In the Nevada desert, an experiment has gone horribly wrong. A cloud of nanoparticles -- micro-robots -- has escaped from the laboratory. This clou...
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Jan 01, 2012
Philip
rated it: 
I used to love Crichton. I got on a kick in high school where I read Jurassic Park, Terminal Man, Andromeda Strain, and Congo, and I liked them all. The stories and characters were overused stereotypes, but I always felt like I learned something because Crichton did such thorough research.
The last 2 I tried to read were Timeline and Prey. I couldn't even finish either one. The science was SOOO bad. I don't know if I've just gotten more sophisticated, or if he's jumped the shark, but More...
The last 2 I tried to read were Timeline and Prey. I couldn't even finish either one. The science was SOOO bad. I don't know if I've just gotten more sophisticated, or if he's jumped the shark, but More...
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Sep 30, 2008
Gary
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Like all Chrichton books, I really enjoyed this blend of modern technology, science, and fiction. It's an entertaining way to learn something new while enjoying a decent story. Yeah, it can be a slower read at times while you work thru the descriptive science, but I never felt that it distracted from the experience. Not as good as Jurassic Park, but a tad better than Sphere and much better than Congo, Timeline, & Eaters of the Dead.
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Feb 10, 2008
Allen
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Probably the worst book I have ever read (and believe me, that's saying something!). Michael Crichton (who used to write so well!) offends every branch of the sciences in this book. Suspending disbelief is one thing, but to buy this book would require a frontal lobotomy. Unless you want to have your intelligence offended, don't bother.
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Oct 25, 2007
Paul
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This is the only book I have intentionally left on a plane after reading it. It is so mind-numbingly stupid as to defy belief. Its pretty sad when completely nonsensical science gets combined with a dumb story. Get either of them about right and I'm happy, get both of them terribly wrong and I want my money back.
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Apr 27, 2008
Rhiannon
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Hated this book! I am convinced that this was done by a ghost writer as it was not up to Crichton's normal detailed story telling. I was bored, I didn't believe the story, and the characters were flat for me. Gag.
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Mar 01, 2009
David P.
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I remember I first learned that Jurassic Park was actually a book - that was sometime last year. Well, I read it this year, and Jurassic Park turned out to be one of the best books I've ever read. And then I saw Prey by Michael Crichton (the genius behind Jurassic Park) and figured "There's no way this is as good as Jurassic Park." After reading it, though, I found out that Prey is another home run by Michael Crichton, a spectacular book comparable to Jurassic Park, and probably a top
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Apr 28, 2007
Nathan
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I had to read this book for my second-semester artificial intelligence class because it deals with nano-bots that use swarm-intelligence--something we were studying at the time. Basically the idea is that large groups of individually "stupid" agents can potentially display seemingly intelligent behavior. Think about insects: ants are a good example. Each ant is incredibly stupid, and by itself would wander aimlessly and accomplish nothing. But a very simple set of pre-defined behav
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Dec 17, 2009
Dan
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A really good hard science fiction novel illustrating the potential danger of nanotechnology would be a welcome addition. Prey is not that novel.
Here’s the plot: Somewhere in the Nevada desert, a hi-tech corporation has been experimenting with nanotechnology swarms. Of course, the little critters get loose and begin evolving into fierce predators. Jack Foreman, an expert in designing computer programs that mimic the behavior of swarming animals, is called in to deal with the swar More...
Here’s the plot: Somewhere in the Nevada desert, a hi-tech corporation has been experimenting with nanotechnology swarms. Of course, the little critters get loose and begin evolving into fierce predators. Jack Foreman, an expert in designing computer programs that mimic the behavior of swarming animals, is called in to deal with the swar More...
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Mar 13, 2011
An improvement on "State Of Fear": The last of Michael Crichton's books I read was the poorly received "State OF Fear". I didn't enjoy that, so it really put me off buying any of his books for a while.
When I went on holidays I thought I'd take the plunge as his books are often easy to read. Having studied AI and agents in college, I found that it was an easy read from the science background but I think the average Joe would also be able to pick up on the key points he plott More...
When I went on holidays I thought I'd take the plunge as his books are often easy to read. Having studied AI and agents in college, I found that it was an easy read from the science background but I think the average Joe would also be able to pick up on the key points he plott More...
Feb 08, 2012
Donovan
rated it:
OK, I read this overnight while in hospital. It is a quick read and the story itself moves at a reasonably fast pace. It is typical Crichton with hard science mixed with morality issues. I found it a fun read.
Plot ***Spoilers***
The novel is narrated by the protagonist Jack Forman, who is an unemployed software programmer who used to work for a company called Media Tronics when he was fired for discovering an internal scandal. As a result, he is forced to take the role of a house h More...
Plot ***Spoilers***
The novel is narrated by the protagonist Jack Forman, who is an unemployed software programmer who used to work for a company called Media Tronics when he was fired for discovering an internal scandal. As a result, he is forced to take the role of a house h More...
Feb 05, 2012
Jane
rated it:
Полгода назад программист Джек Форман потерял работу. И не потерял даже, а его «ушли» с «волчьим билетом», потому что он вовремя не донес в полицию на махинации своего начальства. Теперь Джек сидит дома и воспитывает троих детей, а его жена Джулия делает карьеру – она стала вице-президентом компании, разрабатывающей нанотехнологии. Замученный домашним хозяйством муж начинает подозревать, что жена ему изменяет и хочет развестись. Ведь Джулия ведет себя очень странно – долго задерживается на работ
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Jan 11, 2012
Margit
rated it:
The dialogue often seemed staged, not natural. The first ~40% of the book was quite boring, with excessive details about the protagonist’s life as a stay-at-home dad since he had been out of work for the past six months, and technical details about biology and computer algorithms. Later in the book there were even snippets of computer code. It finally got exciting right before I was about to give up and put it down. You knew something was wrong the whole time up until then, but it was really slo
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Dec 01, 2011
Captain
rated it:
***WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS OF FIRST 14 PAGES!!!
I have read 14 pages of the science fiction novel by Michael Crichton, Prey. So far, the novel is focusing on the life of a 40 year old stay home father named Jack who quit his job at a company called MediaTronics after he figured out the company's president was having an affair with a young woman in accounting and performing other illegal actions involving the company's hardware. He describes himself as intelligent and strong skilled More...
I have read 14 pages of the science fiction novel by Michael Crichton, Prey. So far, the novel is focusing on the life of a 40 year old stay home father named Jack who quit his job at a company called MediaTronics after he figured out the company's president was having an affair with a young woman in accounting and performing other illegal actions involving the company's hardware. He describes himself as intelligent and strong skilled More...
Sep 30, 2011
Arielle
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 31, 2011
Victoria
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I purchased this book from a sale at Zellers along with 'Hide and Seek' by James Patterson (which I haven't read yet) in a 2/$5 deal + 10% off with an SPC card. Being familiar with Patterson's works, I took a bit of a chance with this one, having, well, never really heard of it.
The brief blurb on the back cover reminded me of themes used in many other science fiction movies and books, with out-of-control, replicating technology. However, the main difference is that with these is that, More...
The brief blurb on the back cover reminded me of themes used in many other science fiction movies and books, with out-of-control, replicating technology. However, the main difference is that with these is that, More...
Jun 25, 2011
Jay
rated it:
Prey (2002) by Michael Crichton.
A surprisingly easy read. Before reading _Prey_,) I don't recall having read *any* of Michael Crichton's books as an adult. I'd seen several movies based on his work (_The Andromeda Strain_, _Jurassic Park_, _Sphere_, and _Timeline_), and I knew Crichton created the TV show _ER,_ which my wife has watched religiously over the years.
At first I was a little daunted by the book's 500-plus pages, but Crichton's prose was so easy to read th More...
A surprisingly easy read. Before reading _Prey_,) I don't recall having read *any* of Michael Crichton's books as an adult. I'd seen several movies based on his work (_The Andromeda Strain_, _Jurassic Park_, _Sphere_, and _Timeline_), and I knew Crichton created the TV show _ER,_ which my wife has watched religiously over the years.
At first I was a little daunted by the book's 500-plus pages, but Crichton's prose was so easy to read th More...
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Jun 09, 2011
An improvement on "State Of Fear": The last of Michael Crichton's books I read was the poorly received "State OF Fear". I didn't enjoy that, so it really put me off buying any of his books for a while.
When I went on holidays I thought I'd take the plunge as his books are often easy to read. Having studied AI and agents in college, I found that it was an easy read from the science background but I think the average Joe would also be able to pick up on the key poin More...
When I went on holidays I thought I'd take the plunge as his books are often easy to read. Having studied AI and agents in college, I found that it was an easy read from the science background but I think the average Joe would also be able to pick up on the key poin More...
May 31, 2011
Jason
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 05, 2010
Gary
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Oct 29, 2010
Gein
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October 27, 2010r
Sci-Fi Lovers Should Read!!
Prey
By: Michael Crichton
Prey is an awesome book to read. Not only is it just suspenseful but it shows some truth about what can go wrong with technology. Michael Crichton did some research to have some of the facts right. One fact that he research is that some machines are being use, currently today, as to see inside organisms or to detect cancer cells. I say this because there is a section wher More...
Sci-Fi Lovers Should Read!!
Prey
By: Michael Crichton
Prey is an awesome book to read. Not only is it just suspenseful but it shows some truth about what can go wrong with technology. Michael Crichton did some research to have some of the facts right. One fact that he research is that some machines are being use, currently today, as to see inside organisms or to detect cancer cells. I say this because there is a section wher More...
Aug 23, 2010
Ron
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Jul 23, 2010
Jerry
rated it:
Inventive tale about "nanotechnology" - wild suspense...
He's not merely a great author -- Crichton is one of the most imaginative, inventive writers of our times. This, his 13th work of fiction, reminds us of the empire he spawned with Jurassic Park -- a story plausible enough to scare us, entertain us, educate us, and grip us from start to finish. Ironically, the book starts out a little slow, laying the framework for recently turned house-husband Jack Forman, his ex-w More...
He's not merely a great author -- Crichton is one of the most imaginative, inventive writers of our times. This, his 13th work of fiction, reminds us of the empire he spawned with Jurassic Park -- a story plausible enough to scare us, entertain us, educate us, and grip us from start to finish. Ironically, the book starts out a little slow, laying the framework for recently turned house-husband Jack Forman, his ex-w More...
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May 30, 2010
Tenink
rated it:
Liburan paling pas adalah baca buku di hammock sambil dibuai semilir angin di tepi pantai...
Just my dream come true, wish it will last forever without thinking about my job :-)
Buku ini aku temukan di tumpukan buku sebiuah hostel backpacker ditepi pantai. Good choice from Michael Crichton. Novel suspense dengan bumbu teknologi nano microiologi. Meski gak gitu ngerti teknologi nano microbiologi tapi itulah hebat nya Chricton, bisa menceritakan tanpa menimbulkan kebingungan dan bo More...
Just my dream come true, wish it will last forever without thinking about my job :-)
Buku ini aku temukan di tumpukan buku sebiuah hostel backpacker ditepi pantai. Good choice from Michael Crichton. Novel suspense dengan bumbu teknologi nano microiologi. Meski gak gitu ngerti teknologi nano microbiologi tapi itulah hebat nya Chricton, bisa menceritakan tanpa menimbulkan kebingungan dan bo More...
May 25, 2010
Brent
rated it:
Okay, it's rare I stay up until 1 am reading Michael Crichton. I was interested but not that impressed with Next, but hey, you don't hit a home run every time you're up to bat, unless you're Barry Bonds or Mark McGuire. *rimshot*
Anyway, with "Prey", Crichton may have been taking performance enhancing drugs because the book was a fascinating read from start to finish. Evolutionary biology, computer modeling of natural phenomena, swarm/flock behavior, the book is full of s More...
Anyway, with "Prey", Crichton may have been taking performance enhancing drugs because the book was a fascinating read from start to finish. Evolutionary biology, computer modeling of natural phenomena, swarm/flock behavior, the book is full of s More...
Mar 10, 2010
lff
rated it:
Esoteric explanations for pages and pages, I don’t think I really need to know about all the science behind the micro-robots to clearly understand the storyline. General summarizations of what they are and how it contributes to the story is all that I need. The introduction of Prey by Michael Crichton was sluggish, stretched and too detailed most of the time. The majority of it at the beginning was unnecessary. It only made it hard to keep the attention of the reader and instead, gave them t
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Dec 02, 2009
Jin
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Oct 21, 2009
George
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Jack Forman was fired from his job at MediaTronics, and ends up becoming a stay at home dad. Right as he manages to get used to his new responsibilities he is pulled into a situation unlike any other involving his wife's work.
This book was pretty good, nothing that spectacular about it, but a good solid read. It had a rather used concept, but in a new way that I could have never thought of, and I doubt anyone would in 2002 when the book was published. The plot is insane, yet int More...
This book was pretty good, nothing that spectacular about it, but a good solid read. It had a rather used concept, but in a new way that I could have never thought of, and I doubt anyone would in 2002 when the book was published. The plot is insane, yet int More...
Oct 02, 2009
Alexandria
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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May 16, 2009
Chris
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The one good thing I can say about the book Prey is this: it's easy to review because I can just cut and paste my review to some of the author's other books and feel like I'm understanding the author's artistic method. I'm looking at you in particular, Timeline and Jurassic Park, although Jurassic Park receives more stars by simply being the first of his that I read, many years before the movie was made.
It opens with the discovery of time travel/nanotechnology/perfectly preserved di More...
It opens with the discovery of time travel/nanotechnology/perfectly preserved di More...
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Sep 20, 2011
Austin
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“Prey” is the first book I ever read by Michael Crichton, and immediately had me hooked on his addictive writing style. He tells the story of an isolated research facility that becomes locked in a battle with the nano-bots of their own creation; the programming behind these potentially life saving machines causes them to learn, but with distorted and violent intentions. The plot of the story combined with perfectly executed scenes throughout make this a truly memorable read.
The plo More...
The plo More...
