Zoo discussion

The book is about animals rising up agianst the human race and jackson oz the main character has to warn the humans before its to late . its pretty good .

I really enjoyed this book. I hadn't read any books by this author befoe and for some reason I was under the impression that he wrote only murder mysteries. I was very impressed.

Tonya wrote: "I really enjoyed this book. I hadn't read any books by this author befoe and for some reason I was under the impression that he wrote only murder mysteries. I was very impressed."

I think most of the writing was done by the 2nd author listed on the book and not by James Patterson himself. He probably gave the okay on the story basis and helped this author publish and sell more books by using his name. In all honesty I probably wouldn't have picked this book up if Patterson's name wasn't on it. It was a very entertaining book.

I thought I had the ending figured out, and then when I got to it, I decided the imaginary ending in my head was better than the actual one haha. Whoops!

I am a huge James Patterson fan, however, maybe the second author did do more of the writing, it was still entertaining not completely James Patterson in the sense that I normally just can't put it down..prefer his good old murder/mystery novels.

I was disappointed with this book. I would have to agree that the second author probably did the writing. It seems they just threw Patterson's name on it to get attention. @Tonya-I thought this was going to be a mystery/thriller book and somehow someone was using animals as a weapon.

I enjoyed the book. Again not Patterson's usual book type with the scientific thriller. I tend to go into books with an open mind and expect it to be bad so that way if I don't over hype the book too much I'm not that disappointed. I just picked up NYPD Red by him but again it is another co-authored book with Patterson and another writer. Hopefully this one is good.

I'm on the waiting list for that one. I give all books a fair shake. I have finished some that I thought would kill me. I just wasn't impressed with the story line.

That's fair. They tried something, interested concept. I agree the delivery wasn't the best but I was entertained. Would I pick it up or recommend it to a friend? Probably not but not disappointed that I read it and definitely didn't feel like it was a waste of time. Pro side to this book as well is that Patterson reads are quick.

I agree with Matt--Patterson reads are quick. This wasn't one of Patterson's best books, but again, like others have pointed out, the second author's penprint is probably why. I feel bad for the primate though....

You are correct in that Peterson books are quick reads. I found that I had a hard time getting through this one. I can usually get through a book in 2 evenings. This book took me a week.

This was my first time reading this author. Absolutely loved this book. What a great message and much food for though. Subsequently have been reading some of his murder mysteries but have to admit....loved THE ZOO the best....

I love James Patterson books. But I have to say I don't think he has actually written any of his latest ones. I think his name goes on there to help the other author sell.

But on a good note I did like this book. I thought the ending was unexpected.

I loved Zoo. I've never read any of this author's books before and he didn't disappoint me. There is much food for thought in this book.

I was loving the book and then they started talking about mice and rats. I have a very healthy fear of mice.

I've read all of James Patterson's books. I downloaded the 'sample'(first few chapters) and I have to say, I just couldn't get into it. Usually, his books grab you from the first chapter...should I read the whole thing?

Aileen I enjoyed the book. Not his best but it was entertaining and a short read. I'd give it a try.

ok, thanks Matt.

Let me know what you think

k, will do

I really loved this book. Yes, it was a quick read, but very interesting story line.

really?? Well then, I will read it. thanks guys.
I'm currently reading EDEN by David Holley, it's pretty good so far. I just started it.

This did not read like a typical James Patterson book, but I still liked it. For a great mystery, try Syndrome E.

Agree this was not James Patterson's writing, but still a very good read.

I really love James Patterson and when I read about Zoo I couldn't wait to read it. The idea behind the book is interesting, however the reality of the book was just too far fetched for me. I much prefer the Alex Cross series.

Does anyone think that this book, if written by someone like Stephen King or anyone of that genre, would have been a great story? As I was reading the book, I kept thinking "What a great story line, if only someone had put more effort into it." It could have been a great book.....

This was my first James Patterson book. I read it quickly - I have to admit it had a very engaging story line. However, I didn't like how he kept skipping ahead in the timeline and the ending didn't really satisfy me. You come full journey, you want some resolution. Not sure I'll read another Patterson book unless I'm looking for holiday fluff.

I give this book 3-1/2 stars. I liked it even though the concept seemed very unbelievable; but it is fiction after all. The government was portrayed acurately: do as we say, not what we do. The laws are for the expendable masses not for the elite government. I think this book would make a good movie.

Sherri wrote: "This was my first James Patterson book. I read it quickly - I have to admit it had a very engaging story line. However, I didn't like how he kept skipping ahead in the timeline and the ending didn'..."

Don't give up on Patterson because of this one book. His Alex Cross books are awesome. I would start at the beginning with Along Came A Spider. Those are great.

Matt wrote: "Sherri wrote: "This was my first James Patterson book. I read it quickly - I have to admit it had a very engaging story line. However, I didn't like how he kept skipping ahead in the timeline and t..."

Thanks for the suggestion :)

This was the first James Patterson book that I was not too thrilled. I was enjoying it until the ending, not that I need a happy ending but he left this open to become a series.

I agree but I doubt he'll open it up to become a series

I enjoyed the book but said to my BF as I was reading it that I could tell the difference in writing it was weird!! I love to read a Patterson for a quick hit they're my guilty pleasure. :O)

They are quick. If I can focus on the book they only take me a couple days. Read Kill Me If You Can, that was an interesting book and I liked it more than Zoo.

Sandra wrote: "Does anyone think that this book, if written by someone like Stephen King or anyone of that genre, would have been a great story? As I was reading the book, I kept thinking "What a great story lin..."

My feelings exactly: could have been great. It was like Patterson (or, more probably Ledwidge, under JP's direction) was trying to write like Stephen King and failed miserably. I gave it 2 stars.

Heidi wrote: "I was loving the book and then they started talking about mice and rats. I have a very healthy fear of mice."

I don't think fear is healthy. The adrenaline rush might be. But the quickened heart beat, unnatural speeds and the chest pain it can cause is not good. I believe you have an unhealthy fear based on my idea with no motivation to learn the facts of "being scared and it effects on the body".

Karen wrote: "I give this book 3-1/2 stars. I liked it even though the concept seemed very unbelievable; but it is fiction after all. The government was portrayed acurately: do as we say, not what we do. The law..."

I though this book deserved less than one. I think one of them took the idea from 1977 'day of the animals'. Air pollution caused all animals and some people 5,000 feet above sea level to attack. You can view it in seven parts on youtube.

My review with a Wikipedia movie description.

For a better experience I would recommend you watch the film "Day of the Animals". The Day of the Animals is a 1977 American horror film thriller directed by William Girdler and based on a story written by Edward L. Montoro. One could believe that this is where the authors got their idea for this novel. Compare the two by this point.

Zoo: Radiation and smog cause the animals to attack and kill. It messes with this sense of scent and causes human to put out an attack ferimone. All over the world, every mammal, including bats.

Day of the Animals: Plot (copied from Wikipedia): A battle for survival begins as a group of mountain hikers in Northern California encounter a chemically imbalanced forest. The recent depletion of the Earth's ozone layer causes the sun to shine powerful ultraviolet light carrying some kind of solar radiation that somehow causes all animals above the altitude of 5,000 feet to run amok and kill, which is very unfortunate for a group of hikers (including Christopher George, Lynda Day George, Leslie Neilsen) who get dropped off up there by helicopter just before a quarantine is announced for all the surrounding towns. This has a dramatic effect on the rest of the nation, turning common household pets and pests into vicious attackers.
Over the course of the movie, multiple wild and dangerous animals stalk and attack the hikers, and eventually start picking them off. These include a Mountain Lion, a Grizzly Bear, a pack of Wolves and several Birds of Prey (Hawks, Falcons, Eagles and Owls).
One of the hikers, Paul Jenson (Leslie Neilsen) goes mad as he is one of the very few humans to be exposed to the solar radiation making all the animals mad, and he eventually attacks the group, killing one of them. he finally takes on a grizzly bear and he gets bitten on the neck and it ends up killing him.
The others manage to get below the 5,000 foot "radiation zone" area until they are trapped by several German Shepherds in an isolated cabin. Two of the hikers are killed by the vicious canines and the last three of the group members escape on a raft in a nearby river. They are rescued the next day as they float down river to a Park Rangers station.
The next day, groups of U.S. Army troops, wearing radiation suits and armed with flame-throwers and various automatic weapons, arrive to secure the areas. By then almost all the animals that went mad are killed by the very same solar radiation that drove them mad in the first place. This implies that life for humans will return to normal fairly soon and the carnage will finally be over. At the end of the movie, a surviving hawk lunges at the screen just before the credits roll.

I know humans have been telling stories for the time of their existence so the chances of writing something with true originality is virtually impossible. Normally I read a story for the adventure I may receive and ignore the lack of originally it may contain. But this book has received a lot of praise and glory and it makes me ask, "Why?". It was a slow story and the gruesome factore was low. I did not find the "edge of your seat, gripped with terror, cheer for the humans" feeling. Instead I wished it would just end quickly. If I had of put this down early I would not have missed anything. It did not get better or gut clenching. I could not get a feel of the characters as if they could have been real people.

I love James Patterson's work. He is a great author. But this is his worst novel I have had the displeasure of experiencing. I can not recall whether I have ever experienced the co-author Michaell Ledwidge. If this is your first James Patterson novel pass it up and choose another of his works, lest you obtain a distaste of his talent based on a bad novel being praised by people who probably want to appear to remain loyal to him.

Nor is it an exciting apocalyptic story.

Sandra wrote: "Does anyone think that this book, if written by someone like Stephen King or anyone of that genre, would have been a great story? As I was reading the book, I kept thinking "What a great story lin..."

I so agree with you. I hated this book so much, but thought the idea was interested, but the book was, for lack of a proper word: crap. I usually enjoy James Patterson, but this was awful.

Christine wrote: "My review with a Wikipedia movie description.

For a better experience I would recommend you watch the film "Day of the Animals". The Day of the Animals is a 1977 American horror film thriller di..."

Excellent thoughts and perhaps he took license from the movie...do not waste your time on this book.

I thought it was a decent book with a good plot, but I did not get attached to the characters at all. I did not like the fact a few years passed in the middle of the book, and all of a sudden the main character's life was changed and they did not show his transformation. It was not scary, but definitely an interesting read if you are into animal stuff. It was pretty realistic considering today's society.

This book was comically bad, predictable like a bad action flick, complete with cheesy catch phrases.

I enjoyed the book but was terminally put off by Patterson's ridiculous portrayal of the military. He had officers running around cow-towing like enlisted recruits. And the absolute worst - an Air Force air traffic controller is a LIEUTENANT?? Since when are officers air traffic controllers? Since never. This would be an E3 or an E4, most likely. Anybody who was ever in the military would be insulted by Patterson's treatment of our uniformed personnel. Next time, he should do just a little bit of research, something beyond some vague impressions from WWII movies. If it weren't for this huge breach of my suspension of disbelief, I would have enjoyed the story so much more.

It all about the effect of human to the environment...
a very creative way of saying "you are responsible"
...salute..i love this book !!

This book was shockingly bad. A major disappointment. The premise was the only good thing about it and I think as readers we were had.

Magen wrote: "This book was comically bad, predictable like a bad action flick, complete with cheesy catch phrases."

It was the worst book I've read.

Sandra wrote: "Does anyone think that this book, if written by someone like Stephen King or anyone of that genre, would have been a great story? As I was reading the book, I kept thinking "What a great story line..."

I completely agree! The concept was so great, which is why I picked it, but it just wasn't very well done. The character of Chloe, especially, just bothered me. **Spoiler** She escapes from the jungle and becomes a quivering housewife?! Not buying it. You have advanced notice that there is going to be mass animal attacks and you don't learn how to shoot a gun? Beyond that, the timing and location of attacks doesn't make sense once the basis of the behavior comes to light.