I’ll be upfront and say I’m a long-time fan of Michael Crichton and the Jurassic Park series of books and movies. If you enjoy that sort of sci-fi/thriller, this is the book for you. I read it in its entirety in one night. I simply couldn’t put it down.

Erebus Resort, a safari-type resort populated with prehistoric animals recreated via genetic manipulation, is set in the Colorado wilderness. The uber-wealthy can pay for backpacking trips to see wooly mammoths and other creatures up close and personal. When a newly-wed couple disappears, law enforcement presumes an eco-terrorist group is responsible. As incident piles upon incident, the resort starts to crumble. The last ten chapters or so reveal how wrong they are.

Preston takes current genetic research and turns it in a horror story as he depicts the pros and cons of mankind resurrecting extinct species. He does this quite successfully without bogging the reader down in arcane scientific terms. Like Jurassic Park, it’s a marvelous cautionary tale on hubris of man as well as our rapacious appetite for destruction in the guise of progress. The afterword was an interesting read as well.

Preston’s prose is tight. The suspense bounds off the page. The female protagonist, Frances Cash, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s agent in charge, is an atypical female in modern fiction: overweight but fit, sharp-tongued, and outspoken. However, Preston seems overly concerned about her diet and size. The remaining characters are full-realized and interesting (other than the surprise folks at the end who work as a mob rather than individuals).

When I read the premise for this book, I knew I had to read it. Jurassic Park with ice age animals? Right up my alley! The Erebus preserve has unlocked the mystery of "de-extinction" and has resurrected several animals from the Pleistocene, most recognizably the woolly mammoth. The preserve is also home to an exclusive resort where guests can observe the wildlife and take wilderness treks to see them up close and personal. I was surprised to find that the genetically engineered animals weren't the focus of this book. Instead, we are pulled into the disappearance of two guests after they were attacked in their camp. I at first assumed there would be some kind of ice age chimera loose in the resort, but the real culprits are much more intriguing. I really enjoyed the ethical questions that were discussed towards the end of the book, as well as the tense investigation into the mountains. I did find the ending to be a bit unsatisfactory, but otherwise this was a solid read.

I love a good Douglas Preston book. This is no exception. Sometimes he can get bogged down in a lot of technical descriptions but overall this is a good story. I found that it took a while to get to the point at times with some of the characters taking extra trips and side quests that may not have pushed the narrative along but rather distracted from arriving at the end too quickly. But, I enjoyed the characters (not your average leading man and lady) and when you do arrive at what is actually happening and by whom, it is very intriguing. I recommend you jump in and take the ride Mr. Preston has created in Extinction. It will definitely make you think once you finish that last page.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a Douglas Preston novel, so I was excited to have the early opportunity to read this one. This story is told in third person and primarily follows Colorado Bureau of Investigations Agent in Charge Frances Cash as she investigates the disappearance of a pair of newlyweds from their camp site on a personally guided trip into the Erebus Resort in the Colorado Rockies where scientists have de-extincted six mammals from the Pleistocene epoch.

Cash is assisted in the field by the local county Sheriff James Colcord. Initially I was struck by how both characters immediately misjudged each other, but their partnership settled into an easy and respectful professional relationship as they investigated the situation and played to each of their strengths. I enjoyed both their characters and found them to be savvy and observant with good strategies for coping with difficult circumstances, bosses and suspects. I did find Cash’s preoccupation with her fitness and weight to be a tad annoying given her eating habits. And I still have questions about the incident that led her to work for the CBI so I’m wondering if there will be more books featuring Cash in the future.

I thought the story had good pacing with a balance of suspense, action and investigation. The mechanism for the DNA used to de-extinct the animals was interesting and thought provoking though not overwhelming in its presence. I included the science fiction tag due to the nature of the resort, but most of the primary characters in this story are law enforcement so the emphasis here is on the mystery not necessarily on the science.

Recommended to readers who enjoy books such as Jurassic Park and the Relic.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forge Books for a copy provided for an honest review.

This felt like a retelling of Jurassic Park and not one that I particularly cared for. Some attempts at humor that fell flat, ex. giving a plug of your own book. I think i'll just stick with the Prendergast books.

This page-turning thriller explores the possible and unintended dangers of the efforts to resurrect long-extinct animals.

Situated on a 100-acre valley high up in the Colorado Rockies, Erebus Resort created a new technology to de-extinct wooly mammoths, Irish elk, giant sloths, and other extinct creatures.

The resort grabbed the attention of a billionaire’s son and his new wife who decided to spend their honeymoon at the resort. While out camping with their guide, the couple disappears, leaving behind a pool of blood.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Frances Cash partners with the county sheriff James Colcord to help investigate the couple’s disappearance.

More violent events occur. What is going on at Erebus Resort? Who killed the young couple?

As the killings escalate and the valley is evacuated, Cash and Colcord must confront an ancient, intelligent, and murderous presence at Erebus.

I like most of the books that Douglas Preston writes and this is no exception. He has been creating wild stories for decades, by taking a possible reality and developing a story around it.

The plot is well-written, intense, and keeps your interest. The only problem is finding a place to put it down. The characters are mostly likeable. The pace is intense and escalates through the final pages.

While the idea of bringing back extinct species is not a new idea, it isn’t totally science fiction any longer. The Afterward of the book states, as man pushes further and further into the arena of resurrection biology, who can say what our future might bring? Preston says this book was influenced by the real-life effort to resurrect the wooly mammoth, and he incorporated enough real science to give credibility and depth to his story.

But unlike Jurassic Park, the huge de-extincted creatures were not the dangerous predators. That twist was enough to keep the ending interesting for me.

This was an action packed rid of a book, and I’d recommend it to Preston fans or those who like realistic sci-fi thrillers.

Look for it on bookshelves or Amazon in April.

I have only ever read one book by Douglas Preston and it was one of his non-fiction books so this was new for me. Although I enjoy movies like Relic and Jurassic Park, I don't often read books in that genre. I don't think they are quite for me. I could see how it would appeal to those who do enjoy this type of book but it was a little too graphic for me. If I could have taken a more detached, scientific view of the information, it would have been just fine but I apparently cannot do this. I do think this will be a solid entry for his fans. Trigger warnings for descriptions of cannibalism and animal violence.

I am a HUGE fan of the books coauthored by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. However, their individual writing usually falls flat for me. Extinction has been the first exception! The premise of Extinction is so interesting, the science is believable enough, and I loved that it is set in Colorado. It's got an action movie kind of feel to it, complete with a touch of cheesy dialogue, even though the pacing was a little off at times. Highly recommend for fans of Jurassic Park.

DNF at 33%

While the premise sounded amazing (and by golly most of it was exactly what I expected) it was around the 30% mark that the book felt to slow down to a point where it was almost dragging. The banter between characters was great, as well as the concept of where to each of them could go, but ultimately it just wasn't for me. Thanks to Tor and Netgalley for allowing me to post an honest review. Would still recommend to people but only those that are more thriller/murder mystery inclined. Just a bit too dense for my taste.

This book was incredible!!!! Not only was it an incredible police procedural it’s full of science fiction goodness, that’s a little too close for comfort. The character development is great and the plot was so twisty and turny I was shooketh! Can’t wait to read more from this author!

Douglas Preston is one of my favorite authors. Reading this, I was reminded of what a good author he is. The book was amazing, I was invested in the story from the beginning and never lost my interest. Obviously there can be comparisons made between Extinction and Jurassic Park but this book works well as a stand alone. Part mystery/police procedural, the CBI is brought in to investigate the murders of a young honeymoon couple. As the investigation continues, the findings become more and more bizarre. This book reminds us that just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should do something.

I received a free copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest.

Preston never disappoints!

Extinction is a fascinating look at what if. The science of genetics gives humans unprecedented power, and like all curious monkeys we just can’t help ourselves in playing with it. How cool it would be to see some of the prehistoric megafauna walking around! But playing with fire sometimes means getting burned.

Cash and Colcord are great characters and I’d love to see them working together again. Here’s hoping we get to see them in a series!

This is the cooler version of a real life Jurassic Park! Who would have the thought the de extinction of mammals from the Pleistocene epoch would cause so much murder and mayhem. I could picture walking with these gentle creatures. What an action packed roller coaster ride of a book, but this author delivers nothing less. Auto buy for me! This author is constantly pushing the boundaries from real life and fiction, what makes his books so good is that you can actually see these events happening in real life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor publishing for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Jurassic Park fans will enjoy this offering by Douglas Preston. Based on current science, Preston offers us a world wherein species are becoming 'de-extinct,' being brought back to life as Crichton's dinosaurs were. In actuality, the Colossal company <https://colossal.com/mammoth/ > projects that they will have a living de-extinct wooly mammoth by the year 2027.

As in Jurassic Park, in this work of fiction, Preston sets the animals in a secluded area as an attractive theme park, with the theme park's fees to defray the cost of the genetic experiments. The park turns out to be not quite as safe as it is billed to be and after a couple of unusual murders, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation is called in to investigate. It seems the parks' scientists may not be telling the whole truth about the scope and breadth of their work. With abandoned mines and tunnels as the base of operations, CBI Agent Frances Cash and Sheriff Jim Colcord have their work cut out in the massive search area to locate the culprits. On top of that, the two are frequently stymied by both theme park personnel and Cash's superiors, who are limiting their search and options. .

This one is a good read for those fascinated by cloning and the science behind it. Also, a bit scary in presenting the actual possibilities of today's world.

This was scarily plausible. Parts of it seemed unlikely but the afterword and the science information Preston included make it all too likely, at least the de-extinctioning of mammoths, etc. I liked agent Frankie Cash and Sheriff Colcord. The latter especially was interesting as he seemed cliched at first but we, along with Cash, come to see he's more than a cliche or stereotype. A few other characters were cliched. Overall though, a fascinating book. The more I read, the less I wanted to put the book down.

Side note - comparisons to Jurassic Park, both the book and the movie, are inevitable. Several characters referenced them, and not in a positive manner. The snark made me laugh.

Solid science fiction, interesting characters and plot, lots of action, and an entertaining and thought provoking story.

This book made feel like I was reading a mash up of Jurassic Park (but with Wooly Mammoths), an 80's cop show, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre, lol.

There were moments of slow progression, LOTS of dialog, and some repetitiveness.
But it also had redeeming moments of great action and humor.

Thank you, Netgalley for the advanced copy!

An excellent book by ones of my favorite authors alive today. A thrill ride of action, forensic science, neolithic history and of course, sardonic humor.

Keep writing them, Doug, I'll keep reading them!

Thanks to Netgalley, Tor Publishing and of course, the amazing Douglas Preston. All opinions are my own.

Good book! I was surprised by the tameness of the de-extincted critters as well as by who the ultimate culprits of the murders turned out to be. I'll be interested to see if any of these characters show up in other Preston or Child novels.

Oh, this left me doing my happy dance lol.

With definite shades of Jurassic Park, Preston brings us into a rollicking adventure where the past meets the present with disastrous results!

Expect action, fascinating characters (human and non), and some of the horrific things humanity will do in the name of money (not science as we well know).

As usual, Preston’s characters live and breathe. They have fire, humor, and are just extremely likable.

And, yes, if Erebus Resort was real, I’d be silly enough to visit.

Loved this and want more!

• ARC via Publisher

When I heard last year that a startup called Colossal (https://colossal.com) received funding to resurrect the wooly mammoth, two thoughts went through my mind:
1. That sounds awesome.
2. That is definitely a terrible idea.

Douglas Preston's new novel, Extinction, plays on exactly this dynamic. It's like Jurassic Park meets Planet of the Apes set against the backdrop of the Colorado Rockies. It's a gripping page turner that's equal parts fun and exciting while being a thoughtful reflection on the ethics of de-extinction efforts that really are happening as we speak. Just because we can bring species back from extinction, does that mean we should?

This is a fun little novel. I definitely recommend.