Feeding Frenzy traces the history of the global food system and reveals the underlying causes of recent turmoil in food markets. Supplies are running short, prices keep spiking, and the media is full of talk of a world food crisis. The turmoil has unleashed some dangerous forces. Oct 29, 2013 Killer Species #2: Feeding Frenzy by Michael P. Scholastic Paperbacks Children's Fiction Pub Date 29 Oct 2013 This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived. This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived. Oct 29, 2013 An action-packed series from Michael P. Each book covers a genetically engineered super-predator wreaking havoc on the environment. Time has passed since anyone's heard from Dr. Emmet and Calvin have even begun to.
(AKA 'That Moray-Cuda Book')Release Date: Oct. 29, 2013
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Goodreads PageThis 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.
Killer Species Feeding Frenzy Notes
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.
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