Zoo, James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

"All over the world, brutal animal attacks are crippling entire cities. Jackson Oz, a young biologist, watches the escalating events with an increasing sense of dread. When he witnesses a coordinated lion ambush in Africa, the enormity of the impending violence becomes terrifyingly clear.

With the help of ecologist Chloe Tousignant, Oz races to warn world leaders before it's too late. The attacks are growing in ferocity, cunning, and planning, and soon there will be no place left for humans to hide."

I am going to differ from probably everyone else on this book, because whilst the world seemed to hate it, I thought it was wonderful. Now, part of that may be down to the fact that the story (animals turn on humanity, go on the rampage) is exactly the kind of thing I enjoy most, or it may be down to the fact that the writers clearly are enjoying themselves way too much to care about things like facts, science or consistency.

And Boy, do they not care. Going on the basis that pheromones are things that exist, the book posits that a new pheromone could change the behaviour of every single male animal worldwide, causing them to attack humans. In packs. The real victim isn't humanity though, it's continuity, as the authors introduce important plot lines (like only male animals attack people) having forgotten that the very first attack they describe is from a lioness. And when characters disappear halfway through a chapter and never reappear again. This is all pretty normal.

But there's still a real joy to it all, whether descriptions of massive dog packs occupying major citites, or descriptions of special forces units against bears. Even when it doesn't make sense (which is every few pages), or when the science is bad (I mean, really bad - like Michael Crichton bad) it's carried along by the fact that another idea will be introduced by the next chapter and everyone will forget exactly what the problem was.

Also, the REAL villains are entitled rich people, and I think we can all get on board with that.

Also Try:

James Patterson, Maximum Ride

Michael Crichton, Next, Congo