⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is my second read-through of Meg by Steve Alten, the first being about ten years ago. Back then, I gave it a full five stars without hesitation. It was fast, exciting, and exactly the kind of over-the-top creature feature I loved. Coming back to it now, with a bit more reading experience under my belt, I can see the seams a lot more clearly. It’s still a fun ride, but this time around it lands comfortably at four stars instead of five.
The core concept is as irresistible as ever: a megalodon lurking in the deepest parts of the ocean, somehow making its way into modern waters. It’s pure B-movie material, and the book absolutely leans into that energy. When it’s focused on the shark, the tension, and the set-piece attacks, it’s genuinely gripping. Alten has a knack for writing action in a way that keeps the pages turning, and there are stretches where the book just flies.
That said, the middle portion definitely drifts. There’s a noticeable sag where the story circles the same ideas without much forward momentum. The pacing, which feels so tight at the start, becomes a bit looser, and it sometimes feels like the novel stalls before it reaches the next big moment. It’s not enough to kill the enjoyment, but it’s much more obvious on a second read.
The third act is where things really start to wobble. The build-up promises something big and tense, but the execution feels rushed and a bit messy. It doesn’t quite stick the landing, and some of the dramatic beats don’t hit as hard as they should. Compared to the strong opening, the ending feels like it’s trying to wrap everything up a little too quickly.
Another thing that stood out more this time is how often the book repeats certain bits of information. The explanation of how the ampullae of Lorenzini work comes up again and again, along with a few other scientific details. The first time it’s interesting and adds a sense of realism. By the third or fourth repetition, it starts to feel like the book doesn’t quite trust the reader to remember.
Even with those flaws, Meg is still a lot of fun. It knows exactly what it is: a big, pulpy, high-concept shark thriller. It doesn’t pretend to be anything deeper, and when you meet it on those terms, it delivers plenty of entertainment. The action is solid, the premise is brilliant, and it scratches that creature-feature itch in a very satisfying way.
So while my younger self might have thrown five stars at it without a second thought, the more experienced version of me sees the pacing issues, the repetition, and the slightly shaky ending. Still, it’s an easy, enjoyable read, and I had a good time diving back into it. Four stars feels just right.
Gareth Ellis - Author 