Hell's Aquarium
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Buddy Read, Chap. 1-9 (with Spoilers)
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Started! A prologue with a quick history of Earth‘s geological history and a brief summary of marine evolution all the way to the Megalodon, followed by a first chapter that summarizes the previous books, interspersed with the beginning of this book‘s plot.
Cathy wrote: "Started! A prologue with a quick history of Earth‘s geological history and a brief summary of marine evolution all the way to the Megalodon, followed by a first chapter that summarizes the previo..."
Alten seems to start a lot of his books that way!
Purchased for Kindle but haven't started yet. Hoping to finish Norco '80: The True Story of the Most Spectacular Bank Robbery in American History tonight for another group read then start reading Hell's Aquarium tomorrow.
I made it to chapter 4 last night. The book follows his usual set-up so far. I looked up and learned things about the Phillippine Sea Plate and its tectonics that I didn‘t know, so that is good.
However, the third person present tense narration is weird. I wish Alten‘s writing would get better. He should be able to afford an editor at least, after one of his books was turned into a movie, right? 😏
Cathy wrote: "However, the third person present tense narration is weird."It is a little weird, indeed. But other than that I'm quite happy thus far (I'm in chapter 5). I enjoyed the action at the lagoon and suppose that it will get pretty silly real soon, considering what kind of creatures they're hoping to find.
Plenty of more action in the lagoon!
Oh, okay. I thought they would soon be off to Dubai, or the lost world.
Parallel plots with alternating locations.
Ah, that's good, actually.
Unless every other chapter ends with a cliffhanger, lol...
Cathy wrote: "Parallel plots with alternating locations."Argh! That was my complaint about the last couple books. Was hoping Alten would stop that.
But so far I'm enjoying it. Found some images of pliosaurs so I could imagine it killing Scarface:
The alternating plotlines add a nice urgency to the proceedings, wanting to read faster to reach the next chapter...Nice image. Looking forward to what else you‘ll post of the other critters we will meet in later chapters...
Here is a nice one of the Leedsichthys...
Done with chapter 9. I was just about to complain that there's not enough action now, and then the sub gets smashed into the aquarium window. Nice one.
Cathy wrote: "Here is a nice one of the Leedsichthys..."
So proper & dignified looking!
Dennis wrote: "Done with chapter 9. I was just about to complain that there's not enough action now, and then the sub gets smashed into the aquarium window. Nice one."Finished that chapter also! Had a hard time visualizing the logistics of that attack. Somehow I missed why they needed to submerse in the first place. Just to get the meg's DNA? I'd have thought the Tanaka Institute would have already had some strands on file...
One of the things I enjoyed unexpectedly about these opening chapters is seeing the Taylor family together. Aging Jonas, sphynx-like Terry, vibrant Dani, and burgeoning hero David. Unlike some other monster books, here I can actually picture these people, recognize their family dynamics, and feel the ups & downs of their relationships.I think Alten is smart to pass the baton partially from Jonas to David. Some thriller series are kind of silly where CIA agent or whoever seems to be plugging away for 30+ years seemingly without losing a step.
Russ wrote: "Finished that chapter also! Had a hard time visualizing the logistics of that attack. Somehow I missed why they needed to submerse in the first place. Just to get the meg's DNA? I'd have thought the Tanaka Institute would have already had some strands on file..."I think it was for the DNA, yes. Speaking of visualizing, is your book having a couple of illustrations as well?
I think Alten is smart to pass the baton partially from Jonas to David. Some thriller series are kind of silly where CIA agent or whoever seems to be plugging away for 30+ years seemingly without losing a step.
Yeah, but then again, why is Jonas that old in the first place? Was it between books 3 and 4 when suddenly all those years had passed?
Dennis wrote: "Speaking of visualizing, is your book having a couple of illustrations as well?..."Yes. I thought it was odd at first since this doesn't normally happen in adult fiction. But then I remembered illustrations in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea so I decided this is fair game.
Dennis wrote: "Yeah, but then again, why is Jonas that old in the first place? Was it between books 3 and 4 when suddenly all those years had passed?..."I think he may have already been middle-age to start with in book 1, because he was already a Navy veteran by that point. And then he goes to grad school and becomes a marine biologist, I think? By book 3, Dani is already of legal age, and Jonas feels old.
Russ wrote: "Dennis wrote: "Speaking of visualizing, is your book having a couple of illustrations as well?..."Yes. I thought it was odd at first since this doesn't normally happen in adult fiction. But then ..."
I thought it was interesting seeing the Tanaka Institute. However, I'm not sure the dimensions make sense.
Dennis wrote: "I'm not sure the dimensions make sense..."How so? Not the right size for the megs? Too wide open?
Considering the size of the Meg it seems odd that the thing would only fit 15,000 people. It looks huge. The canal on the other hand seems a little narrow, considering that Angel apparently spends most of her time there.
Dennis wrote: "Considering the size of the Meg it seems odd that the thing would only fit 15,000 people. It looks huge. The canal on the other hand seems a little narrow, considering that Angel apparently spends ..."True dat.
Spoilers are included in this discussion of chapters 1-9. If the first to post, feel free to summarize briefly to guide the discussion. Thanks!