Predator: South China Sea

Rath Preap is the owner of a private island in the South China Sea, an island that caters for the rich to come and hunt big game, but is all but cut off from the outside world. Among his guests areHoria, a Romanian ex-wrestler, Nikolai and Marikova, former KGB agents, Gustat, a billionaire with a hidden agenda and Maxim, a British rock star. When the rhino they are hunting is slaughtered in front of their eyes Rath and his guests soon come to realise that they are no longer the hunters, but the prey. A Predator is on the hunt and is systematically destroying the fragile links the island has with the outside world, leavingRath, his guests and his men trapped and looking over their shoulders at every turn. Despite a couple of AVP movies that have done nothing for the franchise, I love the original Predator film (and number 2 isn't that far behind) and the thought of a book that could examine similar themes to that film was something I had to pick up. I've not read anything by JeffVanderMeer before so I was looking forward to see something from him, even though it isn't an original novel. I've also only read a couple of the Alien vs Predator books, but nothing standalone in either series. I enjoyed this quite a bit and will certainly look to pick up some of Jeff's books based on what I've read here. I'll be honest when I say I wasn't expecting too much from this - I knew it was a tie in novel and from the experience I've had so far with these sorts of things I thought I'd get a pretty run of the mill story and scenario. I was also worried that the characters would turn out to be two dimensional pieces of meat there only for the killing. How wrong I was - this is an excellent novel with well developed characters, a decent and believable Predator who is on the hunt, a great setting and, despite the tie in nature of the novel, some nice original ideas. The characters, at least the main ones I mentioned above, are easy to read and each have motivations and reasons for being on a private island. The relationships between them develop as the story progresses and we get more of an insight into some of them. It's refreshing to read a story about characters like this, all from different backgrounds but working together when the time calls for it. Of course, the character that the story is about is that of the Predator, if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have a story. Which brings me on to the reason I picked the book up in the first place: the Predator. We don't have many scenes from his point of view, but those we have are fairly effective in setting him up in the typical Predator fashion. Most of the time we see the Predator from other points of view doing what he does - completely isolating the island and going after his prey. The sections when we do follow him make the wait worthwhile, giving extra little bits of information here and there. When the killing starts the story is pushed up a gear, giving everything more urgency and allowing the reader to really get his teeth into the novel. The attacks are imaginative and brutal, the Predator's weapons are lethal, from the old favourite wrist blades and plasma canon to my new favourite that fuses all the bones in a body. The action isn't just limited to what the Predator does either, some of the characters have some great action scenes while engaging the Predator. All of this culminates in a huge battle that ticks every box and has a very satisfying ending. All in all Predator: South China Sea is a great novel based on the Predator franchise. It follows the rules laid down in the films and adds its own flavour to the mix. Jeff VanderMeer has written a great story that doesn't have any of the drawbacks I would expect to see from a tie in. One of the most enjoyable things about the reading experience is how easily the visualisation is, the descriptions making the pages come to life. If another Predator movie is made whoever is making it needs to read this book to see how a fresh take on a well established series can add new life to it and take it to the next level. Hell, just film this book and you'll have a blockbuster.

This product arrived here on time, was as described and has been good to read about the continuing fight against the Predators! :)

This is a well written Predator that suffers from the effect of a cast of thousands, too many locations and a style of viewpoint that adds depth to the characters, yet detracts from their objective impact. Nevertheless, the fen of Predator will enjoy this title.

I have been an avid reader of this franchise these past 12 yrs or so and its hard to explain why this is the best Predator novel yet written -- maybe its because of the distinctiveness of the human characters, the characters and character interaction is top notch ( un-comic bookish) the characters which we are originally introduced to at the start all break away into different groups, from this point the plot is surprizingly inventive-- without being sprawling, disparate clumsyness. There is also a love story in the book ( between a male and female secret russian agents ) it is surprizingly poingant.

Love the Predator franchise.

Oh to the joy when I discovered 3 new Predator books. However remembering my worshipping back to when I first (regretfully) bought Forever Midnight I was worried as to the Predator revival... But was NOT disappointed. I was drawn in instantly, by character and plot, it was a fresh idea incorporated amazingly into the Predator world. I seriously couldn't put it donw (which was driving my girlfriend crazy.) The book was graphic, and kept you guessing, and come the end I really didn't know who to route for (I would like to see some where the Predators win.) I guarantee you won't be disappointed. This book will have both eternal Predator fans and general readers satidfied.

pure entertainment all the way through, non stop action from beginning to end that had me guessing what was going to happen next! would recommend for any predator fan or for anyone who just enjoys a gripping story

Not good like others

There are still some Predator books out there I have not read but to date, this is the best one yet. Full of colorful characters with secrets which cause plot twist through out the book. I can see why the writer was an award winner. There wasn't a dull moment in the book. The Predators talents were on display and I was pleased to see that there were some savvy human beings too. They weren't just there to be slaughtered. What a fine book. I look forward to reading more from this good author!

Let me start by saying this book was really good, and even though the ending needed some work, it didn't disappoint me. The body was great with a ton of charachters that were fairly well fleshed out. You have to be able to keep up, however, as there are a lot of them and it can get easy to lose track of who is who, especially if the names are unusual to you. The book brings several different stories and sub-plots of the people together and is enjoyable. The only drawback is that it should have been at least another 30-50 pages longer and finished itself. I felt like the ending was almost rushed out like the writer wanted to get done with it or was afraid he was getting long winded, which he was not. I was starting to get hyped up at the end and was looking for a more detailed ending and was a touch disappointed with the quick finale. This, however, should not stop you from reading it. Whether you are a predator fan or not this was a good read and is worth your time and attention. And for those total fans of the series, it does stay true to the predator style of honor and glory through combat.

This is needs to be republished. It is an amazing tale of murder, revenge and spiritual awakening.

Hi, if you are a big fan of the Predator series & AVP these novels are a most, great story's and a collectable. Thanks Amazon

Very impressed with the action and pace of the book. The characters were interesting enough, but a little overkill on the number of characters. (Spoilers) I was very intrigued by the stand off between the Predator and the injured Russian sword fighting in the long-grass, while being spotted, and targeted by an army. It reminded me of the scene from "PREDATORS" the 2010 film. Such an amazing scenario, between quite a few of the main characters, and the chapters explaining in detail about were and what each character was thinking and feeling during a badass duel! I enjoyed the read through a great deal. I liked the setting of the story very much. There were minor things I wasn't a fan of, like the characters names. But regardless,it was a page turner. There were finaminal fatalities in this novel! CARNAGE CANDY! The way the Predator stalked, and hunted it's prey was very interesting, and fresh. Jeff Vandermeer is a talanted author. He knows the genre. I hope he returns to write yet another PREDATOR novel. They should really consider adapting this story to a movie!