I went into The Lost World with pretty low expectations. I knew Michael Crichton hadn’t originally planned on writing a sequel, and the average rating isn’t exactly glowing. But honestly? I ended up loving it.

The atmosphere feels darker and more unhinged than Jurassic Park, and the tension builds in this steady, creeping way that really worked for me. The death scenes in particular hit much harder for me in the book than they ever did in the films. There’s something especially chilling about being inside a character’s head as everything unravels. It’s brutal, but it’s written with such precision that it’s hard to look away.

I finally read Jurassic Park after knowing the movie inside out, and honestly, the differences between the two were fascinating. The book takes its time getting going, and I won’t lie, the opening stretch is slow. But once the pieces start falling into place, the buildup becomes incredibly satisfying and the payoff is absolutely worth it.

One thing that stood out right away: Hammond is so much worse in the book. It adds a darker, sharper edge to the story that the movie doesn’t fully explore, and I actually really enjoyed that shift. The whole tone is more unsettling in the best way.

As for the characters, I found most of them compelling, but Lex… was a challenge. Yes, she’s a child, but she’s also truly insufferable on the page. Thankfully, the rest of the cast and the tension-filled pacing more than make up for her scenes.

Overall, both versions bring something unique to the table, but the book’s depth and the way it slowly tightens the screws made me appreciate the story all over again.