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johnbreeden's review against another edition
4.0
I've been going through James Rollins' stand alone novels recently. I will admit I had difficulty staying with some of the earlier works, but with Altar of Eden, I fell right into the flow. Generally, one might think much of the scientific elements are far fetched, but I can see that Rollins has invested a great deal of time in research. The threads tying the various elements together may be fictional, but the individual points have scientific merit.
lirewoodis's review against another edition
3.0
An easy read with a beautiful setting. Not much memorable other than the descriptions of the bayou and New Orleans. While I am a James Rollins fan, I wouldn’t say this novel is his best.
dsuttles's review against another edition
2.0
Mehhh... interesting use of scientific ideas in fiction, but the story ultimately fell flat due to one-dimensional characters and cliche action tropes.
The main female character Lorna's tragic background includes problematic depictions of abortion and rape. I honestly don't have interest in analyzing it further, but figured I'd put the warning out there for any fellow ladies and allies who are tired of the usual moralizing and tired plot arcs involving these two topics.
Finally, the ending is hot defeatist garbage. Creatures who have developed group sentience are tortured beyond empathizing with their own offspring, so much so that when given the opportunity to reunite with their kin they instead choose suicide. I call bullshit. What a gross oversimplification of the psyche of survivors of abuse and violence.
But hey, at least the leading dude gets the pretty girl in the end, amiright?
A friend recommended this book to me. I'm looking forward to giving her back her paperback.
The main female character Lorna's tragic background includes problematic depictions of abortion and rape. I honestly don't have interest in analyzing it further, but figured I'd put the warning out there for any fellow ladies and allies who are tired of the usual moralizing and tired plot arcs involving these two topics.
Finally, the ending is hot defeatist garbage. Creatures who have developed group sentience are tortured beyond empathizing with their own offspring, so much so that when given the opportunity to reunite with their kin they instead choose suicide. I call bullshit. What a gross oversimplification of the psyche of survivors of abuse and violence.
But hey, at least the leading dude gets the pretty girl in the end, amiright?
A friend recommended this book to me. I'm looking forward to giving her back her paperback.
gbdill's review against another edition
2.0
Rednecks from the swamp collide with brilliant scientists gone mad.
I really pushed myself to finish this book. The first half of the story was excellent; quite compelling and adventurous. Mutant saber-toothed tiger on the loose, protecting its young and devouring unsuspecting people. The second half of the story gets lost in a bunch of gunfights and explosives on some obscure island in the Caribbean.
Not Rollins best work, but certainly not his worst either. Two-stars for his unique creativity. But, too lengthy of a story that inevitably loses its momentum to warrant a higher rating.
I really pushed myself to finish this book. The first half of the story was excellent; quite compelling and adventurous. Mutant saber-toothed tiger on the loose, protecting its young and devouring unsuspecting people. The second half of the story gets lost in a bunch of gunfights and explosives on some obscure island in the Caribbean.
Not Rollins best work, but certainly not his worst either. Two-stars for his unique creativity. But, too lengthy of a story that inevitably loses its momentum to warrant a higher rating.
liberrydude's review against another edition
3.0
A creepy military biotech thriller that starts during Operation Iraqi Freedom and ends up years later in Louisiana and the Caribbean with abnormal animals that can synchronize their brains into a hive mentality. Of course it was all going well until the mastermind crosses paths with Dr. Lorna Polk, a resourceful veterinarian, and her Cajun friends.
michellefleming33's review against another edition
2.0
Get to the Chopper!!!! PSSHUEJKFFMG! Gunfire! More Gunfire! The CHOPPER! Yeah, that's my impersonation of Arnold. Ok moving on...
Ok so...this book kept me turning the pages, that's for sure. But was I really all that excited about it? Did I really want to see how things turned out? No, not really.
Yes, this was typical Rollins with mixing DARPA, science, weapons, and a lot of scientific jargon. BUT, and this is a major "but" for me, he incorporated animals into this one WAY too much!
Similar to one of the SIGMA Force novels, the name of it escapes me at this point, but it was the one with the menagrie of animals, Chernobyl, and mutated kids, he incorporated animals being mutated, their genetics being messed with.
SPOILER! I can't believe he almost made me think that Burt was dead! I KNEW that he wouldn't have let that happen, but c'mon. Even that fathom of a doubt kind of pissed me off. And besides, I hated the fact that the jaguar and her cub had to die.
After the point of Lorna, did not like that name by the way, being captured, and finding out they were not only tinkering with animals' lives but with humans, it was just too far fetched for me. Yeah, I wanted to see where it lead and how the story mircalously ended, but I did not care for the fact that the mutated and regressed furry humans worked together with the "good" humans. Just to much beyond belief at that point. I literally had to laugh at it. I did not like how it got twisted that way on the islands of Eden.
Totally NOT what I thought this book was going to be about. Really just wanted another SIGMA force novel.
Yes, it was nice to see that Rollins actually utilized his veternanian skills in writing one of this books, but we normally see that with his other books. There's always an animal in there somewhere.
Not his best, and definitely NOT worth a re-read.
Ok so...this book kept me turning the pages, that's for sure. But was I really all that excited about it? Did I really want to see how things turned out? No, not really.
Yes, this was typical Rollins with mixing DARPA, science, weapons, and a lot of scientific jargon. BUT, and this is a major "but" for me, he incorporated animals into this one WAY too much!
Similar to one of the SIGMA Force novels, the name of it escapes me at this point, but it was the one with the menagrie of animals, Chernobyl, and mutated kids, he incorporated animals being mutated, their genetics being messed with.
SPOILER! I can't believe he almost made me think that Burt was dead! I KNEW that he wouldn't have let that happen, but c'mon. Even that fathom of a doubt kind of pissed me off. And besides, I hated the fact that the jaguar and her cub had to die.
After the point of Lorna, did not like that name by the way, being captured, and finding out they were not only tinkering with animals' lives but with humans, it was just too far fetched for me. Yeah, I wanted to see where it lead and how the story mircalously ended, but I did not care for the fact that the mutated and regressed furry humans worked together with the "good" humans. Just to much beyond belief at that point. I literally had to laugh at it. I did not like how it got twisted that way on the islands of Eden.
Totally NOT what I thought this book was going to be about. Really just wanted another SIGMA force novel.
Yes, it was nice to see that Rollins actually utilized his veternanian skills in writing one of this books, but we normally see that with his other books. There's always an animal in there somewhere.
Not his best, and definitely NOT worth a re-read.
leannaaker's review against another edition
2.0
I'm all up for a crazy sci fi/genetic experiment book, but....this just wasn't very good. Shallow characters, poor character development, and a "just too unbelievable" plot made this just so so.
apiratethatdoesnothing's review against another edition
5.0
I throughly enjoyed this book! I not only liked the story line, I liked how it was written! This is my first Rollins book and I am happy with my choice! No point In Summarizing the story - that isn't a review. I am happy that everything worked out for the best for Lorna, Jack, Jack's family and of course the children! I was so curious to discover what was going to happen!
reneek84's review against another edition
3.0
As it started out I thought what a spooky macabre story line, but since I'm big fan of Rollin's books, I wanted to finish it. I will say it was not my favorite by him, but still interesting.
asteroidbuckle's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
3.0