Scan barcode
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
Nell and Geoffrey Binswanger barely survived Hender’s Island. However what they found on the island has made them celebrities. All Nell and Geoffrey want is to get some rest and relaxation. They are heading to Hawaii for their honeymoon. Before they can make it, they get an offer they can not refuse.
Russian billionaire, Maxim Dragolovich offers them a chance to research some new subterranean species. Nell and Geoffrey agree. Nell and Geoffrey are about to learn what hell is like.
Pandemonium is full of creepy, crawly creatures. Some that just might give you nightmares. I enjoyed looking at the graphics in the back of the book featuring some of the creatures and Pandemonium. This book kind of had the feel of X-Files meets Jurassic Park. Can you imagine what that would really look like? No, thank you. I would not want to purchase a ticket on that ride. There would be more to worry about then just King Kong.
My only criticism with this book and it is really mine but there are references to the events that took place in the first book, Fragment. I say it is my fault about this because I have wanted to read Fragment but have not yet. So after reading this book it just renewed my interest to read the prior novel. Purchasing a copy. I had a good idea or what happened in the first book but still it was a little off putting at first to read this book and keep having references and characters from the prior novel appearing in this book. I would say that this book is better read in chronological order and not as a stand alone novel.
Russian billionaire, Maxim Dragolovich offers them a chance to research some new subterranean species. Nell and Geoffrey agree. Nell and Geoffrey are about to learn what hell is like.
Pandemonium is full of creepy, crawly creatures. Some that just might give you nightmares. I enjoyed looking at the graphics in the back of the book featuring some of the creatures and Pandemonium. This book kind of had the feel of X-Files meets Jurassic Park. Can you imagine what that would really look like? No, thank you. I would not want to purchase a ticket on that ride. There would be more to worry about then just King Kong.
My only criticism with this book and it is really mine but there are references to the events that took place in the first book, Fragment. I say it is my fault about this because I have wanted to read Fragment but have not yet. So after reading this book it just renewed my interest to read the prior novel. Purchasing a copy. I had a good idea or what happened in the first book but still it was a little off putting at first to read this book and keep having references and characters from the prior novel appearing in this book. I would say that this book is better read in chronological order and not as a stand alone novel.
readers_block's review against another edition
3.0
I was very disappointed by this book. It was pointlessly confusing. I read the first one, but not too recently, and it seemed as though you needed a map of the first one in order to navigate the second one. Once I let go of the fact that I was frustrate by my confusion and just let the story happen, it was decent. The plot has the potential to be something amazing (alien life hidden right here on earth), but it turns into this murderous, villainous mess. I did enjoy the cool drawings and diagrams at the back of the book, but that was pretty much my favorite part.
royalraspberry's review
4.0
I picked Pandemonium up on a whim from the grocery store (you'd think I would've learned better by now), because the cover was lovely and the little snippet on the back sounded like a fun way to waste a few days. I was expecting absolutely nothing from this book, and was blown away by how much fun it was. I suppose I should hesitate to use the word 'fun' as (spoiler) people are getting torn apart by giant bugs while sealed in a cold-war era underground town, but that's not the point.
The writing is solid (with a few things I kind of got tired of - the time stamps a minute or two apart separating a paragraph to have a character make inane comments), the plot is a blast, and the characters are incredibly interesting. This is a sequel but is absolutely a great stand alone book - though I'm definitely going to pick up the first one.
The writing is solid (with a few things I kind of got tired of - the time stamps a minute or two apart separating a paragraph to have a character make inane comments), the plot is a blast, and the characters are incredibly interesting. This is a sequel but is absolutely a great stand alone book - though I'm definitely going to pick up the first one.
mondak's review
3.0
Is it fair to compare books by the same author? I mean I like Warren Fahy so far and think he has a good voice in his books so far. The thing is that this one could have been a bit better. Again. I liked it. Neat concept.
The thing is that it could have had a stronger editor I suspect. I mean, I am not talking about grammar or spelling or something here. There were a few plot holes that were big enough to be distracting but might be able to be ignored I suppose. I didn't feel like you couldn't change a few things to close them though. I suspect a good editor who was a bit more critical of the book could have helped that.
Worse for me at least is that I feel like Warren missed some opportunities at character development. I know he is capable of doing a good job of character development from his other books. But really, not one single character was really and truly deeply developed.
If someone got killed, I didn't care. Just met them. Even if one of the "main characters" die, would I care?
Case in point the helicopter thing. Elite team gets put together. They have diverse skills and backgrounds blah blah blah. Why not be following one or more of them BEFORE they get thrown together. Dima and Nina fall in love and get married. Don't care. Really. I should have. Pull a Clancy and be following a person early on where the reader knows them, is interested in them and wonders "how is all this going to come together?" Too much work? Would make the book too long? Then get rid of them.
My advice for next time: after first draft, try and cut out a third of the characters. Develop the hell out of the ones who are left and finish with a great book. This one felt rushed.
The thing is that it could have had a stronger editor I suspect. I mean, I am not talking about grammar or spelling or something here. There were a few plot holes that were big enough to be distracting but might be able to be ignored I suppose. I didn't feel like you couldn't change a few things to close them though. I suspect a good editor who was a bit more critical of the book could have helped that.
Worse for me at least is that I feel like Warren missed some opportunities at character development. I know he is capable of doing a good job of character development from his other books. But really, not one single character was really and truly deeply developed.
Case in point the helicopter thing. Elite team gets put together. They have diverse skills and backgrounds blah blah blah. Why not be following one or more of them BEFORE they get thrown together. Dima and Nina fall in love and get married. Don't care. Really. I should have. Pull a Clancy and be following a person early on where the reader knows them, is interested in them and wonders "how is all this going to come together?" Too much work? Would make the book too long? Then get rid of them.
My advice for next time: after first draft, try and cut out a third of the characters. Develop the hell out of the ones who are left and finish with a great book. This one felt rushed.
More...