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Nemesis Saga #2
Project Maigo
BOSTON IS IN RUINS Jon Hudson, head of the Department of Homeland Security's Fusion Center - Paranormal division, is haunted by Boston's destruction at the hands of Nemesis, a three-hundred-foot tall monster with the heart of a murdered little girl, Maigo. In the time since Boston fell and Nemesis retreated to the ocean's depths, Hudson has helped prepare the United States against future attacks. But no one is prepared for what rises from the depths. THE WORLD BURNS Five Kaiju attack cities and consume the world's citizens in an unstoppable rampage around the globe. But it soon becomes apparent that these attacks aren't all random events. Hudson is targeted, putting the FC-P headquarters, known as the Crow's Nest, and his team, in the very large crosshairs. General Lance Gordon, a man who carries Nemesis's vengeful heart in his chest, directs the Kaiju, and when Hudson finds protection from an unlikely source, the General turns his attention to his next target. THE NATION'S CAPITOL IS NEXT While Gordon and his Kaiju storm toward Washington D.C., Hudson, along with his team and some new and unusual allies, race to stand in their path, hoping to spare the nation-and the world-from destruction. But salvation at the end of all things will come only through the gravest of sacrifices. --- With Project Nemesis, Jeremy Robinson introduced the world of popular fiction to Kaiju, a word that has become popularized by the movie Pacific Rim, and is associated with classic movie monsters such as Godzilla and Gamera. In the year since the release of Project Nemesis, the book has become the bestselling original Kaiju novel of all time, and it is being featured in the video game Colossal Kaiju Combat: Fall of Nemesis. In Project Maigo, Robinson amps up the scale, the characters and the city-stomping action, treating readers to a truly monstrous experience typically reserved for the big screen.
318 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2013
175 people are currently reading
726 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Robinson
163 books2,598 followersJeremy Robinson is the New York Times bestselling author of seventy novels and novellas, including Apocalypse Machine, Island 731, and SecondWorld, as well as the Jack Sigler thriller series and Project Nemesis, the highest selling, original (non-licensed) kaiju novel of all time. He’s known for mixing elements of science, history and mythology, which has earned him the #1 spot in Science Fiction and Action-Adventure, and secured him as the top creature feature author. Many of his novels have been adapted into comic books, optioned for film and TV, and translated into thirteen languages. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife and three children. Visit him at www.bewareofmonsters.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
February 17, 2024
"Project Maigo" by Jeremy Robinson plunges readers into an intensified whirlwind of action and monstrous chaos, serving as a gripping sequel to the riveting "Project Nemesis." In this novel, Robinson raises the stakes as Five Kaiju embark on a relentless rampage across the globe, leaving destruction and terror in their wake. With Washington DC as the focal point for an epic showdown, the narrative unfolds with heart-pounding intensity, drawing readers into a world teeming with monsters, mayhem, and thrills.
Robinson's skillful storytelling is underscored by his trademark blend of sophomoric humor, infusing the story with an energy that kept me turning pages. Moreover, while "Project Maigo" stands as a compelling standalone read, Robinson integrates characters from his broader literary universe, enriching the experience for seasoned fans without alienating newcomers.
The audio version, performed by Jeffrey Kafer, is an immersive journey, capturing the essence of Robinson's vividly imagined world with precision and flair. For enthusiasts of kaiju classics like Godzilla and Gamera, "Project Maigo" offers a blend of spectacle and suspense, delivering an homage to the genre's iconic elements.
"Project Maigo" emerges as a must-read for anyone seeking pulse-pounding excitement and larger-than-life adventures amidst the chaos of giant monsters. With its gripping storyline and relentless action, Robinson will leave you fully satisfied yet clamoring for more.
Robinson's skillful storytelling is underscored by his trademark blend of sophomoric humor, infusing the story with an energy that kept me turning pages. Moreover, while "Project Maigo" stands as a compelling standalone read, Robinson integrates characters from his broader literary universe, enriching the experience for seasoned fans without alienating newcomers.
The audio version, performed by Jeffrey Kafer, is an immersive journey, capturing the essence of Robinson's vividly imagined world with precision and flair. For enthusiasts of kaiju classics like Godzilla and Gamera, "Project Maigo" offers a blend of spectacle and suspense, delivering an homage to the genre's iconic elements.
"Project Maigo" emerges as a must-read for anyone seeking pulse-pounding excitement and larger-than-life adventures amidst the chaos of giant monsters. With its gripping storyline and relentless action, Robinson will leave you fully satisfied yet clamoring for more.
January 22, 2014
If Project Nemesis is Jeremy Robinson’s Godzilla, then Project Maigo is his Destroy All Monsters. True monster movie fans will also recognize aspects of the original proposed story for GMK: Giant Monster All Out Attack here. It was considerably different than what was eventually filmed (in of itself an awesome monster movie) focusing on the drama of a monster with a human heart. In true sequel fashion, we’ve gotten all the intros out of the way and jump right into the action - barely ever pausing for a breath.
The action in this one is even more fast and furious than in Project Nemesis. How could it not? There’s not one, but six monsters (possibly eight if you count some of the other characters) stomping about causing mayhem. The only difference here is that the scale is larger, but less emphasis is given to the human casualties. Project Nemesis was heavy on showing the aftermath of the monster’s attack - how real human lives were destroyed. Project Maigo focuses instead on big explosions and leveled cities. This serves to make the overall tone a bit lighter, which will probably be more in line with those coming for the monster battles. I can understand this as it once more follows the formula I laid out above. The original Godzilla put a heavy emphasis on the monster’s aftermath. By the time we reached Destroy All Monsters, though, we just wanted to see shit blow up real good. This book delivers on that in spades. If anything, I plowed through it even faster than the first.
In this book’s case the only downside is the inclusion of some secondary characters. Robinson has created a shared universe, similar to Stephen King's, and as such characters in one book exist in others. In this case we meet up with Hawkins and Lilly from another of Robinson's novels, Island 731. Don't get me wrong, I will certainly be picking this novel up to learn about their fascinating back-story. At the same time, though, they don’t really work here. The character of Lilly in particular comes across as a bit of a Deus Ex Machina. Once again it’s a minor thing, masked by some very nicely laid out action scenes, but their presence still feels a bit like an e-commerce website’s upsell - albeit, one that works as I mentioned above.
All in all I highly recommend this book. It makes an excellent companion for a long weekend - serving as either the appetizer or dessert for the entree of a monster movie marathon. If you've ever enjoyed Godzilla, Gamera, or Gorgo stomping across the screen, you would do well to pick up this book.
The action in this one is even more fast and furious than in Project Nemesis. How could it not? There’s not one, but six monsters (possibly eight if you count some of the other characters) stomping about causing mayhem. The only difference here is that the scale is larger, but less emphasis is given to the human casualties. Project Nemesis was heavy on showing the aftermath of the monster’s attack - how real human lives were destroyed. Project Maigo focuses instead on big explosions and leveled cities. This serves to make the overall tone a bit lighter, which will probably be more in line with those coming for the monster battles. I can understand this as it once more follows the formula I laid out above. The original Godzilla put a heavy emphasis on the monster’s aftermath. By the time we reached Destroy All Monsters, though, we just wanted to see shit blow up real good. This book delivers on that in spades. If anything, I plowed through it even faster than the first.
In this book’s case the only downside is the inclusion of some secondary characters. Robinson has created a shared universe, similar to Stephen King's, and as such characters in one book exist in others. In this case we meet up with Hawkins and Lilly from another of Robinson's novels, Island 731. Don't get me wrong, I will certainly be picking this novel up to learn about their fascinating back-story. At the same time, though, they don’t really work here. The character of Lilly in particular comes across as a bit of a Deus Ex Machina. Once again it’s a minor thing, masked by some very nicely laid out action scenes, but their presence still feels a bit like an e-commerce website’s upsell - albeit, one that works as I mentioned above.
All in all I highly recommend this book. It makes an excellent companion for a long weekend - serving as either the appetizer or dessert for the entree of a monster movie marathon. If you've ever enjoyed Godzilla, Gamera, or Gorgo stomping across the screen, you would do well to pick up this book.
September 24, 2017
4.25 Stars
July 18, 2023
This was a very entertaining read, with Kaijus for days! There was a great battle, and it was awesome to listen to the description in the audiobook.
September 17, 2014
Come on Hollywood! Here is the American Kaiju we have been waiting for.
Pure escapism and I love it. The only reason I am holding back a star is due to the constant beatings taken by the human characters' bodies. Yes, I know what genre I am reading, but if you wish me to suspend belief and go along with giant human-kaiju hybrids, and I will happily, then, when a character is hurt as badly as these characters have been, they need to be down for the count. With obvious exceptions, no one is a super hero. I find it a bit frustrating when characters who are mortally wounded are able to rise and fight. Just my little opinion.
If you are a Godzilla fan, pick these up and let them play in your head for a bit.
Pure escapism and I love it. The only reason I am holding back a star is due to the constant beatings taken by the human characters' bodies. Yes, I know what genre I am reading, but if you wish me to suspend belief and go along with giant human-kaiju hybrids, and I will happily, then, when a character is hurt as badly as these characters have been, they need to be down for the count. With obvious exceptions, no one is a super hero. I find it a bit frustrating when characters who are mortally wounded are able to rise and fight. Just my little opinion.
If you are a Godzilla fan, pick these up and let them play in your head for a bit.
May 22, 2016
I preferred the last book in the series. There is just so much of monster killing that I can take.
July 17, 2024
I thought the first was pretty cool. This took the concept and went crazy with it.
Loved it.
Loved it.
August 5, 2018
Wow. This book is everything I ever wanted from a Kaiju series. SO GOOD. We got SIX Kaiju in one book, plus a demented half-Kaiju bad guy who is like THE WORST. Loved how we had a human-sized antagonist who honestly felt more menacing than the skyscraper-tall monsters. Hawkins and Lily from Island 731 make an appearance and it was so awesome seeing those two books crossover here! A super entertaining read. Highly recommend this series.
May 30, 2022
This was good, but I liked the first book in the series better. At one point I was actually thinking there were too many monsters! Still I zipped through this book & found it very entertaining.
September 10, 2015
My favourite Onion article is “**** Everything, We’re Doing Five Blades”. It’s also a fair approximation of the approach adopted by Jeremy Robinson in writing this book. With Project Maigo, Robinson co-opts the well-worn monster movie tradition of setting up rival monsters in the sequel. Here though he opts to knee subtlety in the groin even harder than last time by introducing five rival kaiju.
That’s not spoiling anything which isn’t emblazoned on the book’s summary, incidentally. It sure would be nice if they didn’t give away most of the plot on those. It’s a plot which has more in common with Pacific Rim than last time, and also with the higher kaiju-count Godzilla films like ‘Destroy All Monsters’ and ‘Final Wars’.
Robinson does the ‘all action, all the time’ thing well. I do think it works better when it’s wrapped around the skeleton of a strong, simple narrative though. Project Nemesis had this with its origin story of an imaginatively conceived monster and the people trying to survive its unstoppable force. Project Maigo has a lot more ideas going on (some of which reinforce why Nemesis is such a cool and original kaiju) but I think it suffers for that comparative lack of focus.
That said, it keeps me turning the pages over and wanting to read the next book. But I remain sceptical about Robinson’s ability to take this to a higher level and turn it into the ubiquitous multi-media pop culture franchise he openly states he’d like it to be.
He’s upfront about writing the books his inner twelve-year-old wants to read, and my inner twelve-year-old is certainly happy to. But my outer adult realises that to achieve mainstream appeal you have to pull off a story that appeals strongly to multiple age demographics, which is where many of the Marvel movies have hit the jackpot.
Perhaps it seems like I’m digressing but I’m really not. Because whereas Project Nemesis was about the cool monster, Project Maigo is about Robinson. Or rather, his avatar Jon Hudson. The character works well as the kind of endearingly dorky guy heading towards middle age and making hilariously poor attempts at pop culture references while performing action hero feats clearly only possible in fiction. There’s a Gangnam Style joke in this book, and it’s so knowing in its lameness that it works.
Even when this book seems to be about Nemesis, or the new kaiju, or the returning villain General Gordon, or any of the other characters, it’s still impossible to escape how much it’s about Robinson’s inner twelve-year-old avatar going “Woah this is awesome, look at me go!”.
One of the wide-of-the-mark pop culture wisecracks is about his legs moving like Lars Ulrich playing Enter Sandman. Not the fastest song or the greatest drummer, but that aside the Metallica comparison is worth running with. They did the ‘all action, all the time’ thing briefly, but they did so much more to crossover into a mainstream juggernaut.
You’ve got a good, raw product with Nemesis, Jeremy. But if you want to give the world your own ‘Black album’, you’ll need to give us your ‘Nothing Else Matters’ as well as your ‘Sad But True’. Combine that rampant child-like enthusiasm with the skills of a top-notch modern sci-fi thriller author and direct that energy better (like that thing that happened at the end of Project Nemesis) and you could be on to something. Just don’t ‘brickwall’ everything to be louder than everything else like that horrendous mixing job on ‘Death Magnetic’.
Ah well, it’s a couple of weeks until Project Hyperion drops and I’ve already pre-ordered it. In the meantime, as Bill Belichick might say I’m on to Project 731.
That’s not spoiling anything which isn’t emblazoned on the book’s summary, incidentally. It sure would be nice if they didn’t give away most of the plot on those. It’s a plot which has more in common with Pacific Rim than last time, and also with the higher kaiju-count Godzilla films like ‘Destroy All Monsters’ and ‘Final Wars’.
Robinson does the ‘all action, all the time’ thing well. I do think it works better when it’s wrapped around the skeleton of a strong, simple narrative though. Project Nemesis had this with its origin story of an imaginatively conceived monster and the people trying to survive its unstoppable force. Project Maigo has a lot more ideas going on (some of which reinforce why Nemesis is such a cool and original kaiju) but I think it suffers for that comparative lack of focus.
That said, it keeps me turning the pages over and wanting to read the next book. But I remain sceptical about Robinson’s ability to take this to a higher level and turn it into the ubiquitous multi-media pop culture franchise he openly states he’d like it to be.
He’s upfront about writing the books his inner twelve-year-old wants to read, and my inner twelve-year-old is certainly happy to. But my outer adult realises that to achieve mainstream appeal you have to pull off a story that appeals strongly to multiple age demographics, which is where many of the Marvel movies have hit the jackpot.
Perhaps it seems like I’m digressing but I’m really not. Because whereas Project Nemesis was about the cool monster, Project Maigo is about Robinson. Or rather, his avatar Jon Hudson. The character works well as the kind of endearingly dorky guy heading towards middle age and making hilariously poor attempts at pop culture references while performing action hero feats clearly only possible in fiction. There’s a Gangnam Style joke in this book, and it’s so knowing in its lameness that it works.
Even when this book seems to be about Nemesis, or the new kaiju, or the returning villain General Gordon, or any of the other characters, it’s still impossible to escape how much it’s about Robinson’s inner twelve-year-old avatar going “Woah this is awesome, look at me go!”.
One of the wide-of-the-mark pop culture wisecracks is about his legs moving like Lars Ulrich playing Enter Sandman. Not the fastest song or the greatest drummer, but that aside the Metallica comparison is worth running with. They did the ‘all action, all the time’ thing briefly, but they did so much more to crossover into a mainstream juggernaut.
You’ve got a good, raw product with Nemesis, Jeremy. But if you want to give the world your own ‘Black album’, you’ll need to give us your ‘Nothing Else Matters’ as well as your ‘Sad But True’. Combine that rampant child-like enthusiasm with the skills of a top-notch modern sci-fi thriller author and direct that energy better (like that thing that happened at the end of Project Nemesis) and you could be on to something. Just don’t ‘brickwall’ everything to be louder than everything else like that horrendous mixing job on ‘Death Magnetic’.
Ah well, it’s a couple of weeks until Project Hyperion drops and I’ve already pre-ordered it. In the meantime, as Bill Belichick might say I’m on to Project 731.
June 20, 2015
This was a really fun, action-packed story. At times the story has you laughing, crying and cheering. I hope we get more in this series.
December 16, 2014
This completes this pair of books. I enjoyed both and they are an enjoyable monster-eats-american-cities set of stories.
September 2, 2016
Well #2 wasn't quite as much fun as #1.
June 9, 2021
This is another fun Godzilla book, 3 bill-stars.
Kaijū are Godzilla-like monsters. The book is better than the movies as the monsters are ultra-violent. They actually spend their time wrecking whole cities, stepping on crowds of people, and eating them willy-nilly. Check out the quote below...so great. Ha!
QOTD
She faced the camera again, speaking unheard words, while the monster in the background reached into the crowd, swept its giant clawed hand to the side and lifted twenty well-dressed people into the air. Its hand gave a mighty squeeze, squelching out the few people still screaming in horror, and filling the air with the sound of snapping bones. It then scraped the victims over its lower jaw, depositing most of them into its mouth and impaling a few on its teeth.
- ultra-violence in Project Maigo
The writing is much better than you'd expect. And there's plenty of humor sprinkled about, which is good. The monster movies should do that too.
A good read. thanks...yow, bill
October 26, 2018
Project: Nemesis was good. But Project: Maigo is superb!
This is what you came to read; a book about giant monsters duking it out and destroying a city underfoot while they do so, with humans watching below, powerless to do anything about it.
We return to FC-P agent Jon Hudson and see that in the wake of the nemesis incident, He and his team have gone from a joke sector to a bona-fide task force with resources and clout, and witness as their lives continue to get more complicated and dangerous as threats appear out of the woodwork and begin to cause hell.
I won't spoil too much, but all characters have their hands full with difficult battles and action-packed scenarios that test their limits, including even Nemesis. This is a MUST for any fan of the giant monster movie genre!
This is what you came to read; a book about giant monsters duking it out and destroying a city underfoot while they do so, with humans watching below, powerless to do anything about it.
We return to FC-P agent Jon Hudson and see that in the wake of the nemesis incident, He and his team have gone from a joke sector to a bona-fide task force with resources and clout, and witness as their lives continue to get more complicated and dangerous as threats appear out of the woodwork and begin to cause hell.
I won't spoil too much, but all characters have their hands full with difficult battles and action-packed scenarios that test their limits, including even Nemesis. This is a MUST for any fan of the giant monster movie genre!
March 9, 2019
Absolutely incredible! A perfect continuation of Jeremy Robinson's nemesis saga, though he did tone down the horror the slightly this is more than made up for due to him turning the action up to 11 out of a possible 5. Matt Frank's art and character designs that he mastered while working on the IDW Godzilla comics really do add a lot to the book. I would recommend this book to fans of over the top kaiju action but only to those with a strong stomach as the book can be quite gross and gory at times, however it is fill to the brim with dark humor and references to godzilla and other giant monster classics.
November 1, 2024
A fun read
A thrilling and compelling book filled with twists that keep you page flipping. The foreshadowing is beautiful and the art is perfect really helps someone like me who has trouble imagining scenes and characters. The way Jeremy Robinson writes in present tense keeps you in the action and it feels like watching a movie in book form.
If you're looking for a book to keep you occupied for a few hours or to lose yourself in, this is it! Unless if you haven't read the first one, then go read that one.
A thrilling and compelling book filled with twists that keep you page flipping. The foreshadowing is beautiful and the art is perfect really helps someone like me who has trouble imagining scenes and characters. The way Jeremy Robinson writes in present tense keeps you in the action and it feels like watching a movie in book form.
If you're looking for a book to keep you occupied for a few hours or to lose yourself in, this is it! Unless if you haven't read the first one, then go read that one.
March 24, 2022
READ ISLAND 731 FIRST! Don't make the same mistake I did. With that being said, how do I think of this book?
I like it! Though I think it did a little too much for the second book. It had multiple monsters which I think should be a climax for a giant monster concept. The referees to Island 731 did take me out of because I didn't read it. So that's the book's fault just didn't think to read it. But overall, it is lesser than the first but still enjoyable.
I like it! Though I think it did a little too much for the second book. It had multiple monsters which I think should be a climax for a giant monster concept. The referees to Island 731 did take me out of because I didn't read it. So that's the book's fault just didn't think to read it. But overall, it is lesser than the first but still enjoyable.
June 20, 2022
I fell in love with Jeremy Robinson’s books late last year, and am racing through them as fast as I can. Luckily, he’s quite prolific! Project Maigo is another fun romp, running at breakneck speed to a stunning ending. It’s technically the 2nd book in the Nemesis Saga, but I read Island 731 (“Book 0”) before Project Nemesis, and I’m glad I did. I highly recommend those books as well. Fantastic escapist reading!
March 8, 2023
This is the next in a series of Kaiju thrillers, like the Godzilla franchise and Pacific Rim. I enjoy these books, I really do, but I don't think they are for everyone. Washington DC got destroyed this time, which was pretty cool. I like the monster action and the human drama that doesn't distract too much from the monsters. There are 3 more books in the series, but I feel the need to pace myself rather than devour them all (like a Kaiju would do).
September 10, 2025
Wish Good Reads would let us do half stars because I would have given this book a 4.5. I liked this book for a lot of the same reasons I enjoyed the previous one: cool action scenes, Kaiju monsters in combat, and some good old fashioned government conspiracy. The book is sort of like X-Files meets the Godzilla universe. And like a good Godzilla movie, there are more Kaiju monsters in this book with bigger stakes and bigger fights. I'm excited to read the next one!
February 7, 2017
This was a good book. It picked up right where Project Nemesis left off. We find Hudson having to fend off 5 baby Kaiju. Can he save the US in time? I really enjoyed the book and the developing relationships between the characters. This one was a wild ride from the first page to the last! I highly recommend this book!
June 3, 2017
Once again Robinson's mix of scifi, horror and thriller pays off with a great book 2 in the series! The new kaiju (of course there's new ones!) are great and though this book is predictable at times it still throws some great unexpected twists in at others! I'm reading book 3 already as I type this...
December 18, 2021
More exciting than the first
I love it when the second book is more exciting than the first.
I love that this monster story has a plot and fully developed characters.
I am 10 chapters into Project 731 now.
I am blown away at the art in this. I really hope someone is clever enough to make a movie out of this.
I love it when the second book is more exciting than the first.
I love that this monster story has a plot and fully developed characters.
I am 10 chapters into Project 731 now.
I am blown away at the art in this. I really hope someone is clever enough to make a movie out of this.
December 26, 2021
My hats off to Jeremy Robinson for this almost believable Kaiju thriller. He convinces for at least short time that this situation could be real. This isn't just about giant monsters, and actually the humans, other creatures and organizations are all more interesting than the giant sized creatures. This was much better than the first of the series and I think I'll give the next one a go too!
May 20, 2022
Fun! Jeremy Robinson writes compelling characters, so I love following them through several novels. In this one, 4 new Kaiju are terrorizing various parts of the globe. DHS-P is in charge of Kaiju response. We also have General Gordon who has the heart of a Kaiju, causing trouble. Nemesis makes her return as well.
August 6, 2017
Mind-controlling tech - Check
Massive Kaiju battling it out in Washington DC - Check
A great sequel to Project Nemesis, Project Maigo hits all the right spots. A thriller from the start to end, Jeremy Robinson tells another great story of the Kaiju
Massive Kaiju battling it out in Washington DC - Check
A great sequel to Project Nemesis, Project Maigo hits all the right spots. A thriller from the start to end, Jeremy Robinson tells another great story of the Kaiju
December 8, 2017
Great Read
If you liked the original Japanese thrillers Godzilla and Mothra, you just may love these books. Watched those movies as a kid and really enjoyed being reminded of them in these updated, well-written novels.
If you liked the original Japanese thrillers Godzilla and Mothra, you just may love these books. Watched those movies as a kid and really enjoyed being reminded of them in these updated, well-written novels.
March 3, 2018
1.5 stars. Would’ve been higher if the book had been edited better. Example: in chapter 22 Hudson says his father died 5 years prior but in chapter 27 says he doesn’t know if his father is alive or dead. Just sloppy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2019
Awesome
Never mind 5 stars this gets 5 millon. I don't care if it's not on par with Hemmingway it's just an absolute fun series. I left work early to get home and finish it.I'm having a blast with it and that's all that matters
Never mind 5 stars this gets 5 millon. I don't care if it's not on par with Hemmingway it's just an absolute fun series. I left work early to get home and finish it.I'm having a blast with it and that's all that matters
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews