16 Feb 2012

PREY.


In the Nevada desert, a handful of scientists are battling to retrieve a swarm of rogue micro-robots that have escaped from the lab. The swarm is self-sustaining, self-reproducing and capable of learning from experience. It is, to all intents and purposes, alive. And very, very deadly. Because it has been programmed as a ruthless predator, a predator that becomes more dangerous with every passing hour .....
And we are the
PREY
....... Outer back cover.

FIRST SENTENCE (Day 1): Things never turn out the way you think they will.

MEMORABLE MOMENT (Page 237): That wasn't in the code. The swarm was inventing new behaviour, appropriate to the situation.

KEEP IT OR NOT?: To be passed on to brother-in-law #1 who I think will enjoy it just as much as I did.

Ooh scary, I'd even go so far as to say totally chilling - this novel certainly had me looking at Pooter in a totally different way (shudders) wondering just where it will all end, just how far technological 'advances' will see our futures change.

A totally engrossing thriller, set in a world of high technology where the baddies are quite literally the little guys, this is unlike anything I have ever read before.

OK, so I didn't understand all of the technological terms that were used but this didn't impair my reading in any way. A real page turner, it was good to see the author challenged gender stereotyping to a certain degree in that the roles (and I don't think I'm giving anything away here) of breadwinner was given over to the main female character whilst her husband, the main male character and hero of the story, was a 'stay at home' dad.

A great read, tense and full of suspense (it was like one of those films in which the baddie, despite being shot at etc, will not just lie down and die) in that just as you thought the end of the micro-robots was nigh, well, lets just say that something else would happen that kept me on the edge of the seat.


14 comments:

My Gallery of Worlds said...

Ooooooo, scary...and exciting. I can hear how much you enjoyed it in your writing...does that make sense?...lol I'm wondering if i'd be too frightened or if I should just go for it! Great review :D

Mary (Bookfan) said...

Loved your review! Especially "in which the baddie, despite being shot at etc, will not just lie down and die". Made me laugh :)
Crichton is one of my husband's favorite authors - I'll have to ask him what he thought of Prey. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Gina said...

Ah yes...Michel Crichton. His works can normally be counted on for a chilling read. Glad this one panned out! Advances in technology, you gotta love them....but sometimes you just wonder how far is TOO far... *-* Enjoyed the review!

serendipity_viv said...

Ooh this does sound good. I haven't read any of Michael Crichton books but I feel that I should. I will keep an eye out for this one.

Sorry I haven't been around much in the last couple of weeks. Half term at the moment and trying to get my MS finished.

Joy Weese Moll said...

Oh, sounds exciting! I don't read thrillers that often, but when I'm in the mood, nothing else will do. This one sounds perfect for when that mood strikes next.

R. Ramesh said...

whether the work is gripping or not, your post is indeed gripping and nice...cheers tracy..

Short poems said...

Loved your review Petty. Thanks!

Warmly
Marinela

Kelly said...

I've read and enjoyed several of his other books. This one sounds quite good, so I think it will have to go on the wishlist. Thanks for the review!

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

Oh I've been curious about this one. I really enjoy a good suspense book and this one sounds like it is right up my alley! I so need to read it!

Golden Eagle said...

I've never read anything by Michael Crichton, since I don't tend to read as much in the Thriller genre. I want to get around to one of his books sometime, though--thanks for the review! I'm putting this on my TBR list.

Melissa (My World...in words and pages) said...

Glad to see you enjoyed this one. And I understand the technical terms, and not always understanding them. But that is great that it didn't affect the story. :) Thanks!

Suko said...

Sounds like quite a thrilling thriller! Excellent review, as usual.

Jenners said...

I don't think I've read this one but Crichton did have a way of writing thrillers that made you think they could actually come to pass.

Betty Manousos said...

i am just putting this on my wishlist.
it does sound like a great thriller...i love thrillers!