A review by connorjdaley
Hell's Aquarium by Steve Alten

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

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.)