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mythicalbeastxiii's review
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
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
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.
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.
mayasiren's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
triplebriiii's review
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A solid addition to this series, focusing on David, which I enjoyed. Gah, David, so young, so naïve, such a man (derogatory) alskjdflsk. I do love David, and enjoyed seeing his journey throughout this book. His romance with Kaylie felt a bit stale, tbh. I don't think Kaylie was fleshed out as well as she could have been, which is a common issue with this author and his female characters. Nevertheless, we must have a damsel in distress to kickstart the man's hero's journey, or in this case, getting David to agree to that suicidal dive into the deeps. David's friendship with Monty, so reminiscent of Jonas and Mac's, I really hope it's as entertaining and lovable.
This is another one where Jonas comes in at the end and saves the day. While I appreciate the dedication and loyalty to his main man, the dude is 66 now, it's time he had some rest. Speaking of ages, another victim of the author playing fast and loose with those. Considering Jonas was supposed to be 38 in the first book, and that took place 28 years ago, his age in this book should be appropriate. However, this book was also supposed to take place 5 years after book 3, where Jonas was supposed to be 63, so Jonas SHOULD be 68. I think the main ages issues happen in book 3, bc the math maths in book 4. Except for Terry, who's stated as 49 in this book, even though she's only supposed to be 12 years younger than Jonas. GAH okay I'm done, but as you can see I am very annoyed at these very simple errors that could have been fixed with good editing.
The RAW group was so fucking annoying and honestly I wish their end was a lot bloodier than it was. I'm also infuriated that the fucking Prince survived, but I'm hoping for his demise in book 5.
Angel, my sweet, sweet Angel, you shall be missed. That fucking Liopleurodon is just not as lovable as our giant shark, what can I say. I hope Belle and Lizzy fucking slaughter the monster in the next book, I am obsessed with those sharks.
This is another one where Jonas comes in at the end and saves the day. While I appreciate the dedication and loyalty to his main man, the dude is 66 now, it's time he had some rest. Speaking of ages, another victim of the author playing fast and loose with those. Considering Jonas was supposed to be 38 in the first book, and that took place 28 years ago, his age in this book should be appropriate. However, this book was also supposed to take place 5 years after book 3, where Jonas was supposed to be 63, so Jonas SHOULD be 68. I think the main ages issues happen in book 3, bc the math maths in book 4. Except for Terry, who's stated as 49 in this book, even though she's only supposed to be 12 years younger than Jonas. GAH okay I'm done, but as you can see I am very annoyed at these very simple errors that could have been fixed with good editing.
The RAW group was so fucking annoying and honestly I wish their end was a lot bloodier than it was. I'm also infuriated that the fucking Prince survived, but I'm hoping for his demise in book 5.
maeclair's review
4.0
Book number four of the Meg saga has left me with mixed feelings. In some aspects ,this is my favorite of all the novels. Angel, the albino Megladon shark, has birthed a litter of five pups. Three are “runts”—Angelica, Mary Kate, and Ashley (yes, after the Olsen twins—there was an internet contest to name them). The other two are “juveniles”—Lizzy (after the infamous Countess Elizabeth Bathroy) and Bela (after the Dark Queen). Jonas Taylor is now 66. His son, David, is a twenty-year-old college student working toward a marine biology degree and trying to step out of his father’s shadow. To do that, David agrees to train a roster of potential pilots in an extreme depth submersible for an Arabian Prince who is offering mega $$$. Naturally, said prince is not on the up-and-up about what he’s really after—possible prehistoric creatures that live in depths few men have breached.
The first half of this book blew me away. Lizzy and Bela (the “sisters”) have a symbiotic relationship that makes them mesmerizing from the moment they’re introduced. Angel has held her own for several books, but these two deserve the crown. Entrahlling is putting it lightly.
In the past, the Meg books have always had a kick butt last quarter, but that’s where I was disappointed. The focus shifted away from the Megs to the prehistoric fish and David’s time trapped in the submersible. While there were plenty of heart-pumping moments in the deep, those scenes went on way too long, and I disliked the shift from the Megs. Fortunately, Alten brought his three most powerful sharks back for the conclusion—Angel, Lizzy, and Bela—and set up an intriguing opening for the next (final?) book. I can’t wait to see more of the sisters!
The first half of this book blew me away. Lizzy and Bela (the “sisters”) have a symbiotic relationship that makes them mesmerizing from the moment they’re introduced. Angel has held her own for several books, but these two deserve the crown. Entrahlling is putting it lightly.
In the past, the Meg books have always had a kick butt last quarter, but that’s where I was disappointed. The focus shifted away from the Megs to the prehistoric fish and David’s time trapped in the submersible. While there were plenty of heart-pumping moments in the deep, those scenes went on way too long, and I disliked the shift from the Megs. Fortunately, Alten brought his three most powerful sharks back for the conclusion—Angel, Lizzy, and Bela—and set up an intriguing opening for the next (final?) book. I can’t wait to see more of the sisters!
isabellabaker's review
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
3.5
villyidol's review against another edition
3.0
This was very entertaining, actually, as there is quite a lot of action taking place in a subterranean sea, hidden beneath the crust of the Philippine Sea Plate. That’s just a very cool setting. And one populated with prehistoric creatures aplenty. Like this guy:
There’s also a parallel plot taking place at the Tanaka Oceanographic Institute, that had some very cool scenes too, but also suffered from several problems. The main one being that it was about the challenge of keeping the five megalodons captive without any incidents (suffice to say that didn‘t work out), but also without a single character in the novel that seemed to be worried about the well-being of the sharks. That made me feel a little uncomfortable for most of the first half of the book. It was less of an issue later on when the deep sea action became the focal point of the story. But then the detours to the second plotline just felt like an unnecessary distraction from the fun parts.
In general this book is just too long. Alten‘s penchant for overexplaining pretty much everything is a little annoying. Or as my friend Cathy puts it, he is the Lord of the overly detailed info dump. I couldn’t say it any better, so I just quote her here.
The third-person present tense also feels kind of wrong. But that’s just a personal preference maybe.
Anyways, in spite of all the problems I had with this novel, it really was entertaining, and I see it as an improvement on the two previous books in the series.
3.5 stars, and having fun again.
This has been a buddy read with Cathy and Russ, planned a year ahead. And we’re likely going to read the next one together as well. Probably in another year’s time.
There’s also a parallel plot taking place at the Tanaka Oceanographic Institute, that had some very cool scenes too, but also suffered from several problems. The main one being that it was about the challenge of keeping the five megalodons captive without any incidents (suffice to say that didn‘t work out), but also without a single character in the novel that seemed to be worried about the well-being of the sharks. That made me feel a little uncomfortable for most of the first half of the book. It was less of an issue later on when the deep sea action became the focal point of the story. But then the detours to the second plotline just felt like an unnecessary distraction from the fun parts.
In general this book is just too long. Alten‘s penchant for overexplaining pretty much everything is a little annoying. Or as my friend Cathy puts it, he is the Lord of the overly detailed info dump. I couldn’t say it any better, so I just quote her here.
The third-person present tense also feels kind of wrong. But that’s just a personal preference maybe.
Anyways, in spite of all the problems I had with this novel, it really was entertaining, and I see it as an improvement on the two previous books in the series.
3.5 stars, and having fun again.
This has been a buddy read with Cathy and Russ, planned a year ahead. And we’re likely going to read the next one together as well. Probably in another year’s time.
emmsiej95's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Kayleigh and David's relationship was just... Oh my gosh. No thanks.