"Jurassic Park" by Michael Crichton

Book Details:
Title- Jurassic Park (Jurassic Park #1)
Author- Michael Crichton
Published- 1991: Ballantine Books (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.) (Originally published in 1990)
ISBN- 0-345-37077-5
Pages- 400 pages
Genre- Thriller - Science Fiction
Rating- 5 of 5


My Review:
Never a disappointment to science fiction fans, I have found that Crichton's novels are always the quality readers want to read and writers want to achieve. His 'Jurassic Park' trilogy not only thrilled millions of readers worldwide, they successfully terrified movie-goers.

John Hammond, an elderly billionaire with a passion for dinosaurs, has purchased his own island off the coast of Coasta Rica, hired the top scientists in engineering, genetics, mathematics, and various other fields, and had dinosaurs grown from bits of preserved DNA, all for the sake of the greatest zoological attraction for children in the world. When problems begin occurring on the super-secret island attraction-in-progress known as "Jurassic Park", it's a true battle of man versus nature as the occupants of this secluded island come face-to-face with their own prehistoric creations- monsters that were never meant to coexist with humankind. Paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant is summoned from his most recent dig to tour the island, along with his assistant Dr. Ellie Sattler, in the hopes of recruiting Grant to back the island's creation and join Hammond's team. Hammond even shows his confidence in his prehistoric replica that he also includes his own two young grandchildren in the first-ever guided tour of the park. It takes very little time for the flaws of this plan to become evident, leaving everyone at the mercy of animals they know very little about. Fighting for control, as well as survival, the island's occupants experience the horror of creature who it seems are probably extinct for a reason.

Much more than merely a thrilling work of fiction, this novel carries a greater message to the reader, a warning of the dangers of advancing technology for the sake of glory and riches, without consideration for whether their advancements should take place just because they can, and without fully understanding the technology they're dealing with. Jurassic Park addresses specifically the on-going debate surrounding the ethical use of DNA engineering, and serves as a global warning of its potentially disastrous effects. This is mostly done through the rantings of one Dr. Ian Malcolm, a mathematician enlisted to help make Jurassic Park functional, though he doesn't share the views of John Hammond. Through Malcolm, Crichton delivers several deep, philosophical tirades about man trying to control nature without realizing that nature cannot be controlled, and even long after man has destroyed themselves, and maybe even all current life on the planet, the ancient earth will survive, and eventually life will spring up again, adapted to whatever changes have occurred to the planet. It will be like man never existed. This lesson is delivered so passionately by the character that no reader can ignore or deny the truth in his words.

A fascinating read with a strong message, Jurassic Park is the perfect read for all sci-fi fans. The wide variety of characters' backgrounds and personalities, the heart-pounding scenes, and exquisitely descriptive language bring the existence of Jurassic Park to life for the reader in a way I have never before experienced in this genre.

"The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown

Book Details:

Title- <i>The Lost Symbol</i> (Robert Langdon, #3)

Author- Dan Brown

Published- 2009: Doubleday

ISBN- 978-0-385-50422-5

Pages- 509 pages

Genre- Thriller

Rating- 4 of 5

 

My Review:

In this sequel to the literary and cinematic phenomenon The Da Vinci Code, symbologist Robert Langdon is once again thrown into the world of the Freemasons. Finally, this one takes place on his own U.S. soil. Summoned to the country's capital, Langdon becomes entangled in the lore and well-hidden secrets of the ultra-secret society when a mysterious object is discovered in the Capitol Building and his long-time friend and known-Mason Peter Solomon is kidnapped by a madman who has successfully infiltrated the Masons, reaching the coveted 33rd degree with the intention of personally gaining, as well as divulging their greatest secrets and using them to take down the society.

Accompanied by Peter's sister Katherine, Langdon follows the trail of clues left by ancient Masons to find his friend in time to save his life. Plunged deep within hidden passages and tunnels weaving through Washington, D.C., following Langdon is once again as much a learning experience for the reader as a cunningly well-written thriller, filled with as much fact as fiction.

My only complaint with this series is the lack of subject variation. All three novels revolve around the Freemasons and Illuminati, societies Langdon is not even a member of. I would love to see this world-famous symbologist delve into the secrets of another culture or society. While all three novels are gripping and fascinating, a little variation in subject matter would be a welcome change in my eyes, and show Brown's talent as a writer and researcher to introduce readers to another side of Robert Langdon- a side that is fluent in other areas of symbology.

Well worth the read to history buffs, as well as fans of thrillers. The famous Langdon novels are not to be missed!

"Eldest" by Christopher Paolini

Book Details:

Title- Eldest (Inheritance Cycle #2)

Author- Christopher Paolini

Published- 2005: Alfred A. Knopf

ISBN- 0-375-82670-X

Pages- 668 pages

Genre- Young Adult - Fantasy

Rating- 4 of 5

 

My Review:

Young Paolini's second installment of the Inheritance Cycle exceeds expectations, following the success of Eragon. One of the most widely read young adult fantasy series, the Inheritance Cycle follows farm boy-turned-Dragon Rider, Eragon and his dragon Saphira to all ends of their world of Alagaesia to avenge the death of Eragon's uncle, Garrow, to destroy the evil King Galbatorix, and to restore peace and prosperity to all races in the land. Along the way, many allies, as well as enemies, are made, weaving a memorable storyline with a complex web of memorable characters.

Eldest begins and ends in the wake of battle, with Eragon and Saphira's grand adventures and personal growth filling the pages in between. We also follow the struggles of Eragon's hometown of Carvahall through the eyes of his cousin Roran, another strong personality fighting for the greater good, among his own personal reasons.

I did find this book to be slow-moving and often difficult to keep my attention on, as many long journeys and battles take place, as is almost mandatory for the fantasy genre. Yet I also found myself unable to put it down for long, desperate to discover the many plot twists and secrets along the way.

My personal opinion is that one cannot be a fan of the fantasy genre, adults and young adults alike, and pass up the chance to briefly live in the world of Alagaesia through the four Eragon novels. While some parts are slow-moving and tedious, I encourage every reader to continue on, as every scene is significant in some way, to the series as a while. If nothing else, the characters and races represented show great thought and imagination and make the series definitely deserving og the hype that followed its publication. Readers, and all fans of the fantasy genre, do yourselves a favor and pick up the Inheritance Cycle- you won't be disappointed.