While China's economic growth is unsurpassed, the Chinese are mostly manufacturers for foreign companies. In their quest for true world domination, China's weakest link is culture, and the Chinese government intends to change all that with THE GREAT ZOO OF CHINA. The zoo has been 40 years in the making and the time has come for the world to witness China's momentous contribution.

In great secrecy, journalists from the New York Times have been invited to the luxurious site, as well as the American Ambassador to China and his aide, various dignitaries, and a crew from the National Geographic Society formed by CJ Cameron and her brother. Dr. CJ Cameron, a herpetologist, now works as a veterinarian in a zoo ever since she was attacked and maimed by an alligator. The visitors were anticipating something big but they get is much, much more than they ever bargained for!

And so will you, because I am not going to reveal any spoilers and deprive anyone from the thrill ride that is THE GREAT ZOO OF CHINA! I enjoyed the care Mr. Reilly took in setting up the story: he provides a solid background of China's political and economic situation, the feel of the local landscape, as well as interesting facts on several types of reptiles; I felt as if I were on the premises. Dr. CJ Cameron is an interesting heroine, but as expected, human character development comes a tad short; however the author unquestionably succeeds when it comes to describing the animals. No detail is spared in the creatures' physical depictions, behaviour, and evolution: they seem completely realistic; and I don't believe anyone will soon forget Lucky. THE GREAT ZOO OF CHINA has a very cinematic feel, and the action is extremely fast-paced.

Comparisons between THE GREAT ZOO OF CHINA and Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park are inevitable, as Matthew Reilly himself points out, but then again fans of Mr. Crichton's dinosaurs will definitely enjoy THE GREAT ZOO OF CHINA; I know I did!