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A review by leahegood
The Nightmare Virus by Nadine Brandes
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Summary
Imagiserum was supposed to be the next big step in alternative realities--full of recreational and therapeutic possibilities. Instead, it's killing the world. Young Cain Cross and his brother are two college kids determined to come up with a cute. Their time is limited. Cain's brother is infected, and it's only a matter of time till he is too. Is a cure even possible? Is hope, smarts, and determination enough? From Cain's perspective, determination is a better tool than the faith his brother relies on.
My Thoughts
This was a truly unique reading experience. For my Adventures and Odyssey listeners out there, did anyone else watch the Adventures in Odyssey: Escape from the Forbidden Matrix? This felt like that movie + Frugal Wizard's Guide to Medieval England + a Chuck Black novel. Basically, trippy alternative reality interwoven with allegorical elements which aren't quite allegorical because the the allegories meld into reality.
Overall, this was a wholesome read that I'd peg as a ideal family read aloud for a fantasy loving Christian family with a wide range of ages. It's got enough plot and world building to keep older readers happy, nothing objectionable for younger readers (it generally has the slightly fantastical adventurous vibe of a middle grade novel but with older characters and a more intricate plot) and a solid, faith-affirming take home message.
I will say, the ending left me a little bit, "Wait? How exactly is that going to work." For me, I shrugged and moved on. I think some readers might be more bothered, but I don't count it as a major complaint.
Content
No swearing or romance. Overt themes of Christianity. Lots of non-graphic fantasy violence, some more real-world grounded violence, and some medical content.
Imagiserum was supposed to be the next big step in alternative realities--full of recreational and therapeutic possibilities. Instead, it's killing the world. Young Cain Cross and his brother are two college kids determined to come up with a cute. Their time is limited. Cain's brother is infected, and it's only a matter of time till he is too. Is a cure even possible? Is hope, smarts, and determination enough? From Cain's perspective, determination is a better tool than the faith his brother relies on.
My Thoughts
This was a truly unique reading experience. For my Adventures and Odyssey listeners out there, did anyone else watch the Adventures in Odyssey: Escape from the Forbidden Matrix? This felt like that movie + Frugal Wizard's Guide to Medieval England + a Chuck Black novel. Basically, trippy alternative reality interwoven with allegorical elements which aren't quite allegorical because the the allegories meld into reality.
Overall, this was a wholesome read that I'd peg as a ideal family read aloud for a fantasy loving Christian family with a wide range of ages. It's got enough plot and world building to keep older readers happy, nothing objectionable for younger readers (it generally has the slightly fantastical adventurous vibe of a middle grade novel but with older characters and a more intricate plot) and a solid, faith-affirming take home message.
I will say, the ending left me a little bit, "Wait? How exactly is that going to work." For me, I shrugged and moved on. I think some readers might be more bothered, but I don't count it as a major complaint.
Content
No swearing or romance. Overt themes of Christianity. Lots of non-graphic fantasy violence, some more real-world grounded violence, and some medical content.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury