This is a super-intelligent sci-fi about the consequences of finding a SPHERE inside a space-age ship under the ocean. Michael Crichton covered a myriad of consequences to finding a spaceship under the ocean and opening the sphere within.

The book opens with a doctor being contacted for an immediate job with the military. He is flown out to the middle of nowhere before being dropped off with a bunch of other scientists. They soon find they are supposed to be helping the military unravel a top-secret mission of alien nature....or so they all think! The sphere turns out to be something completely unexpected with an equally unexpected impact on the crew and the outcome of the mission. First, there were the immediate consequences on the crew of the underwater compound. But more interesting were the speculations of the characters about what was in the sphere and later, the implications for the rest of the world should those contents be released.

This was my first Michael Crichton book and I doubt it will be my last! The pacing was excellent, as was the characterization. What I really enjoyed was his assumption that I, as the reader, was smart enough to keep up. Just when the science started to takeover the storyline, Crichton would switch it up. The characters had depth but he wasn't afraid to kill people off! The tension was great and kept me running to pick the book back up. I've heard the movie version wasn't so hot, but the book was good.