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wildweasel105's review against another edition
4.0
I've read two other of John Nance's books, and being an Air Force veteran and aviation buff myself, I decided to pick this one up this spring. Little did I realize that this thriller had to do with the threat of a viral pandemic until I got into it. The irony was NOT lost on me, I assure you, as the COVID-19 news was constantly being updated on the media as I was reading it!
Nance is a master of bringing the technical side of aviation into any one of several plausible thrillers. In fact, a layperson or an aviation enthusiast are both likely to enjoy his stories. But THIS one appealed to me from the medical standpoint as well, having been in the medical profession for 44 years.
The plot involves a commercial jetliner that inadvertently picks up a passenger who allegedly contracted a "doomsday" virus from a covert military laboratory. The plane cannot land anywhere, and time is ticking away before the crew and passengers risk contracting the nearly fatal plague.
The plane's captain is faced with some brutal choices, and despite some hair-raising odds, never gives up believing he has the ability to save his passengers.
A real page turner, and certainly a welcome diversion from the "real world, real time" events going on during this spring of 2020!
Nance is a master of bringing the technical side of aviation into any one of several plausible thrillers. In fact, a layperson or an aviation enthusiast are both likely to enjoy his stories. But THIS one appealed to me from the medical standpoint as well, having been in the medical profession for 44 years.
The plot involves a commercial jetliner that inadvertently picks up a passenger who allegedly contracted a "doomsday" virus from a covert military laboratory. The plane cannot land anywhere, and time is ticking away before the crew and passengers risk contracting the nearly fatal plague.
The plane's captain is faced with some brutal choices, and despite some hair-raising odds, never gives up believing he has the ability to save his passengers.
A real page turner, and certainly a welcome diversion from the "real world, real time" events going on during this spring of 2020!
iarenzana's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hoserlauren's review against another edition
4.0
A man gets on a flight bound for the USA from Germany and the flight attendants realize right away that he is not feeling well. Before they can even exit European air space, the passenger collapses and a doctor is called to help. They perform CPR on him but he is just hanging on to life. Captain James Holland requests the ability to land in England to assist the passenger but is denied because the British government has learned from the Germans that there could be a Level 4 pathogen on board. This is a bug that, if brought to a city, could wipe out the entire population. Each government learns about Holland's flight and subsequently denies him entry to their airspace. The US government gets involved but they are just as concerned as the Europeans. Meanwhile, the passengers and crew are just doing what they can to survive, scared that they only have 48 hours to live.
I've read a few of Nance's books in the past and really enjoy them. They are great thrillers and a bit of a change of pace from normal thrillers because they always take place on a plane. You would think there are limited things you can do on a plane but Nance gets very creative.
This book leaves you thinking about what if. We know that in current times, viruses and bugs travel across continents due to air travel. I'm sure it's possible that someone carried aboard a deadly virus that could spread easily. What would governments do? Would they go as far to shoot the plane down? Very interesting questions were asked from this book.
I've read a few of Nance's books in the past and really enjoy them. They are great thrillers and a bit of a change of pace from normal thrillers because they always take place on a plane. You would think there are limited things you can do on a plane but Nance gets very creative.
This book leaves you thinking about what if. We know that in current times, viruses and bugs travel across continents due to air travel. I'm sure it's possible that someone carried aboard a deadly virus that could spread easily. What would governments do? Would they go as far to shoot the plane down? Very interesting questions were asked from this book.
dragnfly18's review against another edition
4.0
An exciting book to read, but not the story I expected. I thought I was going to read a story about a lethal pathogen that boarded an international flight bound for the US. Very appropriate and timely to read during 2020. But, it ended up being more of a story about conspiracy theories and terrorism. Exciting and a good read, but not what I thought was going to happen. I just wish the description on the cover had been a bit more transparent.
kingsamong's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
carls_d's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I swapped this book in my university library, drawn in by the alluring promise of its premise and I was pleasantly surprised. I would recommend you to read this book if you are interested in the consequences of a doomsday virus
A man who is allegedly infected with a doomsday virus enters a Boeing 747 that flies from Frankfurt to the US with 245 passengers. Tragedy strikes mid-air as the man has a sudden heart attack. Flight66 is mysteriously denied access to any landing side. The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and even the United States, all refuse to grant the aircraft permission to touch down, setting the stage for an unprecedented nightmare.
Within the pages of this gripping novel, the terrifying consequences of a doomsday virus are unveiled. The storyline delves not only into the challenges posed by the contagion but also probes the intricate realm of politics. The credibility of the doomsday scenario is heightened in light of the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
A man who is allegedly infected with a doomsday virus enters a Boeing 747 that flies from Frankfurt to the US with 245 passengers. Tragedy strikes mid-air as the man has a sudden heart attack. Flight66 is mysteriously denied access to any landing side. The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and even the United States, all refuse to grant the aircraft permission to touch down, setting the stage for an unprecedented nightmare.
Within the pages of this gripping novel, the terrifying consequences of a doomsday virus are unveiled. The storyline delves not only into the challenges posed by the contagion but also probes the intricate realm of politics. The credibility of the doomsday scenario is heightened in light of the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
The choice is between two extremes: one, is it safer to refuel and keep flying while trying to evade the rest of the world, or two, is it wiser to stay uninvited on someone’s airport and let the resulting international incident spin an unbreakable web of control around us?
The narrative unfolds from multiple perspectives, allowing readers a window into the minds of those affected and the choices that they have to make. Sympathy intertwines with frustration as the captains of the Flight 66 find themselves trapped in an excruciating limbo, unable to land at any safe harbor. The different airports that must abide by the regulations are also covered. Against this backdrop, the origins of the virus emerge. Additionally, the narrative follows the trajectory of the US government, the CIA, and a Russian attacker, unfurling a captivating sub-story fraught with betrayal and intrigue.
We’re the mouse, and God only knows how many cats are out there hunting for us.
The only thing that keeps me from giving this book 5 stars, is that the air battles were a bit too detailed for me.
keelyankrum's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
britcoffeysalas's review against another edition
3.0
Alright
It’s better than some of his other novels. Gets a bit predictable towards the end. I would recommend it for a short quick read.
It’s better than some of his other novels. Gets a bit predictable towards the end. I would recommend it for a short quick read.
datadog1's review against another edition
4.0
I mostly enjoyed this, it was a fun read, and I don't expect my thrillers to be realistic or contain complex characters. It did contain a few clumsy character development attempts, and a gaping plot hole which was never addressed. But the details around aeronautics was interesting, and executed within the story well. Overall a fun read.