Reviews

Symbiont by Mira Grant

nicolemhill's review against another edition

3.0

This pains me. I was head over heels for Parasite. But man, if Symbiont isn't just a little ... boring. Maybe it's because it's been stretched into three books now, but I had to slog through this installment. Overall, I still enjoyed it, because I think it's a great concept, I'm invested in the characters, and I'm an evangelist of Mira Grant. But on a number of occasions, it tried my patience:

Spoiler

Sal regresses to the point of uselessness most of the time, despite her being the One Tapeworm to Rule Them All. On top of the other hell-in-a-handbasket mayhem, she's being hounded by Sherman, who is majoring in evil-mustache twirling. And Tansy's out of commission. It all leads to a lot of damsel-in-distress moments that at best seem filler, and at worst seem lazy.

kpombiere's review against another edition

1.0

I've never been so angry with so many characters, and still been so frustrated with the actions, words, and brainlessness of a protagonist. One paragraph of this book had no less than five instances of the word 'tapeworm' though, to be honest, the last half probably could've read 'tapeworm, tapeworm, tapeworm, tapeworm, tapeworm, tapeworm, etc.' and been a more engaging read. I hate to digress and I don't want to speak ill of a book, especially in a genre that I always eagerly await new, creative content in, and I'll likely read Mira Grant's upcoming works, but this was honestly an occasionally infuriating read where I couldn't figure out if I wanted to remain human, alive and cogent, in a world with this book or just become a mindless tapeworm just to get away from it.

mdcnlmldrm's review against another edition

3.0

It’s been years since I read Parasite, found this at the library and I did like it, but it draaaaagged through some of the middle. 3.25 stars

lindzieh's review against another edition

3.0

Kind of got bored with this book. The storyline had been really good but I don't know if I want to finish the series. Main character is constantly battling her instincts as a parasite and the human she took over. Thus the title Symbiont. But I have a feeling Sal will be dealing with the human side of herself in the last book. I did enjoy the science aspects of the book and maybe that's what made it kind of dull for some? I think it would be awesome to have your own 'tapeworm' but this book is definitely showing what people would do and does it make the tapeworm people 'human'.

shelbymarie32's review against another edition

4.0

I must say that I personally thought the first book was better. I enjoyed this one very much but at times I felt it frustrated me to a point where I had to put it down and do something else. And the ending.. left me in a bad mood. I loved the book over all but I felt not very happy after I finished it. Usually I can smile and reflect but this time I just wanted to start a new book and move on. Maybe if the next book was already out I wouldn't feel this way.

shellyb's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

donnakaye64's review against another edition

5.0

I am happy to say the 2nd book did not disappoint me. I was as engrossed in the story as I was with the first in the series. I can't wait to read the third book.

robinudell's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Not necessarily great, or even all that technically good, but it was a fun enough continuation of a fun story. It's kind of a comfort read the way that Stephen King is- too long, too repetitive, too on the nose, but easy to read and compelling enough that you enjoy the journey.

traceybookclub's review against another edition

4.0

The concept of this trilogy is so damn disgusting and rustles my jimmies mad hard because I could see it all happening for real. Like actually. Like in real life.

Like...
"He's a tapeworm wearing a human suit"?????? SICK

And I LOVE IT

liz_tippy's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25