Prey. Yep, it's a page-turner and perfectly enjoyable way to put your brain on hold for a few hours and enjoy the ride, Just as long as you don't waste too much money on it. (I got my copy at a thrift store.)

The flipside is that it's nonsensical... You'll need not only to suspend your disbelief, but put it on ice and lock it in a safe-deposit box as well! The plausibility factor is more like fantasy than science-fiction.

For one thing, the clues for the "surprise" ending are so blantantly obvious (at the beginning!) that the main character seems like a moron for not noticing that the people around him aren't what they seem to be.

Secondly, Crichton (to his credit) tries to give the main character depth in showing  his marital, personal and family problems. Unfortunately, he's less successful than George Lucas was in portraying young love in "Attack of the Clones." The protagonist's reactions, dialogue, and emotions are way out-of-sync for what's going on. No regret at the ending? Michael, Michael, Michael!

Thirdly, the alternation between technological fill-ins and action / dialogue is a little rough.

Prey is more reminescent of Sphere than Crichton's superior works such as The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park. Still entertaining, but not memorable, thrilling, or deeply satisfying.
Prey. Yep, it's a page-turner and perfectly enjoyable way to put your brain on hold for a few hours and enjoy the ride, Just as long as you don't waste too much money on it. (I got my copy at a thrift store. )

The flipside is that it's nonsensical... You'll need not only to suspend your disbelief, but put it on ice and lock it in a safe-deposit box as well! The plausibility factor is more like fantasy than science-fiction. For one thing, the clues for the "surprise" ending are so blantantly obvious (at the beginning! ) that the main character seems like a moron for not noticing that the people around him aren't what they seem to be. Secondly, Crichton (to his credit) tries to give the main character depth in showing  his marital, personal and family problems. Unfortunately, he's less successful than George Lucas was in portraying young love in "Attack of the Clones. " The protagonist's reactions, dialogue, and emotions are way out-of-sync for what's going on. No regret at the ending? Michael, Michael, Michael! Thirdly, the alternation between technological fill-ins and action / dialogue is a little rough. Prey is more reminescent of Sphere than Crichton's superior works such as The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic Park. Still entertaining, but not memorable, thrilling, or deeply satisfying.