Rating: 
Summary: Jurassic dot meets the andromeda strain vs the stepford wife
Review: Crichton has always been tops with his scientific savvy and vision of the future but, Christ has he run out of story ideas. Hasn't he done this before. His super beings are destroyed a little too conveniently to tie up this [weak] novel. Can't you just see this was written as a screenplay, not a novel. Get James Cameron to direct. You can use left over effects from The Abyss and deleted scenes from The Swarm. Won't cost much. Any d-rate actor could act out this crud.Skip it.
Rating: 
Summary: Alright plot with a potentially exciting topic
Review: I finished reading Michael Chrichton's Prey, on and off within a week. Prey was less enjoyable than most of his earlier works, namely Raising Sun, Disclosure, Jurassic Park. The topic is fasinating. Nano-technology with agent-based genetic algorithm programmed in them to evolve, and what happens when things go wrong. How Scientist uses their knowledge to help them survive the monster that in part their creation. This theme has been used in Jurassic Park and other popular tales of MC and never really fails. The problem in prey is not the technical aspect of the story, but one with delivery of the plot. The book started off very slowly, introducing main character Jack and developing his relationship with his wife and family for more than a third of the book. Character development wasn't great but you can see MC is trying to put more depth into these people. The slow peace have me put the book down and do other more interesting things at times. Through the middle of the book, the story begin to pick up speed and the story becomes pretty intense. You start to see the good old MC writing with the familiar use of suspense. However, all through the later part of the book, climax after climax, the whole thing felt like a movie script more than anything. (In fact, the feature film rights was already sold to 20th Century Fox before the book was published for near 5 million dollars). The movie-formula was unbelievably obvious, so much so that you can almost see him giving instructions to special effects crew and camera men. It's always been his style of writing to be very movie-like, but somehow it felt like the style has been over-used. The book is a fast page-turner towards the end, but one that would leave readers unsatisfied. I'd still recommend getting this book, but wait for the paperback. :)
Rating: 
Summary: The Most Original and Unique story in ages
Review: I have read stories before, several, ranging from the classics to the modren times. Michael Crichton's Prey is the most unique story I've ever read. The depth of knowledge displayed in the story is unparalled by the possible exception of Tom Clancy, who knows so much about what he writes that there is little room left for plot. Crichton once again becomes the cheif American Storyteller with the latest book that is so fun and enjoyable that you will not even noticed how far you have read in it by the time you've finished.
Rating:
Summary: been done before
Review: Frank Herbert did this plot a lot better 30 years ago in a novel called "The Green Brain". A decent read, but as predictable as all Crichton's novels.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book
Review: If you are interested in technology and the future use of technology this book is a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Haven¿t We Been Down This Road Before?
Review: Michael Crichton has clearly developed a formula for his writings . He begins with the theme that technology often advances more rapidly than the understanding of the implications of that technology, adds some techno-babble, mixes in a few high octane action scenes, and voila: an instant best seller. Other than the slightly darker ending, Prey doesn't deviate from the formula. Judging by the sales figures on Crichton's books, it's pretty obvious that this style hasn't cost him any readers. Yet, one can't help but feel that this book is treading over well worn ground. The technology being discussed may change, but the style in which it's discussed doesn't. I suppose that Crichton sees no need to change his method. But given his obvious talent, one hopes for a little more than just formula. For Crichton fans, Prey does not disappoint. The book is another excellent display of Crichton's ability to marry cutting edge ideas with solid action sequences. But, there really isn't anything new in Crichton's presentation to make the book memorable. Consequently, Prey is much like a roller coaster one has ridden several times: it's still fun, but it has lost its ability to surprise.
Rating:
Summary: A once-enjoyable writer now produces self-parodies
Review: Crichton's downhill slide as a writer, it could be argued, dates from the sequel to Jurassic Park. That dreadful book was obviously intended as a basis for a screenplay. Since then, Crichton seems to have been going through the motions. In "Prey" we're given unformed characters, an absurd plot, and -- most disappointing of all for a Crichton fan -- boring science. Is the writer getting old, or does he care only about the money? My impression is neither: He just seems bored. And so will you be, if you read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Could NOT put it down!
Review: The bad reviews all surprise me: most of them have all read a lot of Crichton and yet critizice the lack of characters, excessive tech, etc. This is WHY we read Crichton: he makes no bones about it,he likes plot. If it's "techno," we're not gonna worry about the character development. It may not be literature but it sure is fun...just like Grisham's legal thillers. I couldn't put this book down...it was everything we've come to expect from Crichton and I hope we get more. C'mon people! Don't be so serious..this guy is great!
Rating:
Summary: Jurassic Nanoparticles
Review: Michael Crichton has a pretty good schtick. Research a current scientific or sociological trend to death, then regurgitate it in an easily-readable novel format palatable to the lowest common denominator. He does it often and he does it well. Perhaps too well. Because it's beginning to appear as though he's doing the same thing over and over again ... "Prey" is an interesting concept, concerning the efforts to develop nanotechnology. Of course, in Crichton's world, science refuses to behave; arrogant scientists push limits and the scientific subjects break loose, causing a big mess and hijinx ensue. One right-thinking scientist warns against using the new technology before it is properly tested, then saves the day with his superior knowledge and skill. In "Prey", the hero is stay-at-home dad Jack Forman, a former programmer who loses his job because he finds out the CEO is morally-corrupt and tries to blow the whistle. Crichton spends pages and pages describing how Jack takes to being a house husband, changing diapers, fixing dinner, refereeing squabbles. We get the point: Jack's a Good Guy, with Capital Letters. Jack's wife, Julia, works for a company that has developed a medical imaging system that uses nanotechnology to take pictures of the inside of the body. This is the company for which things go Terribly Wrong. A cloud of nanoparticles breaks loose and is terroroizing the fabrication facility deep in the Nevada desert. Because Jack worked on the code that runs the particles, he's called in to save the day and this is where the book becomes "Jurassic Nanoparticles". At the facility, we are introduced to a group of people who are working on the project. Their names are not important, for they are barely-sketched characters to be used as nano-fodder for the remainder of the novel. The first third of the novel was almost unreadable. Crichton attempts to get us into the head of Joe Average, having conversations about diapers and managing a household where the kids slap each other and call one another "Monkey Butt". But it appears Crichton himself is a long, long way from being an average guy. I doubt he ever shopped for diapers or picked up his own dry-cleaning, so he instead seems to have cribbed all his knowledge of family life from "Mr. Mom" and "E.T." Things DO heat up a bit when he gets to the facility in the desert. This is where Crichton shows his chops as a master story teller. His writing is still a little sloppy and choppy, but he keeps things going by building and releasing tension at a steady rate. Many questions are answered, only to raise more questions. This is what Crichton does best and it is why I still read him. Plotting is a little sloppy, as well, as there are many inconsistencies throughout. People behave in odd ways, contact with the nanoparticles kills some but not others and has different affects on those it doesn't kill. But this is par for the course in a Crichton novel. ..."Prey" is fun, even though you've seen it all before.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling read, though not his best work.
Review: I give this one 4 of 5 because I think MC is getting a bit too formulaic. That is not to say I did not enjoy this book. I found it to be a little like Jurrasic Park mixed with a spatter of Airframe. Many of Crichton's recent novels seem to be written with a movie deal in mind, and this is one of those. The pace seemed overly hasty at times and distracted from the action. I long for the Andromeda Strain/Sphere days sometimes. All in all a good read with interesting characters. The last third of the book was quite difficult to follow and made me go back to make sure who was doing what since not very many of the supporting players are fleshed out and much as I would have liked. I did appreciate it being told in the first person by one narrator. If you like Crichton you will like this book. If you don't like him this is a good thriller that will keep you interested. The subject matter is interesting and makes me fearful for what may come in our society. Kudos to Crichton for taking on an emerging scientific topic and running with it.
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