4 Stars
WARNING: IF YOU CONSIDER SOMETHING THAT IS DISCLOSED ON THE FIRST FREAKING PAGE OF A BOOK TO BE A “SPOILER” – YOU SHOULD PROBABLY JUST MOVE ON.
Seriously – first page:
“Here, there be dragons.”
but reviewers have been trolled for mentioning it??? That’s pure crazy right there. Alright. Now that that is out of the way, let’s get on with the review.
EDIT: I just noticed the new cover has a f*&^%$g DRAGON TAIL on it. Dear Trolls, Your argument is invalid.
WELCOME TOJURASSIC PARK!!!!
Errrr, I mean THE GREAT ZOO OF CHINA!!!
A zoo of epic proportions and filled with specimens we humans thought were only able to be conjured up by our imagination – or by George R. R. Martin . . .
After journalists like CJ Cameron and various other VIPs tell others about their tour, The Great Zoo will make Disneyland seem like a joke . . .
The Great Zoo of China received a mediocre response from most of my friends here on Goodreads. Leave it to me to be the oddball. What’s a girl to do? I don’t generally read reviews of books I plan on reading (especially ARCs), but I did skim several this time and noticed a running theme. I think my rating might be so high because from having seen their reactions I was already well aware that this would read more like a tribute piece to Michael Crichton – or a FanFic of Jurassic Park, if you will, and I was able to appreciate it for what it was. And holy shit did I appreciate it!
To begin with, the world (a/k/a zoo) that was built was beyond phenomenal. I never got bored reading about how this gargantuan project came to fruition. Although I’m always thankful for any reminders of this . . .
(YAAAAASSSSSSSSSS!!! THAT’S ME!!!!!! I VOLUNTEER! I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!!!!)
there aren’t enough words in my vocabulary (shut up, Ron 2.0) to describe how thrilled I was that the hero in this story was of the sort who lacked a penis (Hulkboy, if you make a joke about Goldblum lacking a penis I will fly to your house and cut you). Said female hero participated in kicking 100% of all the ass and made sure she also took names.
Speaking of kicking ass - Once the proverbial dragon shit hit the fan? This sucker was jam-packed with non-stop action. Sidenote: Did you know if something bites you in half the force is great enough to make your own intestines shoot out of your mouth? I didn’t either (and have no clue if it’s true), but I do know THAT. IT. IS. AWESOME. when it happens in a book. I can’t remember when I’ve read something with a body count this high. We’re talking hundreds of humans and dozens of dragons.WONDERFUL! I mean, sooooo sooo sad (not).
What can I say? If this is on your TBR know that it is very close to its original inspiration. And I mean VERY close . . .
so just have fun experiencing the magic you felt the first time you read/watched Jurassic Park all over again.
Also make sure to always be thankful for things like luck dragons . . .
and the fact that real-life dragons don’t know how to breathe fire . . .
. . . or do they?
Seriously – first page:
“Here, there be dragons.”
but reviewers have been trolled for mentioning it??? That’s pure crazy right there. Alright. Now that that is out of the way, let’s get on with the review.
EDIT: I just noticed the new cover has a f*&^%$g DRAGON TAIL on it. Dear Trolls, Your argument is invalid.
WELCOME TO
Errrr, I mean THE GREAT ZOO OF CHINA!!!
A zoo of epic proportions and filled with specimens we humans thought were only able to be conjured up by our imagination – or by George R. R. Martin . . .
After journalists like CJ Cameron and various other VIPs tell others about their tour, The Great Zoo will make Disneyland seem like a joke . . .
The Great Zoo of China received a mediocre response from most of my friends here on Goodreads. Leave it to me to be the oddball. What’s a girl to do? I don’t generally read reviews of books I plan on reading (especially ARCs), but I did skim several this time and noticed a running theme. I think my rating might be so high because from having seen their reactions I was already well aware that this would read more like a tribute piece to Michael Crichton – or a FanFic of Jurassic Park, if you will, and I was able to appreciate it for what it was. And holy shit did I appreciate it!
To begin with, the world (a/k/a zoo) that was built was beyond phenomenal. I never got bored reading about how this gargantuan project came to fruition. Although I’m always thankful for any reminders of this . . .
(YAAAAASSSSSSSSSS!!! THAT’S ME!!!!!! I VOLUNTEER! I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!!!!)
there aren’t enough words in my vocabulary (shut up, Ron 2.0) to describe how thrilled I was that the hero in this story was of the sort who lacked a penis (Hulkboy, if you make a joke about Goldblum lacking a penis I will fly to your house and cut you). Said female hero participated in kicking 100% of all the ass and made sure she also took names.
Speaking of kicking ass - Once the proverbial dragon shit hit the fan? This sucker was jam-packed with non-stop action. Sidenote: Did you know if something bites you in half the force is great enough to make your own intestines shoot out of your mouth? I didn’t either (and have no clue if it’s true), but I do know THAT. IT. IS. AWESOME. when it happens in a book. I can’t remember when I’ve read something with a body count this high. We’re talking hundreds of humans and dozens of dragons.
What can I say? If this is on your TBR know that it is very close to its original inspiration. And I mean VERY close . . .
so just have fun experiencing the magic you felt the first time you read/watched Jurassic Park all over again.
Also make sure to always be thankful for things like luck dragons . . .
and the fact that real-life dragons don’t know how to breathe fire . . .
. . . or do they?
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you, NetGalley!
(and sorry it took me so long to read this one)
Now I want to read this one! I am a serious Jurassic Park fan and this just looks like fun.
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