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alittlemixofvix's review
4.0
I'll start by saying that I really did enjoy the story and will definitely be reading the next books in the series. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that there were still some errors in the book that the editor had missed (which broke my concentration at times) and sometimes I didn't relate to the main character.
However the story was gripping and I kept wanting to know what would happen next and could imagine it happening in real life. Additionally once I'd got to the end of the book I find out that the basic technologies are real which is brilliant and I wish I'd known that at the start.
I did find it a bit slow at the beginning, but I would recommend anyone to stick with it as it does ramp up and become a book you don't want to put down.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
However the story was gripping and I kept wanting to know what would happen next and could imagine it happening in real life. Additionally once I'd got to the end of the book I find out that the basic technologies are real which is brilliant and I wish I'd known that at the start.
I did find it a bit slow at the beginning, but I would recommend anyone to stick with it as it does ramp up and become a book you don't want to put down.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
princessleopard's review
2.0
Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This novel has an amazing premise. A genetically-altered bacteria becomes capable of devouring all oil-based polymers on earth. How does this affect our society? What causes this change? And how can it be stopped?
Unfortunately, 2 of those 3 questions are never answered. We never learn how or why this happened, and no one makes any effort to stop it, like they would in a typical thriller. Rather, the government craps the bed and does a bunch of crazy stuff that in no way solves the problem (or makes any sense). Really, that's the backbone of the novel - characters acting irrationally and ending up in bizarre predicaments. Just about every aspect of this novel, from the unnecessary sex scenes, random coincidences bringing characters together and apart, overwrought villains murdering all their henchmen for no reason, an honest-to-god citation footnote of a real-life paper that a character mentions in dialogue (why????), random contradictions (character x says they can't get pregnant because of a medical condition, then get pregnant, and have a perfectly normal/healthy pregnancy, during which the medical condition never comes up again), characters appearing and disappearing for no reason (there are so many characters we see for a single POV chapter and then never again; or, worse, we see them multiple times and then they completely disappear from the narrative), weird undertones (the main character is kinda racist, evil black thugs show multiple times talking like cavemen, one of the villains is a sadist gay man) etc. etc. all suggest a fledgling novelist in grave need of an editor. So much of this story made no sense or was unnecessary. Donald Trump himself is sort of in this book, though he's always just called "POTUS" in the text (which is so distracting, why not just say the President??). Woof. I didn't really realize just how much weird stuff was in this novel until I listed it all out, but there it is. I'd advise any readers to give this one a pass, and would advise the author to hone her craft a bit longer before attempting to publish something. Don't rely on stereotypes, coincidences, and characters' stupidity to move your novel forward!
This novel has an amazing premise. A genetically-altered bacteria becomes capable of devouring all oil-based polymers on earth. How does this affect our society? What causes this change? And how can it be stopped?
Unfortunately, 2 of those 3 questions are never answered. We never learn how or why this happened, and no one makes any effort to stop it, like they would in a typical thriller. Rather, the government craps the bed and does a bunch of crazy stuff that in no way solves the problem (or makes any sense). Really, that's the backbone of the novel - characters acting irrationally and ending up in bizarre predicaments. Just about every aspect of this novel, from the unnecessary sex scenes, random coincidences bringing characters together and apart, overwrought villains murdering all their henchmen for no reason, an honest-to-god citation footnote of a real-life paper that a character mentions in dialogue (why????), random contradictions (character x says they can't get pregnant because of a medical condition, then get pregnant, and have a perfectly normal/healthy pregnancy, during which the medical condition never comes up again), characters appearing and disappearing for no reason (there are so many characters we see for a single POV chapter and then never again; or, worse, we see them multiple times and then they completely disappear from the narrative), weird undertones (the main character is kinda racist, evil black thugs show multiple times talking like cavemen, one of the villains is a sadist gay man) etc. etc. all suggest a fledgling novelist in grave need of an editor. So much of this story made no sense or was unnecessary. Donald Trump himself is sort of in this book, though he's always just called "POTUS" in the text (which is so distracting, why not just say the President??). Woof. I didn't really realize just how much weird stuff was in this novel until I listed it all out, but there it is. I'd advise any readers to give this one a pass, and would advise the author to hone her craft a bit longer before attempting to publish something. Don't rely on stereotypes, coincidences, and characters' stupidity to move your novel forward!
charlieschifo's review
4.0
*I received a free copy of this book from the author via voracious readers only in exchange for an honest review*
It’s a really interesting concept and different from a lot of apocalyptic novels I’ve read in the past. Less death and destruction more human interaction and effort to pull together. I have to say though despite the fact that this book was well written with good characters and was well paced, my favourite parts were the really bad jokes!
It’s a really interesting concept and different from a lot of apocalyptic novels I’ve read in the past. Less death and destruction more human interaction and effort to pull together. I have to say though despite the fact that this book was well written with good characters and was well paced, my favourite parts were the really bad jokes!
catsflipped's review
5.0
I received a free copy of this book via voracious readers in return for an honest review.
When I started reading this book I was a little worried, is seemed slow and needed a bit too much concentration, then I reached chapter 3 (they are very short chapters) and was suddenly hooked.
I will always enjoy a good post apocalypse book but I especially like those that offer sequels so you can follow the lives of the survivors past the initial disaster.
Well Machine Sickness is different to most books of this genre, almost everyone is a survivor as the lethal bacteria released on the world is not killing humans but it is eating any substance that is derived from oil, so all plastics, fibreglass, petrol, glue, rubber, clothing ..... the list goes on and as you read this book is becomes quickly apparent life as we know it had ended. No more internet, phones, electicity, fuel for transport it all needs to be reinvented using natural materials.
The only part that didn't really work for me was the injected occasional 'dad joke' I think when they are delivered in text they don't have the same groan quality and didn't add anything to the read although a good attempt at showing these characters as humourous in the face of world catastrophe.
A great twist on a favorite genre, easy to read and fast moving so you have trouble finding a spot to put the book down.
When I started reading this book I was a little worried, is seemed slow and needed a bit too much concentration, then I reached chapter 3 (they are very short chapters) and was suddenly hooked.
I will always enjoy a good post apocalypse book but I especially like those that offer sequels so you can follow the lives of the survivors past the initial disaster.
Well Machine Sickness is different to most books of this genre, almost everyone is a survivor as the lethal bacteria released on the world is not killing humans but it is eating any substance that is derived from oil, so all plastics, fibreglass, petrol, glue, rubber, clothing ..... the list goes on and as you read this book is becomes quickly apparent life as we know it had ended. No more internet, phones, electicity, fuel for transport it all needs to be reinvented using natural materials.
The only part that didn't really work for me was the injected occasional 'dad joke' I think when they are delivered in text they don't have the same groan quality and didn't add anything to the read although a good attempt at showing these characters as humourous in the face of world catastrophe.
A great twist on a favorite genre, easy to read and fast moving so you have trouble finding a spot to put the book down.
shadowcat47's review
4.0
A bacterium is developed to help clear up the world's oil spills at a fraction of the cost. But mutations lead it to start to devour all the products of the oil industry worldwide.
Machine Sickness is a post-apocalyptic view of how science can go wrong. Deirdre Davis is the scientist that develops the new strain of Pseudomonas putida. This would allow for a greener way to clear up oil spills. But it starts to attack and breakdown anything that originates from crude oil. Most of the story is set after this cataclysm and reflects on how much humanity is reliant on this fossil fuel.
This was an enjoyable read. I thought the characters were well written, including the very punchable Tim. I admit I did have a sly giggle at some of the science (very much my field) but realise that it is extremely hard to convey some complex theory is layman's terms. It was well done. I will look out for more books in this series.
I received a free copy from the Author via Voracious Readers only in exchange for an honest review
Machine Sickness is a post-apocalyptic view of how science can go wrong. Deirdre Davis is the scientist that develops the new strain of Pseudomonas putida. This would allow for a greener way to clear up oil spills. But it starts to attack and breakdown anything that originates from crude oil. Most of the story is set after this cataclysm and reflects on how much humanity is reliant on this fossil fuel.
This was an enjoyable read. I thought the characters were well written, including the very punchable Tim. I admit I did have a sly giggle at some of the science (very much my field) but realise that it is extremely hard to convey some complex theory is layman's terms. It was well done. I will look out for more books in this series.
I received a free copy from the Author via Voracious Readers only in exchange for an honest review
sritch94's review
4.0
Machine sickness was a great read, I couldn't put it down. The plot was so well written and easy to follow along. As a scientist myself, I appreciated the more science-based parts, but even these were written in a way that was easy to understand. The ending left me wanting more, and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book in the trilogy.
I received this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
bubblybookreviewer's review
5.0
Page-turning, realistic, fast-paced, thought-provoking.
A great story that pulled me in from start to finish. I love that this book can be read as a stand-alone, but also draws you into wanting to read book number 2. I will certainly be buying the next book in this series, because I love the potential this new world has.
I would recommend this book for anyone who likes medical/ environmental thrillers or post-apocalyptic storyline’s. You don’t need to be a scientist to follow the information about the biological agents used.
I would like to thank "Voracious Readers Only" and author Peri Dwyer Worrell for my complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
A great story that pulled me in from start to finish. I love that this book can be read as a stand-alone, but also draws you into wanting to read book number 2. I will certainly be buying the next book in this series, because I love the potential this new world has.
I would recommend this book for anyone who likes medical/ environmental thrillers or post-apocalyptic storyline’s. You don’t need to be a scientist to follow the information about the biological agents used.
I would like to thank "Voracious Readers Only" and author Peri Dwyer Worrell for my complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
missstarlamae's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book. What would happen if all the plastic polymers in the world started to disintegrate? Wires, pipes, tires, clothes... it's incredible to think of, and frightening to think it actually could happen. I liked how the story evolved. There was a lot of scientific talk, but it was all explained clearly enough that a layperson could easily catch on. It's not a light, fluffy read. It will make you think. There was also a lot of backstory that was alluded to, but not necessarily explained. I feel that more about the backstory will come out in future books, as some of it started leaking out via thoughts and memories later in the book. I think it was pretty well done, shocking in some places, and I would be interested in reading more.
Please note I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
Please note I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
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