So, my girlfriend has turned into a big reader lately, and that means when we're hanging outside, catching rays, etc., she has a book open and I either just sit there, or continuously bother her.

So, I decided I needed to start reading again (as I used to read quite a bit).  The only problem was choosing what to read.

Way back in 1997, an unemployed first time writer, named Steve Alten burst onto the NY Times Bestseller List with his first novel, Meg, which was about the giant prehistoric shark, Megladon, alive and well, in modern times.

I bought the hardback, 1st edition and enjoyed it very much, even though Mr. Alten isn't really the best writer you'll come across.

Meg was optioned by Disney, and was supposed to be turned into a Blockbuster movie, but instead, we got tons and tons of cheap DTV ripoffs.  Finally, after 20 years of development Hell, Meg will make its way to the bigscreen next Summer with Jason Stathom in the lead role and a budget of $175 Million.  YEEHAW!!!

Alten wrote 4 sequels over the years to varying degrees of success or failure, as well as a couple other series.

So, I decided to reread the original Meg, and buy the 4 sequels, as well as another 2 book series, and get ready for next Summer's big budget adaptation.

Reviews of each novel will be following in the weeks to come.

Looking forward to it.

Yeah these are pretty good. I've read the first 3 and a big budget film finally would be cool.

But Alten's other novels are pretty average especially when he mixes the science fantasy with preaching

The other series from him that I have is The Loch, with Vostok, being the sequel.

I've been waiting on the Meg film for 20 years!  Sure hope Turteltaub delivers the goods.

Vostok was the biggest load of shit!  Great premise and the first bits were good then it changes to some preachy sci fi garbage!!  Didnt even finish it cos it was terrible

Quoted from stevie Vostok was the biggest load of shit!  Great premise and the first bits were good then it changes to some preachy sci fi garbage!!  Didnt even finish it cos it was terrible

OH BOY!!!  Yeah, I have heard similar reviews, but I will give it the full read...but that is well in the future, as I have Meg to finish (for the 3rd time, but I need to get reacquainted with the characters), The Trench, Primal Waters, Hell's Aquarium, and Nightstalkers.  And then, the 6th novel in the series, Generations, will be coming out next year.

Damn...I better get reading!!

OK, finished Meg last weekend.

It's a good read...a page turner for sure.  Lots and lots of death and mayhem.

Characters are pretty 1 dimensional.  Relationships are easy to figure out and go pretty much right where you expect them to.  Dialogue ain't great by any means.

But...the action and attention to detail is superb...although way over the top.

For me, it's a big thumbs up and enjoyable read.

I have started the sequel, The Trench, and hope to have that done in a couple weeks.

I finished The Trench on my flight home from Boston 2 1/2 weeks ago.

There's alot of interesting history involving the 2nd novel in Alten's Meg series.   Although the original Meg was a HUGE success, the publisher, Doubleday, disliked The Trench so much that they dropped Alten...or let him walk away from his contract.  Several years of rewrites followed, and Kensington Press stepped in and released it.

Reviews are pretty scathing, noting ludicrous plot points, over the top characters and action, and even poor writing.

And sadly, all are true with The Trench.

But, what's also true is that this is a page turner.  There's alot going on and things happen quickly.  There are even numerous surprises and no character is truly safe, although some main ones seem to be super human.

My biggest gripe has to do with the characters just not being realistic.  Mostly, I'm referring to the Antags and their background stories - they're too over the top evil and went through just ludicrous lives.  Also, way too much Latin being spoken by the top 2 Baddies to the point where I literally started rolling my eyes and shaking my head.

But, all in all, I did enjoy this and am now on to the 3rd in the series< Primal Waters.

If you can overlook actions and the like that you often see in films...or super hero films, and understand this is fiction, this is a good read, as the kill count is redorkulously high and graphic and the action never strops.

Be back in a few weeks with my next review.