Killer Species #2: Feeding Frenzy

Killer Species #2: Feeding Frenzy by Michael P. Spradlin
(AKA "That Moray-Cuda Book")
Release Date: Oct. 29, 2013

Amazon Listing
Goodreads Page

This review describes an uncorrected proof. The published version may be different, but maybe not different enough for my brother.

My brother read this book. Read these comments and share in his misery.

Once upon a time, there was a film company called AIP. When they made a movie, they started by picking a title that would get the kids excited. Next, the developed a flashy poster to sell tickets. Last, they came up with an actual movie to match the title and the cover-art that had already been chosen. This book was probably made the same way.


This feels like an artificial project for the purpose of taking money from anyone who's a sucker for a cool cover/title combo. The plot concerns a mad scientist who decides to restore ecological balance by unleashing custom-made genetic horrors. He is stopped by a group of meddling kids and their positive but oddly incompetent adult chaperones. It's like Scooby Doo, but they don't have a dog. Oh, wait, they do...

I think it's targeted at children who are just old enough to not demand pictures in their books. If I had read this book as a thirteen year old, I would have felt patronized. The book doesn't give the reader credit for any intelligence at all. The characterization and plot are strictly by-the-numbers. There wasn't much that was technically unsound, but it was very bland. The only bit of complexity that I can give it credit for is that while the book is mostly about mankind wrecking the planet, characters who go over to eco-terrorism look like jerks. At least they're introducing some political subtlety there.

Even though this is a tiny book, much of it is actually padding. The page count gets filled out by unnecessary recaps of the first book, "bonus" chapters of the next book, and artist's renderings of the Moray-Cuda.

This book is a placeholder. They needed a book with an evil fish on the cover. A certain number of kids will get conned into buying it based on appearance. Next month, they'll probably shovel on a different terrible book with an evil creature on the cover, and a new generation of wide-eyed youth will get bamboozled by a cynical publishing industry.

I would recommend this book for eco-fanatics who care more for brainwashing their children than quality reading. Really, though, I wouldn't suggest it to anyone.

Maybe you just don't care if it's cheesy. You can go get a copy at The Blue Manatee or your nearest independent bookseller.

Dog Songs by Mary Oliver
Release Date: October 8, 2013

Amazon Page
Goodreads entry 

This review describes an uncorrected proof. The published version may be different.

My student, Cam, read this book. Here's what he thought: 

Dog songs is a poem book about dogs. Dog songs was an amazing book. I read it because I love dogs and because I’ve never read a dog poem book. I recommend this book to anybody who loves dogs and likes poems. This is the first book I’ve ever read by Mary Oliver. In my opinion, I’d give this book a rating of 9. I really liked this book and I might read more books by Mary Oliver.

To see my review of this book, check out the first review in the history of this blog!

The Jupiter Pirates by Jason Fry

The Jupiter Pirates by Jason Fry
Release Date: December 23

Amazon Listing 
Goodreads Page 

This review describes an uncorrected proof. The published version may be different.

Kylee detected clichés in this book. Read her comments and cringe:

Have you ever read a book about ships and aliens in space? Do you want to read another? The first 10-20 you have read before have been pretty okay, so this one should be just as good right? If you have been thinking yes to these questions, then forget this review and go get the book. You will love this “wholly original saga” about this “Galaxy on the brink of war” and this “one unforgettable family caught in the middle of it.”

First, I would like to point out I didn’t finish it. I got to page 31 and was just done with it. Is Harper-Collins the one lacking creativity, or is that you, Mr. Fry? Really, you think that we need ANOTHER humans, aliens, spaceship, Star wars, Independents day, one boy that can save them all book?

I do like the way you have the mom think they are more civilized and law abiding and then the dad knows they are bloody pirates and scoundrels. But the way you put it in there it just makes it contradicts itself. You don’t tell us a lot about what’s happening or who the main character is. I know sometimes it’s better to just put a character in a problem and see how they deal with it so the reader can learn about them. But after it was done, I didn’t really know anything more about the characters than when I started.

I don’t recommend this book to any one.

-Kylee