Steve Alten

The most fearsome predators in history... are no longer history. The Philippine Sea Plate: The most unexplored realm on the planet. Hidden beneath its primordial crust lies the remains of the Panthalassa, an ocean that dates back 220 million years. Vast and isolated, the Panthalassa is inhabited by nightmarish sea creatures long believed extinct. Tanaka Institute, Monterey, CA: Four years have passed since Angel, the 76-foot, 100,000-pound Megalodon, birthed a litter of pups far too numerous and aggressive to keep in one pen. Fortunately, a Dubai royal prince who is building the largest aquarium in the world seeks to purchase two of the 'runts' – if Jonas Taylor's twenty-one-year-old son, David, will be their handler. Jonas reluctantly agrees, and David is off to Dubai for the summer of his life, not realizing that he is being set up to lead an expedition that will hunt down and capture the most dangerous creatures ever to inhabit the Earth.

MEG: Hell's Aquarium

For Navy deep-sea submersible pilot Jonas Taylor, it was nearly too late.

A Novel of Deep Terror

Patrick Book

I think this guy has read a lot of Preston/Child. 

Also, what in the world could be left to happen in the sequels? I feel like he threw every idea he had into this thing.

SOON TO BE A HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER STARRING JASON STATHAM. On a top-secret dive into the Pacific Ocean's deepest canyon, Jonas Taylor found himself face-to-face with the largest and most ferocious predator in the history of the animal kingdom. The sole survivor of the mission, Taylor is haunted by what he's sure he saw but still can't prove exists – Carcharodon megalodon, the massive mother of the great white shark. Written off as a crackpot suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Taylor refuses to forget the depths that nearly cost him his life. But it takes an old friend in need to get him to return to the water, and a hotshot female submarine pilot to dare him back into a high-tech miniature sub. Diving deeper than he ever has before, Taylor will face terror like he's never imagined, and what he finds could turn the tides bloody red until the end of time. MEG is about to surface. When she does, nothing and no one is going to be safe, and Jonas must face his greatest fear once again. Includes MEG: Origins.

The MEG

Gave this a go when I saw that all except for 2 are currently included with audible. Just in time to head into October spooky reads, and I love some scifi shark horror.

For starters, I was surprised by just how hard science the scifi is presented as. The author’s love for Jaws meshed with his reading about megalodon and the Mariana Trench into this fast paced, full-of-teeth ride. Some of the information is a bit dated now based off some of the newer things we’ve learned about the trench, but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this. The entire novel is kind of posed as this conspiracy theorist-esque take on if the megalodon had not actually gone extinct. And honestly, it’s hard to tell where that obsession ends and the novel writing begins. The information within is presented from scientists, and the author spared no expense in making sure it sounded like it. The equipment being used, the shape, size, build of the sharks, even down to tiny details like how big a megalodon’s nostrils would be.

I will say the author does jump right to the very max that scientists believe the Meg could grow to, only stating that the females were larger than males. As if the significantly younger ones at the sizes of 20, 30, 40, or even 50 feet wouldn’t be absolutely terrifying as well.

The main character of Jonas is interesting, but it was kind of hard to see where the hothead military guy ended and the paleontologist began. Personally makes total sense they cut out that last part for the movie, because literally no one would believe that of Jason Statham. Absolutely gutted though that “It’s a megalodon” from the movie isn’t directly from the novel.

Also the Meg was not nearly as closely related to the great white shark as the author repeatedly states (although to be fair, it was previously thought to be). 

Personally a 4/5*, still an intensely bloody story, but it was presented as much more solid than I expected.

C. J. Daley 

Gave this a go when I saw that all except for 2 are currently included with audible. Just in time to head into October spooky reads, and I love some scifi shark horror.

For starters, I was surprised by just how hard science the scifi is presented as. The author’s love for Jaws meshed with his reading about megalodon and the Mariana Trench into this fast paced, full-of-teeth ride. Some of the information is a bit dated now based off some of the newer things we’ve learned about the trench, but it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this. The entire novel is kind of posed as this conspiracy theorist-esque take on if the megalodon had not actually gone extinct. And honestly, it’s hard to tell where that obsession ends and the novel writing begins. The information within is presented from scientists, and the author spared no expense in making sure it sounded like it. The equipment being used, the shape, size, build of the sharks, even down to tiny details like how big a megalodon’s nostrils would be.

I will say the author does jump right to the very max that scientists believe the Meg could grow to, only stating that the females were larger than males. As if the significantly younger ones at the sizes of 20, 30, 40, or even 50 feet wouldn’t be absolutely terrifying as well.

The main character of Jonas is interesting, but it was kind of hard to see where the hothead military guy ended and the paleontologist began. Personally makes total sense they cut out that last part for the movie, because literally no one would believe that of Jason Statham. Absolutely gutted though that “It’s a megalodon” from the movie isn’t directly from the novel.

Also the Meg was not nearly as closely related to the great white shark as the author repeatedly states (although to be fair, it was previously thought to be). 

Personally a 4/5*, still an intensely bloody story, but it was presented as much more solid than I expected.

Wynter

I read this book for the first time years ago, perhaps around 2004 or so. I felt like reading it again to celebrate 2014 Shark Week. This is basically an equivalent of Sharknado in book form, if you must ask. Meaning that it was exactly the trashy, exaggerated, airport-type of book that makes Dan Brown's novels look like Pulitzer Prize winners in comparison. So why am I reading it? Because of the awesome 60ft dino-shark, that's why! 

The premise of the story is quite fun. Deep sea scientists accidentally unleash a prehistoric shark, previously trapped in the remote depths of Mariana Trench, unto the unsuspecting beach-goers. And that shark makes Jaws look like a friendly guppy. There is a lot of AAAARRGH and NOM NOM NOM, and other pure goodness. I mean look at that cover with the shark eating a frickin' T-rex! 

So why the four stars? The action in this book is nonstop and over the top, which on its own deserves at least six stars. But the characters are so bad, they go way beyond you average Tara Reid impersonator. Every time they open their mouths, they get a foot in there, and so much foot is never good for a book. You have your: 

- typical smart/handsome/tanned/smart/misunderstood/smart leading man who is just an idealized representation of the author
- an exotic love interest that miraculously has feelings for the leading man too
- a typical blonde, dissatisfied, cheating bitch of a wife who must die to give room to the exotic love interest
- a crazy, all-American, lovable rogue that serves as a comedic relief
- an authority representative that constantly blames the leading man for everything that goes wrong and learns his lesson in a gruesome, painful way
- and a giant-ass shark that, nevermind the vastness of the ocean, manages to pop up exactly where our heroes are for the entire length of the book

Did I mention that this book is awesome? Yes, go ahead, pick it up and blissfully kill a couple of your brain cells. Happy belated Shark Week everybody!

All New Revised and Expanded! Inclydes Meg: Origins. Carcharodon megalodon apex predator of all time, the most fearsome creature that ever lived a 70-foot, 60,000 pound Great White Shark. Hundreds of 7-inch serrated teeth filled jaws that could swallow an elephant whole. It could sense its prey miles away, inhaling its scent as it registered the beat of its fluttering heart, and if you ever came close enough to see the monster...it was already too late. For Navy deep-sea submersible pilot Jonas Taylor, it nearly was too late. Years ago, on a top-secret dive seven miles down into the Mariana Trench, Jonas came face to face with an ancient monster everyone believed extinct. Having barely escaped with his life, Jonas must prove to the world that Meg still exists. When an opportunity to return to the trench presents itself, he takes it, intent on returning topside with a 7-inch tooth! But man s presence in this unexplored domain releases one of the sharks from its purgatory, and now Jonas is the only one who can stop it.

A Novel of Deep Terror (Revised and Expanded)

Kristen Claiborn

I didn't anticipate enjoying this book, but I wrong. The "prologue" was tiresome, but the rest of it was wonderful. It was fast paced, with what might have been over the top gory details. I was captivated from page 97 to the end.

Paleo-biologist Jonas Taylor once dared to enter the perilous Marianas Trench, where the Megalodon shark has spawned since the dawn of time, and now that the monster is terrorizing the California coast, he must return to fight his ultimate battle. By the author of Meg.

The Trench

It's not as good as the first one, largely because it's pretty much the same story.

It was the apex predator of all time, the most fearsome creature that ever lived -- a 70-foot, 70,000 pound Great White shark. Hundreds of 7-inch serrated teeth filled jaws that could swallow an elephant whole. It could sense its prey miles away, inhaling its scent as it registered the beat of its fluttering heart, and if you ever came close enough to see the monster...it was already too late. Eighteen years have passed since Jonas Taylor last crossed paths with carcharodon Megalodon. Now a middle-aged father of two, he is overwhelmed by mountains of bills and the daily strife of raising a family. But life is about to change. A Hollywood television producer wants Jonas to join his new survival series: Daredevils. For the next six weeks, two teams of crazy daredevils on a South Pacific Ocean voyage will try to outperform one another in front of the cameras. Jonas needs the money, and the job of doing the color commentary seems easy enough. But behind the scenes, someone else is pulling the strings. And before it's over, Jonas will again come face to face with the most dangerous creatures ever to stalk the Earth.

MEG: Primal Waters

Kelsey Lynn

Steve Alten's books shaped my childhood, I was around 12 when I read MEG, immediately read The Trench, then Domain, and was so into it that I even won my way into this one, seriously page 101 "the law office of Kelsey Lynn Cretcher" mind you I was under 16 when I won that haha so I'm biased. I loved his books, They were exciting and interesting and even taught me things subtly, I was set on becoming a marine biologist after these nooks, (an illustrator is close right?). 

These books were just good, fun thrillers, the equivelent of a smarter creature feature. I look forward to rereading them as an adult, now that I can fully appreciate them as the target obvious. Hopefully I'll still love them but even If I don't I'll treasure being the 'blue eyed attorney with the wire frame glasses'. I wouldn't be the avid reader I am now without these books.

On a top-secret dive into the Pacific Ocean's deepest canyon, Jonas Taylor found himself face-to-face with the largest and most ferocious predator in the history of the animal kingdom. The sole survivor of the mission, Taylor is haunted by what he's sure he saw but still can't prove exists - Carcharodon megalodon, the massive mother of the great white shark. Written off as a crackpot suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, Taylor refuses to forget the depths that nearly cost him his life. But it takes an old friend in need to get him to return to the water, and a hotshot female submarine pilot to dare him back into a high-tech miniature sub. Diving deeper than he ever has before, Taylor will face terror like he's never imagined, and what he finds could turn the tides bloody red until the end of time. MEG is about to surface. When she does, nothing and no one is going to be safe, and Jonas must face his greatest fear once again.

Megalodon 01

Sian Wadey

Too many characters, confusing and sexist. Don't waste your time. Go and watch the film!

Liv Strefford

This gory, fast paced novel about the legendary Megalodon thoroughly satisfied my obsession. Many plot holes and entirely unbelievable but who cares, it’s a book about a man-eating, albino, sixty foot long prehistoric shark rampaging through the Pacific Ocean. Would have been better if the writing wasn’t so sexist and the author decided to devote some time to character development instead of repeatedly describing the Meg’s ability to sense electrical impulses. We get it, it can sense heartbeats (what else would you expect from an apex predator)

Sasha Mann

I like the opening chapter of this. Informing the reader just how long the Meg has been around.
First chapter let's us meet our protagonist Jonas Taylor who believes the Meg to still exsist to this day as well as to his theories on how it is possible.
He is being recruited to look at something that seems to have been attacked by an unknown thing deep in the ocean. The discovery of a possible tooth fuels Jonas into once more diving deep into the waters.
Hearing Jonas go into greater detail about how the Meg could survive is really quite fascinating and I enjoy the scientific aspect quite a bit.
The Meg has in fact been spotted and ruthlessly killed one of the divers down in the Challenger Deep. Great tense scene. The claustrophobic feel of both the dark waters and being in one of the submersibles. And we learn there is more than one Meg...
Truly terrifyingly written scenes as the Meg continues to attack and wreak havoc now that it has surfaced. 
Some great last minute action as two different groups converge on the Meg. One to save and the other to destroy. Mounting tension as the Meg wakes up from being tranquilizer and much panic ensues.
/he ending was just balls to the wall crazy and I really enjoyed it

In MEG: Generations, Steve Alten New York Times bestselling author continues his terrifying series. DUBAI: An impossibility is being taken to the Middle East. The transport vessel Tonga is carrying a liopleurodon to the City of Gold. But while investors gawk at the prehistoric creature, any even more dangerous creature is beginning to stir. The megalodon shark that Jonas Taylor worked so hard to capture is coming out of it’s drug-induced stupor and refuses to be contained. No both ancient creatures, older than mankind itself, are loose in the waters of the Arabian Sea, and the region will never be the same.

MEG: Generations

Venessa Johnstone

Not sure why , but they fascinate me and are pretty quick reads..

David Taylor agrees to escort two of Angel's litter to Dubai, where a royal prince is building the world's largest aquarium, unaware that he is being set up to lead an expedition into the dangerous Panthalassa ocean, hidden beneath the Philippine Sea Plate.

Meg: Hell's Aquarium

As the three before this.. I really enjoyed it, even though it's a thick mass market it reads very quickly...

I really enjoyed this.. Shark's and Bears scare me , I think it's due to their sneaky way of attacking :O..
I found it quick and very informative , although some of the big scientific words had me a little lost at times.. Looking forward to the other's , if i can find them all :S

In this fifth installment of the New York Times bestselling MEG series, Nighstalkers picks up where MEG: Hell's Aquarium left off. Bela and Lizzy, the dominant Megalodon shark siblings from Angel's brood, have escaped the Tanaka Institute to roam the Salish Sea in British Columbia. While Jonas Taylor and his friend Mac attempt to either recapture or kill the "sisters," Jonas's son, David, embarks on his own adventure, motivated by revenge. Having witnessed his girlfriend's gruesome death, David has joined a Dubai Prince's ocean expedition, tracking the 120-foot, hundred-ton Liopleurodon that escaped from the Panthalassa Sea. Haunted by night terrors, David repeatedly risks his life to lure the Lio and other prehistoric sea creatures into the fleet's nets, while battling his own suicidal demons. Steve Alten weaves these storylines together in a page-turning thriller that culminates in a final showdown between the most dangerous predators ever to inhabit the planet.

MEG: Nightstalkers

Manda

** spoiler alert **
           I have to admit if it weren't for the movie I wouldn't have picked up this book. So I gave it a go and I loved it. I love sharks and learning about them and this book plays homage to them. Highlighting that we don't know much about About our oceans and just possibly this could open some eyes to what people are doing to the world's oceans.
It's full of all science and if you can wrap your head around it then you will love this but it is a long read. On to book to to continue the fun and I thought that there were 2 babies left???????

Paleo-biologist Jonas Taylor once dared to enter the perilous Mariana Trench, where the Megalodon shark has spawned since the dawn of time, and now that the monster is terrorizing the California coast, he must return to fight his ultimate battle. Reprint.

Long...

I continued to this book from the meg and I had enjoyed that one but this just was long and hard to read I'm not going to even bother with the others in this series. It was just too much I think and more focussed on this energy sources we then the shark a thumb's down for me I'm afraid.

Sally Salinas

Pierre Nel

alex

Julia Krauß

Kaylee Weaver

The most fearsome predators in history...are no longer history in Steve Alten's MEG: Hell's Aquarium...

John Clements

Chloe Kingsley

Master of suspense Steve Alten always takes readers to the edge with his non-stop, adrenaline-charged novels. Now, in The Trench, Alten shows just how deep fear can run when you don’t know what lurks beneath the surface... Its appetite is ravenous. Its teeth, scalpel-sharp. For the first time, the captive twenty-ton Megalodon shark has tasted human blood, and it wants more... On the other side of the world, in the silent depths of the ocean, lies the Marianas Trench, where the Megalodon has spawned since the dawn of time. Paleobiologist Jonas Taylor once dared to enter this perilous cavern. He alone faced a Megalodon shark and cut its heart out. Now, as the body count rises and the horror of a monster’s attack grips the California coast, Jonas must begin the hunt again, and return to the waking nightmare of... THE TRENCH “A fast-paced thriller with many plot twists.” —Booklist “A nail-biting summer read.” —Kirkus Reviews