It’s not often that two of the biggest storytellers (Crichton and Patterson) to ever put pen to paper collaborate on a single project, and if anticipation wasn’t high enough already, toss in endorsements from heavyweights like Don Winslow and Jeffrey Deaver, and you’ve got all the makings for a generational blockbuster. The question is, can it live up to the hype? One thing is for sure . . . Eruption—a seismic event in today’s literary world—is aptly titled, as it’s an explosion of stomach-knotting suspense, action, and the kind of secrets worth killing to protect.
“This was laid back Hawaii,” reads a line from the start of Eruption, “despite the fact that everyone here lives in the shadows of volcanoes.”
But it won’t be “laid back” for long. Not in the universe Crichton and Patterson have imagined.
Opening with a note about past events that took place in Mauna Loa and have only recently been declassified, the story itself begins in Hilo, Hawaii. Set in March of 2016, readers quickly meet Rachel Sherrill, a thirty-something rising star in the world of biology and the current chief plant biologist. Perhaps overqualified, given her master’s degree in conservation biology from Stanford, Rachel answers the call when she’s invited to act as a substitute teacher, where she fills in to teach a group of fifth graders who are on a field trip to the Hilo Botanical Gardens. Of course, none of the children show any interest in the plants they’re there to observe. Instead, rather everyone is interested in the two closest of five volcanoes on the Big Island—Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano in the world, and Mauna Kea, which hasn’t erupted in over four thousand years. At least, that is, until one boy spots a group of banyan trees turning black and inquires about the reasoning just as a low, ground-shaking thunder fills the otherwise quiet air.
What follows is pure pandemonium.
Suddenly and without warning, a loudspeaker crackles to life, instructing everyone, guests and personnel—all personnel, including Rachel—to immediately evacuate the area. Seconds later, her mind racing, every cell in her body struggling to comprehend the chaos around her, Rachel watches as helicopters emerge from the twin peaks in the distance, just as teams of hazmat-suit-wearing individuals storm the area carrying “Cold Fire” extinguishers. Then comes the unthinkable. Nothing. No news reports or media coverage. No official statement from the local or state government. Just nothing. As if the events themselves never took place.
Jumping forward, the story shifts to Thursday, April 24, 2025. It’s here that we learn that the apparent time to eruption is merely 116 hours, 12 minutes, and 13 seconds away. (That’s less than five days for those not keeping score at home.) John “Mac” MacGregor, the head geologist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory who also gives private surf lessons to the local brah-yelling teens (not to be confused with the preferred and overly used “bruh” by today’s adolescents) on his days off, makes his way to a press conference where he will announce to the world that Mauna Loa is just days away from what he and his colleagues believe will be the most violent eruption in over a century. The good news is that their projections indicate that the eruption will occur at the Caldera summit, which means that, according to their data, the city of Hilo should not be affected. The bad news is that Mac and his team fully expect this eruption to top the one that occurred in 1984, which produced half a billion cubic meters of lava. Worse yet is the quiet and guarded fear that it could be much larger, as in more on par with the eruption of 1950. The vibe in the room quickly shifts to concern during the Q&A portion of the press conference, with reports all sharing one concern—could the eruption of Mauna Loa somehow lead to the eruption of the much larger Mauna Kea as well? Mac thinks not and reassures his audience that only two of the five volcanoes on the island are active, and Mauna Kea is not one of them.
But what if he’s wrong? And what if Mauna Kea is not the worst-case scenario? What if there is something far more dangerous lurking?
The next night, Mac’s phone rings, setting off an unthinkable chain of events that leaves him reeling and racing to save not only the island of Hawaii but, quite frankly, the world as we know it today. Soon, deadly secrets begin to flow, but even as answers are given—including answers about Rachel Sherrill and the opening events shown in 2016—more questions emerge. Questions that might just change the way readers see volcanoes forever.
Think 2012 meets Mission: Impossible, and you’ve got Eruption, a story that mixes pure adrenaline with spine-tingling suspense, as Crichton and Patterson put on a masterclass in writing, delivering nonstop thrills and pure breathless entertainment of the highest order. Without question, this is by far the best story of all the uncompleted works Crichton left behind. Dragon Teeth (2017) was good but doesn’t come close to reaching the sheer relentlessness of Eruption, which makes a compelling case for best book of the year. Conspiracies, natural disasters, memorable characters, action, humor, tension . . . this one has it all. It’s most certainly a Crichton book, packed with the history and science his legion of fans have long adored. But it’s also a Patterson book, told with lightning-quick pacing and big, over-the-top adventure that somehow still feels rooted in realism. Perhaps it shouldn’t be a shock at all, but the author’s voices mesh perfectly, and anyone who thought Patterson couldn’t match Crichton’s plotting and style owes the world’s most famous storyteller a mountain-sized apology. Plain and simple, I am stunned by just how great this book is. At a time when stress is high and people sure could use a distraction, along comes Eruption, the kind of old-school thriller that’s easy to get lost in but with a modern feel in terms of speed and fun. Guaranteed to be the reading event of the summer, whatever you do, do not miss this book.
Impossible to spot where Crichton ends and Patterson begins, Eruption, a landmark achievement in thriller fiction, further solidifies the legacy of two of the most influential authors of our time. Whether you’re a fan of high-stakes natural disaster stories, military secrets, or just seeking pure entertainment, you’ll find it all here . . . prepare yourself for a literary experience that is both thrilling and unforgettable, along with everything else you’d expect from such celebrated writers.
Book Details
Author: Michael Crichton & James Patterson
Pages: 432 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 0316565075
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Release Date: June 3, 2024
Praised as “One of the hardest working, most thoughtful, and fairest reviewers out there” by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, Ryan Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). Steck also works full-time as a freelance editor and is building a growing community on Twitch. His debut thriller, FIELDS OF FIRE, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr says “will leave you speechless and begging for more,” is now available. His second novel, LETHAL RANGE, is also in bookstores, and his third book, OUT FOR BLOOD, comes out on June 4th. For more information, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Facebook. To interact with other readers and talk about your favorite books and authors, join The Real Book Spy’s Discord server.