Hello Gemmies! I have a new book review to share with you today. June is here, and along with the warmer weather, is what I like to call Sea Monster Reading season. There is nothing better than sitting on the beach reading a great sea monster tale. I absolutely love sharks so of course I started this sea monster season with The Meg Series by Steve Alten. This review is for Meg: Nightstalkers the fifth book in the Meg Series.
Please note: It is possible to read this book as a stand alone since Steve Alten does a good job of recapping events in the previous four books, but I do recommend reading the books in chronological order. There are also references to Alten's two other standalone novels, The Loch, and VOSTOK. It is not necessary to have read those in order to understand the references. Alten attempted to create one universe that spans across all of his books, but the crossover introduced the concept of time travel and alternate realities that I was not a fan of. It was an added complication that just wasn't needed in this series, there is enough going on as it is.
Meg: Nightstalkers takes place immediately after the events in Meg: Hell's Aquarium. Our series regulars are still in play. David Taylor is dealing with the trauma of seeing his girlfriend eaten by a Liopleurodon. Jonas is dealing with lawsuits from the victims of the now free Megalodon sisters (Bella and Lizzie). Terry has early onset Parkinsons disease, and Mac is a new daddy to a baby boy. The Crown Prince is still determined to capture as many prehistoric sea creatures for his aquarium, which of course comes with its own set of dramatic turn of events.
The typical questionable racially charged comments are not prevalent in this book, and Alten even makes mention of the prejudices faced by Middle Eastern people in a post 9-11 world. But geez Louise the problematic continued portrayal of women as either devious sex kittens or raging bitches lives on. I had hoped that would have improved as the series progressed but sadly it has not. Five books in, I just need to come to terms that it is not changing. Now, with all of that being said, this is an extreme guilty pleasure series and I'm just here for the sharks and sea monster carnage. Meg: Nightstalkers is chock full of science geeky facts and the introduction of even more predatory sea monsters. So much so that the Megs kind of take a back seat in this one. The new big bad is a prehistoric sperm whale.
The sea creature fights and ending are very satisfying. If you are a fan of this series, like prehistoric creature carnage, science fiction horror, and deep sea adventures give this book a try. Published by Tor Books, Meg: Nightslakers is available for purchase from all major booksellers. I give Meg: Nightstalkers 3 out of 5 gems. Happy Reading!
