The Great Zoo of China in Aussie Readers

Nov 15, 2014 Brenda rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-on-kindle, aussie-authors, 2015-release, net-galley, own-read, arc, thriller, science-fiction

Dr Cassandra Jane (CJ) Cameron, a veterinary surgeon with the San Francisco zoo and expert on reptiles, plus a writer for the National Geographic had been invited to China to view their newest creation – The Great Zoo of China. The zoo had been built over a period of many years under utmost secrecy – the world had no idea what the Chinese were hiding; what the Chinese government had kept close to their chests for so long. But the small group of VIPs and journalists from the US, along with Chines Dr Cassandra Jane (CJ) Cameron, a veterinary surgeon with the San Francisco zoo and expert on reptiles, plus a writer for the National Geographic had been invited to China to view their newest creation – The Great Zoo of China. The zoo had been built over a period of many years under utmost secrecy – the world had no idea what the Chinese were hiding; what the Chinese government had kept close to their chests for so long. But the small group of VIPs and journalists from the US, along with Chinese dignitaries were to be the first to view the unique phenomenon. CJ had been devastated by the death of her mentor Bill Lynch in the recent plane crash in China – that was why she, and not Bill, was heading to the zoo in the company of her brother and photographer Hamish.

As the members of the elite group of visitors exclaimed in awe, their hosts couldn’t hide their obvious pleasure in the reactions of their guests. From the very beginning of their visit, it had all been amazing; the Chinese had certainly pulled off a coup of massive proportions. So why wasn’t CJ convinced? Why was she uneasy at what she saw? As the group ventured deeper into the massive structure of the Zoo, their amazement continued…

But what would happen if these magnificent creatures were not under the control of their handlers? CJ and her group were assured that nothing could possibly go wrong. They had worked long and hard to make sure this was the case – they wouldn’t show the outside world their fantastic achievements unless they were totally sure of it all – now would they?

I haven't read Aussie author Matthew Reilly in quite a while, and I had forgotten the full-on action packed race from start to finish that he employs. I also found I had to completely suspend belief!!! Which I remember is another Reilly trait... The Great Zoo of China is a fast paced, action packed, fun and at times gruesome adventure novel with huge elements of science fiction throughout. A novel which will be enjoyed by young and old alike, especially if you are a Reilly fan. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
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Nov 14, 2014 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: aussie-author, arc-are, netgalley-reviews

"Ladies and gentlemen...Thank you for joining us on this most auspicious day. Today you will see a project that will be like nothing you have witnessed before, a $244 billion project that has been forty years in the making. It is a zoo that was built in a absolute secrecy because when it is revealed to the world it will cause a sensation."

Cassandra Jane ('CJ') Cameron, a writer for the National Geographic (who is also a veterinarian and renowned herpetologist) is one of a small group of America
"Ladies and gentlemen...Thank you for joining us on this most auspicious day. Today you will see a project that will be like nothing you have witnessed before, a $244 billion project that has been forty years in the making. It is a zoo that was built in a absolute secrecy because when it is revealed to the world it will cause a sensation."

Cassandra Jane ('CJ') Cameron, a writer for the National Geographic (who is also a veterinarian and renowned herpetologist) is one of a small group of American VIP's invited by the Chinese Government to tour The Great Zoo of China before it is unveiled to the world.
The Zoo is a spectacular sight, built in the Guangdong Province it looks like a primordial valley with forests and rock formations, lakes and waterfalls, ten miles wide and twenty miles long. And basking in the sun, perched on crumbling ruins and gliding through the air are dragons.

Of course CJ and the other visitors are assured the Zoo is safe. The Zoo itself is caged by two electromagnetic fields, the buildings, equipment and people protected by a similar sonic technology. Every dragon is fitted with a chip used to train and modify behaviour. Nothing can go wrong they are told... but of course it does.

From the moment the dragon's attack their cable car during the tour, CJ and her cohorts are running for their lives. The action is nonstop as they stumble from one incredible scenario into another, desperate to escape, facing down deadly dragons, cranky crocodiles and trigger happy soldiers.

The characters are larger than life, but without any real substance. CJ, the heroine, is beautiful (though scarred) with an eidetic memory and MacGyver-like skills. Her main allies include her brother, a photographer, the American Ambassador to China (who is largely useless), the ambassador's aide, Johnson, who is more than he seems, and later a Chinese electrician, Li. Naturally the villains are the Zoo's morally bankrupt administrative and political guardians, and CJ's nasty ex boyfriend, Ben, who eventually all meet appropriately grisly ends. In fact a significant number of people die in horribly unpleasant and gory ways.

I do have to give credit to Reilly for offering some interesting and somewhat plausible theories for the resurrection of the dragons, and for the creation of the Zoo. The interview with Reilly included in my copy of The Great Zoo of China shows he gave some thought to grounding his ideas. The parallels between The Great Zoo of China and Michael Chrichton's Jurassic Park are impossible to ignore though. Reilly admits it is his favourite novel of all time and though he endeavoured to put his own spin on it, I'm not sure he really succeeded.

The Great Zoo of China is a fast-paced, entertaining read, which requires the reader to suspend belief and just hang on for the ride. Those expecting anything more will likely be disappointed. ...more

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Jan 25, 2017 Kathryn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, fiction, australian-authors, reading-list-2017, kathryns-aty-2017

Fantasy and sci-fi are not my favourite genres, although I am cautiously branching out, however I still select books from this genre very judiciously. I am starting to trust Matthew Reilly, though, as an author who is a reliable author in these genres. This one is more fantasy than sci-fi, but I think the principle of reading any of his works is the same: Strap yourself in, hold on tight, suspend your disbelief and go along for the wild ride!

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Aug 15, 2014 Jenny Delandro rated it it was amazing

I loved it!
All the explosions and blood and gore... Matthew really does know how to throw a party..
I loved how the main character is a woman... who has survived an attack by a crocodile...
I loved the way this brave woman found the perfect solution to help her friends..
I have given the book to my husband to read...
Sharing the fun!!

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