Book Review: Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror by Steve Alten

This is a review of the Kindle version.

Sharks have evolved over millions of years and have evoked both fear and fascination in man since time immemorial. While man has visited outer space and scaled the tallest mountain peaks, our knowledge of the underwater life is extremely limited. It is estimated that we have only explored about 5% of the underwater world. It does not help that sharks (especially Great Whites) have quite a menacing physical appearance.

Steve has tapped into this widespread fascination and fear that sharks (extinct or otherwise) generally incite in us. Peter Benchley started it all in 1974 with his bestseller Jaws. Steven Spielberg created the concept of “Summer Blockbuster” with the immensely successful movie adaptation of the book.

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In Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror, Steve wastes no time in establishing the physical supremacy of the Megalodon by having the shark munch on the King of All Land Predators, the T-Rex! This interesting encounter between the 2 predators happens in some prehistoric time and sets the tone for the rest of the book.

The story then shifts to the present and we meet the protagonist, US Navy deep sea diver turned Paleontologist Jonas Taylor. Jonas is in depression, after unintentionally causing the deaths of his two teammates in a deep underwater submarine operation. He is soon contacted by an old friend, Tanaka to investigate the presence of Megalodons in Mariana Trench. Tanaka owns a big aquarium and is keen on adding these prehistoric giants (should they exist) for the public display.

Steve Alten, the author

Reluctantly, Jonas joins the team comprising among others Tanaka’s son, DJ. DJ is killed by a Megalodon. Tanaka’s daughter, Terry wants revenge and soon it is man vs shark even as the Megalodon sets out on a killing spree targeting everything from whales to humans foolish enough to cross its path. Then there is Jonas's estranged wife (and news reporter), Maggie who wants to film the Megalodon and strike gold in her career.

The plot is indeed as silly as it sounds (!). It is by no stretch of imagination either high literature or even scientifically accurate, it does qualify as popcorn entertainment. I saw the movie Jaws long time back and have been quite fascinated with sharks ever since.

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Image Sources: Screenrant, The Authors Speak 

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Book Review: Meg: Primal Waters by Steve Alten

This is a review of the Kindle version.

This installment in the Meg series deals with Jonas and his daughter Danielle participating in a top-rated reality TV show “Daredevils”. In a separate plot thread, Terry Taylor investigates whale beachings off Vancouver Island.

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Michael Maren has masterminded his latest scheme using the titular Meg “Angel” to off the Taylors. Does he succeed?

Steve Alten, the author

This books entertains. No doubt.

Having said that, it takes liberties with science. All fishes/monsters in this book are super-sized. There are lot of descriptions of “747 sized fins”, “cave sized mouth”, “truck sized head” and so on. I guess the author knows how to sell his wares!

I like sharks and did enjoy this book.

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Image Source: VJBooks

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Meg: Origins

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Book Review: Meg: Origins by Steve Alten

This is a review of the Kindle version.

Hey, if Hollywood can do it, so can Steve Alten! 

So here is the “Origins” story for Jonas Taylor and Megs. Megheads, as Steve Alten likes to calls them, will devour this one. That's for granted. As for newcomers to the series, Alten would be hoping this book should make them a Meghead.

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He even provides some content from the first book in the Meg series in the hope that readers would fall hook, line and sinker for his series. Will they? That remains the million-dollar question, as Steve continues his never-ending quest to get the Meg series made into a multi-million dollar Hollywood movie franchise.

Steve Alten, the author

Steve even mentions Summer 2013 as the probable release date for the Meg movie. Here's rooting for your Steve. Hope that Meg movie gets released soon. 

As for the book, we meet a younger Jonas Taylor as he prepares to go deep down in the Mariana Trench. Jonas meets a really big Shark that exceeds 60 ft in length and is about to swallow his submarine. And what happens next? You will have to read the book to find out. Just kidding! Jonas Taylor is the main protaganist in the Meg series and he does make it through.

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Image Source: Revistaleemas

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Meg: Hell's Aquarium

Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror

Book Review: Meg: Hell's Aquarium by Steve Alten

This is a review of the Kindle version.

The story moves forward at a steady pace and all the twists and turns should be easily predicted by astute readers. The focus here is on the Megs and how gruesome can each of their attacks on the human snacks be made out to be. In both these aspects, Steve Alten scores big time as he invests each of the Megs with distinct personalities.

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In addition to the adult Meg (Angel), we have 6 more Megs. One is Scarface, the only Male meg in the novel and remaining 5 are Angel's runts. 2 of these are particularly menacing, while the remaining 3 are just regular Janes as far as a Meg can be.

Steve Alten, the author

The climax features a fight to the death between Angel and a 122 ft long Liopleurodon.

Recommended to Megheads only.

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Image Source: Pressthat 

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