What do you think?
Rate this book
Zoo: The Graphic Novel
The latest graphic novel by renowned author James Patterson leaps off the page and goes straight for the jugular! Animals the world over are setting their sights on fresh prey - man. Only biologist Jackson Oz has recognized the patterns in an escalating chain of violent attacks by animals against mankind, and these incidents are just the prelude to something far, far more terrifying. Now Oz is in a race against nature to try to warn humanity about the coming catastrophe, but is it already too late?!
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2012
331 people are currently reading
1007 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 21, 2021
I read this awhile ago but I definitely Ioved this book and highly recommend it. I found this very different than the usual books that Patterson writes and it was a real page turner!
4 Zooalicious 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
4 Zooalicious 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
June 3, 2023
Odd that I don't remember ever having read James Patterson. I know I own some of his work including his first three novels, but there has never been a real urgency to read his stuff. I know Zoo from watching the entire series run on Netflix. The post-apocalyptic aspect strikes me as original, even more so with the explanation that the animals are being wounded by our dependence on cell phones. So, when I saw that I could read Zoo: TGN online, I decided to check it out.
Jackson Oz is a really strong MC. Firsthand, we witness how the Extinction Level Event affects him personally with some bad things that happen to him personally, as well as some good. Because I have not read the actual novel, I am ill-equipped to give a comparison, but Andy Macdonald's adaptation is gorgeous. The sequential art is not just aesthetically beautiful, but the pen and ink linework is exceedingly clean. The panel design tells a concise story that conveys accurately the emotional beats that give the story weight. There is horror. There is pathos. This is a well-paced, strong, and impactful graphic novel.
Jackson Oz is a really strong MC. Firsthand, we witness how the Extinction Level Event affects him personally with some bad things that happen to him personally, as well as some good. Because I have not read the actual novel, I am ill-equipped to give a comparison, but Andy Macdonald's adaptation is gorgeous. The sequential art is not just aesthetically beautiful, but the pen and ink linework is exceedingly clean. The panel design tells a concise story that conveys accurately the emotional beats that give the story weight. There is horror. There is pathos. This is a well-paced, strong, and impactful graphic novel.
February 25, 2022
Environmental disaster novel of a slightly different sort. A bit too pessimistic for my liking and the justification for the events happening seems a little too far-fetched. Overall, not bad, but there are much better thrillers out there. I've not read any of Patterson's books and, honestly, this graphic novel doesn't exactly make me eager for more of them.
August 9, 2016
I’ve never read a James Patterson book before, nor did I want to, but I’ll admit to being curious about ZOO. The storyline features animals of all sizes ganging up and waging war on the human race. Needless to say, the scenario is ripe for cultural commentary, but under the ultra-mainstream Patterson franchise, this graphic novel reads like a 1970s disaster flick.
There’s our brilliant, manly hero who no one wants to believe until it’s too late. His ex-girlfriend, who is of course written as a sneering bitch. And then there’s the French woman, who, despite being a brilliant scientist, still ends up being the damsel in distress who must be rescued, and then of course it’s instant love and hopping into bed with our hero. Blech. The feminist in me says, F that noise.
So, this is a world in which animals—even those normally shy and peaceful—are attacking and killing humans in droves. From the African plains to the city zoo to the suburban living room, animals ranging from lions to Labradors are forming terrifying packs to hunt down and destroy human beings. The world as we know it has been turned upside-down, and no one is safe.
And yet--meat and dairy still widely available. There are multiple references to characters having plenty of bacon on hand or going to the store to buy more milk. Hey, if anyone has the right for some airing of grievances, it’s factory-farmed animals. Where are the enraged cattle overturning slaughterhouse-bound trucks, the hogs breaking out of their stinking sheds and waiting murderously for their tormentors? How pathetic that we are so divorced from the origins of our food that many readers won’t even make the connection in this huge plot hole.
In such a scenario, animal advocates would no doubt have something to say about this bloody situation. However, instead of giving animal ethics a place at the countless discussion panels held throughout the story, the author’s depiction of activists is negative and embarrassingly outdated. The one nod we get to organized pro-animal activity is one page depicting a bunch of college students waving hand-scrawled signs while drinking beer and smoking pot. (Really? In every demo I’ve been to, we dressed like we were going to job interviews and acted like it, too.) Then, another, faceless group of demonstrators in ski masks and bandannas make an attempt on the lives of two scientists as they drive down the highway. In their conception of animal advocates, it’s as if the creators relied on fur industry press releases from the 1980s.
In fact, the most realistic thing in the whole book was probably the depiction of the dangerous dog enthusiast.
ZOO is a silly graphic novel, okay as a diversion if that’s what you want. Just don’t expect it to offer any Rise of the Planet of the Apes-style Big Questions along with its scenes of mayhem.
There’s our brilliant, manly hero who no one wants to believe until it’s too late. His ex-girlfriend, who is of course written as a sneering bitch. And then there’s the French woman, who, despite being a brilliant scientist, still ends up being the damsel in distress who must be rescued, and then of course it’s instant love and hopping into bed with our hero. Blech. The feminist in me says, F that noise.
So, this is a world in which animals—even those normally shy and peaceful—are attacking and killing humans in droves. From the African plains to the city zoo to the suburban living room, animals ranging from lions to Labradors are forming terrifying packs to hunt down and destroy human beings. The world as we know it has been turned upside-down, and no one is safe.
And yet--meat and dairy still widely available. There are multiple references to characters having plenty of bacon on hand or going to the store to buy more milk. Hey, if anyone has the right for some airing of grievances, it’s factory-farmed animals. Where are the enraged cattle overturning slaughterhouse-bound trucks, the hogs breaking out of their stinking sheds and waiting murderously for their tormentors? How pathetic that we are so divorced from the origins of our food that many readers won’t even make the connection in this huge plot hole.
In such a scenario, animal advocates would no doubt have something to say about this bloody situation. However, instead of giving animal ethics a place at the countless discussion panels held throughout the story, the author’s depiction of activists is negative and embarrassingly outdated. The one nod we get to organized pro-animal activity is one page depicting a bunch of college students waving hand-scrawled signs while drinking beer and smoking pot. (Really? In every demo I’ve been to, we dressed like we were going to job interviews and acted like it, too.) Then, another, faceless group of demonstrators in ski masks and bandannas make an attempt on the lives of two scientists as they drive down the highway. In their conception of animal advocates, it’s as if the creators relied on fur industry press releases from the 1980s.
In fact, the most realistic thing in the whole book was probably the depiction of the dangerous dog enthusiast.
ZOO is a silly graphic novel, okay as a diversion if that’s what you want. Just don’t expect it to offer any Rise of the Planet of the Apes-style Big Questions along with its scenes of mayhem.
November 14, 2014
Wow!
I totally surprised by this graphic novel. It captured the story very well. I probably won't go to a Zoo anytime soon. :)
I totally surprised by this graphic novel. It captured the story very well. I probably won't go to a Zoo anytime soon. :)
January 24, 2022
It is ok.
Animals got crazy and starts to attack humans.
So why? Also only the male are being affected.
It is pretty good start.
Good and fast read.
Animals got crazy and starts to attack humans.
So why? Also only the male are being affected.
It is pretty good start.
Good and fast read.
February 7, 2014
This is a very different apocalypse story. A scientist researching animal attacks discovers a tipping point is coming and does his best to head it off, to no avail. The story moves quickly, a bit talk-heavy but very interesting. It ties science, politics, and a bit of romance into one strong story about a world devolving into chaos. The ending is not some fairy tale, but feels like it's true to how things would really play out. There's still hope, but it's humanity that is ultimately its own worst enemy. The art is black and white and strong. The characters are interesting and varied. And it all works pretty well. I'm curious now to read the original novel.
September 11, 2022
Zoo by James Patterson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)
„Reminds me of what my father used to say: ‚Oz, boy, sometimes I think this world of ours is nothing but a goddamn zoo.‘
„That‘s exactly what‘s happening. The world‘s becoming a zoo, without cages.“
Imagine a world where all animals on earth turn aggressively to humans to attack and kill them… that is quite scary but exactly what happens in this book. A fast-paced story with twists and turns and some scary scenes where your fantasy can go wild! 😉
I read the graphic novel which was the best decision of all. The pictures and the whole style of drawing and writting is phenomenal. No big literature for sure, but still amazing and suspensful to read. The only little downside to it was the ending in my opinion. That was a little too short and abrupt for me. But still, I can recommend the whole book but also (or especially) the graphic novel. 😁👍🏻
Now I guess I‘m off to the second part of it, which will be on the Kindle, because there is no graphic novel.
🦁🐻🦊🐯🐼🐻❄️🐭🐶 🐨🐗🐺🐴🦇🐜🦍🐬🐊🦏
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)
„Reminds me of what my father used to say: ‚Oz, boy, sometimes I think this world of ours is nothing but a goddamn zoo.‘
„That‘s exactly what‘s happening. The world‘s becoming a zoo, without cages.“
Imagine a world where all animals on earth turn aggressively to humans to attack and kill them… that is quite scary but exactly what happens in this book. A fast-paced story with twists and turns and some scary scenes where your fantasy can go wild! 😉
I read the graphic novel which was the best decision of all. The pictures and the whole style of drawing and writting is phenomenal. No big literature for sure, but still amazing and suspensful to read. The only little downside to it was the ending in my opinion. That was a little too short and abrupt for me. But still, I can recommend the whole book but also (or especially) the graphic novel. 😁👍🏻
Now I guess I‘m off to the second part of it, which will be on the Kindle, because there is no graphic novel.
🦁🐻🦊🐯🐼🐻❄️🐭🐶 🐨🐗🐺🐴🦇🐜🦍🐬🐊🦏
October 18, 2015
I was very disappointed in this book more because of the nudity. The acceptance that stealing an animal from a lab is okay.
September 30, 2023
I've never read the original novel, but I did watch the TV show. This was quite different than the TV show, but not sure about the novel. I'm guessing much closer to the novel?
Overall not bad. Disaster story with animals turning against humans. Turns out we caused it ourselves, of course. There's also a statement made about whether people would let their selfishness and stupidity override their survival instincts. Let's hope we never have to find out.
Overall not bad. Disaster story with animals turning against humans. Turns out we caused it ourselves, of course. There's also a statement made about whether people would let their selfishness and stupidity override their survival instincts. Let's hope we never have to find out.
April 9, 2021
The first half is adventurous and page-turning, but the second half lagged. Too many meetings and one-page beurocrats. And the ending felt a little heavy-handed to me.
May 25, 2016
I picked this up because I saw the TV series. I'm not sure I'll ever read the original novel but I though that I could spare the time to read the graphic novel adaptation.
First of all, it's very, very different from the TV series. I'm not saying it's better or worse, just different. And yeah, I had to admit that I haven't seen the last series finale because Zoo was one of those stop-gap series: one of those that can be moved around to fill in gaps.
I kind of liked the art but sure Oz was shirtless a lot. I don't mind it but this caught my eye. The animals were drawn in a very realistic way and also the settings were detailed.
The story was a bit boring at the beginning because the main protagonist had to explain what was going on but then it got quite OK. Too many meetings with politicians but OK.
The thought behind the novel and the graphic novel is food for thought. If I understood it the right way, . Easy peasy.
The ending was good. And it so probable that something like that would happen, if were to caused such effects.
First of all, it's very, very different from the TV series. I'm not saying it's better or worse, just different. And yeah, I had to admit that I haven't seen the last series finale because Zoo was one of those stop-gap series: one of those that can be moved around to fill in gaps.
I kind of liked the art but sure Oz was shirtless a lot. I don't mind it but this caught my eye. The animals were drawn in a very realistic way and also the settings were detailed.
The story was a bit boring at the beginning because the main protagonist had to explain what was going on but then it got quite OK. Too many meetings with politicians but OK.
The thought behind the novel and the graphic novel is food for thought. If I understood it the right way, . Easy peasy.
The ending was good. And it so probable that something like that would happen, if were to caused such effects.
![Profile Image for Rei ⭐ [TrulyBooked].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1244675895i%2F2390727._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 19, 2016
While I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this graphic novel (due to a spate of graphic novels recently that I haven't enjoyed), but this turned my doubts inside out. I was able to get lost in the book and the ending was what sealed its place in my favourites.
May 26, 2022
An interesting novel
When will humanity grow and help itself, it was very interesting the way the plot moved, from we don't know what's going on to we have the solution and ourselves giving in to commodity again because we are like in this modern ages.
When will humanity grow and help itself, it was very interesting the way the plot moved, from we don't know what's going on to we have the solution and ourselves giving in to commodity again because we are like in this modern ages.
May 10, 2015
Fast paced enjoyable read, but reminiscent of other global environmental disaster films and novels. An updated version of "The Day of the Animals".
January 23, 2016
The premise had great potential but how it was now I didn't really enjoy it. Also found the graphics to be less desirable.
April 23, 2021
Early in- it is an interesting story but when this says "graphic novel" it really means it! This is basically soft porn at times [nude women that really aren't necessary for the story]. More to come...
Well, the first part was the only soft-porn but the language is lazy [any punk can use foul language- an intelligent writer should be better than that].
Then comes the stuff that ruined "The Day After Tomorrow". Mankind is bad, fossil fuels bad, cell phones bad [okay that is kind of a new one on me] but the same ol', same ol'.
And just silly science falsely so-called. Several days when things are turned off things get better... humans instantly start everything back up and things go bad very quickly... really instant cure, instant harm. Things don't happen that way.
Book is manga-style [read backwards] which is okay just disconcerting if you are not used to it. Good artwork, interesting premise but something to irritate everyone.
Well, the first part was the only soft-porn but the language is lazy [any punk can use foul language- an intelligent writer should be better than that].
Then comes the stuff that ruined "The Day After Tomorrow". Mankind is bad, fossil fuels bad, cell phones bad [okay that is kind of a new one on me] but the same ol', same ol'.
And just silly science falsely so-called. Several days when things are turned off things get better... humans instantly start everything back up and things go bad very quickly... really instant cure, instant harm. Things don't happen that way.
Book is manga-style [read backwards] which is okay just disconcerting if you are not used to it. Good artwork, interesting premise but something to irritate everyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2023
Zoo is an adaptation of the 2012 James Patterson novel of the same name. My wife reads “real” books and is familiar with him. A quick search online revealed that I too am familiar with some of his work. I saw the film adaptations of Kiss The Girls and Along Came A Spider. Andy MacDonald's artwork is very easy on the eyes.
The gist, with no spoilers: Jackson Oz is a scientist who discovers an alarming pattern of increased aggression in animals towards humans. He is initially dismissed as a quack with far out ideas but, much to his dismay, is proven more correct than he dared hope for. This a cautionary tale that is frightening because it is plausible. I have the whole suspension of disbelief thing down pat. It doesn't have to be 100% realistic, but if it is explained well enough for me to buy it, then I'm in. I'm not sure how to classify this. It's not quite Horror, not quite Science Fiction, and not quite a thriller. Let's just call it good.
The gist, with no spoilers: Jackson Oz is a scientist who discovers an alarming pattern of increased aggression in animals towards humans. He is initially dismissed as a quack with far out ideas but, much to his dismay, is proven more correct than he dared hope for. This a cautionary tale that is frightening because it is plausible. I have the whole suspension of disbelief thing down pat. It doesn't have to be 100% realistic, but if it is explained well enough for me to buy it, then I'm in. I'm not sure how to classify this. It's not quite Horror, not quite Science Fiction, and not quite a thriller. Let's just call it good.
May 5, 2022
This review is strictly for the graphic novel because I actually found Zoo to be a fun “brain break” book. Even though the writing and character development aren’t superior to any other James Patterson I felt the story was unique enough to carry those weaknesses. I wasn’t crazy about the b&w illustrations. When a book is adaptated into a graphic novel it is my personal opinion that it should bring something that you can’t get from the book alone, a deeper dive. Unfortunately the illustrations were basic enough that there was no greater world building or character insight. A pass.
May 28, 2024
This was my first graphic novel to read, so it took some getting used to regarding reading it right to left...but still top to bottom. I wasn't crazy about the book itself either. It seemed a little too plausible as I already had a pretty decent fear of animals. But I don't like the way it ended at all. There wasn't much of an ending at all actually. There was no solution and I think we should always be able to "fix" things...but maybe that's not realistic either. Anyway--this book was just "ho hum" to me.
August 31, 2018
A threat for apocalypse where animals fight back in a way reacting to the changes and destruction humans made. A columbian university dropout scientist changing the course of the apocalypse against the usual diplomatic denial to obvious threat. It was scary in a way that this kind of apocalypse is actually possible. The artist has also done a great job with the ferocity in the faces of the animals. Makes you want to pick up the book and read the entire story.
July 2, 2023
Great story, but...
The art and story are well done and engaging. Some of it is a little far-fetched, but the above makes up for it. My only real gripe is that the pages read right to left, Manga style. The ebook therefore starts at the end. I was confused at first, until I figured it out. I thought it was.in some odd, nonlinear style. Make sure you begin at the end and read backwards, and you'll be fine.
The art and story are well done and engaging. Some of it is a little far-fetched, but the above makes up for it. My only real gripe is that the pages read right to left, Manga style. The ebook therefore starts at the end. I was confused at first, until I figured it out. I thought it was.in some odd, nonlinear style. Make sure you begin at the end and read backwards, and you'll be fine.
January 30, 2020
Good read
Got interested in this cause I read the book an saw the TV series [though disappointed they cancelled with an incomplete season for no reason] if you like book I recommend all three. My only gripe would have preferred this comic in color added to the fine detail that is shown.
Got interested in this cause I read the book an saw the TV series [though disappointed they cancelled with an incomplete season for no reason] if you like book I recommend all three. My only gripe would have preferred this comic in color added to the fine detail that is shown.
January 6, 2023
If you like good graphic novels, avoid this!
I’ve read the original ‘Zoo’ and quite enjoyed it, however I couldn’t get along with this version at all. The drawings weren’t appealing and the story was jarring in places.
If the premise sound good, do yourself a favour and read the original and skip this graphic novel!
I’ve read the original ‘Zoo’ and quite enjoyed it, however I couldn’t get along with this version at all. The drawings weren’t appealing and the story was jarring in places.
If the premise sound good, do yourself a favour and read the original and skip this graphic novel!
March 6, 2017
The story was just plain dumb. There was more than one character in this atrocity that figured out that animals were beginning to attack humans, yet they still kept their pet, putting their loved ones in critical danger. This is indicative of the plot as a whole - stay away!
September 19, 2021
Wow!
I had never rad thus sorry or seen the movie before, so this was new to me. I loved it! The art work was dark and gripping as well as the story. I would say more but I don't want to give anything away. Just know this is a great read!
I had never rad thus sorry or seen the movie before, so this was new to me. I loved it! The art work was dark and gripping as well as the story. I would say more but I don't want to give anything away. Just know this is a great read!
June 7, 2022
The T.V. was better
A semi-comic version of the book Zoo could’ve been done better with color and tell us next time the book starts from right to left it was confusing I read 30% of the book before I realized I was reading it backwards.
A semi-comic version of the book Zoo could’ve been done better with color and tell us next time the book starts from right to left it was confusing I read 30% of the book before I realized I was reading it backwards.
Read
December 6, 2022Great Read although it's pushing a leftist political agenda...
Book is great to read, just remember to start from the back and work your way to the front.
Plot is on point, as long as you don't mind subjecting yourself to a leftist global warming type plot, you'll be ok.
Book is great to read, just remember to start from the back and work your way to the front.
Plot is on point, as long as you don't mind subjecting yourself to a leftist global warming type plot, you'll be ok.
March 14, 2024
Zoo
The idea of animals becoming aggressive due to environmental changes feels realistic, it seems like something that could become a possibility. The ending had a hint of sadness in it, it gives a demonstration of how selfish the human race is. Overall this was a good read.
The idea of animals becoming aggressive due to environmental changes feels realistic, it seems like something that could become a possibility. The ending had a hint of sadness in it, it gives a demonstration of how selfish the human race is. Overall this was a good read.
June 13, 2017
Loved this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews