Reviews

Phase Six by Jim Shepard

websterworks's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

bpicillo's review against another edition

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2.0

This never grabbed me despite a subject that should have instilled more anxiety in me. Flat characters, convoluted writing (at times), and an abrupt, vague ending.

over60's review

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4.0

The author started this book before Covid-19, but it eerily mirrors it's history. He did include C19 in the story after the real virus was discovered, which makes sense. This virus begins in Greenland, and like some movies that are out there, it is written with that kind of foreboding, isolation, and frenzy. I thought it was a fast read. The choice of ending is interesting.

bechols's review

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3.0

Quick and interesting, but I prefer the short stories of his that I've read.

shinesalot's review

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2.0

I’m not sure why I thought reading a pandemic book at the tail end of an actual pandemic would be a good idea.

If you are into all the science of pathogens, viruses, etc - this book is for you. While I liked the characters, the plot was outdone by the science..which, for me, just isn’t what I want in a read.

Also…I did not like the end. -_-

philibin's review against another edition

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4.0

(4.0 Stars)

This book points out two very harsh truths about humanity. 1. We are capable of greatness, learning by discovery, able to build upon previous breakthroughs and develop entirely new approaches to problem solving on the fly. And 2. We will never learn from our past mistakes to better prepare for the future. We love to continuously teeter on the brink of destruction, and pat ourselves on the backs collectively when we overcome something we should have been better prepared for in the first place. And Phase Six gives that narrative a voice.

Jim Shepard was a new author for me. I "discovered" him while searching for [a:Joshua Ferris|56223|Joshua Ferris|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1261169997p2/56223.jpg], who wrote the forward to one of Shepard's short stories ([b:Safety Tips for Living Alone (Kindle Single)|23754133|Safety Tips for Living Alone (Kindle Single) (Electric Literature's Recommended Reading Book 133)|Jim Shepard|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1422193834l/23754133._SY75_.jpg|43368803]). So far I am very impressed with the humanity he brings to his characters, and their development throughout the works.

Phase Six tells us about a global pandemic, worse than Covid... And it tells us about this pandemic through its victims, the healthcare workers, the scientists trying to combat it, and its one lone (and lonely) survivor who is seemingly immune to it. The narrator's (Mozhan Marnò) voice is emotive and helpful with giving each of the many characters their own cadence and tone.

Readers of Michael Crichton, Alex Garland, and Daniel H. Wilson should like this book. It is equal parts suspenseful and vivid. The pacing is good and the length is just right.

babsxi's review

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4.0

Terrifying because it’s about how a pandemic of our design unfolds, so it feels prophetic especially after the failure of governmental responses to Covid-19. It offered insight into how novel viruses are investigated, the horrors health care workers face, the exploitation of children who are “immune”— all at a super fast pace to make this spine chilling read go quickly.

What up with the ending, though? Did I miss something? Did everyone die? I need someone to explain it to me like I’m 5 because apparently I missed something pretty big. Assuming everyone died because no one came to feed Aleq lunch or dinner which makes me think he’s going to starve to death in his containment chamber all alone and I’ll never forgive the author for that.

Rating higher because of how differently this book made me think about the unfolding of a pandemic, but low key want to rate -10247 because I don’t understand the ending. Could be user error, but I’m not claiming that. Okay bye.

lilylikesbooks's review

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4.0

3.7/4. Terrifying!!

janetval's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cfarmer's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative inspiring sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0