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Safari: A Technothriller
The Island of Dr. Moreau meets "The Most Dangerous Game" by way of Michael Crichton in this suspenseful new technothriller about the dark potential of genetic engineering.
For Sydney Marlowe, getting a coveted research position with enigmatic biotech CEO Billy Sans seems like a dream come true. She and three other interns are flown halfway around the world to a remote private game reserve in Tanzania, where they will implement new zoological technologies and analyze field data over the course of two weeks.
But when local animal behavior becomes increasingly unnatural and people begin to go missing, Sydney and the others realize that something sinister is lurking beneath this paradise. The truth, however, is more horrifying than any of them could have imagined.
For Sydney Marlowe, getting a coveted research position with enigmatic biotech CEO Billy Sans seems like a dream come true. She and three other interns are flown halfway around the world to a remote private game reserve in Tanzania, where they will implement new zoological technologies and analyze field data over the course of two weeks.
But when local animal behavior becomes increasingly unnatural and people begin to go missing, Sydney and the others realize that something sinister is lurking beneath this paradise. The truth, however, is more horrifying than any of them could have imagined.
- GenresMonsters
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2017
168 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 19, 2018
The synopsis mentions a comparison to The Island Of Doctor Moreau. Got me all kinds of curious so I gave this a go.
Couldn’t help but feel sorry for these characters. They think they struck gold when asked to assist in a study for the rich and powerful Billy Sans. Things change fairly quickly as they realize it’s actually a killing ground with a mad man as the puppeteer.
While this was fairly predictable, I still had a good read. Couldn’t wait to see what kind of creatures emerged and who would be picked off. Things moved quickly, people were torn to pieces, and I loved how some got a well deserved comeuppance.
A good ending too. Made me appreciate the thrilling cover.
Couldn’t help but feel sorry for these characters. They think they struck gold when asked to assist in a study for the rich and powerful Billy Sans. Things change fairly quickly as they realize it’s actually a killing ground with a mad man as the puppeteer.
While this was fairly predictable, I still had a good read. Couldn’t wait to see what kind of creatures emerged and who would be picked off. Things moved quickly, people were torn to pieces, and I loved how some got a well deserved comeuppance.
A good ending too. Made me appreciate the thrilling cover.
February 9, 2019
The back-cover blurb was good enough to hook me, and the first two thirds of the book was very entertaining and well written. But to have a good novel involving the dark side of genetic manipulation, the author cannot stray so far from real science so as to render the events impossible. Michael Crichton understood this very well as he demonstrated so elegantly in Jurassic Park. Unfortunately, Plansky made this critical error, which was only exacerbated by sub-standard editing. In the final analysis, a plot-driven novel must have a good plot.
May 31, 2020
I had a lot of fun reading this book. I love horror stories that involve creatures or animals of any sort. This one had that plus a bit of science experimentation. It definitely kept me reading. It moved so fast I didn't want to put it down. I finally had to so that I could get some sleep. I finished it as soon as I woke up. Good job with this book.
January 3, 2019
Great read
Exciting from start to finish. I really liked this book just imagining the creatures and the story was incredible. who knows if mans not stopped this could be somewhat of a reality some day.
Exciting from start to finish. I really liked this book just imagining the creatures and the story was incredible. who knows if mans not stopped this could be somewhat of a reality some day.
October 10, 2019
Fast-paced...
This was a very fast pace book, once you got past the intro and the setting buildup. And it had a surprise ending. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet; I just finished so it has to settle in
This was a very fast pace book, once you got past the intro and the setting buildup. And it had a surprise ending. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet; I just finished so it has to settle in
August 28, 2018
I'm a fan of technothrillers and found this one really good considering it was written by an undergrad student. The plot follows some college interns at a biotech company who are invited to the game reserve of the company's reclusive CEO. From there, things start to get stranger and characters start to go missing as they gradually uncover a sinister plot.
There are lots of sci-fi horror tropes here from genetically engineered man eating monsters to mad scientists and spooky underground labs, but all in all it makes for a pretty fun read. The characters were given a decent amount of depth and the villain was interesting. Also, the ending was unexpected and stayed in my mind for a while after I read it.
It should be noted there's a fair amount of gore and profanity in this novel in case you're not into that, but I'd definitely recommend it for anyone looking to satisfy their Crichton cravings.
There are lots of sci-fi horror tropes here from genetically engineered man eating monsters to mad scientists and spooky underground labs, but all in all it makes for a pretty fun read. The characters were given a decent amount of depth and the villain was interesting. Also, the ending was unexpected and stayed in my mind for a while after I read it.
It should be noted there's a fair amount of gore and profanity in this novel in case you're not into that, but I'd definitely recommend it for anyone looking to satisfy their Crichton cravings.
May 17, 2019
3 Stars
Note to Kindle users. This book does not count down the time left in each chapter instead it just tells you the time left in the entire book.
Four Grad students get the chance of a lifetime a free trip to an African game reserve to work with scientists and get an internship to help with their studies. After they arrived they find their host is mad and planning on using them as subjects for his experiments.
Note to Kindle users. This book does not count down the time left in each chapter instead it just tells you the time left in the entire book.
Four Grad students get the chance of a lifetime a free trip to an African game reserve to work with scientists and get an internship to help with their studies. After they arrived they find their host is mad and planning on using them as subjects for his experiments.
February 21, 2024
Nuts
Crazy plot! Not bad all around. The "science" was wayyyy more like magic but that's ok. Dialogue was corny at times. Characters behaved oddly when needed to move the plot along. Many times I chuckled to myself, but this book never felt so unbelievable that it became unreadable. A one-day read.
Crazy plot! Not bad all around. The "science" was wayyyy more like magic but that's ok. Dialogue was corny at times. Characters behaved oddly when needed to move the plot along. Many times I chuckled to myself, but this book never felt so unbelievable that it became unreadable. A one-day read.
June 16, 2024
I enjoyed the bulk of the book although felt the location descriptions could be improved to make you feel you connected with the landscape more. Not sure how I felt about the main character transforming the way she did, on the one hand I could see it coming but then I thought it was a bit far-fetched for my taste. But overall a worthwhile read.
June 29, 2019
Okay,Not Great Bio-Scare Novel.
It is a fast read but a lot of the plot seems to be telegraphed ahead of time and the story of a crazed hunter/scientist messing around with human/predator hybrids for a better hunting experience sees rather cliched
It is a fast read but a lot of the plot seems to be telegraphed ahead of time and the story of a crazed hunter/scientist messing around with human/predator hybrids for a better hunting experience sees rather cliched
March 14, 2024
Surprisingly good
I want sure what to expect when I started this book as I'm new to Plansky's work, but Safari was surprisingly good, A very fun, fast paced read in which little is what it seems. If you want a fast paced, gory and engaging read, Safari is highly recommended
I want sure what to expect when I started this book as I'm new to Plansky's work, but Safari was surprisingly good, A very fun, fast paced read in which little is what it seems. If you want a fast paced, gory and engaging read, Safari is highly recommended
March 26, 2024
Good rea
Good story, characters a little under develo uhped. Loved the call outs to other authors. Became a bit like the "Isle of Dr. Moreau" at the end. Wanted more about Sydney adjusting to the wild.
Good story, characters a little under develo uhped. Loved the call outs to other authors. Became a bit like the "Isle of Dr. Moreau" at the end. Wanted more about Sydney adjusting to the wild.
December 30, 2018
Boring
Hybrids?
Wild animal and human hybrid?
The story started off well but ...
I expected more, somehow.
Probably next time
Hybrids?
Wild animal and human hybrid?
The story started off well but ...
I expected more, somehow.
Probably next time
January 14, 2019
Very good
It was one of the better fiction books I have read in a long time it kept turning pages the hole book
It was one of the better fiction books I have read in a long time it kept turning pages the hole book
January 16, 2019
Really entertaining
A well written and entertaining read. Some fascinating characters and an interesting story. I highly recommend this book to lovers of thrillers!
A well written and entertaining read. Some fascinating characters and an interesting story. I highly recommend this book to lovers of thrillers!
January 25, 2019
A different take on an old story.
February 13, 2019
Excellent!
Wasn’t sure what to expect but this was a totally enjoyable read. I definitely look forward to more stories fom Alexander!
Wasn’t sure what to expect but this was a totally enjoyable read. I definitely look forward to more stories fom Alexander!
March 16, 2019
Fast paced, fun read.
Kind of like a short version of zoo. Read it in a cold hours though. Could picture it all and I've been there.
Kind of like a short version of zoo. Read it in a cold hours though. Could picture it all and I've been there.
March 28, 2019
Very Entertaining
A quick enjoyable read. Fast paced. Good characters. Very descriptive. Hard to put down. I would like to read more by Alexander Plansky.
A quick enjoyable read. Fast paced. Good characters. Very descriptive. Hard to put down. I would like to read more by Alexander Plansky.
May 7, 2019
Favorite
I've read many young authors books on my kindle ship far, and this is my absolute favorite! I can't wait to read another written by him!
I've read many young authors books on my kindle ship far, and this is my absolute favorite! I can't wait to read another written by him!
August 11, 2019
Gripping read!!
Beautiful imagery paired with thrilling adventure. The best kind of read in my opinion. Couldn't put ut down. Looking forward to other novels by this author
Beautiful imagery paired with thrilling adventure. The best kind of read in my opinion. Couldn't put ut down. Looking forward to other novels by this author
October 15, 2019
An absolutely fantastic author! I was really surprised with this book....especially with it being the authors first.
April 13, 2024
While I liked the premise and it was written as well as any of the others in its genre, it was predictable. As a reader, I like surprises, but there really weren’t any.
June 8, 2024
Kinda painful read
January 6, 2025
For the book overall, it was a pretty decent read. For the most part, the read was pretty predictable, but not to say that's a bad thing.
July 5, 2025
Really enjoyed and very simple. The small twists were fun and not expected. If you like Jurassic park (techno gene stuff)-esque and most dangerous game-esque books then you’ll enjoy it.
March 3, 2024
It was a quick read. I liked the choice of one viewpoint.
The author spends time on what's served for meals and who is sitting where around the dining table, but then the "science" is basically magic. And long-winded speeches on the glory of big game hunting and why it is totally justified and good for the environment (but environmental tourism is bad). Only one character is developed much, lots of them make stupid decisions, and a bunch of them are what, brainwashed? Psychopaths? Their motivations are unclear.
The author spends time on what's served for meals and who is sitting where around the dining table, but then the "science" is basically magic. And long-winded speeches on the glory of big game hunting and why it is totally justified and good for the environment (but environmental tourism is bad). Only one character is developed much, lots of them make stupid decisions, and a bunch of them are what, brainwashed? Psychopaths? Their motivations are unclear.
December 12, 2019
The Pest meets the Island of Dr. Moreau. Simple, quick read. Great to take camping for a relaxing day of reading.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews