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Behemoth #1
Behemoth
Rick Napier is a fisherman struggling to make ends meet. The situation is made even worse when a local fishing vessel mysteriously disappears, along with a Coast Guard diver sent to search for the wreckage. As events unfold, he confronts the horrible reality of a top secret government experiment gone haywire, resulting in a hybrid creature of massive proportions. Escaped from captivity in a high tech facility in the Atlantic, it seeks to fill an insatiable appetite. Napier’s life turns upside down as he witnesses the carnage and devastation, and is forced to confront a Behemoth more terrifying than anything imaginable.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2015
264 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Michael R. Cole
40 books116 followersMichael R. Cole is an author of creature horror and science fiction. He was born in Toledo, Ohio and grew up in lower Michigan. He has a profound love for monster movies and book as well as the action genre. In addition to writing, his hobbies include martial arts and fishing.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 23, 2015
A new personal record...
Today is big day for this reviewer! Never before have I dumped a book at just 7%. And yet hear I am. I guess the floating rocks did me in. The phenomenon of the self publishing author not paying attention to what he writing has become epidemic. Then there is the author's insistence that his giant squid is the stupidest creature in the seven seas. I guess he doesn't know that cephalopods are pinnacle of invertebrate intelligence.
When you couple the poor writing with the silly ideas the author thinks are science, this book is hot mess that should be avoided.
Today is big day for this reviewer! Never before have I dumped a book at just 7%. And yet hear I am. I guess the floating rocks did me in. The phenomenon of the self publishing author not paying attention to what he writing has become epidemic. Then there is the author's insistence that his giant squid is the stupidest creature in the seven seas. I guess he doesn't know that cephalopods are pinnacle of invertebrate intelligence.
When you couple the poor writing with the silly ideas the author thinks are science, this book is hot mess that should be avoided.
November 26, 2016
Knew there was reason I don't like octopus or squid
I would have gave five stars, but there were some minor problems with this book. Those first then the good stuff. Somehow the chapters got misnumbered. This is no biggie, but it can make you think you missed something. Then there were a few places that the story flow kind of stumbled. All this meant to me was re-reading a passage or two. I liked the main character, Rick Napier. He brought to my mind a guy like William Peterson. This possibly is because he was in a movie about a giant squid. Now don't get me wrong I liked this book. It is it just seemed to have scenes that were reminiscent of several other books. But I mean what is not to like about a giant squid/octopus combined with a crab. Here once again I had to think didn't you people see Jurassic Park and what happens with gene splicing. This book could have been pure schlock, but it was able to rise above that. There are bad guys, who get theirs in the end. Then is a love interest for the hero. And don't forget it has an oh yeah I saw it coming ending, but it was just fun reading not for all the dying that happens, but for how do people manage to get in such predicaments and live. So for those, who like monster stories here is a pretty good one.
I would have gave five stars, but there were some minor problems with this book. Those first then the good stuff. Somehow the chapters got misnumbered. This is no biggie, but it can make you think you missed something. Then there were a few places that the story flow kind of stumbled. All this meant to me was re-reading a passage or two. I liked the main character, Rick Napier. He brought to my mind a guy like William Peterson. This possibly is because he was in a movie about a giant squid. Now don't get me wrong I liked this book. It is it just seemed to have scenes that were reminiscent of several other books. But I mean what is not to like about a giant squid/octopus combined with a crab. Here once again I had to think didn't you people see Jurassic Park and what happens with gene splicing. This book could have been pure schlock, but it was able to rise above that. There are bad guys, who get theirs in the end. Then is a love interest for the hero. And don't forget it has an oh yeah I saw it coming ending, but it was just fun reading not for all the dying that happens, but for how do people manage to get in such predicaments and live. So for those, who like monster stories here is a pretty good one.
May 31, 2022
Behemoth has everything that you might want in an ocean horror novel.....government funded gene modification, horrible hybrid creatures, an escape and lots of death and destruction. What it doesn't have, however is cohesive plot.
This one fascinated me as soon as I read the back of the book. Who doesn't love a good underwater horror with secret government funded scientific shenanigans? But I found myself disappointed as soon as I started reading. While the concept itself is absolutely captivating, the story was not.
The book itself could have used a pass or two through an editor or a beta reader. There were a lot of grammar and spelling mistakes, and a lot of information that kept repeating itself. I felt like I was reading the same descriptions over and over and over. The same words were used to describe the creature and its killing/instincts. Too much time was spent detailing out things that didn't really matter, like the half page I read describing Jane doing the dishes, that I don't feel I got a good grip on the actual plotline.
There were too many characters introduced and they all read flat. Not really a whole lot of dimension across the board. Rick came across as a bit slimy and I didn't really form any sort of attachment to anyone in this. When bad things started happening, I only had a vague sense of "that's unfortunate" rather than actually being upset by the things happening to the characters.
That being said, I'll read book 2. I'm curious to see if it's improved any from this one and I am rather intrigued by the concept as a whole.
This one fascinated me as soon as I read the back of the book. Who doesn't love a good underwater horror with secret government funded scientific shenanigans? But I found myself disappointed as soon as I started reading. While the concept itself is absolutely captivating, the story was not.
The book itself could have used a pass or two through an editor or a beta reader. There were a lot of grammar and spelling mistakes, and a lot of information that kept repeating itself. I felt like I was reading the same descriptions over and over and over. The same words were used to describe the creature and its killing/instincts. Too much time was spent detailing out things that didn't really matter, like the half page I read describing Jane doing the dishes, that I don't feel I got a good grip on the actual plotline.
There were too many characters introduced and they all read flat. Not really a whole lot of dimension across the board. Rick came across as a bit slimy and I didn't really form any sort of attachment to anyone in this. When bad things started happening, I only had a vague sense of "that's unfortunate" rather than actually being upset by the things happening to the characters.
That being said, I'll read book 2. I'm curious to see if it's improved any from this one and I am rather intrigued by the concept as a whole.
March 8, 2020
Good storyline but I found the writing style to be overly descriptive.
September 4, 2022
Последните две книги на Коул, които четох преди тази малко ме бяха отегчили и се притеснявах, че съм се наситил на автора, но Behemoth отново разпали интереса ми към творчеството му. Книгата е много добра, с чудесно развити персонажи а ла “Челюсти”, макар и характерният консерватизъм на автора понякога да отеква дидактично. Звездата на романа както обаче може да се очаква е Бегемота, ужасно изчадие, кръстоска между… абе хайде няма да ви казвам, че може да се изкушите да прочетете книгата, а си струва да се погърчите от отвращение, докато очаквате да разбере с какво си имате работа. Само ще кажа, че съществото е опустошително, почти неоубиваемо и като отива на плажа става егати мусаката.
Цялото ми ревю може да прочетете в Цитаделата:
https://citadelata.com/behemoth-cole/
Цялото ми ревю може да прочетете в Цитаделата:
https://citadelata.com/behemoth-cole/
January 26, 2020
Mad scientist, unstoppable monster, great atmospheric read, an ending that makes you want to read more. Everything I wanted in a horror monster book. Only criticisms I have were the monster perspectives were only good to know where the monster was in the water and they were nice and short, however, It got repetitive hearing it’s thoughts of wanting to kill for no reason. It’s a monster, we assume that lol also the way it killed people got a little repetitive toward the end. Many people died the exact same way and would have been beneficial to have it vary a bit. Those are only minor criticisms though, overall I really enjoyed this read.
June 18, 2021
Predictable and annoying
A predictable story concept. Next to no lead up, bam monster escapes (never did get a proper explanation of what animal combo was supposed to be used for it) then said monster designed to cause only death and destruction starts destroying and killing.
Now the annoying, and please keep in mind I did NOT finish the book, was the detail. Not good detail to progress the story but seemingly for the sake of people that have no imagination or intelligence over 5 years old. Combine this Annoying detailing of every step of anything done and detailed information for everything around that is not even relevant to the story line with the structure of a director’s direction to how everything moves, works or happens. Also there is very little detail for relevant parts of the story. You can tell a part is directly related to the plot but it is maybe 1 sentence with 7-8 pages of pointless non relevant details about everything else before and after.
Then you have the Marine Biologist who can’t even identify if something “might be bone” but definitely not wood. Ummm. BIOLOGIST!!! Then the deputies collect boat pieces but leave the floating body part behind?
Now I like this author but I have to say this book is horribly written with no concern for research or fact.
Do Not recommend!
A predictable story concept. Next to no lead up, bam monster escapes (never did get a proper explanation of what animal combo was supposed to be used for it) then said monster designed to cause only death and destruction starts destroying and killing.
Now the annoying, and please keep in mind I did NOT finish the book, was the detail. Not good detail to progress the story but seemingly for the sake of people that have no imagination or intelligence over 5 years old. Combine this Annoying detailing of every step of anything done and detailed information for everything around that is not even relevant to the story line with the structure of a director’s direction to how everything moves, works or happens. Also there is very little detail for relevant parts of the story. You can tell a part is directly related to the plot but it is maybe 1 sentence with 7-8 pages of pointless non relevant details about everything else before and after.
Then you have the Marine Biologist who can’t even identify if something “might be bone” but definitely not wood. Ummm. BIOLOGIST!!! Then the deputies collect boat pieces but leave the floating body part behind?
Now I like this author but I have to say this book is horribly written with no concern for research or fact.
Do Not recommend!
March 3, 2021
It's very rare that I can't finish a book. I gave it my best shot--60% of the way through--and I had to call it. The writing is what did me in. All of the parts with the monster were great, the science was plausible enough for a sci-fi/horror novel, but the writing... it was overly descriptive, agonizingly long where it didn't need to be. It was pure work to get through the parts with the people--the bits with the MC's daughter were awful, awkward, and forced. It was really rough. I've read Cole before and I usually enjoy his work, but this? This wasn't it. :(
February 25, 2025
Great story - horrible proofreading
If not for the typically terrific characters, imaginative story, and occasional humor, the sheer weight of all the errors would have sunk this book down to three stars. It was actually aggravating to read at times. For example, it doesn't take an entire page to describe a person lighting a cigarette. As for the slew of factual errors - the floating metal, and the man with no air in his lungs screaming come to mind - I was just shocked at times that these blatant mistakes made it through.
If not for the typically terrific characters, imaginative story, and occasional humor, the sheer weight of all the errors would have sunk this book down to three stars. It was actually aggravating to read at times. For example, it doesn't take an entire page to describe a person lighting a cigarette. As for the slew of factual errors - the floating metal, and the man with no air in his lungs screaming come to mind - I was just shocked at times that these blatant mistakes made it through.
February 24, 2021
I'm pretty stubborn when it comes to reading, and there are very few books that I've started and not finished. I'm very much regretting that I persevered with Behemoth. I didn't take any notes until about two thirds of the way through, but the writing is lazy, and the proof-reading and editing is poor. I've deleted most of the notes I made, but have left a few in the "Notes & Highlights" section. Don't waste your time.
March 17, 2024
I enjoy a "creature" book now and again. But I just couldn't with this one. Somebody get this guy a thesaurus! I don't expect prize winning writing, but consistently using descriptive words like "large" twice in the same sentence is just unacceptable to me. Sorry, not for me.
Also, there are very VERY long soliloquies about mundane things, like 100 words on lighting a cigarette or doing dishes. Odd and disappointing.
Also, there are very VERY long soliloquies about mundane things, like 100 words on lighting a cigarette or doing dishes. Odd and disappointing.
July 7, 2019
Waste of time.
This book is like every other "monster" book I have ever read. I wasn't impressed with the monster or the with the writing. And yet again, love stories. Listen, when I want horror that's all I want, not some mushy love story. My advice is don't touch it, even if it is free.
This book is like every other "monster" book I have ever read. I wasn't impressed with the monster or the with the writing. And yet again, love stories. Listen, when I want horror that's all I want, not some mushy love story. My advice is don't touch it, even if it is free.
April 1, 2021
Great Book!!!!!
I couldn’t put it down and yet I didn’t want it to end from the very beginning to the last page it kept me with it all the way. I love a good book with weird creatures in it and this was right up my alley. It might’ve had a little bit of misspellings or different things like that but the story in and of itself was great it left me wanting more.
I couldn’t put it down and yet I didn’t want it to end from the very beginning to the last page it kept me with it all the way. I love a good book with weird creatures in it and this was right up my alley. It might’ve had a little bit of misspellings or different things like that but the story in and of itself was great it left me wanting more.
January 4, 2024
Need to learn how to paragraph
It seemed interesting, but the lack of paragraphing made the long blocks of text with a mishmash of themes tedious. I’m surprised as I generally enjoy Cole’s work. If you talk about landscape colors and then water noises and then fish, you can break that up into 3 paragraphs. I’ll try something else of his but I wouldn’t recommend this.
It seemed interesting, but the lack of paragraphing made the long blocks of text with a mishmash of themes tedious. I’m surprised as I generally enjoy Cole’s work. If you talk about landscape colors and then water noises and then fish, you can break that up into 3 paragraphs. I’ll try something else of his but I wouldn’t recommend this.
December 5, 2024
Now That’s A Hybrid
Behemoth by Michael Cole is a really fun creature feature. The plot flowed fairly well and the characters were all well written. Now with most hybrids I take them with a grain of salt. However this one was actually really dangerous and interesting. The kills in this one are all pretty good. All in all I recommend this one to anyone.
Behemoth by Michael Cole is a really fun creature feature. The plot flowed fairly well and the characters were all well written. Now with most hybrids I take them with a grain of salt. However this one was actually really dangerous and interesting. The kills in this one are all pretty good. All in all I recommend this one to anyone.
July 24, 2025
Same thing
I have read almost all of this authors books, and it seems that they are almost the same except different characters and different monsters. This book seemed it was written with not alot of thought. The writing seems a little lazy. Mr. Cole seems to not have anything new. It is sad. I really liked this author.
I have read almost all of this authors books, and it seems that they are almost the same except different characters and different monsters. This book seemed it was written with not alot of thought. The writing seems a little lazy. Mr. Cole seems to not have anything new. It is sad. I really liked this author.
July 6, 2024
Fun creature feature
Behemoth is a fun, escapism type of read. Good distraction from real life. Fast paced, gory and entertaining. If you're looking for a fast, fun horror feature, Behemoth will be perfect for you
Behemoth is a fun, escapism type of read. Good distraction from real life. Fast paced, gory and entertaining. If you're looking for a fast, fun horror feature, Behemoth will be perfect for you
May 5, 2021
Good read
The characters were strong and I really enjoyed this fast-paced story! There’s even a mention of Jaws...I found this to be just as good.
The characters were strong and I really enjoyed this fast-paced story! There’s even a mention of Jaws...I found this to be just as good.
December 26, 2022
Great Reading!!!
Amazing storyline and great flow. Looking forward to the next book in this arc. The pace was great and the creature was awesome!!!!
Amazing storyline and great flow. Looking forward to the next book in this arc. The pace was great and the creature was awesome!!!!
December 23, 2024
I can see it happening!
This book is kinda scary because I can see some Black site doing crazy experiments like this. Get the book and leave your review.
This book is kinda scary because I can see some Black site doing crazy experiments like this. Get the book and leave your review.
January 7, 2016
Twist on deep sea tales
Very interesting interpretation on genetic engineering and the good old oceanic thriller. Well written story with plenty of realism and graphic details. Would love to read a sequel!
Very interesting interpretation on genetic engineering and the good old oceanic thriller. Well written story with plenty of realism and graphic details. Would love to read a sequel!
December 29, 2015
Good book
Enjoyed this thriller, makes you keep reading to the very end try it and you will not regret it I promise
Enjoyed this thriller, makes you keep reading to the very end try it and you will not regret it I promise
January 24, 2016
Good sea monster novel
This book was a typical but good sea monster tale. It had a mad scientist, mercenaries, light romance and lots of mayhem. Would make a good movie.
This book was a typical but good sea monster tale. It had a mad scientist, mercenaries, light romance and lots of mayhem. Would make a good movie.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews