nightstalkers (2016)
So, I finished this novel this morning around 5 a.m. because I was so close to the end that I couldn't go one more night of waiting. (I don't wait very well.). I think it is a fair statement (and certainly my opinion) that author Steve Alten raised the bar significantly for the marine horror literature in a way not seen since Peter Benchley wrote that silly little shark story back in 1974. MEG was bigger, meaner, and through five books thus far, intricately woven in with the Taylor family's lives. Due to setting the bar high, I naturally had high expectations for this book.
Unfortunately, I can only say I was about 75% satisfied, and here are the reasons why:
1. Although this series is mainly about a Megalodon family, Alten introduced different species towards the end of the last novel (Hell's Aquarium) that basically took over the whole Nightstalkers novel. I'm totally down with big monster fights, and yes, there were good shark scenes, but Alten sort of forgot the whole reason fans like myself got into this in the first place: Megalodon. There just wasn't enough of Bela and Lizzy, the current Megalodon sisters, who behave more like a pod of orcas than like Great Whites. Nightstalkers was waning in this regard.
2. Most of the book had to do with an obsessive Prince capturing a Liopleurodon. That's all well and good, but again, need more shark.
3. Alten has a great track record of not only giving the reader plenty of marine terror, but also making the human characters as important as the Sharks. So, I needed more of th Taylor family. I felt like they were just making guest appearances in this book.
4. Last year, Alten released a novel titled Vostok, whose main character Dr. Wallace, is a fairly important character in this novel. Wallace originated from a completely different series about the Loch Ness Monster, then Vostok brought the two series together. Sadly, Vostok was probably the worst Alten novel I ever read, so using that as a tie in didn't do Nightstalkers much justice, but at least Nightstalkers left out/didn't acknowledge the worst aspects of Vostok, which was sci fi gone really bad.
5. I was under the impression that this novel would be the last in the MEG series, which I was actually happy about. Alten takes a very long time between the sequels, and I think he loses hardcore followers like myself in waiting years between each entry. Well, lo and behold, he concludes this novel with yet another teaser for a future sequel titled MEG: Generations. I could be dead before that comes out. Seriously. Steve, please forget all the other stuff and concentrate on what makes you great- the Megalodons!
So, those are my critiques. Nightstalkers is still a great book in the fact that it retains a great writing style and enough action to keep you interested. There are very few authors out there who can keep you in suspense to such a high degree as Alten does that this novel will still be at the top of my 2016 favorite reads list, regardless of what the rest of the year brings (but as always, I will keep branching out and giving each new book I buy a fair chance).
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Looks like I don't need to hurry up with buying my own copy, then. Thanks for the review.Villain Draft 3: Fourth Place Winner
September 11, 2001; January 6, 2021; February 13, 2021
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Originally posted by Agent Purple View PostLooks like I don't need to hurry up with buying my own copy, then. Thanks for the review.
Nightstalkers isn't bad per se; it's just convoluted with all these different species emerging, and various human agendas. It's still a good read, though, and is critical to the overall picture of the series. Hopefully, the next novel will get back to basics and return to a former glory of story telling that Nightstalkers almost misses. Almost.
I've read a good number of reviews on this novel on Amazon; most people are giving it the five star treatment, so that should also tell you something depending on how much stock you put into reviews.
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I LOVE conspiracy theorists. They are like human versions of the cymbal clapping, dancing monkeys. No one takes them all that seriously and they get bored with them after about 10 minutes.
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Thomas Watson's The Godly Man's Picture
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To the Stars: The Autobiography of George Takei, Star Trek's Mr. Sulu
I wanted to read something that would count for the 2016 challenge, but also be short enough that I know I can finish it before my vacation trips in July and August (when I'll read Kindle books). Shatner's book put me in the behind-the-scenes Trek mood.
So far, I'm still in his internment years. Pretty interesting stuff. This autobiography was written in 1994, well before he came out, so I'm curious what, if anything, he'll say about his private life.
EDIT: finished (but reported in Star Trek thread)Last edited by Space Cop; 07-28-2016, 03:54 AM.
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Route 1 Maine by Virginia M. Wright
Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Books
One of the challenge books (a book made into a movie this year). It includes a lot of non-Mowgli, animal-based children's stories Kipling did. I like the Mowlgi ones better. Of the others, I liked the mongoose tale the most.Last edited by Space Cop; 09-26-2016, 10:54 PM.
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The Autobiography of James T. Kirk (by David A. Goodman)
Death Squad (Book 2 of The Executioner series) by Don Pendleton
^By the way, I recommend this series (which was the inspiration for Punisher--it's obvious even if I hadn't known that going in) to fans of stories about vigilantes, snipers, or Vietnam vets.
What Would Captain Kirk Do? by Brandon Snider
Last edited by Space Cop; 08-25-2016, 10:03 PM.
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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne
Last edited by Space Cop; 09-26-2016, 10:54 PM.
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Originally posted by Space Cop View PostHarry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne
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