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Kronos Rising #3
Kraken: Volume Two
AUTHORSdb 2018 Gold Medal Winner (science fiction)If you're fans of dinosaur books for adults like Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park and Lost World, must read adventure books like Greig Beck's To the Center of the Earth series, or amazing action stories a la Steve Alten's Meg franchise, you're going to LOVE the Kronos Rising series!THE SAURIAN WAR RAGES ONUnaware of the brutal battle that has just taken place between Ursula, the giant Megalodon shark, and the macropliosaur designated Typhon, Dr. Derek “Dirk” Braddock seizes upon his mentor Eric Grayson’s absence and launches a dual-pronged mission into Earth’s bloodstained seas.
His brother Garm, commanding the anti-biologic submarine Gryphon, is assigned the dubious task of hunting down and exterminating Typhon. Meanwhile, Natalya Dragunova, captain of the Antrodemus, prepares to penetrate the perilous waters of Diablo Caldera – the Cretaceous-era lake from which the savage pliosaurs originated.
Neither of them has any idea what is waiting for them.
Soon, Dirk’s investigation into his mother’s untimely death uncovers a shocking one that, when revealed, will shake the research facility known as Tartarus, and his world, to the core. Malevolent forces are at work that Dirk is unaware of, and he soon finds himself fighting not only for his life, but the lives of everyone he loves.
Meanwhile, lurking in the darkness of Tartarus’s abyssal depths, the ultimate horror waits . . .Kronosaurus is back in . . . the KRONOS RISING series!
His brother Garm, commanding the anti-biologic submarine Gryphon, is assigned the dubious task of hunting down and exterminating Typhon. Meanwhile, Natalya Dragunova, captain of the Antrodemus, prepares to penetrate the perilous waters of Diablo Caldera – the Cretaceous-era lake from which the savage pliosaurs originated.
Neither of them has any idea what is waiting for them.
Soon, Dirk’s investigation into his mother’s untimely death uncovers a shocking one that, when revealed, will shake the research facility known as Tartarus, and his world, to the core. Malevolent forces are at work that Dirk is unaware of, and he soon finds himself fighting not only for his life, but the lives of everyone he loves.
Meanwhile, lurking in the darkness of Tartarus’s abyssal depths, the ultimate horror waits . . .Kronosaurus is back in . . . the KRONOS RISING series!
555 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2018
182 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Max Hawthorne
15 books86 followersMax Hawthorne is an American author. He grew up in Philadelphia, where he graduated with a BA from Central High School and a BFA from the University of the Arts. He is the author of Memoirs of a Gym Rat, an outrageous exposé of the health club industry, as well as the award-winning Kronos Rising novel series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
June 7, 2019
Max has done it again! Just when you think you know what's going to happen next you find out you have had no idea at all this entire time. This book has so many twists and turns its hard to not finish it in one setting. It keeps you absolutely pulled in and glued to your seat you can't help but tear through it dying to know what is going to happen on the next page. The old monsters are in those pages and some new ones as well, both human and not. This is Max's best work yet I am highly recommending anyone that loves this series or books like these to read it, I promise you will not be disappointed at all. Hail to the Prince of Paleo fiction for giving us another 5 star book it deserves 10 stars and 2 thumbs up! It is absolutely amazing!
July 8, 2018
I LOVED this Book ! Picks Up right where Vol. 1 left off & is Truly an Enjoyable Read ! as with the Other Novels From the Marine Master of Terror This Book & the Series are OFF THE HOOKS great. One simply needs to read it. Like Myself, I Tried to Put the Book Down But that did not happen. Max's Writing Style Combined w/ His Exhaustive Research on his Brilliant stories will make anybody Dive Right on In. It gave me the sense that I was There w/ the Diversified Characters in this & all his Novels. How this Series of Books is Not a Blockbuster Movie is beyond Me, as I have said Many Times, These Characters, Especially the KRONOSAURS & the KRAKEN'S make the Tale of Jaws look Like a Bubble Guppy's Story My Opinion is that P. Benchley is now the Understudy as MAX HAWTHORNE has way Surpassed his Stories !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 8, 2018
Finished reading it in two days. The Prince of Paleo-fiction has done it again with his latest novel in the Kronos Rising series. This book has a lot of surprises that I did not see coming. It brought sadness and non-stop edge of my seat drama! I cannot wait for book #3. BRAVO MAX......BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!
June 30, 2018
Max has done it again! Just when you think you know what's going to happen next you find out you have had no idea at all this entire time. This book has so many twists and turns its hard to not finish it in one setting. It keeps you absolutely pulled in and glued to your seat you can't help but tear through it dying to know what is going to happen on the next page. The old monsters are in those pages and some new ones as well, both human and not. This is Max's best work yet I am highly recommending anyone that loves this series or books like these to read it, I promise you will not be disappointed at all. Hail to the Prince of Paleo fiction for giving us another 5 star book it deserves 10 stars and 2 thumbs up! It is absolutely amazing!
January 6, 2021
Still Good But Problems Arose
I still adore the series. Overall it remains excellent. The twist at the end of this book was an absolute stunner and really knocked me out of my shoes and socks. Terrific! The characters that were killed just broke my heart. Also, terrific for surprising me and really grabbing my mind and heartstrings.
The problem I had was Nat's reaction to Garm's death. When a woman looses a long time paramour, even one who is never going to be husband material, particularly in such a gruesome fashion that she sees as it happens, she doesn't giggle and flirt with someone else five minutes later no matter what the situation is. At that moment, Mr. Hawthorne, you completely lost me. I wanted to reach through the book and punch you in the face. It was obvious you have NO clue about women. No decent woman would ever behave the way you had Natalya behave. That is slut behavior, pure and simple. Obviously you have never been with women who have feelings you don't have to pay for. Incredibly bad form. If you think this little of our half of the species, why even bother putting us in your books?
You write so well. Your construction of this plot is terrific. You create this strong, intelligent, sexy, beautiful submarine commander who is one of our heroes poised to save the day and then you denigrate her with a bunch of cheap slutty behavior that would disgust any common streetwalker.
Have you ever been in a war? I have. When you loose friends, colleagues, acquaintances, etc. it's not all fun and games. The entire crew of the second Orion submarine were inappropriate throughout their entire mission to Diablo Caldara. Once they saw the Gryphon be destroyed, they should have been subdued--even serious. Joking around and flirting was unbelievable and inappropriate. It was tacky.
I still adore the series. Overall it remains excellent. The twist at the end of this book was an absolute stunner and really knocked me out of my shoes and socks. Terrific! The characters that were killed just broke my heart. Also, terrific for surprising me and really grabbing my mind and heartstrings.
The problem I had was Nat's reaction to Garm's death. When a woman looses a long time paramour, even one who is never going to be husband material, particularly in such a gruesome fashion that she sees as it happens, she doesn't giggle and flirt with someone else five minutes later no matter what the situation is. At that moment, Mr. Hawthorne, you completely lost me. I wanted to reach through the book and punch you in the face. It was obvious you have NO clue about women. No decent woman would ever behave the way you had Natalya behave. That is slut behavior, pure and simple. Obviously you have never been with women who have feelings you don't have to pay for. Incredibly bad form. If you think this little of our half of the species, why even bother putting us in your books?
You write so well. Your construction of this plot is terrific. You create this strong, intelligent, sexy, beautiful submarine commander who is one of our heroes poised to save the day and then you denigrate her with a bunch of cheap slutty behavior that would disgust any common streetwalker.
Have you ever been in a war? I have. When you loose friends, colleagues, acquaintances, etc. it's not all fun and games. The entire crew of the second Orion submarine were inappropriate throughout their entire mission to Diablo Caldara. Once they saw the Gryphon be destroyed, they should have been subdued--even serious. Joking around and flirting was unbelievable and inappropriate. It was tacky.
June 21, 2019
I'll be honest, at first I was wondering why I was continuing with this series. The first half of the book dragged. Plots that started in the last were seemingly forgotten. But then things got moving. And I just wanted to know who would live and die. Who was responsible for Amara and other shady happenings...although I had my idea since the last book. The very last pages, I had already predicted the creature and the meaning of it. Still, the confirmation was OMG.
They should switch the covers of this one and the last. We saw a hint of meg in this book and the kraken took priority...yet Kraken was on the last where meg was the star, seemingly.
Also the Gretchen thing was unsurprising but I loved that reveal/confirmation.
They should switch the covers of this one and the last. We saw a hint of meg in this book and the kraken took priority...yet Kraken was on the last where meg was the star, seemingly.
Also the Gretchen thing was unsurprising but I loved that reveal/confirmation.
July 9, 2018
Volume 2 picks up right where volume 1 left off in the story and there’s no shortage of action, adventure, suspense, and shocking twists and turns! Max takes the reader through an unbelievable story with the characters we’ve come to know and love, all with plenty of surprises waiting around every corner. The story continues to grow and evolve in a direction that I never would’ve expected, and I cannot wait until volume 3 comes out! If you’re a fan of the series or if you’re a new reader looking for great action, elements of science fiction, humor, and plenty of shock, then you must read this! Be sure to start at the beginning with Kronos Rising if you’re a new reader.
August 18, 2018
Volume 2
This second book in the Kraken series of Kronos Rising books is ambitious and full of everything about this series I enjoy. The only thing I can honestly nitpick on is the subtitle, Megalodon, would have been better for volume 1, and Kraken better for this installment. Hawthorne pulls no punches, as per usual, and after it really built up its momentum, not that it ever really lacks it, I had to finish. I hope it’s sooner than later, but I cannot wait for the next installment!
This second book in the Kraken series of Kronos Rising books is ambitious and full of everything about this series I enjoy. The only thing I can honestly nitpick on is the subtitle, Megalodon, would have been better for volume 1, and Kraken better for this installment. Hawthorne pulls no punches, as per usual, and after it really built up its momentum, not that it ever really lacks it, I had to finish. I hope it’s sooner than later, but I cannot wait for the next installment!
May 17, 2022
Entertaining
Is this book (series) well written? No
Are the characters well developed? No
Is the plot well developed? Also no
Does it remind you a teenage boy’s inner monologue and ramblings? Yes
Does it focus too much on unrealistic sex scenes with ridiculous dialogues? Yes
But is it entertaining? Also yes.
I find myself unable to stop mid series and move on to other books. I have to find out what happens next. It’s like following an absurd campfire story or tall tale…gotta see how it ends.
Is this book (series) well written? No
Are the characters well developed? No
Is the plot well developed? Also no
Does it remind you a teenage boy’s inner monologue and ramblings? Yes
Does it focus too much on unrealistic sex scenes with ridiculous dialogues? Yes
But is it entertaining? Also yes.
I find myself unable to stop mid series and move on to other books. I have to find out what happens next. It’s like following an absurd campfire story or tall tale…gotta see how it ends.
February 5, 2019
Dive headfirst into the Kronos series and never look back. Hawthorne's rich use of vocabulary and imagery coupled with a great storyline make this a riveting read. Kronos Rising Kraken 2 features some truly fearsome and chilling creatures not only of the sea, but in human form. You will be biting your nails as you remain glued to the very last page, and you'll be begging for the next installment.
August 16, 2025
Absolutely brilliant
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It held me captivated from start to finish. I'm not going to give the end away, but WOW I never expected that !!!
This book covers the twins finding out what happened to their mum, and their realisation that Dr Grayson isn't what they thought. A real life combo of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde with a healthy dose of Frankenstein.
If you're a can of such, this series is a must read. Enjoy.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It held me captivated from start to finish. I'm not going to give the end away, but WOW I never expected that !!!
This book covers the twins finding out what happened to their mum, and their realisation that Dr Grayson isn't what they thought. A real life combo of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde with a healthy dose of Frankenstein.
If you're a can of such, this series is a must read. Enjoy.
Read
December 29, 2019FOR THE LOVE OF GOD when is the final Kraken volume #3 coming out!!!! As a person that reads 60 plus novels a year! This is the best paleo fiction series I have ever read! Alten, Beck I read them all. Nothing has had me checking amazon 2x a week for the last 2 years for the book I want to read more then any book ever lol!! Does anyone have any info on a possible release day!!
April 5, 2022
Along with Matthew Reilly and BA Paris Max Hawthorne has been a real find in terms of authors. Another amazing book that delivers chapter on chapter. Reptilians, krakens, sharks, raptors, frogs and all with a human story running through it. The braddocks certainly have it all to do in the final chapter.
July 17, 2025
Good plot, but the author always spends too many words to describe and/or delay the tale during very tense moments. This is really annoying and ultimately kills the suspence. I found myself skipping pages after a while just as it never got to the ending points. This is a pity as the plot is rich and intriguing.
May 11, 2019
Suspense takes its time to build up. The initial 50 to 60 % of the book is used up for this. Was hoping for more monster action though. But towards the end, things do get interesting. I give it a 3.5.
October 17, 2019
A good read
Well written and full of intense action. I enjoyed this book. Spoiler Alert!! There is several intense cliffhangers that left me hanging in the wind that I am anxiously awaiting the outcome of!
Well written and full of intense action. I enjoyed this book. Spoiler Alert!! There is several intense cliffhangers that left me hanging in the wind that I am anxiously awaiting the outcome of!
May 23, 2020
Liked it less than the previous 1 for personal reasons that really have nothing to do with how gloriously masaaledaar a sea monster book this is.
1 small quibble - why oh why would you show THIS on the cover without anything of it inside???
1 small quibble - why oh why would you show THIS on the cover without anything of it inside???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2021
Excitingly Surprising
Another great volume in this series. As in the previous volumes, characters you care about vs evil inhuman villains. Loved reading this exciting book with a surprise cliff hanger.
Another great volume in this series. As in the previous volumes, characters you care about vs evil inhuman villains. Loved reading this exciting book with a surprise cliff hanger.
May 19, 2021
Great again
Max kept me on the edge of whatever I was sitting on every time I stopped to read this book. He is definitely very skilled on having his fans love and hate what's happening on almost each page, can't wait to keep going!
Max kept me on the edge of whatever I was sitting on every time I stopped to read this book. He is definitely very skilled on having his fans love and hate what's happening on almost each page, can't wait to keep going!
November 18, 2022
I am so sad I don't have the other books on hand! ah! I am going to have to wait for Plague and volume 3.
The cliffhangers are brutally wonderful. I am so glad I found this series. Absolutely amazing, so much fun!
The cliffhangers are brutally wonderful. I am so glad I found this series. Absolutely amazing, so much fun!
June 27, 2018
Edge of your seat, action packed, and now I have to wait for the third!
June 29, 2018
Wow
Once again Hawthorne has kept me glued to my screen! I can not wait for the next book! I highly recommend this book to everyone!
Once again Hawthorne has kept me glued to my screen! I can not wait for the next book! I highly recommend this book to everyone!
July 14, 2018
Wonderful!!
I have to say, this series is fantastic! I can't wait for part 3 to come out.
The books are fascinating, the people believable, and the monsters are monstrous!
I have to say, this series is fantastic! I can't wait for part 3 to come out.
The books are fascinating, the people believable, and the monsters are monstrous!
August 17, 2018
Good escapist fare, but I think it jumped the shark with the last scene.
May 8, 2019
Great story
Great book the action is nonstop and i can't wait for the next book. Loved the entire series so far.
Great book the action is nonstop and i can't wait for the next book. Loved the entire series so far.
June 19, 2019
I've read the whole series so far and absolutely love it, a real page turner and hard to put down. Need Vol.3 ASAP
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2020
Silly disappointment.
March 4, 2021
This book needs better editing. Honestly a mess. DNF.
June 7, 2021
What a Read!!!
I was glued to this book. Could not put it down!! Love the plot and characters. Max Hawthorne is an amazing story teller. Book comes highly recommended
I was glued to this book. Could not put it down!! Love the plot and characters. Max Hawthorne is an amazing story teller. Book comes highly recommended
November 1, 2021
Pleasantly unexpected ending
Wow, that last paragraph was so crazy. What a cliffhanger I'm going to buy the next book soon as this review is done lol.
Wow, that last paragraph was so crazy. What a cliffhanger I'm going to buy the next book soon as this review is done lol.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews