Eruption: Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller

Eruption published on June 3, 2024 continues Crichton’s tradition of blending reality with fantasy in a unique blend of science, science fiction and suspense. Each character grabs one’s attention with simple descriptors including “As young as Rachel was – and looked – she was very good at what she did” or “Mac was thirty-six years old and an accomplished surfer”. Short but enough to create an image in the reader’s mind based upon their own experience.The chapters are short, most just three pages long, with dialogue that moves the story forward. From my writer’s perspective, I find the simplicity interesting. Most books I read offer more depth into character motivations and more details about both characters and settings. However, I enjoyed Eruption because it provided me with an escape from more serious thought and kept me engaged by constantly increasing the stakes and perceived danger.In the days since Eruption was released to immediate best-seller status, Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai have been attached to direct a feature film adaptation. Considering the on-going Hollywood infatuation with other Crichton stories such as Jurassic Park and Twister, I look forward to seeing the adaptation of Eruption on the big screen.

As a fan of both Patterson and Crichton, I fully expected this to be something very special, because the book’s premise instantly creates anxiety and fear that this fictional event really could happen in our lifetimes. Add to that the enormous talents of Crichton and Patterson, and how could this book do anything less than keep me on the edge of my seat? The truth is, the book is missing something, and I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think it’s timing - or pace - that’s off. And the suspense doesn’t build like I would have expected. Other than that it reads well, and the characters were likable. Would I recommend it? Yes - just don’t expect “very special.”

I purchased this book to take on our vacation this past few weeks. I love both authors and after reading the reviews thought I would buy it. I loved it. Once I started reading this I couldn't put it down. The characters were believable and so was the story line. It reminded me a little bit of the recent fires that were on the Island. I am so glad that Michael Crichton's wife saved his notes so that this book could be published. I definitely recommend this book and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I live in Honolulu and have discovered the Big Island and LOVE it, the volcanos and the town of Hilo, so I was very interested in reading this book. I am a huge reader, at least a couple of books a week, my favorites authors are Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling), Sue Grafton, Alison Lurie, Carl Hassain to name a few. Had this book not been about Hawaii, the volcanoes and Hilo, I would have stopped reading at about 30 to 50 pages, as I usually do when a book is disappointing. I trudged on, bored as I was with the simple writing style and I will admit I did eagerly return to the book till it was finished only because I wanted to hear what happened with the volcanos, Hawaii and Hilo, that is the only reason. No spoiler alert but I think they could have beefed up the ending, like go into more detail about what happened. I think the character development could have been better and I couldn't really understand the background info on the eruption and I know a lot about volcanos. I never read Crighton nor Patterson but I know they both are very successful and have devoted fans so they don't need me. I picked up another Crighton book, "Airframe" and it was better written, maybe Patterson is getting old and tired. Anyway, just manage your expectations.

I've never read any books by either author but was intrigued by the idea that one author completed what the other offer couldn't finish due to untimely death. The format was different from any other author I've read but I have to say that it was difficult to put the book down. I liked the idea that the chapters were short and thus allowed easy break points. Of course I almost always read several chapters at a time because it was so well written. Good story and fast reading if you have the time. I think I'd like to read other books by each author.

Excellent book! Brilliant to incorporate Michael Crichton and James Patterson. I do have a bone to pick, however! I have a huge amount of work to get done but I abandoned it all to read Eruption cover to cover. A fabulous book! The use of the short paragraphs is excellent but very few can carry it off. But the divisions into short paragraphs is essential in heightening the tension of which Patterson is an absolutely master of. Ot course, the clarity of the characters--we all know individuals like those portrayed by Patterson in this book puts us in the middle of the great disaster. Yes, that is how people would respond, we're sure of it, because we have met such people in similar circumstances. It points to the brilliance of the fiction writer but few can carry it off with such panache as Patterson can. The suspense was mind-blowing. The authors are familiar with the Big Island of which I, too, have familiarity. The book was not separated from reality. My brother who lived in Haiku, near the volcano, spoke of the park rangers and others who easily filled the boots of the Crichton-Patterson characters. When a fiction writer can so beautifully cross the divide, taking the reader with him into neo-reality, he is a first amongst the world's writers. He is, simply, finally, a great writer. It was not fiction, this book, it was real enough.

It is the ultimate thriller combining the unique storytelling of both Michael Crichton and James Patterson. It was a brilliant decision by Crichton's widow to have James Patterson complete the story. It is truly a story you cannot put down. And, there won't be another one like it.

It was ok, extremely slow in the beginning then picked up about 3/4 of the way through. I'm sure it will be a movie but it just had too many main characters and just characters overall to keep up with. A LOT of characters died, guess I wanted more miraculous saves and surprises that didn't come. The ending was fast, too fast, almost like the writer was bored with it. It was just done, the end.

It was fascinating, based on facts.

Gripping book. A definite page tuner. I gave this book to someone who loves volanoes and has been to the Big Island of Hawaii many times. He says this book is definitely worth reading and that this book is factually accurate.

Have not read yet, but I’ve read other books by this author. Looking forward to reading this one too. There’s nothing like holding a book and enjoying a good story.