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amandae129's review
5.0
I am not much of a sci-fi fan, but I love this author. Her books are always about more than you might think going into them.
fae713's review
5.0
Parasite is set in the near future, just over one decade from now in 2027. It is, for all intents and purposes, another take on a possible zombie-scenario, only this time using genetically modified parasites where the original organisms already are known to be able to alter the behavior of their host. I like this idea because it seems even more plausible than the Kellis-Amberly virus from the News Feed trilogy.
The characters are pretty well done, especially given that there are only the possible sources for finding out information about them: Sal's storytelling, or the notes/excerpts that start each chapter. Because of the limited viewpoints some of the characters do seem a little flat. However, I personally feel that it is clear based on how well the characters that Sal spent the most time with and had developed a strong, positive (mostly) emotional attachment with are developed that any flat appearing characters are due to the limits of single focus narration. I feel that the fact that we saw "one dimensional" characters from Sal's pov actually helped to give me a far greater understanding of how far along in her recovery Sal was rather than anything else.
I won't lie though, my favorite character is Beverly, one of the sweetest dogs ever. I feel bad for my husband and the puddle of sniffling wife he'll have to figure out how to console if anything happens to her in the next book or two.
The only thing about the entire storytelling aspect that disappointed me was that I had been waiting the whole book to see the reaction to what had to be the big reveal and never got that. The big reveal happened on the very last page, but I had already known what it was for the majority of the book and so I was disappointed that there was nothing further there. I suppose I can understand from the writer standpoint of finishing on a cliffhanger bit, but Oy! How long do we have to wait for the next part?!
The characters are pretty well done, especially given that there are only the possible sources for finding out information about them: Sal's storytelling, or the notes/excerpts that start each chapter. Because of the limited viewpoints some of the characters do seem a little flat. However, I personally feel that it is clear based on how well the characters that Sal spent the most time with and had developed a strong, positive (mostly) emotional attachment with are developed that any flat appearing characters are due to the limits of single focus narration. I feel that the fact that we saw "one dimensional" characters from Sal's pov actually helped to give me a far greater understanding of how far along in her recovery Sal was rather than anything else.
I won't lie though, my favorite character is Beverly, one of the sweetest dogs ever. I feel bad for my husband and the puddle of sniffling wife he'll have to figure out how to console if anything happens to her in the next book or two.
The only thing about the entire storytelling aspect that disappointed me was that I had been waiting the whole book to see the reaction to what had to be the big reveal and never got that. The big reveal happened on the very last page, but I had already known what it was for the majority of the book and so I was disappointed that there was nothing further there. I suppose I can understand from the writer standpoint of finishing on a cliffhanger bit, but Oy! How long do we have to wait for the next part?!
alexandrabree's review
4.0
I love Mira Grant, she is an amazing author and manages to twist apocalyptic and typical paranoid government / giant corporation against the world but mad scientist at the reins topics into something new and interesting. I did find the book to be a little bit long and had figured out most of the major twists and where it was all going before the last 100 pages or so. Grant makes the medical jargon approachable, being both realistic but not stuffy or excessively wordy.
Reading this has motivated me to finish the newsflesh series.
Reading this has motivated me to finish the newsflesh series.
alyshadeshae's review
5.0
I expected the surprise twist at the end almost immediately after the possibility of it was introduced about halfway through the book, but the way it was actually revealed at the end was awesome. And raises a whole batch of new questions and suspicions, if just for me, about what exactly SymboGen was doing with Sal because clearly they knew what that twist was.
angelic712's review
5.0
Not quite as good as her Newsflesh trilogy, but so enjoyable. I think I'm officially a fan of Mira Grant.
misschievous's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jesslynh's review against another edition
5.0
EDIT 7/11/14 - The Kindle version is on sale for $1.99. WELL worth the money.
I wasn't sure I'd like this one, but Mira Grant (Seanan McGuire) delivered yet again. Whether horror, dystopian or straight fantasy, I'm putting her firmly in my 'buy-everything-this-woman-writes' category.
I wasn't sure I'd like this one, but Mira Grant (Seanan McGuire) delivered yet again. Whether horror, dystopian or straight fantasy, I'm putting her firmly in my 'buy-everything-this-woman-writes' category.
stucameron's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
jane_kelsey's review
3.0
I have enjoyed listening to this book, but I cannot say that it swept me in, but overall a good story.