You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
ETA: I’ve raised my review after mulling it over. I still would not say I enjoyed it, but I do think it is a well-done example of body horror, and I think others who like that kind of thing might like this. I still won’t be continuing this particular series, but I would recommend at least the first book to certain people.
————
I did not enjoy any of the experience of listening to this one. If you're into gruesome descriptions of medical ailments and self-mutilation and don't mind unlikable protagonists, this book may be up your alley. I am definitely not one of those people.
Part of my problem is I have a very love/hate relationship with body horror. I'm consistently drawn to the sub-genre, and I consistently struggle with most of what I watch or read in the end. Turns out, grimacing my way through something leaves me feeling conflicted! There's nothing wrong with body horror; it just makes me miserable when I’m in the middle of it, and that was how I felt throughout most of the scenes that dealt with the actual parasite.
The other big reason I couldn't connect with this book is the actual characters... The two we focus on, Dew Phillips and Perry Dawsey, are assholes, and not in the "gruff character with redeemable qualities" kind of way either - they're straight up jerks I would cross the street to avoid in real life, and I was honestly hoping they'd both kick it by the end. There's some casual racism and sexism early on, which I took in stride, (wrongly) assuming these wouldn't be the people I'm supposed to be rooting for. Phillips has zero character development, and while Dawsey does, it's for the worse, as the parasite increases his paranoia and he becomes more and more like his abusive father. Not an entertaining ride with either of them. The remaining characters are so one-note and under-utilized, they aren't worth mentioning.
The actual plot was pretty interesting, and I'm not writing Sigler off completely. I'll probably look at the rest of his catalog and do some thorough vetting to see if he's done anything else I might enjoy more. I didn't hate the book, but there's nothing in it that would make me want to continue the series.
————
I did not enjoy any of the experience of listening to this one. If you're into gruesome descriptions of medical ailments and self-mutilation and don't mind unlikable protagonists, this book may be up your alley. I am definitely not one of those people.
Part of my problem is I have a very love/hate relationship with body horror. I'm consistently drawn to the sub-genre, and I consistently struggle with most of what I watch or read in the end. Turns out, grimacing my way through something leaves me feeling conflicted! There's nothing wrong with body horror; it just makes me miserable when I’m in the middle of it, and that was how I felt throughout most of the scenes that dealt with the actual parasite.
The other big reason I couldn't connect with this book is the actual characters... The two we focus on, Dew Phillips and Perry Dawsey, are assholes, and not in the "gruff character with redeemable qualities" kind of way either - they're straight up jerks I would cross the street to avoid in real life, and I was honestly hoping they'd both kick it by the end. There's some casual racism and sexism early on, which I took in stride, (wrongly) assuming these wouldn't be the people I'm supposed to be rooting for. Phillips has zero character development, and while Dawsey does, it's for the worse, as the parasite increases his paranoia and he becomes more and more like his abusive father. Not an entertaining ride with either of them. The remaining characters are so one-note and under-utilized, they aren't worth mentioning.
The actual plot was pretty interesting, and I'm not writing Sigler off completely. I'll probably look at the rest of his catalog and do some thorough vetting to see if he's done anything else I might enjoy more. I didn't hate the book, but there's nothing in it that would make me want to continue the series.
This felt like a cross between Michael Crichton and Daniel Suarez. Really fun.
The ending was a little abrupt. Fast-paced with little short chapters, often 1-2 pages.
I'm looking forward to 'Contagious'.
The ending was a little abrupt. Fast-paced with little short chapters, often 1-2 pages.
I'm looking forward to 'Contagious'.
Accomplishes author's objectives. Points for free audiobook, too. Looking for deep meaningful literature? Women and their emotions? Subtle characters? Look elsewhere.
The ending is much of a WTF situation.
The ending is much of a WTF situation.
Gruesome, creepy, and will probably keep me up tonight thinking about it... the ending was too abrupt for my taste though.
Reasons to read this: It's set in Ann Arbor! It has great passages of creepy, sci-fi alien attack.
Reasons to skim large chunks of it: You don't care about the character development (especially of largely pat, predictable types).
I read this in 2 days by skimming or skipping entire chapters (involving dialogue between CDC or CIA staff -- who cares!). The only thing that held my attention was the mystery around what had infected these people and how its development would progress.
Reasons to skim large chunks of it: You don't care about the character development (especially of largely pat, predictable types).
I read this in 2 days by skimming or skipping entire chapters (involving dialogue between CDC or CIA staff -- who cares!). The only thing that held my attention was the mystery around what had infected these people and how its development would progress.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Kind of gross, kind of predictable, but still entertaining.
Ok so I found this book on the Halloween themed table at the library and thought I would give it a try. The story is kind of absurd and sometimes gross but I enjoyed it anyway
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No