Here’s a meeting of titans from the world of fiction if ever there was one. It’s one of Michael Crichton’s many posthumously published novels (he evidently kept copious notes on intended future projects). His estate asks one-man novel factory James Patterson to finish it.
We’ll never know how much of the actual prose has come from each author. Crichton was the master of spinning a techno-thriller out of a simple, impactful concept (nanotechnology, a spaceborne virus, etc), building a world and populating it with easy-to-read characters, where Patterson is more of a by-the-page thriller writer. Their combined strengths make this a very propulsive read you’ll breeze through while still understanding some high-minded concepts from the world of vulcanology.
Eruption is in Crichton’s favourite place of Hawaii. Scientists pinpoint a coming volcanic eruption with amazing precision. A crack team of professional but very human volcano watchers are keeping their eyes on Mauna Loa on Hawaii’s Big Island, set to blow it’s top in a once-in-a-century eruption.
Along with the heroes, the powers that be think they have public safety figured out because of the projected direction of lava flows, but the army soon comes calling, revealing a terrible secret they have hidden under a mountain that might make the big one even more destructive.
Just like we all believed dinosaurs could be brought back to life by extracting their DNA from fossilised mosquitoes trapped in amber, this nail-biter will make you wonder if a giant volcanic eruption combined with man’s military folly might be the end of us all …
Reviewed by Drew Turney
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Michael Crichton first trained as a doctor before going on to become one of the most successful writers in the world. In 1994 he achieved a feat unmatched by any other writer: by having simultaneously a number one TV series, book and movie with, respectively, ER (which he created), Disclosureand Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, on its release the highest-grossing film of all time. He also directed several movies, including The Great Railway Robberywith Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland. His high-concept thrillers were international bestsellers, and in total his books have sold more than 200 million copies worldwide. He died in 2008.
James Patterson is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. His books have sold in excess of 375 million copies worldwide. He is the author of some of the most popular series of the past two decades – the Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club, Detective Michael Bennett and Private novels – and he has written many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand-alone thrillers.
James is passionate about encouraging children to read. Inspired by his own son who was a reluctant reader, he also writes a range of books for young readers, including the Middle School, I Funny, Treasure Hunters, House of Robots, Confessions, and Maximum Ride series. James has donated millions in grants to independent bookshops and has been the most borrowed author of adult fiction in UK libraries for the past eleven years in a row. He lives in Florida with his wife and son.
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