Meg
Author(s):
Alten, Steve
Publisher:
Doubleday
Date:
1997
ISBN:
0-385-48905-6
Cause:
Lost World (Cryptozoology)
Creatures:
Extinct Fish
Submitted by:
Mike Riley (03/07/04)
Exerpt:
“Seconds before the twenty-five-foot swell reached the surfer, the Megalodon's nine-foot maw rose from the dark sea beneath him, engulfing Barnes and his surfboard and lifting both twenty feet into the air. As the wave crashed into its exposed girth, the monster slammed its mouth on surfer and board like a steel bear trap, exerting more than 40,000 pounds per square inch of brute force. Blood and froth shot upward as the Meg shook its head back and forth instinctively, shredding the remains of the carcass still dangling from its jaws, sending chunks of pink flesh and fiberglass cascading outward in a thousand directions. Then it was gone.”
Reviews:
"Two Words: Jurassic Shark" (Los Angeles Times)
"This first novel offers nonstop excitement" (Library Journal)
"MEG, A Novel of Deep Terror" will never be classified as a deep novel of terror, but it is a fun read, particularly if you're a fan of the monster horror/thriller genre." (Neil Walsh)
"An adrenaline-pumping thriller!" (The New York Post)
"This excellent debut from novelist Steve Alten is more than just a Jaws remake. While it will certainly please lovers of Jaws-type novels - it is also appealing because of its details on underwater exploration and the high-tech equipment involved. " (Writers Write)
"An utterly amazing climax." (Kirkus Reviews)
3-1/2 Scars 3-1/2 Scars

My Opinion:
This is a very good but short read. Kind of a cross between Jaws and Jurassic Park only without the genetic engineering. The author spends a lot of effort providing a relatively plausible explanation (at least as far as these kinds of stories go) of how a prehistoric shark could have survived into modern day. Plenty of suspense and character development. It is tough not to compare all shark-related stories to the Jaws novel. In my opinion, Meg is a more "intellectual" than Jaws and is nearly as believable even though the animal is "extinct". This book is definitely a worthwhile read.

Return to top of this page

Prehistoric Animal Encyclopedia

Collectibles Index

Trade & Sales Lists

Fiction Books Featuring Man Against Prehistoric Beasts and/or Monsters

Links to Other Websites & Resources

News and Updates

Who is this 'Dinosaur Fan'?

The Dinosaur Fan Home Page


Viewing Info. & Technical Support