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Summary and Reviews of Prey by Michael Crichton

Prey by Michael Crichton

Prey

by Michael Crichton
  • Critics' Consensus:
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  • First Published:
  • Nov 1, 2002, 384 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Nov 2003, 528 pages
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About This Book

Book Summary

Drawing on up-to-the-minute scientific fact, Crichton's new novel is a breathtaking tale of suspense about a mechanical plague and the desperate efforts of a handful of scientists to stop it.

In the Nevada desert, an experiment has gone horribly wrong. A cloud of nanoparticles -- micro-robots -- has escaped from the laboratory. This cloud is self-sustaining and self-reproducing. It is intelligent and learns from experience. For all practical purposes, it is alive. It has been programmed as a predator. It is evolving swiftly, becoming more deadly with each passing hour. Every attempt to destroy it has failed. And we are the prey.

As fresh as today's headlines, Michael Crichton's most compelling novel yet tells the story of a mechanical plague and the desperate efforts of a handful of scientists to stop it. Drawing on up-to-the-minute scientific fact, Prey takes us into the emerging realms of nanotechnology and artificial distributed intelligence -- in a story of breathtaking suspense. Prey is a novel you can't put down. Because time is running out.

DAY 6
7:12 A.M.

With the vibration of the helicopter, I must have dozed off for a few minutes. I awoke and yawned, hearing voices in my headphones. They were all men speaking:

"Well, what exactly is the problem?" A growling voice.

"Apparently, the plant released some material into the environment. It was an accident. Now, several dead animals have been found out in the desert. In the vicinity of the plant." A reasonable, organized voice.

"Who found them?" Growly.

"Couple of nosy environmentalists. They ignored the keep-out signs, snooped around the plant. They've complained to the company and are demanding to inspect the plant."

"Which we can't allow."

"No, no."

"How do we handle this?" said a timid voice.

"I say we minimize the amount of contamination released, and give data that show no untoward consequence is possible." Organized voice.

"Hell, I wouldn't play it that way," said growling voice. "We're better off flatly denying it. Nothing was ...

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Reviews

Media Reviews

Book Magazine - Don McLeese
The problem with the literary division of the Crichton brand is that novels have no special effects. Though Prey will inevitably make the leap from the printed page to the big screen--where the battle between the swarms and their human prey will undoubtedly look spectacular--here it makes for weird science and a shallow story. At the end of Forman's ordeal, the reader could easily apply Jack's verdict on the man-made mess he'd encountered to the novel as a whole: "It was so dumb, it was breathtaking." Popcorn, anyone?

Booklist - Kristine Huntley
Crichton is the master of the sci-tech thriller, and nowhere is that more evident than in his latest page-turner, a scary, wild ride that is, without a doubt, his best in years.

Publishers Weekly
From the opening pages of Crichton's electrifying new thriller readers will know they are in the hands of a master storyteller. Crichton is at the top of his considerable game here.

Kirkus Reviews
All the usual Crichton elements are here...Normally, this would not be a problem, as even Crichton on autopilot still makes for a quick and entertaining, if ultimately unsatisfying, read. But this time the product is so by-the-numbers that even die-hard fans may find themselves bored.

Reader Reviews

ilike itup theass

this book is just amazing. The ideas that mike uses are unique and captivating. Killer cameras, who knew this topic would be so entertaining.
Scott Arsenault

Prey was the first book and not my last that i have read by micheal i loved this book because of the topic he writes about it is somethign diffrent then killers walking around and stuff like that. its not every day u c a book (hopefully a movie) ...   Read More
MidWolf

One of the best books i had ever read! I was glued to the book until the very last page, and i'm only 14!
BlueBunnyWizard

It was a great book-His best yet. And rumours of a movie are getting me excited! Anyone who enjoyed his other books will love this!

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Read-Alikes

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