Wednesday, 4 February 2015

The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly

The Great Zoo of China
By Matthew Reilly
Published by Gallery Books (12 February 2015)
ISBN: 978-1476749556








Publisher's description
The all-new thriller from #1 internationally bestselling author Matthew Reilly!

It is a secret the Chinese government has been keeping for forty years. They have found a species of animal no one believed even existed. It will amaze the world. Now the Chinese are ready to unveil their astonishing discovery within the greatest zoo ever constructed. A small group of VIPs and journalists has been brought to the zoo deep within China to see its fabulous creatures for the first time. Among them is Dr Cassandra Jane 'CJ' Cameron, a writer for National Geographic and an expert on reptiles. The visitors are assured by their Chinese hosts that they will be struck with wonder at these beasts, that they are perfectly safe, and that nothing can go wrong. Of course it can't…

GET READY FOR ACTION ON A GIGANTIC SCALE.


My verdict
As promised in the publisher's description, The Great Zoo of China certainly gives you action, as well as blood, gory deaths and destruction. If you like action movies, then this is an ideal book for you. The Great Zoo of China reminded me of Jurassic Park - not the book (which I haven't read) but the film. Once it starts, the action doesn't stop, right through to the end.

It was obvious from the first chapter that this book was going to end in disaster. Some of action scenes were so over the top and far fetched that I found them hilarious. Eventually though, the book descends into fantasy more than action thriller, with its implausible storyline.

Most of the characters die off by the end, but it's obvious early on which ones are likely to survive. CJ started off as a believable character, with her scarred face and expertise on reptiles. But then it all goes downhill. I certainly didn't expect a herpetologist turned vet to become such an amazing action figure, with her ability to operate weapons and literally 'dive' out of precarious situations. She saves the day virtually single-handed.

I received an Advance Review Copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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