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Megalodon In Paradise
Island life can be deadly.
For Ollie Arias, owning an island in Micronesia is beyond his wildest dreams. Moving his best friends from college to share his dream…priceless. A little urban exploration of the abandoned military lab unearths strange, dark secrets. And awakens a slumbering beast that has gone decades without food. Ollie and his pals have unwittingly unleashed a deadly infection above, and a prehistoric killing machine below. The storm of the century is headed their way. Paradise has never been so close to hell.
For Ollie Arias, owning an island in Micronesia is beyond his wildest dreams. Moving his best friends from college to share his dream…priceless. A little urban exploration of the abandoned military lab unearths strange, dark secrets. And awakens a slumbering beast that has gone decades without food. Ollie and his pals have unwittingly unleashed a deadly infection above, and a prehistoric killing machine below. The storm of the century is headed their way. Paradise has never been so close to hell.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2017
88 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Hunter Shea
63 books1,002 followersHunter Shea is the author of over 25 books, with a specialization in cryptozoological horror that includes The Jersey Devil, The Dover Demon, Loch Ness Revenge and many others. As part of the new horror line at Flame Tree Press, his novel Creature has gained critical acclaim. His novel, The Montauk Monster, was named one of the best reads of the summer by Publishers Weekly. A trip to the International Cryptozoology Museum will find several of his cryptid books among the fascinating displays. Living in a true haunted house inspired his Jessica Backman: Death in the Afterlife series (Forest of Shadows, Sinister Entity and Island of the Forbidden). In 2011, he was selected to be a part of the launch of Samhain Publishing’s new horror line alongside legendary author Ramsey Campbell. When he’s not writing thrillers and horror, he also spins tall tales for middle grade readers on Amazon’s highly regarded Rapids reading app.
An avid podcaster, he can be seen and heard on Monster Men, one of the longest running video horror podcasts in the world, and Final Guys, focusing on weekly movie and book reviews. His nostalgic column about the magic of 80s horror, Video Visions, is featured monthly at Cemetery Dance Online. You can find his short stories in a number of anthologies, including Chopping Block Party, The Body Horror Book and Fearful Fathoms II.
A lifetime New Yorker, Hunter is supported by his loving wife and two beautiful daughters. When he’s not studying up on cryptozoology, he’s an avid explorer of the unknown, having spent a night alone on the Queen Mary, searching for the Warren’s famous White Lady of the Union Cemetery and other mysterious places.
You can follow his travails at www.huntershea.com.
An avid podcaster, he can be seen and heard on Monster Men, one of the longest running video horror podcasts in the world, and Final Guys, focusing on weekly movie and book reviews. His nostalgic column about the magic of 80s horror, Video Visions, is featured monthly at Cemetery Dance Online. You can find his short stories in a number of anthologies, including Chopping Block Party, The Body Horror Book and Fearful Fathoms II.
A lifetime New Yorker, Hunter is supported by his loving wife and two beautiful daughters. When he’s not studying up on cryptozoology, he’s an avid explorer of the unknown, having spent a night alone on the Queen Mary, searching for the Warren’s famous White Lady of the Union Cemetery and other mysterious places.
You can follow his travails at www.huntershea.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 11, 2025
Once again, Hunter Shea and his creature features…they just never get old and are good ole’ fashioned fun every time. And this had a lot of fun references to some of his other works, which I loved to see. The premise was really different, and surprisingly, the megalodon wasn’t the sole focus here. It was definitely present throughout, but didn’t take the spotlight until the final portion of the story. There were a ton of other plot points that kept me busy, all of which kept the action going strong. There were no big twists here, and I just felt terrible for Ollie. He just kept getting the short end of the stick (Yes, that was a shot at his stature.), all the way up until the very last few pages. I kept envisioning Ryan’s friend from The Office, Troy Underbridge, as Ollie. Now there wasn’t a good deal of depth here, but was more of a ‘popcorn book.’ Unfortunately, I felt like this aspect overlooked certain events towards the very end, which all could have been used to show some logical emotional components of the survivors. But again, it’s got a megalodon and some great fun in here, so does depth matter much?!
July 4, 2022
Ollie’s going from perpetual loser to erstwhile loser when he wins the lottery jackpot.
Now what to do with all the money? Well, he decides to buy himself an island and invite some friends from his college days to come with him.
The island is called Grand Isla Tiburon (tiburón is Spanish for shark) and he’s getting what he’s bargained for. And also a little more. Because, as the book’s title subtly indicates, there’s also a prehistoric and really really big shark in the neighbourhood. Additionally we’ve got an abandoned military lab on Grand Isla Tiburon. I suppose you can put two and two together already.
For a premise like this to work the author either has to scare the shit out of me (strictly metaphorically speaking, of course) or he doesn’t take himself and his story too serious and writes a fun romp that makes me constantly laugh at its glorious stupidity.
Unfortunately with Megalodon in Paradise Shea doesn’t do either. If you want to be scared by a shark, better read Peter Benchley’s Jaws.
In all fairness, I wasn’t expecting to be scared. I was in for some mindless fun. And in the beginning it looked like that’s what I was going to get. The first sentence goes like this:
Anyhow.
Shea is actually a better writer than that quote above suggests. But during this read I got the impression he was trying to be something he’s not. Going into social commentary (with some wobbly morals) and spending too much time with the characters.
After all, I don’t want food for thought out of such a book. What I want is some food FOR THE SHARK. Preferably some dumbass food that’s screaming and shitting themselves and losing some bodyparts along the way. Alas.
This was my first book by the author. And I’ve got a feeling he’s absolutely capable of delivering a fun creature feature. A book that’s so bad, that it’s actually good. But not so bad that it is really just bad.
Megalodon in Paradise was an entertaining read, that got me over my recent reading slump. But it was too unbalanced for me to round up to three stars. There was too much build-up, too few laugh-out-loud moments and not enough over-the-top kills by the shark. Just as in real life, most of the damage is done by humans. At least as far as the core group of characters is concerned. And that's fine. Especially if you're trying to write a serious book. Which this is not. So, it really ISN'T FINE! MAKE. SHARK. EAT. PEOPLE!!!
Okay, the shark does eat quite a few people. But they’re on the periphery anyway. Its first kill that really made me laugh came only about 10 pages before the end or so. And since I wasn’t shitting myself or constantly laughing my ass off for the 250 pages prior to that, it was quite simply too late to turn the boat around.
____________________
Note: If you happen to have too much money and you don't know what to do with it. Don't buy yourself an island that's called Grand Isla Tiburon.
2.5 stars
Recommended by Trish
Now what to do with all the money? Well, he decides to buy himself an island and invite some friends from his college days to come with him.
The island is called Grand Isla Tiburon (tiburón is Spanish for shark) and he’s getting what he’s bargained for. And also a little more. Because, as the book’s title subtly indicates, there’s also a prehistoric and really really big shark in the neighbourhood. Additionally we’ve got an abandoned military lab on Grand Isla Tiburon. I suppose you can put two and two together already.
For a premise like this to work the author either has to scare the shit out of me (strictly metaphorically speaking, of course) or he doesn’t take himself and his story too serious and writes a fun romp that makes me constantly laugh at its glorious stupidity.
Unfortunately with Megalodon in Paradise Shea doesn’t do either. If you want to be scared by a shark, better read Peter Benchley’s Jaws.
In all fairness, I wasn’t expecting to be scared. I was in for some mindless fun. And in the beginning it looked like that’s what I was going to get. The first sentence goes like this:
The whole thing had gone FUBAR faster than two eagles fucking in mid-flight.
Anyhow.
Shea is actually a better writer than that quote above suggests. But during this read I got the impression he was trying to be something he’s not. Going into social commentary (with some wobbly morals) and spending too much time with the characters.
After all, I don’t want food for thought out of such a book. What I want is some food FOR THE SHARK. Preferably some dumbass food that’s screaming and shitting themselves and losing some bodyparts along the way. Alas.
This was my first book by the author. And I’ve got a feeling he’s absolutely capable of delivering a fun creature feature. A book that’s so bad, that it’s actually good. But not so bad that it is really just bad.
Megalodon in Paradise was an entertaining read, that got me over my recent reading slump. But it was too unbalanced for me to round up to three stars. There was too much build-up, too few laugh-out-loud moments and not enough over-the-top kills by the shark. Just as in real life, most of the damage is done by humans. At least as far as the core group of characters is concerned. And that's fine. Especially if you're trying to write a serious book. Which this is not. So, it really ISN'T FINE! MAKE. SHARK. EAT. PEOPLE!!!
Okay, the shark does eat quite a few people. But they’re on the periphery anyway. Its first kill that really made me laugh came only about 10 pages before the end or so. And since I wasn’t shitting myself or constantly laughing my ass off for the 250 pages prior to that, it was quite simply too late to turn the boat around.
____________________
Note: If you happen to have too much money and you don't know what to do with it. Don't buy yourself an island that's called Grand Isla Tiburon.
2.5 stars
Recommended by Trish
July 29, 2021
OK, so this wasn't my first rodeo - neither with a creature feature nor with this author. It wasn't the best but it was OK.
Our protagonist is physically disadvantaged and has been bullied for it all through college. Him losing his cool is what also makes him lose his "friends". Fast forward a couple of years and he wins the lottery, quits in style, buys an island, calls up his former buddies and offers to take care of them and potential future generations if only they move to his island with him. Not weird at all.
The island is paradise - or so it was advertised. Except it has an old and abandoned military installation.
There was a lab after WW2 and OF COURSE nothing creepy was done there in secret by a bunch of American scientists overseeing captured Nazi scientists with a god complex and other psychological disorders.
And what else would they work on than bringing a prehistoric super predator back to life and conditioning it to have weird tastes to make it even creepier?!
Thus, behold: the return of the megalodon!
Our group of ... people ... suddenly comes face to face with the creature and they handle it like pros. Or ... not. *lol*
Yes, this is a creature feature. No, the story isn't very demanding or even logical. Equally, the characters aren't likeable, there is a lot of love-or-at-least-sex-related drama and you're simply waiting for them to finally die terrible (bloody and hurtful) deaths.
I read a number of Hunter Shea books and have to sadly report that this isn't his best. Not by a long shot. Neither the action nor the deaths were his most violent, the horror wasn't his creepiest and the beginning was quite slow.
However, when the group first explored the derelict lab, when the info came together through those flashbacks the reader was privy to and when we finally got some blood and gore, I was having quite enough fun.
So yeah, not the best by this author but still good-ish. And kind of a nice way to end this year's Shark Week.
Our protagonist is physically disadvantaged and has been bullied for it all through college. Him losing his cool is what also makes him lose his "friends". Fast forward a couple of years and he wins the lottery, quits in style, buys an island, calls up his former buddies and offers to take care of them and potential future generations if only they move to his island with him. Not weird at all.
The island is paradise - or so it was advertised. Except it has an old and abandoned military installation.
There was a lab after WW2 and OF COURSE nothing creepy was done there in secret by a bunch of American scientists overseeing captured Nazi scientists with a god complex and other psychological disorders.
And what else would they work on than bringing a prehistoric super predator back to life and conditioning it to have weird tastes to make it even creepier?!
Thus, behold: the return of the megalodon!
Our group of ... people ... suddenly comes face to face with the creature and they handle it like pros. Or ... not. *lol*
Yes, this is a creature feature. No, the story isn't very demanding or even logical. Equally, the characters aren't likeable, there is a lot of love-or-at-least-sex-related drama and you're simply waiting for them to finally die terrible (bloody and hurtful) deaths.
I read a number of Hunter Shea books and have to sadly report that this isn't his best. Not by a long shot. Neither the action nor the deaths were his most violent, the horror wasn't his creepiest and the beginning was quite slow.
However, when the group first explored the derelict lab, when the info came together through those flashbacks the reader was privy to and when we finally got some blood and gore, I was having quite enough fun.
So yeah, not the best by this author but still good-ish. And kind of a nice way to end this year's Shark Week.
February 27, 2023
This is another fine creature-feature beach read by Shea. It shares continuity with some of his other stories (Fury of the Orcas and They Rise come to mind), and is a nice riff on the old shtick of getting school chums back together for fun... or is it revenge? It's set on a Pacific Island (nearby to where those pesky atomic tests happened in the '50s, 'natch, and there are some nifty flashbacks), but I enjoyed it perfectly well from my lounger next to Tampa Bay. Just can't get too much of those hungry sharks...
August 8, 2017
Many THX to the Author for allowing me to review this book! I'm a big fan of Steve Alten's Megalodon stories, and this story was of the same quality. So if you're a shark fan, this is a must read!
August 2, 2017
Hunter Shea is a bit of an old reliable when it comes to fixing up some fun, good ol' fashioned horror fixes. Megalodon In Paradise is no different, and if this beach read doesn't make you want to kick back in the shade with an ice cold Corona, I don't know what will.
So, here's the skinny. Ollie is a regular old nobody - so much of a nobody, in fact, that his corporate job was saved from layoffs mostly because none of his superiors even remembered him. He's kept a low-profile, with much of his life revolving around movies, reminiscing about his college glory days with his buddies, and playing the lottery nightly. Eventually, his gambling pays off and he strikes it rich. Super rich. Like, mega rich. Rich enough to buy his own private island, reunite with his college buddies, and build each of them their own home on the island where they can all escape into the lap of luxury together and never work another day in their life.
You know what they say about if it sounds too good to be true, right?
Well, this island has a bit of a secret history... and a rather large problem resting near the bottom of the ocean, which Ollie and his friends accidentally awaken.
Shea takes the simple concept of a shark story and manages to complicate it a bit further, throwing in a handful of other threats aside from the titular, and very bloodthirsty, megalodon. It's not particularly groundbreaking, but (as I've come to expect from Shea's work) it is a heck of a lot of fun and has enough action to keep the pages turning. If you didn't get your fill during this year's recently wrapped Shark Week, Megalodon In Paradise should help smooth you over while you hit up the beach and enjoy a cold one. Jimmy Buffett tunes are entirely optional, of course.
So, here's the skinny. Ollie is a regular old nobody - so much of a nobody, in fact, that his corporate job was saved from layoffs mostly because none of his superiors even remembered him. He's kept a low-profile, with much of his life revolving around movies, reminiscing about his college glory days with his buddies, and playing the lottery nightly. Eventually, his gambling pays off and he strikes it rich. Super rich. Like, mega rich. Rich enough to buy his own private island, reunite with his college buddies, and build each of them their own home on the island where they can all escape into the lap of luxury together and never work another day in their life.
You know what they say about if it sounds too good to be true, right?
Well, this island has a bit of a secret history... and a rather large problem resting near the bottom of the ocean, which Ollie and his friends accidentally awaken.
Shea takes the simple concept of a shark story and manages to complicate it a bit further, throwing in a handful of other threats aside from the titular, and very bloodthirsty, megalodon. It's not particularly groundbreaking, but (as I've come to expect from Shea's work) it is a heck of a lot of fun and has enough action to keep the pages turning. If you didn't get your fill during this year's recently wrapped Shark Week, Megalodon In Paradise should help smooth you over while you hit up the beach and enjoy a cold one. Jimmy Buffett tunes are entirely optional, of course.
March 2, 2025
Entertaining fantasy horror listening 🙄😮🎶
This kindle ebook is from my Kindle Unlimited account
Ollie has been a loser until he hits the lottery for over a billion dollars. He buys an island and friends join him. There is a giant shark and the fun begins. 😏
I would recommend this novel and author to readers of fantasy world 🌐 adventure thriller novels 😘😚 2025 👒🤓
This kindle ebook is from my Kindle Unlimited account
Ollie has been a loser until he hits the lottery for over a billion dollars. He buys an island and friends join him. There is a giant shark and the fun begins. 😏
I would recommend this novel and author to readers of fantasy world 🌐 adventure thriller novels 😘😚 2025 👒🤓
August 14, 2017
egalodon in Paradise is a fast, fun filled read that was a blast to read. This is the first Megalodon book I have ever read and I see why they are popular. The author always fills his books with lots of action and gore and this book has them in spades. I really loved the characters. They were well created and I easily rooted for or against them. The pace was great as well. The book was never slow or boring. I had a smile on my face the entire time I read this. I love when a read is such fun. This book is highly recommended.
August 10, 2020
Originally posted on the book blog Creature From the Book Lagoon.
*** I want to give Hunter Shea a quick shout out and a big thank you for this book! I love this author, he really gets the whole creature feature fandom. He is by far my favorite modern day creature horror author. ❤ At the start of the 2020 lock down, Hunter gave out free ebooks to his fans so they could have something fun to read. I think there were like 5 different books to choose from? That was so cool of him to reach out to his fans like that. He is a great guy and he really went out of his way to stay in touch with his fans and give them stuff to do to take their minds off of all the crazy stuff IRL. Not only did he give out a free book, but he also had a lot of zoom hang outs, videos and monster movies to watch “together”. He did all of this even though he lives in a location that was hammered hard at the start of the whole covid thing and even had family members getting sick, yet he still kept up with fans and checked that we were doing well and keeping us all hanging in there together. This dude is seriously awesome. ***
So! On to the story, huh? Let’s kick off Shark Week with an extremely fun book, Magalodon in Paradise! I mean… come on! That title and cover is epic! 😀 The cover really is perfect for this story. It completely captures the whole vibe. Island life interrupted by a big ass shark!
I haven’t read all of Shea’s books – yet- but I have read several of them. This book, more then any others I’ve read so far, has a lot of little easter eggs in it. By that I mean that he drops a couple of innocent comments that are references to past books of his. I was extremely happy with the reference to his book, The Montauk Monster. Not gonna spoil either books for you, but the way Montauk ended (back in 2014), I wasn’t sure if ANYONE was going to be left alive. Ever since I had first read that book, in the back dark, cobwebbed corners of my brain, I kept wondering about that insane book and how it ended. Super awesome ending, but it was abrupt and ambiguous about what happened next. So it made me super happy that the author had a simple one liner follow up that was satisfying. That was all I needed. Thank you, Shea!
Megalodon in Paradise is CRAZY! Four friends try to live out a utopia island life style after the main character won the lottery. Who hasn’t dreamed of buying an island if you were a billionaire? If the indigenous people on the near by islands warn you that this is a bad or evil island…. maybe listen to them. Of course our friends here did not worry too much about this vacant perfect island that was super cheap.
I really felt for these characters, honestly. Four old friends who fell out of touch over some angry outbursts and they honestly were all trying to make an effort to get their friendships back. These characters felt so normal. And that was awesome! They all had normal, every day people flaws and problems. They had every day people hobbies. They easily felt like people you would know in your own life. Even though the plot is bananas, you could easily connect with the common human qualities of these characters.
Lost relationships and trying to correct mistakes are a heavy theme throughout Megalodon in Paradise. How can you not feel for that? Everyone has had a friend they’ve lost touch with years ago and have wanted to reach out again. Maybe you don’t know where they are or maybe it’s too awkward now. Everyone has had past mistakes they wish they could correct. Whatever the case is, I really wanted to see these friends get back together.
Of course we know that’s probably not gonna happen because we need bait…. I mean victims… for our megalodon. But it wasn’t just a megalodon, ooooooh no. It is a fun and disgusting government (typical governments!) science project. I don’t want to spoil any surprises, but it got pretty icky! 😀 Like, ewwwwwwww! But I loved it! It was a surprise I wasn’t expecting and I enjoyed every second of watching it unfold.
Hunter Shea never shies away from icky gore or creative, blood soaked deaths. I feel like he knows his audience very well. He knows we are all B-movie lovers just like him, and he gives us stories exactly like what we want. So, while I love his work, if you are squeamish or not a fan of crazy gory deaths, his books might not be for you. I love it. 😀
The story needed more shark, though, but I really can’t complain too much. It was super fun and I was very entertained. I’d love to see SYFY channel make this into a movie. Of course, I say that about every book I read from Shea. 😀
*** I want to give Hunter Shea a quick shout out and a big thank you for this book! I love this author, he really gets the whole creature feature fandom. He is by far my favorite modern day creature horror author. ❤ At the start of the 2020 lock down, Hunter gave out free ebooks to his fans so they could have something fun to read. I think there were like 5 different books to choose from? That was so cool of him to reach out to his fans like that. He is a great guy and he really went out of his way to stay in touch with his fans and give them stuff to do to take their minds off of all the crazy stuff IRL. Not only did he give out a free book, but he also had a lot of zoom hang outs, videos and monster movies to watch “together”. He did all of this even though he lives in a location that was hammered hard at the start of the whole covid thing and even had family members getting sick, yet he still kept up with fans and checked that we were doing well and keeping us all hanging in there together. This dude is seriously awesome. ***
So! On to the story, huh? Let’s kick off Shark Week with an extremely fun book, Magalodon in Paradise! I mean… come on! That title and cover is epic! 😀 The cover really is perfect for this story. It completely captures the whole vibe. Island life interrupted by a big ass shark!
I haven’t read all of Shea’s books – yet- but I have read several of them. This book, more then any others I’ve read so far, has a lot of little easter eggs in it. By that I mean that he drops a couple of innocent comments that are references to past books of his. I was extremely happy with the reference to his book, The Montauk Monster. Not gonna spoil either books for you, but the way Montauk ended (back in 2014), I wasn’t sure if ANYONE was going to be left alive. Ever since I had first read that book, in the back dark, cobwebbed corners of my brain, I kept wondering about that insane book and how it ended. Super awesome ending, but it was abrupt and ambiguous about what happened next. So it made me super happy that the author had a simple one liner follow up that was satisfying. That was all I needed. Thank you, Shea!
Megalodon in Paradise is CRAZY! Four friends try to live out a utopia island life style after the main character won the lottery. Who hasn’t dreamed of buying an island if you were a billionaire? If the indigenous people on the near by islands warn you that this is a bad or evil island…. maybe listen to them. Of course our friends here did not worry too much about this vacant perfect island that was super cheap.
I really felt for these characters, honestly. Four old friends who fell out of touch over some angry outbursts and they honestly were all trying to make an effort to get their friendships back. These characters felt so normal. And that was awesome! They all had normal, every day people flaws and problems. They had every day people hobbies. They easily felt like people you would know in your own life. Even though the plot is bananas, you could easily connect with the common human qualities of these characters.
Lost relationships and trying to correct mistakes are a heavy theme throughout Megalodon in Paradise. How can you not feel for that? Everyone has had a friend they’ve lost touch with years ago and have wanted to reach out again. Maybe you don’t know where they are or maybe it’s too awkward now. Everyone has had past mistakes they wish they could correct. Whatever the case is, I really wanted to see these friends get back together.
Of course we know that’s probably not gonna happen because we need bait…. I mean victims… for our megalodon. But it wasn’t just a megalodon, ooooooh no. It is a fun and disgusting government (typical governments!) science project. I don’t want to spoil any surprises, but it got pretty icky! 😀 Like, ewwwwwwww! But I loved it! It was a surprise I wasn’t expecting and I enjoyed every second of watching it unfold.
Hunter Shea never shies away from icky gore or creative, blood soaked deaths. I feel like he knows his audience very well. He knows we are all B-movie lovers just like him, and he gives us stories exactly like what we want. So, while I love his work, if you are squeamish or not a fan of crazy gory deaths, his books might not be for you. I love it. 😀
The story needed more shark, though, but I really can’t complain too much. It was super fun and I was very entertained. I’d love to see SYFY channel make this into a movie. Of course, I say that about every book I read from Shea. 😀
August 30, 2019
Hunter Shea created a sharky creature feature with wit, comedy, and terror. I really enjoyed this book from the first chapter. We meet a man who is really down on his luck and is seemingly an outsider. But then he wins the lottery and organizes a get-together with all his friends from his youth. After they all get reacquainted, he tells them he won the lottery and that he bought an island and wants them all to live there with him and never want for ANYTHING. The island has secrets buried deep (literally). And the island is about to get a megalodon visitor! 4 stars and I recommend this if you enjoy tales of survival and creature features!
July 20, 2020
I'm not a warm weather kinda gal. Sure I love the ocean, but if I'm going to be on an island I prefer the Hebrides to the Bahamas. This book only reinforced my aversion to tropical climates.
In Megalodon in Paradise, luckless Ollie wins big time in the lottery. With his newfound wealth, he decides to buy a beautiful island in Micronesia and invite his best friends from college to live with him. Unfortunately after only a couple of days of their new life in paradise, the friends are besieged by drug smugglers, a hurricane, and a massive shark.
Shea's book is a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed it. Shea writes characters well, and the friendship group dynamics of our cast was very believable. I also really found myself coming to care for the characters as the book went on. Even the least likable members of the group, Steven and Marco, evoked empathy. Lenny was probably my favorite character. He was just so good natured.
I had a couple of small complaints. One, I thought having Lae, the Micronesian housekeeper, believe that the megalodon was some sort of supernatural god was a little tacky. I hate the "backward, superstitious foreigner" trope so prevalent in American media. That's no good guys. Especially since there was really no point to that speculation. The readers and characters know from pretty early on that the shark is the product of military experimentation, so the whole possible supernatural explanation is pointless.
My only other complaint is the somewhat cliche smugglers. Their determination to kill our heroes even while succumbing to their own injuries and trying to avoid a giant shark borders on not believable.
While this is my first experience with Shea, I did pick up some references to his other books, particularly They Rise, which is sitting on my to read cart as I type this. I also loved Shea's references to shark movies, including the admittedly-terrible-but-still-personal-favorite Shark Night. I will definitely be reading more of Shea's work soon. Megalodon was a great introduction.
In Megalodon in Paradise, luckless Ollie wins big time in the lottery. With his newfound wealth, he decides to buy a beautiful island in Micronesia and invite his best friends from college to live with him. Unfortunately after only a couple of days of their new life in paradise, the friends are besieged by drug smugglers, a hurricane, and a massive shark.
Shea's book is a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed it. Shea writes characters well, and the friendship group dynamics of our cast was very believable. I also really found myself coming to care for the characters as the book went on. Even the least likable members of the group, Steven and Marco, evoked empathy. Lenny was probably my favorite character. He was just so good natured.
I had a couple of small complaints. One, I thought having Lae, the Micronesian housekeeper, believe that the megalodon was some sort of supernatural god was a little tacky. I hate the "backward, superstitious foreigner" trope so prevalent in American media. That's no good guys. Especially since there was really no point to that speculation. The readers and characters know from pretty early on that the shark is the product of military experimentation, so the whole possible supernatural explanation is pointless.
My only other complaint is the somewhat cliche smugglers. Their determination to kill our heroes even while succumbing to their own injuries and trying to avoid a giant shark borders on not believable.
While this is my first experience with Shea, I did pick up some references to his other books, particularly They Rise, which is sitting on my to read cart as I type this. I also loved Shea's references to shark movies, including the admittedly-terrible-but-still-personal-favorite Shark Night. I will definitely be reading more of Shea's work soon. Megalodon was a great introduction.
October 6, 2018
Imagine winning billions in the lottery. That’s just what happens to Ollie. He decides to buy a tropical island and invites his friends from college to come live there. They’re the closest thing to family he has. Sounds like a dream come true. But, that doesn’t last long.
Hunter has a way of giving you genuine characters in quick, efficient descriptions. I could easily picture all of these. Then he bombards them with Nazi’s, government cover ups, Jamaican mobsters, the character’s own personal demons, a Cat 5 hurricane threatening the island and the largest shark to ever roam the oceans. The Megalodon. Once the action begins the hits just keep on coming.
Those of you who have read Hunter’s work before know he doesn’t spare his characters. Death comes quickly and from all directions. Some of which I can’t share.
It was terrific fun reading this book. I’ve read a bunch of his novels and short stories and was thrilled this was one of the longer ones, as I couldn’t get enough. Hunter made it even more fun when character’s referenced events from some of his other books. I notice he has another fishy tale out now that I have to read. The Last Colossus. There’s an opening scene for it included at the end of Magalodon In Paradise. Confirms my decision to no longer swim in the ocean!
Did I enjoy this book? You know it! I got what I was hoping for.Would I recommend this book? Yepper. Treat yourself!
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
Hunter has a way of giving you genuine characters in quick, efficient descriptions. I could easily picture all of these. Then he bombards them with Nazi’s, government cover ups, Jamaican mobsters, the character’s own personal demons, a Cat 5 hurricane threatening the island and the largest shark to ever roam the oceans. The Megalodon. Once the action begins the hits just keep on coming.
Those of you who have read Hunter’s work before know he doesn’t spare his characters. Death comes quickly and from all directions. Some of which I can’t share.
It was terrific fun reading this book. I’ve read a bunch of his novels and short stories and was thrilled this was one of the longer ones, as I couldn’t get enough. Hunter made it even more fun when character’s referenced events from some of his other books. I notice he has another fishy tale out now that I have to read. The Last Colossus. There’s an opening scene for it included at the end of Magalodon In Paradise. Confirms my decision to no longer swim in the ocean!
Did I enjoy this book? You know it! I got what I was hoping for.Would I recommend this book? Yepper. Treat yourself!
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
October 30, 2017
As with all Hunter Shea's books, once you start to read, you don't want to stop. Here we have a central character - Ollie - who would not be anyone's idea of a superhero. Life has dealt him a succession of tough hands, but one day everything changes. He wins close to a billion dollars. So what is he going to spend his fortune on? He buys an island near the Marshall Islands. One that has been deserted for over fifty years but which once housed a secret Cold War operation of some kind. He asks the only people in his life he has ever enjoyed spending time with - old school friends - to share his island idyll with him. In their own way, each has been having a hard time of late and one by one they agree.
All goes well until they decide to explore the old buildings. Then they find much more than tattered files and broken furniture. Just what has been going on in that laboratory, and what has now woken up?
An ancient sea creature, and the storm of the century, a deadly infection and more await the hapless friends, turning the island paradise into hell on earth.
Great writing, addictive story. Another winner from a master of horror adventure
All goes well until they decide to explore the old buildings. Then they find much more than tattered files and broken furniture. Just what has been going on in that laboratory, and what has now woken up?
An ancient sea creature, and the storm of the century, a deadly infection and more await the hapless friends, turning the island paradise into hell on earth.
Great writing, addictive story. Another winner from a master of horror adventure
February 26, 2022
I love shark attack movies and books, they're a staple of my summer. The hardest thing for them to get right is the contrived reason for people to suddenly be at the mercy of a shark, much less one extinct for millions of years. Good news, Hunter Shea accomplishes this brilliantly, putting a group of friends on a deserted island in the path of a massive, deranged shark, as well as a gruesome plague and a few machine toting drug runners for good measure, all as the storm of the century bears down on them. A perfect beach read for horror fans.
January 4, 2023
Invitation to live on an island paradise? for free?! Sign me up.....unless it's Grand Isle Tiburon, then I'm good thank you.
I enjoyed this book and wanted to see where it went and what happened next but if you are looking for a shark centred tale, this is not the one for you.
The character development was good and the story had some twists and turns to keep you on your toes but I can't help but be disappointed by the lack of Megalodon action.
I enjoyed this book and wanted to see where it went and what happened next but if you are looking for a shark centred tale, this is not the one for you.
The character development was good and the story had some twists and turns to keep you on your toes but I can't help but be disappointed by the lack of Megalodon action.
February 23, 2020
Another solid book by Hunter Shea.
He does a good job of story weaving amount distinct characters. The premise behind the existence of the Megalodon was unique and so what how the story progressed. The story moved at a decent past but pace doubled when the action kicked it.
He does a good job of story weaving amount distinct characters. The premise behind the existence of the Megalodon was unique and so what how the story progressed. The story moved at a decent past but pace doubled when the action kicked it.
August 25, 2021
Hunter Shea has a way with his characters that he can just stick them in the most absurd and utterly insane surroundings, give them a little bit of serenity, a false sense of hope and then, poof, just drop them into the meat grinder and wait to see what comes out. And all we can do is just watch. And to tell you the truth, I wouldnt want it any other way.
When one of a group of old college buddies strikes it rich in the lottery, he beleives that he could do some good for his best friend from college that have been away to long since they had seeen each other.
He Buys a small unihabited island in the south pacific, from the goverment of course, and fixes it up, builds huts and every amenity that anyone could want for living in an island paradise. But of course, this wouldnt be a Hunter Shea book if it all didnt go south in a very short about of time.
Our hero Ollie just wants to makes his long time friends lives happy for as long as they want it. He spared no expense. But sometimes, money just doesnt take care of everything. When one of the most dangerous things to ever to have ever lived on this earth becomes aware, our small band of long time friends face more than the horror in the water. They have to face themselves.
Hunter Shea had alot of fun with this one. It doesnt take itself to seriously and it harkens back to a time when horror and fun came together without being dour. As I read this, I felt this feeling like i was reading a fun horror novel from the 80's or early 90's, when horror was so grusome but it made you smile at the same time.
I love alot of the stuff I read in todays times. But there was always this sense of grusomeness the earlier stuff had that just made you smile. Hunter Shea I believe has found that sweet spot many times. He is, like myself a product from those times. he remembers the movies he watches and tv shows and nostagia from those early days and alot times times brings those in.
With this novel, if your a reader of his work, you'll find easter eggs of a shared universe.
That made me smile. Enjoy!
When one of a group of old college buddies strikes it rich in the lottery, he beleives that he could do some good for his best friend from college that have been away to long since they had seeen each other.
He Buys a small unihabited island in the south pacific, from the goverment of course, and fixes it up, builds huts and every amenity that anyone could want for living in an island paradise. But of course, this wouldnt be a Hunter Shea book if it all didnt go south in a very short about of time.
Our hero Ollie just wants to makes his long time friends lives happy for as long as they want it. He spared no expense. But sometimes, money just doesnt take care of everything. When one of the most dangerous things to ever to have ever lived on this earth becomes aware, our small band of long time friends face more than the horror in the water. They have to face themselves.
Hunter Shea had alot of fun with this one. It doesnt take itself to seriously and it harkens back to a time when horror and fun came together without being dour. As I read this, I felt this feeling like i was reading a fun horror novel from the 80's or early 90's, when horror was so grusome but it made you smile at the same time.
I love alot of the stuff I read in todays times. But there was always this sense of grusomeness the earlier stuff had that just made you smile. Hunter Shea I believe has found that sweet spot many times. He is, like myself a product from those times. he remembers the movies he watches and tv shows and nostagia from those early days and alot times times brings those in.
With this novel, if your a reader of his work, you'll find easter eggs of a shared universe.
That made me smile. Enjoy!
July 27, 2025
What a freakin' disappointment. Not nearly enough shark.
For a book called Megalodon in Paradise there's really not much of the aformentioned megalodon. I don't even know where to start with this one. None of the characters were even remotely likable. What was going on with alligator arms...were his arms really that short? The whole premise of buying an island (not preparing it at ALL for potential flooding/storms) and asking people you knew in college YEARS ago to move with you...it just seemed so nefarious. Seriously, it was creepy. I kept waiting for ol' alligator arms to start seeking revenge or something. Mind blown that these people agreed to the move.
Then we have the whole megalodon plot... look, I know we needed a reason for there to still be a megalodon around, but.. the nazi soup.. the zombie shark... the military selling an island with this lab on it to a random civillian- nonsense. Also, I think we are at 70% before anything really happens with the shark.
Don't get me started on the whole UNNECESSARY subplot with the drug smugglers. Seriously what the fuck? Why do all these authors thing that creature features need all these extra ridiculous additional plots. I was drawn in by the title. I was ready for Megalodon Mayhem I was already sold on the book I didn't need all this bull shit on top.
Can I get a shark book that's actually, I don't know, about a shark?!
For a book called Megalodon in Paradise there's really not much of the aformentioned megalodon. I don't even know where to start with this one. None of the characters were even remotely likable. What was going on with alligator arms...were his arms really that short? The whole premise of buying an island (not preparing it at ALL for potential flooding/storms) and asking people you knew in college YEARS ago to move with you...it just seemed so nefarious. Seriously, it was creepy. I kept waiting for ol' alligator arms to start seeking revenge or something. Mind blown that these people agreed to the move.
Then we have the whole megalodon plot... look, I know we needed a reason for there to still be a megalodon around, but.. the nazi soup.. the zombie shark... the military selling an island with this lab on it to a random civillian- nonsense. Also, I think we are at 70% before anything really happens with the shark.
Don't get me started on the whole UNNECESSARY subplot with the drug smugglers. Seriously what the fuck? Why do all these authors thing that creature features need all these extra ridiculous additional plots. I was drawn in by the title. I was ready for Megalodon Mayhem I was already sold on the book I didn't need all this bull shit on top.
Can I get a shark book that's actually, I don't know, about a shark?!
July 25, 2020
Hunter Shea's MEGALODON IN PARADISE is a flipping crazy beach read. Shea, who loves to play with monsters throws a radioactive powered megalodon into his play room and has an adventure in paradise with it. This is the kind of book you read with an ice cold beer and maybe on a sandy beach for ambiance.
While not my favorite Hunter Shea read so far it has all the elements you expect from the writer. An interesting monster, a vivid cast of characters and lots of action. The story move quick. The premise is set up, the characters get fleshed out and paradise is described. Lots of interactions with the megalodon dive the story forward. The third act felt a bit stretched out and slowed down the pace but the crescendo leaves you with an edge-of-your-seat, hold-your-breath conclusion and finishes the story strong.
MEGALODON IN PARADISE is the perfect horror thriller beach read. The big, sweaty beer on the front instructs you to consume with with your favorite swill. You'll taste the saltwater, you'll smell the big fishy shark and you'll scream in terror when the radioactive megalodon comes bearing down on you.
While not my favorite Hunter Shea read so far it has all the elements you expect from the writer. An interesting monster, a vivid cast of characters and lots of action. The story move quick. The premise is set up, the characters get fleshed out and paradise is described. Lots of interactions with the megalodon dive the story forward. The third act felt a bit stretched out and slowed down the pace but the crescendo leaves you with an edge-of-your-seat, hold-your-breath conclusion and finishes the story strong.
MEGALODON IN PARADISE is the perfect horror thriller beach read. The big, sweaty beer on the front instructs you to consume with with your favorite swill. You'll taste the saltwater, you'll smell the big fishy shark and you'll scream in terror when the radioactive megalodon comes bearing down on you.
September 21, 2022
This Was Crazy!!
Ollie has beaten the odds...he's won the lottery and it was a big one.
The only happy moments in his miserable life was back in college with real friends.
Now he has a way of truly appreciating their friendship by purchasing an entire island for them all to live together without any need or want.
The only problem is that this particular island has a history and it goes all the way back to the 50's.
Something that should have been extinct is now back among the living and it's been hibernating this entire time...until now.
Will Ollie finally succumb again to the life he had before the lottery or will he survive his own so called island paradise?
This book has everything in a Thriller that you could possibly hope for: Nazi scientists, Military Coverups, a Perfect Storm and a monstrosity that is beyond belief.
Enjoyed every minute of it!!
Ollie has beaten the odds...he's won the lottery and it was a big one.
The only happy moments in his miserable life was back in college with real friends.
Now he has a way of truly appreciating their friendship by purchasing an entire island for them all to live together without any need or want.
The only problem is that this particular island has a history and it goes all the way back to the 50's.
Something that should have been extinct is now back among the living and it's been hibernating this entire time...until now.
Will Ollie finally succumb again to the life he had before the lottery or will he survive his own so called island paradise?
This book has everything in a Thriller that you could possibly hope for: Nazi scientists, Military Coverups, a Perfect Storm and a monstrosity that is beyond belief.
Enjoyed every minute of it!!
April 3, 2023
This is my 5th creature feature book of Shea's that I've read now and it was decent enough. His main characters are always hit or miss for me and unfortunately in this one, Ollie was pretty annoying to me. None of the other characters really did it for me either, they were all just kind of annoying and I didn't care much about any of them. The megalodon is probably my favorite character in this book. The plot, which I thought should have been pretty straight forward, was all over the place. There were (in my opinion) unnecessary plot lines that just made the book feel jumbled. I would have loved if the plot only stuck to the megalodon and the shifty science that happened to make it come back. Overall, it's entertaining enough to have kept my interest and the scenes with the shark were a lot of fun.
October 26, 2017
Combine a wish fulfillment fantasy involving oodles of money and a tropical island and a gigantic killing machine, and you've got a fun romp in the sun and surf. This book was a blast, with plenty of action, characters with a lot of back-story (and a few character flaws, which I always prefer in our not-so-black-and-white world), and a Mega-megalodon. The author came up with an intriguing reason for why it exists and behaves the way it does. (he also spells it correctly! Two other books spell it "Megaladon"...in their titles! Buzzzzz, wrong, thanks for playing!) Another favorite element: the naming convention for the baddies. Clever and chuckle-inducing.
June 16, 2024
Review of this book.
A great job of writing! The action shifted from a lot of drinking and partying to real terror. Science should not mess with nature! The results were monstrous! Build what you can control. This book was about what can go wrong with that. The author built the story around that. I stayed up half the night to finish the book. The author really did an outstanding job writing this book. I will definitely read any other books he has written. I would have given him ten stars if I could have.
A great job of writing! The action shifted from a lot of drinking and partying to real terror. Science should not mess with nature! The results were monstrous! Build what you can control. This book was about what can go wrong with that. The author built the story around that. I stayed up half the night to finish the book. The author really did an outstanding job writing this book. I will definitely read any other books he has written. I would have given him ten stars if I could have.
August 31, 2021
Dinosaur Shark Gone Mad
What do you get when you mix a Dinosaur shark, nazis, drug smugglers, a lottery winner, and a hurricane? You get Megalodon In Paradise.
Another fun read from Severed Press and Hunter Shea.
Having been through a number of hurricanes myself, I enjoyed the take on it with a giant shark thrown in.
Shea writes these tales with ease, and I continue to look forward to each new release.
What do you get when you mix a Dinosaur shark, nazis, drug smugglers, a lottery winner, and a hurricane? You get Megalodon In Paradise.
Another fun read from Severed Press and Hunter Shea.
Having been through a number of hurricanes myself, I enjoyed the take on it with a giant shark thrown in.
Shea writes these tales with ease, and I continue to look forward to each new release.
April 21, 2018
[1.5 stars]
The plot of this is convoluted, the characters are terribly written (Holy Crapping Christ!), but it's an entertaining enough story to spend an afternoon reading. It's like reading Sharknado (there's even a reference to that movie in the book). It's not good, but it satisfies a "big shark creating chaos" craving that you might have.
The plot of this is convoluted, the characters are terribly written (Holy Crapping Christ!), but it's an entertaining enough story to spend an afternoon reading. It's like reading Sharknado (there's even a reference to that movie in the book). It's not good, but it satisfies a "big shark creating chaos" craving that you might have.
August 23, 2021
After winning the lottery, Ollie Arias, buys an island in Micronesia for him and his college friends to live and enjoy for the rest of their lives. While urban exploring on the island they inadvertently unleash a military experiment got wrong. Lots of action, thrills, gore and a hurricane thrown in to increase the tension. Fast read that kept me riveted and entertained.
March 27, 2018
Too much & not enough
This book had Too much going on. It concentrated too much on the action and not enough on the characters.
This book had Too much going on. It concentrated too much on the action and not enough on the characters.
March 31, 2018
What could go wrong) a giant prehistoric shark, and people in the wrong place at the wrong time (nothing).
March 24, 2019
Bring out the sun lotion, umbrella drinks and a harpoon gun. Paradise is just about to go haywire.
June 21, 2019
BEST MEG BOOK EVER
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