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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
This book was a good read I enjoyed the fact that it had a medical and scientific aproach to the 12/21 profecy. It kept the reader engaged and there was never a boring part. I think others would also enjoy this book since it isn't superstitious and focused but offers a situation that is indeed possible.
Quite entertaining though some parts were too "comedic" (i.e., bad dwarf character). At least I'm more aware now of mad cow and other prion diseases.
I had won this through one of the giveaways on Goodreads... I was hesitant to read this at first, thinking it was going to be more of a non-fiction read full of conspiracy theories, which would ultimately freak me out... However, this was not the case! 12.21 is told through multiple characters, with the plot unfolding as the story goes on... I found myself reading a majority of the book in one sitting because I couldn't put it down... This book is full of interesting details from different standpoints- medical and historical... Overall, it was a very interesting read!
With this book, I finish the PopSugar 2020 challenge!
The story of 12-21 is very appropriate for what is going on in our world today - there are many similarities but there are also many factors that have nothing to do with today's pandemic. So if reading about this sort of topic bothers you, I wouldn't recommend it.
I give it a strong 3.5 stars. I've always been fascinated with these kind of stories but this one throws some Mayan culture into it, so a different kind of a twist. It held my interest though certain parts were not my cup of tea.
The story of 12-21 is very appropriate for what is going on in our world today - there are many similarities but there are also many factors that have nothing to do with today's pandemic. So if reading about this sort of topic bothers you, I wouldn't recommend it.
I give it a strong 3.5 stars. I've always been fascinated with these kind of stories but this one throws some Mayan culture into it, so a different kind of a twist. It held my interest though certain parts were not my cup of tea.
Not bad, but often frustrating. So many scenes were beyond belief, and not in an intentional, spiritual way.
1. The tour of the meat processing plant didn't work for me. With an unknown, potentially foodborn disease starting, the plant manager's defiant nonchalance wasn't realistic.
2. Shel's knowledge of everything related to the history of Guatemalan culture was endless, until it came to the main, vital fact. Even I figured out the connection between the spread of the disease and the praying mantis gods.... long before she did.
3. LA was completely unsafe near the end, but Shel and Stanton walked and drove without fear, and nothing happened.
4. Stanton and his work were unharmed after his trouble with the CDC. There was no follow-up by the agency concerning his research? Where he produced his serum?
5. The end. For goodness' sake. Two scientists with such poor planning? No lookout? No backup electricity? They waste their phone's battery power triple checking flight paths?
1. The tour of the meat processing plant didn't work for me. With an unknown, potentially foodborn disease starting, the plant manager's defiant nonchalance wasn't realistic.
2. Shel's knowledge of everything related to the history of Guatemalan culture was endless, until it came to the main, vital fact. Even I figured out the connection between the spread of the disease and the praying mantis gods.... long before she did.
3. LA was completely unsafe near the end, but Shel and Stanton walked and drove without fear, and nothing happened.
4. Stanton and his work were unharmed after his trouble with the CDC. There was no follow-up by the agency concerning his research? Where he produced his serum?
5. The end. For goodness' sake. Two scientists with such poor planning? No lookout? No backup electricity? They waste their phone's battery power triple checking flight paths?
Finished it yesterday and for the most part enjoyed the book. I thought it put a nice twist on the whole Mayan 2012 thing(or whatever you want to call it).
The first half of the book really moved quickly, but as the story went on it slowed down somewhat. I think it was the translation of the codex that seemed a little wonky and slowed the pace. I really liked the translation itself, but the way it was interspersed in the narrative was somewhat uneven. I really want my action tales to move very quickly between scenes.
I did like the Chel character more than Gabriel. Gabriel is one these types who is driven by a single purpose to the detriment of everything and everyone around him. Now in his field, this is a good characteristic, but it still makes him hard to like.
I found Chel much more interesting. Her Mayan background, her relationship with her mother and dealing in questionable antiquities made for a pretty compelling character.
If it wasn't for the pacing in the second half of the book, this would have been a 4 star read for me.
The first half of the book really moved quickly, but as the story went on it slowed down somewhat. I think it was the translation of the codex that seemed a little wonky and slowed the pace. I really liked the translation itself, but the way it was interspersed in the narrative was somewhat uneven. I really want my action tales to move very quickly between scenes.
I did like the Chel character more than Gabriel. Gabriel is one these types who is driven by a single purpose to the detriment of everything and everyone around him. Now in his field, this is a good characteristic, but it still makes him hard to like.
I found Chel much more interesting. Her Mayan background, her relationship with her mother and dealing in questionable antiquities made for a pretty compelling character.
If it wasn't for the pacing in the second half of the book, this would have been a 4 star read for me.
Fears about December 12, 2012 are almost as long-standing as fears about Y2K were. In 12.21 Dustin Thomason uses these fears to create a medical thriller that does much to highlight just how much is unknown about the Mayan civilization and draw attention to a familiar but relatively unknown series of diseases. Dr. Stanton and Chel Manu, as the foremost experts in their respective fields, must combine their wits and their knowledge to defeat this unknown and extremely dangerous illness and to save the world.
All novels heavily based in science have some aspect of a scientific lecture among their pages. It is the nature of the beast as the author attempts to explain the science while keeping it appropriate to the story. The successful authors blend science with fiction seamlessly, allowing readers to understand the mechanics and basic tenets at the same time the story continues to unfold. Unfortunately, Mr. Thomason is not successful. Many a scene in the novel reads like classroom lecture notes as Stanton or Chel take the time to expound upon their respective fields to the other. Even though a reader understands the need to learn the subject matter for the viability of the story, every time this occurs the story grinds to a halt and only moves forward again once either character is finished with their knowledge discourse. It makes for a very jagged story, as the plot swings from moving too quickly to be believable to not moving forward at all.
Chel and Stanton are both the archetypal experts without the added benefit of a sense of individualism to set them apart from the myriad other scientists in the genre. Both are workaholics who sacrifice individual relationships for the purpose of knowledge. Both are abrupt, passionate, and determined to protect their corners of the world, or the lab. Both come with some hefty luggage that comes into play as the story unfolds. Both are willing to move heaven and earth and even sacrifice themselves to solve the puzzle. They are reminiscent of Jasper Fforde’s clones, easily replaceable and not very memorable, which is an unfortunate trait in main characters.
Inopportunely, the announcement by scholars that the Mayan calendar really does continue after December 21, 2012 does much to lessen the tension and mystery of the novel. It is difficult to take a story seriously when one knows that an ancient culture really did not predict the end of the world. That being said, Mr. Thomason does much to argue the idea of vegetarianism, as a reader might not look at meat in quite the same way after reading about prion diseases in such detail. Unfortunately, none of the fascinating medical science can prevent 12.21 from being utterly predictable. The hints about the mysterious disease are heavy-handed and frequent, providing a proverbial flashing neon sign as to the answers to the mystery. The story itself resolves too perfectly with none of the messiness that would make the story even remotely realistic. Without compelling main characters, better pacing, and less predictability, 12.21 is merely an adequate medical thriller that tries to capitalize on what was one of the hottest theories/suppositions/fears out there these days but is doomed before its release date to be little more than a joke among the majority of the population.
Acknowledgments: Thank you to NetGalley and to Random House for my e-galley!
All novels heavily based in science have some aspect of a scientific lecture among their pages. It is the nature of the beast as the author attempts to explain the science while keeping it appropriate to the story. The successful authors blend science with fiction seamlessly, allowing readers to understand the mechanics and basic tenets at the same time the story continues to unfold. Unfortunately, Mr. Thomason is not successful. Many a scene in the novel reads like classroom lecture notes as Stanton or Chel take the time to expound upon their respective fields to the other. Even though a reader understands the need to learn the subject matter for the viability of the story, every time this occurs the story grinds to a halt and only moves forward again once either character is finished with their knowledge discourse. It makes for a very jagged story, as the plot swings from moving too quickly to be believable to not moving forward at all.
Chel and Stanton are both the archetypal experts without the added benefit of a sense of individualism to set them apart from the myriad other scientists in the genre. Both are workaholics who sacrifice individual relationships for the purpose of knowledge. Both are abrupt, passionate, and determined to protect their corners of the world, or the lab. Both come with some hefty luggage that comes into play as the story unfolds. Both are willing to move heaven and earth and even sacrifice themselves to solve the puzzle. They are reminiscent of Jasper Fforde’s clones, easily replaceable and not very memorable, which is an unfortunate trait in main characters.
Inopportunely, the announcement by scholars that the Mayan calendar really does continue after December 21, 2012 does much to lessen the tension and mystery of the novel. It is difficult to take a story seriously when one knows that an ancient culture really did not predict the end of the world. That being said, Mr. Thomason does much to argue the idea of vegetarianism, as a reader might not look at meat in quite the same way after reading about prion diseases in such detail. Unfortunately, none of the fascinating medical science can prevent 12.21 from being utterly predictable. The hints about the mysterious disease are heavy-handed and frequent, providing a proverbial flashing neon sign as to the answers to the mystery. The story itself resolves too perfectly with none of the messiness that would make the story even remotely realistic. Without compelling main characters, better pacing, and less predictability, 12.21 is merely an adequate medical thriller that tries to capitalize on what was one of the hottest theories/suppositions/fears out there these days but is doomed before its release date to be little more than a joke among the majority of the population.
Acknowledgments: Thank you to NetGalley and to Random House for my e-galley!
I liked this book more than I thought I was going to. It's got a kind of a "Da Vinci Code" feel to it, and the story was compelling and even plausible, considering all the hoopla around the 2012 thing. I learned a lot about the Maya (assuming the way they're portrayed is fairly true because IS a work of fiction). Anyway, I'm glad I read it...before 12.21!
I enjoyed this thriller. It was fast paced, interesting, and involved history - pretty much everything I like best in a thriller. However, the ending does require a good deal of suspension of disbelief. I won't spoil anything, but I assume those more well versed in the medical field than I might find certain sections eye rolling. Even so, it is a fun read for a sunny summer day. If you happen across a copy, give this one a try.
A superb thriller. Mayan end of civilization + prions + panic in LA. What more do you need?