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donnaadouglas's review against another edition
3.0
I found this to be an interesting read, and clearly well-researched - he has a tendency to go into non-fiction mode at points in the novel with several asides. I did find this quite sensationalist though, as I do with some thrillers, and the plot was at times contrived. I'm going to read more of Preston's non-fiction though, as I think the non-fiction author in him shone through in this novel.
bethfalenski's review against another edition
3.0
I couldn't make it all the way through this book. It hit too close to home. The world is a scary place.
kellerko's review against another edition
3.0
I’m pretty sure I’ve read this before. It was interesting, hopefully a bit far-fetched, exciting, and terrifying to think about the possibility of biological warfare.
elodie2711's review against another edition
5.0
Just like The Hot Zone, this book is absolutely fascinating and terrifying. I love the way it is written, with fiction and nonfiction woven together to create a chilling and engaging story. I couldn't put down that book!
wonderwoman619's review against another edition
3.0
Suspenseful and interesting although quite descriptive and nasty at time. Something different!
angie__'s review
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
kaileeann's review against another edition
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The author does a great job of teaching readers about complex concepts but a bad job of developing characters and telling a good story.
yatosuz's review against another edition
2.0
Richard Preston needs to stick to non-fiction. This story had incredible potential, but instead Preston mired what could have been a good thriller in pages and pages of research on bioweapons and microbiology. He explained things ad nauseum - and in most cases, needlessly - detracting from the overall story. I greatly enjoyed the chase "scene" at the end of the novel, but it was no fun having to wade through everything beforehand.
Overall, a disappointment.
Overall, a disappointment.
e_a_bee's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A 4.5 star review for a book that (through a series of strange events) somehow resulted in my career. It’s a true Anthropocene Reviewed-style review as it difficult to rate a book with such a legacy (personally and societally), particularly when it does sensationalize infectious disease.