The Great Zoo of China, by Matthew Reilly
pub Gallery Books 4-5*
"Action on a gigantic scale"
The Chinese government are about to unveil their new zoo. A party of Americans; political and journalist, are invited to the preview. CJ, a lady croc expert, tales up the offer along with her photographer brother. Needless to say the security they are allowed past hides a lot more than pandas, and it soon becomes a question of who will survive the experience.
This is a blockbuster of a novel with all the heroes, heroines and villains required for a James Bond script. Indeed, with its emphasis on action scenes, danger and good versus bad this is a very Hollywood storyline.
Add to that the characters are strong, the pace frenetic. I read this with great enjoyment, even after the opening 'spoiler' chapter screamed "I wanna be a movie" at me.
It was therefore just an enormous shame that despite all the publishers' arguments to the contrary this really is another Jurassic Park. It's a zoo. It's been kept secret till ready to wow the world. The black dragons are alternate raptors [yes, huge spoiler, or maybe enough to make you read anyway]. What more can I say, a very enjoyable book, if you don't mind it being such a spinoff, or you are a big Jurassic Park fan. Have to ask why this writer didn't produce something that was truly his instead.
I ended up wondering if the Chinese government will hack the internet - oh really?
:)
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