Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.
If you would like to join in, please feel free to enter your link and link back to this post, then spend some time visiting some of the other posts.
This week’s neglected book
The Great Zoo of China by Matthew Reilly
Publication Date: January 27, 2015
Publisher: Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books
In the blockbuster and bestselling tradition of Jurassic Park comes the breakneck new adventure from the New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author Matthew Reilly whose imaginative, cinematic thrillers “make you feel like a kid again; [they’re] a blast” (Booklist).
It is a secret the Chinese government has been keeping for forty years. They have proven the existence of dragons—a landmark discovery no one could ever believe is real, and a scientific revelation that will amaze the world. Now the Chinese are ready to unveil their astonishing findings within the greatest zoo ever constructed.
A small group of VIPs and journalists has been brought to the zoo deep within China to see these fabulous creatures for the first time. Among them is Dr. Cassandra Jane “CJ” Cameron, a writer for National Geographic and an expert on reptiles. The visitors are assured by their Chinese hosts that they will be struck with wonder at these beasts, that the dragons are perfectly safe, and that nothing can go wrong.
Of course it can’t…
Why did I add The Great Zoo of China to my bookshelf?
This is one of those books that has been sitting on my NetGalley shelf unread for years. 4 years if you are counting and yes, I am ashamed. I remember requesting it because I had heard great things about Matthew Reilly and I wanted to try his work. Then I saw a few reviews and they were not so great so I skipped over it and really didn’t give it a whole lot of thought. I have since come across quite a few reviews that were very favorable so I think I need to try this one out for myself and since I just noticed that my local library has a copy of the audiobook for this one, I think it might happen pretty soon.
What are your thoughts? Have you read this book? Would you recommend it to others?
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I've never heard of this one, but I have a few Netgalley ARCs that have been on my shelf for years, too. 🙁 Same basic thing has happened to me. I request and then see a few mixed reviews and then put it off. I think there's 8 total, and they just sit there on my NG shelf mocking me. I need to either read or listen to them or purge them. Hope if you do get to this one you love it, Carole.
I can definitely see why this one caught your notice. It sounds really good.
I have been susceptible to early reviews making me hesitate and second guess myself. Sometimes, I feel I should have paid attention to those reviews and other times, I was glad that I forged ahead because I ended up glad I read the book.
Hopefully this will be a great read when you get the chance, Carole.
I really enjoyed this book! I read it last year and it is very similar to Jurassic Park except it is more brutal and there are dragons instead of dinosaurs. As well as the dragons to battle there are bad guys to stay away from in the park and the dragons must be stopped from escaping! I hope you enjoy it!
It's difficult when other reviews dampen our enthusiasm, isn't it. I've been put off books in the past by others' thoughts on them, but have then gone on to thoroughly enjoy the book – eventually! I hope you like The Great Zoo Of China when you get to it 🙂
I've had a few books like that. Where you request them because they sound great and then you see a few reviews that aren't so great and it really kills your motivation. I hope you get a chance to read it and enjoy it.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
Oh I didn't know about the author or the book
Yep, I've got this one too. I know Chuckles really liked it, even before seeing her comment, so I know I want to get to it soon. There's just not enough time!
I love his books and this was another great read by him! You'll have fun. Some cunning, nasty dragons and bad guys.
I have thus one on my TBR shelf too. Like you, I was excited about it, but I let the not so good reviews influence me. I do still want to read it. I just need to dive in, I guess! I hope we both enjoy it when we read it!
I've seen it around but haven't read it. Hope you enjoy it.
sherry @ fundinmental
It's so funny that the book has been sitting on your NetGalley shelf for that long. I only request a couple of books at a time because I know that once I get them I have to read them right away. Maybe I have reading OCD? I can't let them sit there. It would rive me nuts. lol
Dragons! Yes read it
I haven't read it or heard of it but I must admit I'm curious!
I haven't heard of this but it sounds great so I will look forward to hearing about it. I have just 1 old book on my Netgalley and I hope to rectify that this year. I did clear up 3 other old ones last year. Anne – Books of My Heart
I think dragons is a reason enough to read this book.
Ah I remember seeing the good and also the not too good reviews for this one coming out at the time it was released. But you never know what you think until you try, right? 😉