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Killer Species #4
Ultimate Attack
The action-packed series by Michael P. Spradlin returns. Each book covers a genetically engineered superpredator wreacking havoc on the environment.
It's all come to this.
Dr. Catalyst has had enough of Emmet Doyle's meddling. Time after time, Emmet and his friend Calvin Geaux have stepped in to ruin his plans, just when he'd released one of his genetically engineered killer species into the Florida environment.
This time, Dr. Catalyst is releasing his most deadly creation yet. It's a terrifying lone hunter, bred to stalk and destroy one specific target -- Emmet Doyle.
It's all come to this.
Dr. Catalyst has had enough of Emmet Doyle's meddling. Time after time, Emmet and his friend Calvin Geaux have stepped in to ruin his plans, just when he'd released one of his genetically engineered killer species into the Florida environment.
This time, Dr. Catalyst is releasing his most deadly creation yet. It's a terrifying lone hunter, bred to stalk and destroy one specific target -- Emmet Doyle.
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2014
15 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Michael P. Spradlin
60 books129 followersMichael P. Spradlin is the author of more than a dozen books for children.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 21, 2019
Another random $2 op shop pick-up, since it looked like a quick read and I don't mind a bit of dangerous animal mayhem. I also thought my 6 year old nephew might get a kick out of it. He loves the movie Rampage, so giant animals wreaking havoc wouldn't make him blink twice.
Alas, this is kind of dull.
Although book 4 in a four book series, I could follow what was going on. Dr Catalyst is an eco-terrorist, genetically creating dangerous super species to restore order to the Florida Everglades. His plans are repeatedly foiled by young Emmet Doyle. So now he has created a hyena/panther hybrid bred specifically to hunt Emmet down and kill him.
But there aren't enough scenes involving this creation (dubbed "Swamp Cat"). There's too much from the point of view of Dr Catalyst himself, getting angry and annoyed at the two attacks (yes, only two) that failed. So he kidnaps Emmet (despite saying a couple of chapters previously that he wouldn't do this). And when he has his major foe at his mercy, does he take him out?
No. He decides to pull the James Bond villain routine: "Oh, I'll just let you loose with my swamp cat and hope it kills you!" Sigh. I know this is aimed at middle grade/primary school readers, but even they deserve better than cliches that were being mocked 20 years ago in the Austin Powers movies.
Basically, when you call your book Killer Species: Ultimate Attack, I want more of that killer species, well, attacking people and things!
Alas, this is kind of dull.
Although book 4 in a four book series, I could follow what was going on. Dr Catalyst is an eco-terrorist, genetically creating dangerous super species to restore order to the Florida Everglades. His plans are repeatedly foiled by young Emmet Doyle. So now he has created a hyena/panther hybrid bred specifically to hunt Emmet down and kill him.
But there aren't enough scenes involving this creation (dubbed "Swamp Cat"). There's too much from the point of view of Dr Catalyst himself, getting angry and annoyed at the two attacks (yes, only two) that failed. So he kidnaps Emmet (despite saying a couple of chapters previously that he wouldn't do this). And when he has his major foe at his mercy, does he take him out?
No. He decides to pull the James Bond villain routine: "Oh, I'll just let you loose with my swamp cat and hope it kills you!" Sigh. I know this is aimed at middle grade/primary school readers, but even they deserve better than cliches that were being mocked 20 years ago in the Austin Powers movies.
Basically, when you call your book Killer Species: Ultimate Attack, I want more of that killer species, well, attacking people and things!
October 31, 2020
Amazing book, they should make movies out of all these books, can’t believe this was the last one in this series.
February 3, 2019
Not as strong an ending as I would’ve hoped, but an action-packed conclusion to an otherwise fun and fast-paced series!
November 8, 2015
BEST AIWAYS COMES LAST.DR.CATALYST HAS MADE HIS LAST HYBRID CALLED THE" SWAMP CAT "TO HUNT DOWN EMMET DOYLE BECAUSE OF HE HAS RUIN HIS PLANS AND HE PLANS TO END IT.LOVE THE SUSPENSE OF EMMET GETTING CAPTURED BUT,OF COARSE,IS SAVED.AND WE FIND OUT WHO DR.CATALYST REALLY IS.HE'S CALVIN'S GRANDFATHER!!!!IF SOMEONE WANTS TO READ THIS SERICE,YOU HAVE TO START IT WHERE IT ALL BEGAN.
June 30, 2014
Awesome!!!!!!!!
Hopefully Michael makes a new book where Dr.Catalyst Has an alibi and he gets Dr.Catalyst out of custody and they create a new hybrid species.
Hopefully Michael makes a new book where Dr.Catalyst Has an alibi and he gets Dr.Catalyst out of custody and they create a new hybrid species.
January 20, 2023
So after the previous book of this series was such a blast to read, I hoped that this book, the series finale, would be just as memorable. Unfortunately, while not bad, it also wasn't great.
On the good side of things, we finally get some very welcome information about Dr. Catalyst and I'm glad the series didn't make his identity too obvious. He's in top bad guy form here, certainly makes for a memorable villain and the segments from his point of view in all four books are always so engaging and stand out. His newest creation, the Swamp Cat, while not as creepy as the Blood Jackets, is a cool and threatening menace all its own and a welcome addition to the critter menagerie in this series, especially when it came to the attacks, which were savage, brutal and no-nonsense, and I really appreciated that. Another positive was Calvin's character development was nicely done in this one.
Unfortunately, in terms of the story itself, this one's just kinda average. Dr. Catalyst wants to kill Emmet, and that's about it. The thing is that, while it's understandable that Dr. Catalyst hates Emmet and sees him as what turned the tables and made every one of his plans go sour, when you read the series as a whole, it's honestly been more a team effort between both Emmet and Calvin, in which Calvin is more often the more effective one at foiling the villain, and it doesn't help that Emmet, while he has his moments to shine, is generally just an annoying whiny brat whose constant quips and jokes fell flat and were entirely unfunny, and I just never warmed up to him. It generally felt to me that Emmet was miscast as the main character, especially compared to the more level-headed and competent Calvin.
Overall, there's not much to the plot, so outside of the Swamp Cat attacks and a couple of good chases, a lot of the segments can get dull, it made me want things to be a bit more dynamic and varied. There's also how the cast has been minimized a bit in this one too, and it's especially noticeable when you take into account that Raeburn and Riley had a big role in the last book, but in this one, the both of them and Stuke don't appear at all and are merely just mentioned, so their lack of presence was a big flaw for me. Then comes the final act of the book, the climax, and while it starts exciting, it ends very abruptly. Not just the final confrontation feels rushed, but so does the ending of the book. It ends as though a TV show episode would end and you'd wait for the next episode next week. It's really sudden and jarring, it doesn't feel like a proper conclusion, just falls short of being exiting or satisfying.
Overall, while this wasn't a bad book, it wasn't particularly good either. It was just okay, but "just okay" feels disappointing considering it's the series finale, and especially because it came after the excellent third book. In general, this series was a mixed bag, but I'm still glad I read it.
On the good side of things, we finally get some very welcome information about Dr. Catalyst and I'm glad the series didn't make his identity too obvious. He's in top bad guy form here, certainly makes for a memorable villain and the segments from his point of view in all four books are always so engaging and stand out. His newest creation, the Swamp Cat, while not as creepy as the Blood Jackets, is a cool and threatening menace all its own and a welcome addition to the critter menagerie in this series, especially when it came to the attacks, which were savage, brutal and no-nonsense, and I really appreciated that. Another positive was Calvin's character development was nicely done in this one.
Unfortunately, in terms of the story itself, this one's just kinda average. Dr. Catalyst wants to kill Emmet, and that's about it. The thing is that, while it's understandable that Dr. Catalyst hates Emmet and sees him as what turned the tables and made every one of his plans go sour, when you read the series as a whole, it's honestly been more a team effort between both Emmet and Calvin, in which Calvin is more often the more effective one at foiling the villain, and it doesn't help that Emmet, while he has his moments to shine, is generally just an annoying whiny brat whose constant quips and jokes fell flat and were entirely unfunny, and I just never warmed up to him. It generally felt to me that Emmet was miscast as the main character, especially compared to the more level-headed and competent Calvin.
Overall, there's not much to the plot, so outside of the Swamp Cat attacks and a couple of good chases, a lot of the segments can get dull, it made me want things to be a bit more dynamic and varied. There's also how the cast has been minimized a bit in this one too, and it's especially noticeable when you take into account that Raeburn and Riley had a big role in the last book, but in this one, the both of them and Stuke don't appear at all and are merely just mentioned, so their lack of presence was a big flaw for me. Then comes the final act of the book, the climax, and while it starts exciting, it ends very abruptly. Not just the final confrontation feels rushed, but so does the ending of the book. It ends as though a TV show episode would end and you'd wait for the next episode next week. It's really sudden and jarring, it doesn't feel like a proper conclusion, just falls short of being exiting or satisfying.
Overall, while this wasn't a bad book, it wasn't particularly good either. It was just okay, but "just okay" feels disappointing considering it's the series finale, and especially because it came after the excellent third book. In general, this series was a mixed bag, but I'm still glad I read it.
April 13, 2024
This was a great ending to an awesome series! I was a little underwhelmed by the ending and wish it would’ve shown us a few months into the future instead of a day or so, but overall a great conclusion to the series.
May 25, 2017
Emmet Doyle and Calvin Geaux have been meddling with Dr. Catalyst plans too much. He decides to create his most deadly hybrid ever. It is a deadly hunter and it has only one target. That is Emmet
November 11, 2017
Another very good science fiction book for young readers in the Killer Species series.
February 5, 2015
In this book you will find another fun and exciting attack. Emmet Doyle'y and Calvin Gaux have another surprise attack by Dr. Catalyst. Emmet and Calvin get into an argument because Calvin won't tell Emmet something that Emmet wants to know. Calvin finally decides to tell Emmet when Calvin's uncle YaHa stops by Calvin's house. During this time when YaHa is at Calvin's house Calvin spills the beans to leave Emmet, his dad, and even Calvin's mom in shock. This secret that Calvin shared startled everyone and gave them a new idea on how to take Dr. Catalyst out. But then before they could talk about the subject anymore they get attack by one of Dr. Catalyst new creations. This new creature only had one purpose and it was to take out Emmet Doyle. The first time the creature is sent out it trys to attack Emmet but Calvin's uncle YaHa jumps on the creature. That night it injuries YaHa, Calvin's mom, and Emmet's dad. They all got hurt but not Emmet or Calvin. This keeps happening till finally Dr. catalyst catches Emmet Doyle. Emmet has to try to escape from Dr. Catalyst creature. I would recommend this book to people who like adventure and exciting story's. The age range for this book would be 10 and older. This book was very exciting and I really liked it.
November 2, 2014
After reading 10 pages of killer species ultimate attack by Michael P. Spradlin, I chose not to read this book for my second book report. I choose not to read this for my second book report because I like the series and I will read the book it's just low on my list of books to read. Another reason I choose not to read this book was because it's to short it's only 170 and the book I chose read instead is 400 pages. Lastly, I thought just from the first 10 pages it's going to be the best book of all 4 of them. Because of these reasons I rated the book 4 stars. However. This could change if I were to read the rest of the book.
September 30, 2016
Edmudo Rangel
Dr.Catalyst creates a swamp cat monster to attack Emmet Doyle. Emmet is trying to save himself and other people.I was felling exited when I got the book because it was full of action. The book was interesting because it's fill of drama.
I would recommend it to people that like action books
Dr.Catalyst creates a swamp cat monster to attack Emmet Doyle. Emmet is trying to save himself and other people.I was felling exited when I got the book because it was full of action. The book was interesting because it's fill of drama.
I would recommend it to people that like action books
January 16, 2017
We learn Dr. Catalyst's identity. The man has given up on eradicating invasive species (by introducing invasive species) and is now focused completely on killing Emmett. The books are very plot driven and don't have much character development.
October 5, 2014
Wow
Calvin and Emmett are best friends when Calvin's crazy grandpa is Dr. Catylus who is making deadly creatures. You all got to all 4 books and also you will love them.
Calvin and Emmett are best friends when Calvin's crazy grandpa is Dr. Catylus who is making deadly creatures. You all got to all 4 books and also you will love them.
December 5, 2014
Amazing
This was one of the best finales I have ever read. I recommend this book to everyone. It is very entertaining
This was one of the best finales I have ever read. I recommend this book to everyone. It is very entertaining
March 17, 2015
Another sharply written addition to the Killer Species series. This one is totally action packed and fast paced. Great for grades 4-8.
May 31, 2015
The character development, plot, and ending are perfect. I was so happy with the way the whole series turned out
January 16, 2016
Love this series. Wish there were more.
November 4, 2016
It is a good read, something I read for a nephew.
November 17, 2016
great conclusion to the series!
January 16, 2015
This series is good. The crazy doctor with his creatures are twisted.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews