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15th out of 45 books
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47 voters
Meg: Origins (MEG 0)
Commander Jonas Taylor is tasked with piloting the US Navy's most advanced submersible, the DSV Sea Cliff, to the bottom of Challenger Deep — 36,000 feet below the surface — into what is very much an undiscovered country. What he finds there — a remnant population of luminous, prehistoric Megalodons — will change the course of the rest of his life.
In this prequel to his N...more
In this prequel to his N...more
Kindle Edition, 76 pages
Published
August 16th 2011
by Gere Donovan Press
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MEG: ORIGINS is a prequel of sorts to the author's first novel, MEG, the tale of Jonas Taylor's second encounter with the Megalodon, the ancestor to the modern Great White shark, still alive in the depths of the Mariana Trench, seven miles deep, forty miles wide, heated by thermal vents.
I've heard a great deal about that novel MEG, one that it had to be heavily rewritten by a ghost writer before it was publishable. Not sure if I believe that. I enjoyed it while realizing it was a first novel. Li...more
I've heard a great deal about that novel MEG, one that it had to be heavily rewritten by a ghost writer before it was publishable. Not sure if I believe that. I enjoyed it while realizing it was a first novel. Li...more
Many people would characterize the Meg series as a guilty pleasure. I think it's silly to get apologetic about one's choice in entertainment, but I'd certainly admit that Alten's books are goofy. The subject matter (giant prehistoric sharks!) is so appealing, however, that I have no trouble ignoring the creaky bits and enjoying the ride.
I've always liked sharks, and Alten focuses on one of the most interesting of all: Carcharodon megalodon, ancestor to the great white shark. Through some REALLY...more
I've always liked sharks, and Alten focuses on one of the most interesting of all: Carcharodon megalodon, ancestor to the great white shark. Through some REALLY...more
I was looking forward to the next installment when I got the email about this one :D
I think if you haven't read any of the series this is a great place to start as for me because I have read the other books and they are quite action packed with lots of appearances from the Meg. This one was still good but because it is the start of the story there is more time dedicated to the characters and the build up for the following books. A short quick read as I finished it in one day.
The other thing I lo...more
I think if you haven't read any of the series this is a great place to start as for me because I have read the other books and they are quite action packed with lots of appearances from the Meg. This one was still good but because it is the start of the story there is more time dedicated to the characters and the build up for the following books. A short quick read as I finished it in one day.
The other thing I lo...more
Say whatever you want about Steve Alten's writing, but at least his books are consistently entertaining. Meg: Origins, though, is the first time one of his novels (in this case, novella) has ever bored me to tears. I wouldn't have even finished it, except that it was so short. There is virtually no story here and no character development whatsoever, just a lot of fact spewing and long descriptions of machines and various marine life. Nothing happens here that can't be inferred from reading Meg....more
So now we finally know about Jonas Taylors past in this prequel to the best selling Meg series by Steve Alten...it's about bloody time! I've been reading this series since 2005 and I've been dying to know exactly what happened to him while in the Marianna Trench.
For me while this book was lacking in length, it made up for it in the simple fact that it was from the Meg series. True I didn't like it as much as the novels but I would think that that is a given because its only about 74 pages long....more
For me while this book was lacking in length, it made up for it in the simple fact that it was from the Meg series. True I didn't like it as much as the novels but I would think that that is a given because its only about 74 pages long....more
My fascination with cheesy monster stories began with the release of movies like Anaconda, Deep Blue Sea, and Lake Placid, and continues with this series of books. It's a nice, easy read with an enticingly horrific monster -- the presumed extinct, mind-numbingly large, stuff of which nautical nightmares are made Carcharodon megalodon! Gigantic prehistoric sharks on the loose = campy reading fun that is perfect for when you're stuck at home sick, tired of those dry textbooks, or need a break from...more
So I finished this book within an hour or so, but wow. It really made me want to go back and read the whole series again. This is a great short story/novella completely in the same vain as all the other "Meg" series books.
If you haven't read any of them yet, read this and you will soon be reading the first book in the series, and if, like myself, you've finished the entire series (that he's written so far) this will have you chomping at the bits for another addition to the "Meg" family.
If you haven't read any of them yet, read this and you will soon be reading the first book in the series, and if, like myself, you've finished the entire series (that he's written so far) this will have you chomping at the bits for another addition to the "Meg" family.
For a prequel Meg: Origans is a good one, I liked how Steve wove the beginning of his grand adventure with the addtion of a second ship that knew of the Meg's before Jonas Taylor had his first encounter and was really lead to the location that the Sea Cliff had dove too by that same ship since they had the bright idea to try and bring a 40 foot Meg up from the depths. I recommend that this story is read after reading the first chapter of the orignal book Meg then continue on.
A short little novella, and quick read, it is nice to see how the author's writing has improved since Meg. And I will never say no to a little more background. Hopefully the newly introduced players will be appearing in the next novel.
These are a guilty pleasure for me -- I usually prefer historical fiction, mysteries, or something character-driven. That being said -- these are a fun romp, like watching an action movie. I found Alten got a little too technical in his descriptions of the equipment, but it was great action that I couldn't put down. Now I want to re-read the first one that kept referring to this incident!
Obviously, as a prequel, there won't be much surprise or suspense. You've read the book that follows, so you know how it all turned out. It works as a short novella and it was an interesting insight into the backgrounds. Not fantastic, but decent.
This is a fast, intense read!!! If you've never read Meg (Book #1) I would start with that one first... This is a prequel, but it's more of a taste. I think you'd enjoy it more if you already know Jonas.
I was holding my breath through a couple scenes! So intense! :)
I was holding my breath through a couple scenes! So intense! :)
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MEG Origins was a very fast paced, intense read. This is the story that comes before Alten's first MEG book. It's a look at the beginning of Jonas Taylor's first encounter with the most monsterous great white ever. I really enjoyed the character dialog and the little tidbit about Mr. John Riley. Someday I'd love to find out where Alten gets these funny little ditties. Also, the artwork that came with this ebook version was fantastic. Along with Alten's description, the pictures will make you hop...more
I thought was really good. I read the 1st Meg Novel back when it came out and this did open some new story for me. Especially learning a little more about Taylor and Mac. Now I want to re-read the 1st novel.
Nice fast read. The portrayal of the Navy was a little cliché and bordering on obscene, but I enjoyed the action and the story line. I will have to purchase the next one so I can continue the story.
The MEG series is without doubt an all around great read. This one is no exception, I loved it! My only complaint is that there aren't more of the MEG books yet. Another is on the way though and I can't wait!
A short prequel concerning how Jonas Taylor first encountered the giant predator known as Carcharodon Megalodon. Very good. I read it on my Kindle. Excellent start to the whole series.
I have read several of the meg books and really enjoyed them. I now understand more about what happened to Jonus Tyler in the Marania Trench. Great short story to read.
A semi-entertaining origin story of the characters in the Meg series. Don't bother unless you are really invested in the characters and even then I wouldn't bother unless you had nothing better to do.
Very short prequel to the first Meg novel. Good prequel, but not really a story in it self. Not even much interaction with the shark. I would have liked a bit more to the story... Still worth the read if you liked Meg.
A nice little prequel. Very short but a good introduction to the characters.
Excellent primer for the Meg series. Steve... Don't wait so long for the 5th book!
Good introduction to the series. Makes me want to read Meg all over again.
Good book. Giant shark. Nuff said. Looking forward to the next book!
This is the first of Steve Alten's works I have read. Even for a short story, it is super fast paced. It's a very simple story and not much action. I think it is meant to fill in some gaps about the characters from the novel MEG. I might have enjoyed it more if I had read that novel first. The ending left me wanting to continue the series.
Good fun mindless fiction!
excellent short novella
Mar 18, 2012
Mason
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Mason by:
masonweatherly@hotmail.com
Shelves:
thrillers
Good short story. It is a prequel to MEG and fits in nicely in the MEg series of books.
Makes me want to reread the whole series again!
This is a very short read indeed. To me it didn't feel as action packed as the actual books in the series but this one looked more into getting to know the characters you come across later in the first book. I will say this though, it was nice to read what really happened down in those trenches. I recommend reading this prequel before tackling the first Meg book so you know what Jonas went through during his first dive.
1 like · like · see review
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Steve Alten (born August 21, 1959, Philadelphia) is an American science fiction author. He is best known for his Meg series, a set of novels around the fictitious survival of the Megalodon, a giant prehistoric shark. Alten holds a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University, a master's in sports medicine from the University of Delaware and a doctorate in sports administration from Temple...more
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Apr 03, 2012 11:52am