Kronos Rising: After 65 million years, the world's greatest predator is back. (Volume 1)
KRONOS RISINGBy Max HawthorneFar From The Tree Press, LLC, 562 pagesThe bookJawsby Peter Benchley was published in 1974 and became an international bestseller, followed by the movie adaptation that became an instant cult classic and a favorite of many. Since then, some sequels have been made and many knock-off novels that play on the whole idea of a sea monster on the loose terrorizing a small town and its people. I thoughtKronos Risingwould be another unrealistic example of this genre: predictable, over the top, and simply inaccurate, but the book was, in fact, a complete surprise.The characters inKronos Risingare well developed, each with their own complicated backgrounds that have a strong bearing on their current lives. The key to a good story is conflict, and this book is full of it, as the characters come into conflict with each other, which, at times, feels a little contrived, but nevertheless makes for addictive, page-turning reading. Max Hawthorne has also done his research into marine biology and ocean life, which all helps make his characters more knowledgeable and interesting and the whole world more believable, even if there is a giant monster eating people in it. The writing is compelling and action-filled, so even though the book is well over 500 pages long, it is still an addictive read. While the last third of the book goes off the rails a little, and some of the characters become almost caricatures, overall the book is a great addition to this genre, worthy of sitting on the shelf next to Peter Benchley’sJaws.Alex TelanderSan Francisco Book ReviewStar Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)"Freed by chance geologic events from the refuge that saved its kind 65  million years previously, a Mesozoic horror rises to engulf a quaint  East Coast Florida town. An 80-foot eating machine that’s neither fish  nor mammal, the relentless beast wreaks havoc in the already-complicated  lives of several disparate people: a former Olympic fencing champion  turned small town sheriff, a conservationist/marine biologist and a  psychotic politician. Some other Mesozoic dietary staples of this  monster make cameos along the way, as well as some familiar “sea  monsters” of modern oceans.In addition to the horrific  predations of the unstoppable beast, several interesting themes are  explored in the human drama: post-traumatic stress related to domestic  abuse and alcoholism, strained family relations when members are on  opposing sides of marine conservation issues and too much power leading  to megalomania. This is a fun, entertaining thriller in the tradition of  so many greats before it: MOBY DICK, JAWS, BEAST, the writings of Steve  Alten.However, it is not derivative of those works and stands  on its own merits. At 562 pages, it is not just a pulp novel, either.  The characters are well-realized and help carry the story in a  compelling fashion. Portions of the novel also carry you back to  cataclysmic events in the Age of the Dinosaurs that are as exciting as  the modern day drama. I highly recommend KRONOS RISING as a great summer  read, just in time for “sea monster” season at the beach! Max  Hawthorne’s debut novel is hopefully the beginning of more, equally  compelling work in a similar vein in the future."- Scott Mardis on April 28th, 2014 (Cryptomundo)Dragons, dinosaurs, huge killer sharks – I’ve always loved monsters.  It’s one of the reasons I enjoy the “Meg” books by Steve Alten. Meg  stands for Megalodon, a giant shark that lived during prehistoric times.  It was huge, the largest carnivorous fish known to exist. It wasn’t,  however, the only predator of the deep. There was Kronosaurus, a marine  reptile characterized by a thick head, short neck, and outsized  flippers. Its ecological niche appears to be the similar as the Great  White Shark. It ate squid, turtles, fish, and smaller dinosaurs,  anything that swam into its path.Kronosaurus ruled the seas  during the Cretaceous period, but that was millions of years ago. It  couldn’t possibly exist today. Or could it? The oceans’ depths still  remain mostly unmapped. It’s said we are more familiar with the surface  of the Moon than our planet’s oceans. Maybe, just maybe, something has  survived from long ago.Max Hawthorne wonders this very thing. In  KRONOS RISING, a small, breeding population has survived. One of these  prehistoric predators rises from the depths to terrorize a coastal  community that won’t be idyllic soon. A series of disappearances and  horrific deaths sends waves of panic through the small town. The local  sheriff begins to investigate what might be murder, but when a  full-grown whale carcass surfaces, the true terror begins.Marine  horror isn’t new. Peter Benchley started the modern trend with JAWS.  Steve Alten gave us Meg, and now we have giant lizards gnawing at our  fears. It still works. I love the genre, but it’s hard to do anything  new with it. Max has managed to give me a couple surprises. Kronos  Rising is a well-written story, better than it had to be to deliver its  biting horror. There are flawed heroes that are likeable. Villains that I  looked forward to being eaten, and a back story that’s both feasible  and well researched, and most importantly, it’s fun. - Kevin Coolidge, Blogger: From My Shelf Books