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mnemo's review against another edition
3.0
This book was fun to read, but at times it turned into a lecture. The characters have a hard time grasping ideas that denounce the theory of global warming, so other characters go into pretty long Q&A sessions over the argument. I'm not sure if the science in the book is 100% accurate, which is ok. I can see the angle Michael Crichton was trying to explain and I can see the logic behind it, but I would definitely have to read up more on the topic myself to draw my own solid conclusions.
Other than that, the action was good, the characters weren't too annoying and the book kept my interest enough to make me stay up until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore reading.
Other than that, the action was good, the characters weren't too annoying and the book kept my interest enough to make me stay up until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore reading.
ted_funsten's review against another edition
1.0
55 percent propaganda, 45 percent setup for a video game.
His attempts to make the Toyota Prius sinister were hilarious, though not quite as good as South Park's take on the Prius.
His attempts to make the Toyota Prius sinister were hilarious, though not quite as good as South Park's take on the Prius.
billiehouse's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Although I wouldn’t put this in my top 3 Crichton books so far it was nothing is if not unique like all of his other work I have ever read. As one of my top 5 favorite authors of all time Crichton, for myself, is always held to a very high standard and never disappoints. This book didn’t disappoint either. For any science minded person that likes a little bit of adventure in your books this would be a good choice for you. As the relatable characters adventure across the world towards their ultimate goal you will find yourself questioning things that you have thought were facts your whole life and will also find yourself having a hard time putting this one down. The main reasons that this one didn’t receive a 4.5-5 star rating from me were the predictable aspects to some of the characters outcomes as well as the lack of overall character development throughout that left me wanting more from the book somehow.
devonforest's review against another edition
3.0
Based on the topic I thought I was going to really enjoy this, but it didn’t live up to my expectations. It took me a while to get through (I partially blame the Olympics) and I couldn’t get into it as much as I wanted to.
lay_kone's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
midwifereading's review against another edition
4.0
After reading A Skeleton In God's Closet, I needed a really good thriller to make up for it. State of Fear worked quite well, and did just that.
I wish I had taken notes as I read this book, since there was so much in it that I found intriguing. I loved the footnotes and real information included throughout the book.
While Michael Crichton may be a little formulaic, he is often great at his formula. His books (in my opinion) tend to be hit or miss. When he hits, he HITS, and this book is one of those for me.
I could never decide if I liked the main character, Peter Evens, much. Up until the very end, I kept wondering if he would be the first to die when the adventure came to a head. I'll leave you to wonder that for yourself. The fact that I didn't quite know what would happen at any one point kept me intrigued, and the farther I got into the book, the less I could put it down.
The issue of global warming and abrupt climate change are both addressed in a head-on, unafraid, and honest way in this book. I appreciated the candid treatment of the issue, and how politics and the media play a role in the way our culture treats our "issue-of-the-day." I found it refreshingly unbiased.
In short, if you like books like Jurassic Park, you'll enjoy this one.
Some caveats:
~There is cursing in this book, as there is in all of Crichton's works.
~There are some violent scenes, but nothing beyond what you would see in an episode of Fringe.
~There is some PG-13 sexuality suggested, but never shown. Only hinted at.
I wish I had taken notes as I read this book, since there was so much in it that I found intriguing. I loved the footnotes and real information included throughout the book.
While Michael Crichton may be a little formulaic, he is often great at his formula. His books (in my opinion) tend to be hit or miss. When he hits, he HITS, and this book is one of those for me.
I could never decide if I liked the main character, Peter Evens, much. Up until the very end, I kept wondering if he would be the first to die when the adventure came to a head. I'll leave you to wonder that for yourself. The fact that I didn't quite know what would happen at any one point kept me intrigued, and the farther I got into the book, the less I could put it down.
The issue of global warming and abrupt climate change are both addressed in a head-on, unafraid, and honest way in this book. I appreciated the candid treatment of the issue, and how politics and the media play a role in the way our culture treats our "issue-of-the-day." I found it refreshingly unbiased.
In short, if you like books like Jurassic Park, you'll enjoy this one.
Some caveats:
~There is cursing in this book, as there is in all of Crichton's works.
~There are some violent scenes, but nothing beyond what you would see in an episode of Fringe.
~There is some PG-13 sexuality suggested, but never shown. Only hinted at.
jansbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
At times a little preachy but overall a nice, solid book. Makes you think about what your source of news really is and what those in power will do to keep you under their control.
the_schaef's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favourite crichton novel, but there are a lot of interesting points of view on the environment.
mcolem's review against another edition
Read the first part of this in one sitting-- very arresting etc. But never found a reason to go back. Will try at the beach