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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
Having just written a lengthy review for The Infection that my computer/goodreads conspired to lose after I hit the save button, I'm full of enough rage to bite the next healthy person I come across. Which, of course, means I can't possibly bring myself to try to reconstruct what was obviously a brilliantly composed, thought-provoking exploration of DiLouie's novel.
Instead, I'll just dot point the hell out of it:
- Very different from your normal zombie apocalyptic novel. Which is a good thing.
- Adding monsters Lovecraft would be proud of to the threat of the Infected who can only run and bite the characters is a stroke of genius on DiLouie's part as it increases the threat to the characters considerably.
- There is no convenient explanation with a pretty bow wrapped around it for why the Infection happened, nor why monstrous abominations are developing and also attacking surviving humans. But then why should there be when the reader is following a rag-tag group of survivors in the middle of America who wouldn't be privy to such information?
- The characters are well-developed, mostly easy to like, and interact realistically - something that too many authors of this type of novel skimp on.
- As much as I obviously liked this, it's not a perfect novel, however. The beginning is quite jarring, switching back and forth between present and past tense as DiLouie peppers his main narrative with flashbacks to how his core group came together. There's also a point in the last third of the novel when the pace grinds to a halt, which happens to coincide with a character's perplexing decision that removes her from the narrative for far too long - a decision I still do not really understand.
- But, all in all, this is an excellent read which delivers tension and horror galore. Fans of zombies, apocalyptic fiction and Lovecraft should all get a kick out of it.
- Time to find the sequel ...
4 to 4.5 Heavily-Weaponised Bradleys for The Infection.
Instead, I'll just dot point the hell out of it:
- Very different from your normal zombie apocalyptic novel. Which is a good thing.
- Adding monsters Lovecraft would be proud of to the threat of the Infected who can only run and bite the characters is a stroke of genius on DiLouie's part as it increases the threat to the characters considerably.
- There is no convenient explanation with a pretty bow wrapped around it for why the Infection happened, nor why monstrous abominations are developing and also attacking surviving humans. But then why should there be when the reader is following a rag-tag group of survivors in the middle of America who wouldn't be privy to such information?
- The characters are well-developed, mostly easy to like, and interact realistically - something that too many authors of this type of novel skimp on.
- As much as I obviously liked this, it's not a perfect novel, however. The beginning is quite jarring, switching back and forth between present and past tense as DiLouie peppers his main narrative with flashbacks to how his core group came together. There's also a point in the last third of the novel when the pace grinds to a halt, which happens to coincide with a character's perplexing decision that removes her from the narrative for far too long - a decision I still do not really understand.
- But, all in all, this is an excellent read which delivers tension and horror galore. Fans of zombies, apocalyptic fiction and Lovecraft should all get a kick out of it.
- Time to find the sequel ...
4 to 4.5 Heavily-Weaponised Bradleys for The Infection.
Great new spin on the plague-apocalypse! Love how the present-tense and intense writing makes the reader feel like they're peering around a dark corner with every page-turn!
Even though I enjoyed this book, I liked his last book better. I was so spoiled by the quality of the first book, that my expectations were very high. It was good, but the raw pace of his first book was want I was looking for again in this book.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Infection was an interesting take on the idea of a zombie apocalypse, with the "zombies" not the living dead, but something possibly even more frightening. I really enjoyed the flashback style of showing the main characters' pasts, although sometimes it seemed a little overused. I am definitely looking forward to seeing how this story continues.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There's something that is really enjoyable here with the writing style. It's not, as with it seems many other novels I've picked up lately, first person and that helps. Without any disorienting jumping you're able to see how all the characters are reacting to something at any given point and understand them more for it. Each character is a self-admitted stereotype which gives a bit of a characterization shortcut in the begining, but by the end each is fleshed out and made his own person. I also liked the Screaming giving the world a vague sense of forewarning and putting people on edge, instead of the typical virus x evolves and spreads to people scenario.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I loved this book. I loved the characters, plot, and writing style. loved it!
A bit juvenile and under-developed but overall a fun read.