Origin

Rather confusing at time, especially toward the end when the alien creature more or less, don't want to give it away so will stop there. Very interesting, a bit Sci Fi but worth the read. This book was one in the Ultimate Thriller Box Set.

The US government has a demon in a hidden complex. Or what may be a demon, but could be an alien. People work there that are desperate enough have agreed to work on studying this thing that eats whole sheep like hamburgers and as it turns out is really smart, knows many languages and has incredible genetic modification abilities. And is not really killable.

Hence the Presidential plan - nuke the place if it turns out that it can get loose. And a manipulative demon certainly will have a shot at doing that when it can solve all sorts of genetic problems for those it would like to suborn.

Also talks in creepy sibilant sentences. Fun stuff.

http://freesf.strandedinoz.com/wordpress/2012/02/origin-j-a-konrath/ ( )

Fun thriller, not many surprises though and a bit short. A lot of possibilities here, most of them unrealized. Still, enjoyable, I recommend reading it for something short and entertaining with little thought involved. ( )

Great book, love Bub even though he's bad. ( )

Something was discovered in Panama in 1906. Large, bestial, and hidden in what looked like a sarcophagus. The president had it moved to New Mexico in an underground facility. This discovery “Bub” has been in a coma for all these years and workers, sworn to secrecy, have come and gone. But now the creature has awakened. There are carvings on the sarcophagus and the creature isn’t speaking in a language anyone recognizes. Andy Dennison, a linguist, is awakened one day with a message: “Your country needs you.” He has nothing else going for him, knee deep in debt, so he takes the job. There are others on staff—two religious figures who argue over the significance of the find (the Rabbi claims “we don’t know the devil’s side of the story because God wrote all the books”) and what the beast actually is, science experts, a veterinarian, and Race, who heads up the program. The author dishes out similarities to popular movies with relish. Some think the creature is alien (ala Independence Day). Description of Bub during feeding time is reminiscent of Jurassic Park. If all else fails, there is an order to destroy the facility. And failure it is as Bub gets out and wreaks havoc. Lots of humor is tossed in to balance the gore. However, I’m not sure if the author was being clever with his ending or leaving an opening for a sequel. Either way, this was an enjoyable thriller. ( )