Welcome to my stop on the blog for The Apocalypse Strain by Jason Parent. Book and author information are below. Enjoy!
Rating: 7.5/10
Synopsis
A multi-national research team, led by a medical genomics expert suffering from MS, study an ancient pandoravirus at a remote Siberian research facility. Called “Molli” by the research team, the organic substance reveals some unique but troublesome characteristics, qualities that, in the wrong hands, could lead to human extinction.
The researchers soon learn that even in the right hands, Molli is a force too dangerous to escape their compound. But the virus has a mind of its own, and it wants out.
Review
Who doesn’t want to read a book about a potentially apocalyptic virus-type organism in the middle of a pandemic? Amirite? Not to mention the entire story takes place in a research facility while we are all stuck inside under lockdown. Count me in! Anything to get the blood going, these days.
Seriously, though, I enjoyed reading this book immensely. It was cover-to-cover action (literally first page to last) as the characters either fought the strain or tried to figure out ways to evade it while attempting to escape the facility. In many ways, this story is classic sci-fi/horror, with many scenes of building tension until the shit finally hits the fan and the characters are suddenly left with a choice: fight or flight (though, honestly, even in flight most of the characters still have to fight… so what choice is there really?).
The setting of a research facility was perfect for this story, as well. Everyone was in close proximity to each other, and there are plenty of ways for the strain to get through the building. It really sets a creepy scene that made for great jump-scare opportunities. And even at the end, that tone was still present.
I would be remiss if I did not mention the awesome cover. The cover art is really eye-catching, and it sets the mood for the entire story.
I definitely recommend this book for fans of sci-fi and horror.
About the Author
A Virus version of the Thing? 😉