Book Cover

Of course, some dinosaurs had been social and cooperative. But others had been hunters - and killers of unparalleled viciousness.

Past Michael Crichton reviews:

• Jurassic Park
• Rising Sun

# Review

This is the followup novel to the critically acclaimed Jurassic Park. In this novel, the story occurs six years after that of the first book, after the original Jurassic Park has been destroyed and abandoned. Some researchers embark on a trip to the islands due to rumours that something may have survived.

From the first novel, the returning characters include Malcolm and Dodgson. The new cast of characters include the obnoxious paleontologist Levine, the courageous ethologist Harding, the strategic engineer Thorne, and his assistant Eddie. Of course, there are once more two children: Arby and Kelly. Overall I liked the adult characters from the first novel more, especially Grant. The children characters, though, from this novel are much better (much less annoying). The story feels repetitive as the same plot points and themes are present. There are some innovative pockets of narrative, such as Critchton’s speculation on certain dinosaur species. Those pockets of originality are far in between, though. As with the first novel, Crichton has done much research and it’s proudly displayed in the writing.

# Conclusion

A repeat of the first novel, but still entertaining.

# Overall rating: 7.3

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