The Trench

By: Steve Alten

Narrated by: Bruce Reizen

Its appetite is ravenous. Its teeth scalpel-sharp. Its power unstoppable as it smashes the steel doors holding it in a Monterey, California, aquarium. The captive 20-ton Megalodon shark has tasted human blood, and it wants more.

On the other side of the world, in the silent depths of the ocean, lies the Mariana Trench, where the Megalodon has spawned since the dawn of time. Paleo-biologist Jonas Taylor once dared to enter this perilous cavern. He alone faced the monster and cut its heart out, and he wears the painful scars of that deadly encounter.

Now, as the body count rises and the horror of the Meg's attack grips the California coast, Jonas must begin the hunt again. But to do that means returning to the dark terror of the trench...where the Meg is waiting. Using himself as bait, Jonas will enter the ultimate battle - a fight to the death between man and beast in the darkest recesses of the ocean...and a fight for his sanity from the depths of his own tormented soul.

©2008 Steve Alten (P)2008 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"When Angel rolls back her eyes and opens her jaws for the kill, readers will remember with a thrill why they picked up this novel in the first place." ( Publishers Weekly)

Great story, narrator of first book was better

I preferred the narrator of the first book, the meg, this reader seemed to be talking to fast. after allowing down the speed it sounded better. everything considered it was a great story that left you wondering till the end if it would be a happy ending.

A good fiction story melded with some facts.

What did you love best about The Trench?

The descriptions of the seas before mankind. The tension between our main character and his Russian nemesis.

What other book might you compare The Trench to and why?

Maybe Jaws? This story and book one the Meg, were fairly unique for me.

What aspect of Bruce Reizen’s performance would you have changed?

I think his Russian and British accents were spot on, wouldn't one say? But a lot of the characters had a high pitched, nasal sound that was used too often. In my humble opinion.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but circumstances do prevent that. So I listen as I drive.

Any additional comments?

I like this author a bunch. I hope he stays at it because I will look for more of his stuff.

Not as good as the first

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was not as gripping as the first and I wish certain elements of the story were fleshed out more but finishing the book was not an issue and I looked forward to everytime I got time to listen to it.

As for the narrator, the characters were voiced well and were distinguishable but at times the narration sounded like it was read by a computer.

Great narration

This is one of the best narrators. Get him to do Outlander. Kept me riveted.

Listen at 90%

I couldn’t listen to this at normal speed. The narrator talks too fast. 90% was perfect for me. I really did enjoy listening to this narrator. He does great voices/accents for the different characters!

I love this series and can’t wait to listen to the next one. If you liked the first book - I don’t think you’d be disappointed with this one!