Zoo by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

Genre: Fiction/Thriller

Date of Publication: September 3^rd, 2012

Memorable Quotation: “…something was driving animals to go haywire and the time to do something about it was running out quicker than the plastic wand supply at a Harry Potter convention.” (pgs. 23-24)

Lasting Impression: A unique and frightening vision of the end of the world; well-written but animal lovers should take discretion when reading.

Storyline: A-

Pace of Story: A

Characters: A+

Ending: B+

Overall Grade: A-

Over the last thirteen years, the world has been more concerned than ever about the Earth’s end.  From the new millennium, the monthly raptures that were supposed to occur, and the Mayan’s prediction of the end, December 21, 2012, it has almost become a norm to think about the world’s pending destruction.  Thinking of the world’s demise in a more scientific, yet more gruesome way, James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge team up to create a novel about how modern day civilization has been brought to its knees not by aliens, ancient predictions, or raptures, but by wild animals and the pets we love as much as our children.

Our narrator and tour guide to how this fictional representation of our world collapses is Jackson Oz, better known simply as “Oz”, a Columbia University biology dropout who devotes his life to trying to expose the world to his theory, the HAC (Human Animal Conflict).  Although most scientists and government officials ignore his theory and deem it illogical, Oz soon becomes the only person who can save the world when his predictions and theories start to come true.  Animals from around the world go on killing sprees, with humans the only sustenance to quench their thirst for blood.  From lions escaping from zoos and attacking people to family dogs going crazy, biting and killing their owners, the reason (and solution) for the attacks lies within Oz’ theory of HAC. Everything depends, though, on if the world is ready to accept the reason and comply with what is needed to save itself.

The story is not only narrated by Oz but also by stories of attacks around the world caused by the HAC and, more interestingly, some of the animals that are slowly affected; one of them being Oz’s pet Chimpanzee, Attila.  The animal’s thoughts are visible in certain chapters to the reader, and helps give a better understanding of how the animals are being affected, which gives this story more depth due to the different viewpoints. What makes the telling of this story even more outstanding is the way Patterson and Ledwidge back up their fictional animal attacks with real animal and geological facts, making the tale seem even more real yet much more terrifying. 

I would agree with the critic’s ratings of this being James Patterson’s ‘best thriller ever’ if it was not for all of the gruesome, violent events and details that are described.  For animal lovers, including myself, the wild animal attacks are hard to read but the chapters in which pet dogs are described attacking their owners and therefore being killed are heart wrenching and upsetting, making this gory description nothing more than wasted space.

SPOILER ALERT:  Chapter 55- Dog lovers, take discretion.

For the problems that arrive because of the HAC, the solution Patterson and Ledwidge have Oz come up with for this epidemic is very clever and well thought out.  However, it is interesting that the way this fictional world responds to it is temporary compliance and then a continuance of their daily tasks, not realizing that what they are doing is making matters worse.  It is a terrible thought, to think that the animal attacks are a result of something so simple to fix but the world cannot unite in healing its wounds, but in this suspenseful and enrapturing novel, Patterson and Ledwidge surely outdid themselves in showing that we are the enemy not only to nature, but to ourselves as well.

~Shelly-Beans