Great beginning for new Crichton reader!
580015
I had heard about Michael Crichton in the past but never ventured out from Koontz and King. I loved the writing style and character build-up in Timeline. The clock ticking down throught out the book kept you spellbound  and the ending was great. Crichton has a new fan as of now.
4747371
This marks the first book in a series by Golemon, and it is quite an interesting debut! I liked it much more than I expected than I would, especially considering the overall military/government characters, settings, and jargon. I'm generally not drawn to military-heavy novels, but here this element really worked. Unfortunately, not all of the characters seem fully formed here - but since it is the first book in a series, I am hopeful that they will continue to grow and develop over the course of the series. The premise behind the entire series - a deep undercover government agency both holding answers and continuing to seek answers into History's Mysteries - is definitely an intriguing one, with plenty of possibility for fun entrants in the series. This one started with a classic - Roswell - and I am definitely curious to see where this exciting new series will go from here!
957761
I have to say, I became hooked reading this book. My attitude at the beginning was sort of "ho-hum, where is this going to go, is this going to be like every other unknown competing sci-fi book out there" but I didn't realize how quickly I got sucked in until I finished it. There's a surprising amount of mystery and intrigue in such a compact story. My only complaint is it was too short. I see the second book just came out and I'm impatiently waiting for my Kindle to download it. More please. Also, you really can't go wrong with the price!
102944
Julie Czerneda is one of my favorite science fiction writers - and I have been reading scifi since the 1960s.  In part this is because I am a biologist by profession and she is also trained in that specialty, but her skill at writing and in weaving a riveting tale is certainly a major factor.  In the start of her new series, "Reap the Wild Wind" ("Stratification #1"), she has not disappointed me.

Her setting is one of the humanoid Om'ray clan colonies on the planet Cersi,- colonies which are barely tolerated by the "owners" of the planet, the powerful slug-like Oud and the tall, spindly, Tikitik. The young Om'ray, Aryl, of the Yena clan, surreptitiously observes the harvest of dresel, the food that her clan collects from the upper canopy at the time of the fierce wind, known as the M'hir.  A mysterious spying  device appears and inadvertently causes the death of most of the harvesters, as well as her older brother Costa, who has accompanied her on her illicit visit to the upper canopy (she had not been chosen to help the harvest).  The only survivors are Aryl and the young Yena she hopes to join with - Bern.  She had accidentally used a forbidden power that might very well end the fragile peace between the "races" on the planet and bring the lives of the entire "tolerated" Om'ray to a halt!

The tale weaves on involving a Tuana Om'ray male, Enris, and Aryl's Speaker mother Taisal di Sarc, the strangers, the fierce predators of the planet, and many other well-drawn characterizations.  In the Yena, Czerneda has created a fascinating study of a humanoid clan tied to a vertical world of the tree canopy (other Om'ray are surface-dwellers) who have to make do with and adapt to the world above the water (and many predators) below.  Their night time lights are the only protection between them and the swamp-emerging predatory swarm.

This is the start of another great series for hard core scifi readers.  I am very much looking forward to the rest of the series!  It goes almost without saying that I recommend this book highly!
1594336
Crichton is all about ideas and non-stop action, he's not an author who spends time on character development or anything resembling subtle nuances.  Like his other books, this one is all about the topic at hand -- global warming.

Crichton provides copious footnotes, an Author's Note and a full-fledged appendix to support the science in his story, and no matter what you THINK you know about global warming, you will learn more as this book unfolds.

This is a rip-roaring story that sweeps its reluctant protagonist, Peter Evans, into a dangerous and non-stop adventure that takes him from L.A. to Antarctica to the South Pacific in order to stop a group of deadly eco-terrorists.  Woven firmly into every aspect of the story is hard science -- what we actually know about global warming.  Within the story, Crichton attacks a lot of the media hype that surrounds the subject, but he is no propagandist for Big Industry.  Instead his characters grapple with the most basic of scientific questions:  What do scientists truly KNOW about global warming?  What can be proven?  What is biased?  Where do these biases come from?  What is just guessing? What is really happening?  Crichton covers the full spectrum of thought on this subject in an easy to understand manner, often making his characters mere talking heads for one viewpoint or another.  But it's Crichton - that's what he does, and he does do it well.

Highly recommended for everyone -- this is a subject people should know more about, and this book will serve as a very handy starting point and reality check, whether you agree with his conclusions or not.

Good stuff!
2222038
Great beginning to the series. It has Foundation-esque interplanetary intrigue, The Martian style science on the fly and Extinction Point series style civilization ending alien goo. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
2075909
This year might be the "year of Crichton" for me.  I enjoyed this book a lot but I must admit that I'm a little spoiled by Michael.  For the first third of the book I was waiting for some big "out of nowhere Crichton surprise", some supernatural thing that would explain or describe `Airframe'.  There wasn't one and once I realized that I thought I was going to lose interest in the book.  NOT SO!  Although this book didn't have the classic "science-y" feel like his other ones this one is by no means boring!

It is; however, very technical but Michael has that special skill to write a story so you don't feel stupid as you read it.  It was a little different reading a Crichton story that dealt with the "real" world but (again) I really did enjoy it.  This book is over 12 years old so I don't need to tell you about it but I do highly recommend it!
2302583
Ever since the late, great Michael Crichton penned "Jurassic Park" there have been countless imitators claiming to be the "new" JP.  When I saw that Warren Fahy's 1st novel was compared to both "Jurassic Park" and Scott Smith's classic, "The Ruins", I had to pick it up and see for myself.

The thing I enjoyed most about this novel was the Prologue that goes into great detail about the history of rare species that have evovled on the earth since the beginning of recorded time.  The fact that our own planet has been less explored than outer space always angers and intrigues me and the Prologue to "Fragment" definitely sparked my interest into what was to come.

I was a little dismayed at the beginning of the novel which focused on a 'reality' TV show called Sealife as they approached the unexplored Henders Island for one of their episodes.  I detest Reality TV and think it is the start of civilization's downfall - thankfully, I was rewarded as the majority of the cast of the fictional SeaLife are obliterated by the hordes of unexplained, monstrous creatures that reside on the island.

The rest of the novel is written in a way that will make you believe Mr. Crichton lives.  The discussion of eco-systems and the survival of species throughout the ages is constantly at hand.  There is also the typical science vs. military/religion battle, as both scientific explorers and military types engage the species on Henders Island - with wild results.  When a new and ancient species is discovered --- displaying unbelievable intelligence --- the battle to save them is on, even though the President of the U.S. has given the go-ahead for total anihilation of the island and any specimens from it.

A true 'summer novel' that is hard to put down and is not dumbed-down like other pseudo-Crichton posers have done.  Bravo, Mr. Fahy!  Looking forward to whatever you do next!!
1001253
I am new to the world of science fiction/fantasy literature and did some research before deciding on an initial starting point.  After reading several helpful reviews and a general plot overview of this series, I believed that this opening trilogy would be a good investment.  I have no regrets.  I am nearly finished with this intro to Salvatore's Drizzt series and have already ordered the Icewind Dale Trilogy.  Salvatore incorporates mystical elements, spellbinding narrative, and action-packed battles with gusto.  I would recommend this to anyone who, like myself, is looking for an open door into the world of sci-fi/fantasy fiction.
3615082
Believe it or not, I bought this book since I wanted to test the one-click purchasing on my Kindle app and decided to have a look at it first before I archived it. WOW! Several hours later, I was still reading! Yes, it's simple in its prose but the level of research that has gone into the topic is clear and worthy of a Michael Crichton novel!

Douglas, great work and please keep on writing and producing similar novels. Can't wait for your next book.
749310
Michale Crichton on any book means that you are in good hands when you purchase any book by him. He is truly a great author. Timeline is a great book. I really liked it a lot! I could see this going to to be a movie!
2496787
I loved the first book of the series. The beginning of the book had some technical aspects that scientists and engineers will appreciate and really shows the knowledge of the Author, but won't leave none science minded readers in the dark. The Author does a great job of developing the characters and it's easy to cheer for the main characters even when they are doing questionable things. The story line was very exciting and full of twists that kept me wanting to read on. I will most certainly be reading the rest of the series!
4550416
I had not read hard sci-fi for a while and am ultra pleased that this series was my re-introduction to the genre.  Story is solid, character development is strong and unlike many other series, the author has added enough twists to allow a good variety in plot lines.  I am steadily working my way thru them (up to book 6 already) and am highly pleased.  One of those books that I can not put down.  Keep up the good work Mr. DePrima!
4030626
I had no clue what this book was. I was searching for another good book that I would really enjoy. I stumbled upon Ender's Game and decided to read the customer reviews because I don't trust the editorial reviews. All of them were excellent reviews so I bought it.
I finished Ender's Game in about 7 days. I am a Michael Crichton fan and found this book to be not only fun and exciting with some really good surprises, but it was also an easy read. For that reason is probably why it is a commonly read book for Junior and High School students.
Read this! You will not be disappointed...I promise!
2420671
A fun adventure story steeped in a lot of incredibly entertaining true history. If you're a dinosaur, western, or history fanatic, get to readin'! It's certainly got a different feel than Crichton's standard science-fiction novels, and a few moments moved a little slow for me, but the subject matter kept me reading. Crichton always knew how to pick engaging topics!
1233429
I think this book was incredible...I am a Crichton and Preston fan, so I got the best of both worlds! I love the sceintific aspect as well as Crichton's creatures that are decribed in such vivid details that I felt as though I was there.
I compared it early on to Prey, which is another great Chrichton novel that I would have like to seen a sequel to...but as I read on, it was not really comparable to Prey, it had this whole other element and adventure to it. I thought it was fun and very interesting.
I was transported to a different world in which Crichton imagines and Preston can bring to life with all his science vision.
140051
Wow! there is a lot of chatter about this book! I think it is interesting that there is such a vast difference of opinions! Personally, I'm very impressed that a first-time novelist was able to capture my imagination and intrigue right from the start, and keep me guessing as the story line progressed....(and, I might add, left me hanging over a cliff at the end of the book!!) Yes, there are editing issues, but those can easily be corrected in future printings. I am looking forward to continue the stretch of my imagination as I encoutner whatever happens next in this frantic search to save the planets. I'm also very curious to see what happens when the Book of Immortality is finally opened. I say congratulations to the author for this, his first amazing work of fiction. If you are looking for an intense, imaginative book, full of twists and turns that befall these genuine characters, you will be very well rewarded. I, for one, am looking forward to book #2 and the rest of the series!