Creature features, for me, are very hit and miss. Crossing the void between movies and books and everything in between, monster stories can become classic or cult or even forgotten. On this basis, I applaud any author who braves the genre. When I picked up Red Triangle, I didn't know what to expect. I knew sharks were involved as per the ominous fins on the cover - provided by the phenomenally talented Stephen Cooney - and having discussed it with fellow readers. However, the book was still a bit of a surprise.
The plot is dead simple. A huge crack in the ocean floor releases a shiver of monstrous sharks. They attack everything. People die and chaos reigns supreme. We follow a number of characters as they come to terms with this terror and have to fight off their unstoppable enemy. So far, so Jaws on steroids...
Much like Jaws, this story revolves around vivid characters. Yes, the centrepiece is the sharks themselves; monstrous, unstoppable, unfeeling behemoths that tear up anything in their path. Unlike Jaws, they roam as a collective, using their intelligence to outwit the bewildered humans around them (a scene on a boat, with the ballsy Captain calling the shots, is a highlight). However, the story is about the human reaction to such an event. This is where Red Triangle excels. Yes, some of the characters are pure cannon fodder; written in to become playthings for the monsters. Just like any monster movie. However, there are some select characters that are colourful, conflicted and, well, human. They react like we would: I think the term is WTF? Their reactions that follow make for blockbuster entertainment.
Red Triangle is grand in scope. It's also frenetic and hyper, paced like an energetic child on Red Bull and Smarties. It never lets up. For some, I can imagine this being too much. The set pieces are imaginative and frequent, not to mention gory. For a suspense and thriller aficionado, like myself, this was a welcome change of pace to my normal lore. Yes, I like my horror thoughtful and sometimes suspenseful. It's all about the slow build in some cases. With Red Triangle, I let it take me along for the ride, like a roller coaster. Sometimes, you strap yourself in and let your Kindle provide the thrills and spills. Think a blockbuster action movie condensed into 285 pages and you're halfway there.
5* - A fantastic effort from Jason Gehlert. My first experience with this author has made me an instant fan. Reviews have mentioned the typos and editing - and there are a few minor errors - but this doesn't take away from a riveting, suspenseful, fantastically violent monster story. The characters are fresh, the plot basic but effective, and the story paced in such a way you won't realise it's over until you put it down and think 'What did I just read?' A great effort and a brave one at that, Red Triangle is a monster story with balls and bite *groan*. Recommended.