What do you think?
Rate this book
Bick Downs #3
Primal
Bick Downs and the Society of Cryptozoological Agents are dropped into the lush bamboo forests of Vietnam. They are searching for Gigantopithecus, the largest primate that has ever existed.
But what they find deep and entangled amongst the trees is not the reclusive giant that roamed the bamboo forests of Southeast Asia several million years ago.
Instead, they find something else entirely. The animal has evolved.
But what they find deep and entangled amongst the trees is not the reclusive giant that roamed the bamboo forests of Southeast Asia several million years ago.
Instead, they find something else entirely. The animal has evolved.
- GenresScience Fiction
525 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 22, 2019
237 people are currently reading
76 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 29, 2020
I loved the prologue of this book. I was so excited to get going..
Then...
OMG. I thought it would never end.
Chest thumping, roaring, slamming huge palms onto the ground, repeated 100’s of times.
And the word gigantopithecus, female gigantopithecus, male gigantopithecus, huge gigantopithecus, small gigantopithecus, juvenile gigantopithecus, secong juvenile gigantopithecus, huge male gigantopithecus..
Aaaaaarrrgggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Then...
OMG. I thought it would never end.
Chest thumping, roaring, slamming huge palms onto the ground, repeated 100’s of times.
And the word gigantopithecus, female gigantopithecus, male gigantopithecus, huge gigantopithecus, small gigantopithecus, juvenile gigantopithecus, secong juvenile gigantopithecus, huge male gigantopithecus..
Aaaaaarrrgggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
May 10, 2020
Exciting!
Definitely a non-stop, action packed novel! I love the stories this Author writes! He's one of my favorites! A must read for sure!
Definitely a non-stop, action packed novel! I love the stories this Author writes! He's one of my favorites! A must read for sure!
September 5, 2020
Compelling
Primal by Michael Esola is a compelling story. The character development is excellent, and the descriptions of the gigantopithecus made the creature seem truly alive. I give the story four stars because, at times, the narrative became a bit clumsy, redundant.
Cudos to Michael. I'm looking forward to Book 4.
Primal by Michael Esola is a compelling story. The character development is excellent, and the descriptions of the gigantopithecus made the creature seem truly alive. I give the story four stars because, at times, the narrative became a bit clumsy, redundant.
Cudos to Michael. I'm looking forward to Book 4.
December 9, 2019
I read the first two editions of the Bick Downs series and was pleasantly surprised to see that the author brought a third one to life. I've become a fan of the Bick Downs character so it was interesting to see what was in store. In this showing, Downs is taken to Vietnam to protect the largest primate species ever known - also presumed to be extinct. But what they find is no longer the gentle giant that once lived in those remote bamboo forests. They find something else, something truly terrifying.
In comparison to previous editions, this one goes further into detail giving the reader greater visuals and further insight into Bick Downs, the character. You begin to see more clearly that Downs is much more than a guy merely looking for the next adventure; he's someone that cares deeply about the well-being of a species that deserves to live in peace and is willing to carry his mission forward even in the face of horror and foul play. This connection that the author has made between the reader and Bick Downs character keeps the reader strongly engaged throughout the story, often being disappointed when having to put the book down.
Overall, I was happy to have devoted my time toward reading the story and would recommend that sci-fi enthusiasts put this book high up on their priority lists.
In comparison to previous editions, this one goes further into detail giving the reader greater visuals and further insight into Bick Downs, the character. You begin to see more clearly that Downs is much more than a guy merely looking for the next adventure; he's someone that cares deeply about the well-being of a species that deserves to live in peace and is willing to carry his mission forward even in the face of horror and foul play. This connection that the author has made between the reader and Bick Downs character keeps the reader strongly engaged throughout the story, often being disappointed when having to put the book down.
Overall, I was happy to have devoted my time toward reading the story and would recommend that sci-fi enthusiasts put this book high up on their priority lists.
December 8, 2019
Wow, what an action packed and entertaining story!
This installment of the Bick Downs series will have you salivating for more.
The descriptions within the book are vivid and lifelike, and happen to be one of my personal favorites in paleohistory. Be forewarned this is just not another bigfoot story! Although related, Esola follows with his setup of A prehistoric beast that encounters the modern world and human society. You'll be interested to know more about the Gigantopithecus before you've even put the book down.
This installment of the Bick Downs series will have you salivating for more.
The descriptions within the book are vivid and lifelike, and happen to be one of my personal favorites in paleohistory. Be forewarned this is just not another bigfoot story! Although related, Esola follows with his setup of A prehistoric beast that encounters the modern world and human society. You'll be interested to know more about the Gigantopithecus before you've even put the book down.
December 13, 2019
This was an intense and epic book! I am a teacher and was able to use Primal with my class for analysis. The amount of detail, description, and character development is what really caught my attention and I could not put the book down. My students loved it and shared some reasons as to why.
One student said “there was never a boring part”
A second student said “can we read the first two of the Bick Downs books?”
My class and I highly recommend and encourage this book. You will not be disappointed.
One student said “there was never a boring part”
A second student said “can we read the first two of the Bick Downs books?”
My class and I highly recommend and encourage this book. You will not be disappointed.
May 16, 2020
Ending is heart stopping
Talk about hunting bigfoot. These animals discovered make bigfoot look like a tiny purring kitten. Reminiscent of Michael Crichton's CONGO. Exciting action. However, Mr. Esola please get a thesaurus! There is plenty of action but using the same words and phrases over and over again really detracts from the story. Otherwise quite an adventure. Left wondering, should these beasts be left alone or eliminated? Recommended
Talk about hunting bigfoot. These animals discovered make bigfoot look like a tiny purring kitten. Reminiscent of Michael Crichton's CONGO. Exciting action. However, Mr. Esola please get a thesaurus! There is plenty of action but using the same words and phrases over and over again really detracts from the story. Otherwise quite an adventure. Left wondering, should these beasts be left alone or eliminated? Recommended
August 13, 2020
Disappointing third instalment
Really enjoyed book 1 & 2, number 3 however got bogged down with unnecessary amounts of repetitive description. Almost felt like someone trying to meet a word count. Same phrases used over and over again. Skim read last two chapters. Don't like to criticise but invest in a thesaurus
Really enjoyed book 1 & 2, number 3 however got bogged down with unnecessary amounts of repetitive description. Almost felt like someone trying to meet a word count. Same phrases used over and over again. Skim read last two chapters. Don't like to criticise but invest in a thesaurus
January 4, 2020
Exciting read
This was a pretty good book after a slow start and then it was a roller coaster ride to the end. The descriptive writing had me seeing the creatures in my minds eye and feeling the terror of the characters.
This was a pretty good book after a slow start and then it was a roller coaster ride to the end. The descriptive writing had me seeing the creatures in my minds eye and feeling the terror of the characters.
January 22, 2020
4 Stars
The Society of Crytozoological Agents is sent to the jungles of Vietnam searching for the existence of Gigantopithecus Blackie the largest ape ever to live. When the team encounter the beast they find more than they bargained for. Good book kept my interest.
The Society of Crytozoological Agents is sent to the jungles of Vietnam searching for the existence of Gigantopithecus Blackie the largest ape ever to live. When the team encounter the beast they find more than they bargained for. Good book kept my interest.
February 5, 2020
Rough around the edges
Creative story line, lots of action. Worth a read if you like creature feature books. The author needs to smooth out his writing, sometimes it gets confusing to follow and seems to contradict itself in places.
Creative story line, lots of action. Worth a read if you like creature feature books. The author needs to smooth out his writing, sometimes it gets confusing to follow and seems to contradict itself in places.
June 27, 2025
Edit: full review added below. This is an excellent up alk night thriller that I will post my full review for as soon as it posts on Amazon. Short version: A high quality up alk thriller that will keep you guessing until the final page. Full review to follow soon...
The best Bick Downs book yet!
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2025
Primal, the 3rd book in the Buck Downs series, marks a remarkable improvement in the quality of Esola's writing. This time, the SCA team finds themselves hunting a truly massive primate, Gigantopithicus, in the dense bamboo forest wilds of Vietnam, with a documentary film crew and a trio of mercenaries to complicate the situation. The protagonist characters are very well rounded and are willing to sacrifice their own lives to keep the others safe. The best aspect of the writing is the claustrophobic feel that comes from the crystal clear and vivid descriptions of the forest. The reader experiences a sense of peril that is often hard to find in other books in the cryptid genre. It also has an extended final confrontation which will leave you breathless. 5/5 stars, highly recommended for fans of Luke Phillips, KT Tomb and any adult (due to strong language and an abundance of gore) who is after an up-all-night kind of thriller that will keep you guessing who might survive to the very last page!
The best Bick Downs book yet!
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2025
Primal, the 3rd book in the Buck Downs series, marks a remarkable improvement in the quality of Esola's writing. This time, the SCA team finds themselves hunting a truly massive primate, Gigantopithicus, in the dense bamboo forest wilds of Vietnam, with a documentary film crew and a trio of mercenaries to complicate the situation. The protagonist characters are very well rounded and are willing to sacrifice their own lives to keep the others safe. The best aspect of the writing is the claustrophobic feel that comes from the crystal clear and vivid descriptions of the forest. The reader experiences a sense of peril that is often hard to find in other books in the cryptid genre. It also has an extended final confrontation which will leave you breathless. 5/5 stars, highly recommended for fans of Luke Phillips, KT Tomb and any adult (due to strong language and an abundance of gore) who is after an up-all-night kind of thriller that will keep you guessing who might survive to the very last page!
August 16, 2022
Startling action and terror
Better than the first two books. Couldn’t put it down. Hard to believe the bravery, ingenuity, and stupidity, in the different characters. A lot of dominate characters trying to grab the ultimate goal, and do anything necessary to assure their team succeeds. Incredible creatures, well described and thought out. Read it!
Better than the first two books. Couldn’t put it down. Hard to believe the bravery, ingenuity, and stupidity, in the different characters. A lot of dominate characters trying to grab the ultimate goal, and do anything necessary to assure their team succeeds. Incredible creatures, well described and thought out. Read it!
November 1, 2021
Another great book
I have finished the third book of this trilogy AND it was AMAZING Reading this book YOU could almost imagine these animals truly existing. The murder and carnage of these huge animals, WOW. The author can truly make your mind wonder.
I have finished the third book of this trilogy AND it was AMAZING Reading this book YOU could almost imagine these animals truly existing. The murder and carnage of these huge animals, WOW. The author can truly make your mind wonder.
April 6, 2022
If you want apes, this is the book for you
An interesting story about prehistoric primates of a rather large size. Definitely a thriller to the very end. You will be turning the pages as fast as you can to get to the next chapter.
An interesting story about prehistoric primates of a rather large size. Definitely a thriller to the very end. You will be turning the pages as fast as you can to get to the next chapter.
December 3, 2019
Too many earth-shaking roars
The story just went on too long. The evolving prehistoric beasts continue to live and kill in Vietnam. Oh dear!
The story just went on too long. The evolving prehistoric beasts continue to live and kill in Vietnam. Oh dear!
December 13, 2019
What more can you ask from Michael Esola! This one just had me wanting to keep reading and not set it down! Can't wait for more of his books!
December 19, 2019
Excellent read! The primal fear of being stalked and torn apart feels so real! Can’t wait for the next Bick Downs installment!
January 10, 2020
Thrilling, exciting and imaginative. It feeds the carnal beast that we have inside of each of us. I would love to see this story adapted into a movie! Highly recommend. :)
January 12, 2020
Loved it!! Super fun ride with twist and turns you don’t see coming!! Kept me up in wee hours of the night under winter blankets wondering who’s going to make it out......keep writing sir!!!
January 23, 2020
Very good. Held my attention throughout. Loved the characters. I now have to read all the others in this series.
January 28, 2020
Ok
However, it seemed like the author forgot where he was at, in between chapters. There was quite a bit of redundancy
However, it seemed like the author forgot where he was at, in between chapters. There was quite a bit of redundancy
February 2, 2020
Good
Really enjoyed reading this it was well written and fast moveing and entertaining from start to finish would recommend it
Really enjoyed reading this it was well written and fast moveing and entertaining from start to finish would recommend it
July 12, 2020
Another Wow
I extremely enjoyed this book! Just as good as the first two I’m the series! I highly recommend this author!
I extremely enjoyed this book! Just as good as the first two I’m the series! I highly recommend this author!
May 2, 2021
Good book little too long
Enjoyed the book but found it a little long no need for some characters guess needed for the multiple plotlines
Enjoyed the book but found it a little long no need for some characters guess needed for the multiple plotlines
August 23, 2021
This was a series that I couldn’t wait to read
I read all three in the series and I am now anxiously waiting for the fourth one. The series has a lot of potential to continue to extend quite a bit. If you like crypto zoology it’s really cool it has cool animals the characters are great storylines are really good.
I read all three in the series and I am now anxiously waiting for the fourth one. The series has a lot of potential to continue to extend quite a bit. If you like crypto zoology it’s really cool it has cool animals the characters are great storylines are really good.
September 17, 2020
Michael Esola writes a good thriller. You will be drawn in and captivated by his characters and their somewhat odd side job of hunting down and capturing or keeping secrets of strange exotic beasts. This goes down in the bamboo jungles of Vietnam where giant man eating apes, a supposed evolution of the Giganthpithicus, lives. You have Bick Downs and his team as well as others and then you have the hungry apes. This is thrilling from the moment the action starts to literally the very last word. No dead spots or boring snooze moments in this book. If you like action with huge angry beasts this book is for you.
October 13, 2021
Good story idea, but
I have this book five stars because it was a good story idea, but with that said I did have a few questions about it. My first question was where were they getting all of those bottles of water they had at their disposable. I mean come on they were pulling water bottles out of their lack right and left. Fact water in quantity is heavy check out a 5 gallon bucket of it sometime, so where did this supply of water come from they sure didn't have a pack full of water bottles. Then came their food supplies. I mean they were eating sandwiches they brought with them have they never heard of MREs or freeze dried food supplies. To me eating a sandwich that was made days before is just asking for a case of the trots or worse especially in a hot humid jungle where food would go bad real fast in a pack. Then comes the problem of these people going into a situation without any knowledge of the area other than it was in Northern Vietnam. Plus no idea what they were going against and not having enough personnel on the ground to handle the situation. The capture team from the SCA was to small for what they were rescuing. The mercenaries force was too small , three men please. The documentary crew was a joke, only 4 people and two of them did like each other.
Now we come to the part about weapons. The mercenaries have some major firepower, the SCA team has two handguns in case things to South on them. That is just b.s. they needed something more powerful than a .357 magnum handgun like several high-powered rifles. Then only people to have tranquilizer weapons were the ACA crew and their weapons weren't strong enough to put down their prey without harm to the creature or the crew. They didn't work.
Now I bet you are thinking why did I give this book 5 stars. Well the plot of this story was good. I mean come on a giant ape that is supposed to be extinct. Then there is the documentary crew, who for the most part deserve what they get. Then there are the mercenaries, who are a bunch of idiots in they have no idea of what they are going against. Then there are the people, who are just trying to save a wild animal and have no idea what they are getting into. So despite the problems I had with the technical parts this was very good story idea and it read well.
I have this book five stars because it was a good story idea, but with that said I did have a few questions about it. My first question was where were they getting all of those bottles of water they had at their disposable. I mean come on they were pulling water bottles out of their lack right and left. Fact water in quantity is heavy check out a 5 gallon bucket of it sometime, so where did this supply of water come from they sure didn't have a pack full of water bottles. Then came their food supplies. I mean they were eating sandwiches they brought with them have they never heard of MREs or freeze dried food supplies. To me eating a sandwich that was made days before is just asking for a case of the trots or worse especially in a hot humid jungle where food would go bad real fast in a pack. Then comes the problem of these people going into a situation without any knowledge of the area other than it was in Northern Vietnam. Plus no idea what they were going against and not having enough personnel on the ground to handle the situation. The capture team from the SCA was to small for what they were rescuing. The mercenaries force was too small , three men please. The documentary crew was a joke, only 4 people and two of them did like each other.
Now we come to the part about weapons. The mercenaries have some major firepower, the SCA team has two handguns in case things to South on them. That is just b.s. they needed something more powerful than a .357 magnum handgun like several high-powered rifles. Then only people to have tranquilizer weapons were the ACA crew and their weapons weren't strong enough to put down their prey without harm to the creature or the crew. They didn't work.
Now I bet you are thinking why did I give this book 5 stars. Well the plot of this story was good. I mean come on a giant ape that is supposed to be extinct. Then there is the documentary crew, who for the most part deserve what they get. Then there are the mercenaries, who are a bunch of idiots in they have no idea of what they are going against. Then there are the people, who are just trying to save a wild animal and have no idea what they are getting into. So despite the problems I had with the technical parts this was very good story idea and it read well.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews