What started as a “flu” outbreak on a military base proves deadlier than Ebola and more contagious than the Spanish Flu. Sympatico Syndrome is unlike anything the world has ever seen. Victims’ behavior is changing to accommodate the rapid spread of the virus.
Former Navy epidemiologist Cole Evans is well aware of the rare, infectious diseases the military studies. He also knows, first-hand, the … first-hand, the government’s stance on sharing information with the public, so if the media has already learned about the disease, then it’s far too late to contain the outbreak.
Cole’s only chance to save his family is to establish a safe haven. Isolated, hard to reach, and with enough space for his brother’s family as well, he has the perfect location–if only they can all reach it before they’re infected…
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It’s been so long since I have read a truly great apocalypse story and the thriller aspect to this made it immensely page turning. Infection really goes to the grass roots of this type of novel, more recently the ones I have read often feel cliched or like a parody of the genre. From the get go this book is powerful and brings up so many “what if” scenarios. Whilst our focal point is Cole and his quest, there are also the stories of his son Hunter, and his friend Elly which help to bring home how the infection has impacted upon both urban and rural areas. Sympatico itself is an unusual disease and the manic euphoria experience makes it a chillingly creepy one too and I like how it doesn’t fall into the more obvious route.
Cole’s history of dealing with infectious diseases makes him the perfect candidate to fully understand the impact of what is happening. The balancing act he has to play between prepping like mad and convincing his family he isn’t actually, well, mad is a difficult one for him to manage. Asking your family to give up their jobs and homes, your child to give up school – all on a hunch? These are topics so often overlooked and I found it really refreshing to get this aspect in a story, the snapshot of time where things haven’t truly hit the fan, but something clearly isn’t right and having to make a life altering decision. It of course always helps when the one person who can identify things in advance has a handy island bequeathed to them. But that is the focus, and hey, handy islands have to belong to someone!
Elly’s story is the more harrowing of the 3, urban areas often are though and whilst being on the 18th floor of a hotel is great for views, it runs the risk of becoming Elly’s tomb. Whilst Hunter is on quite the adventure, being in more rural parts makes day by day survival more perilous as time goes on. I love the juxtaposition between the 3, the inventiveness and resourcefulness they must all come to in order to make their way forward.
There are little in the way of light hearted moments and it’s right that it should be that way, the world has become a very tough place to be, especially when we are at day 1 of the disease, the sparing use of these lighter moments gives it a much truer feel of what the characters are going through. There are some really harrowing scenes and my heart was pounding in places, really willing the story to play out the way I hoped it would – this is not a HEA though and not everything will go to plan. The pace and flow of the book is perfect with everything unravelling at a believable pace, great care has been taken to get these things right and it really pays off.
It looks like this is book one of a trilogy and it does round off in a satisfying way whilst also being open ended for book 2. If you like your apocalypse books to be from Day 1 with a real life feel, you will love Infection!
This is a very different take on most post-apocalyptic books I have read. Elly a friend of Cole Evans that works as a reporter and the met in Africa while Cole was still working for the CDC called Cole just as news was breaking about a new virus and that he should get stocked up before everything is gone. His son Hunter calls to tell him he spilled soda on his laptop but that he had a B in Chemistry. His da tells him what is going on and to use his ATM card and credit card and they would figure where to go. Hunter said what about that Island your Uncle John left you. Cole said you are a genius get packed up and start heading that way. He then went to his brother and sister-in-law and niece and nephew the same thing. It took a lot of talking but when people start dying in the rode in Cole’s neighborhood that convincinced them. This first book is about the people trying to get to the island off Green Bay and all the things they have to endure. I really liked this book. Now to Book 2
I liked it at first but couldn’t finish it.
Everything worked out too well for it to be realistic but it was entertaining.
This is a great book that kept me wanting to read more and more every day. I learned new important life lessons in this book. Highly recommend.
I love a good apocolyptic post-flu outbreak book.
Hmm what to say. I read this a week ago and quite honestly say, I can’t remember a thing about it. Maybe because I read another end of the world type book the same week. Hard to recall than one either
Good
This book gripped me from the start. Well researched, great characters and a new treatment of a familiar post-apocalyptic scenario. I kept reading long after I should have turned off my Kindle for the night. I’m usually able to resist the urge to download the next book in a series but I couldn’t stand not knowing what was going to happen. I ordered the third book too, knowing that I had to see how things concluded. I was not disappointed! I was also glad this was a trilogy. No loose ends, and no dragging the story out just to sell more books. I hope it becomes a mini-series!
I enjoyed this one. Well written with good characters, but I can’t figure out where the series is going…nearly everybody’s dead! Might have to read the next one.
I am a fan of this genre and found that the writing and editing were very good.
The story kept me reading and looking forward to each new chapter. The characters are interesting and strong. Already bought #2.
This is one of the fastest apocalyptic novel out there! The virus is so fast working, few have a chance to escape. Add the social nature of the infection and you can see why it spread so rapidly. I really could place myself in the story- the author had you thinking about such everyday things — for instance what would you buy to survive? When realizes that such a tiny thing like needles and thread could have major consequences — well, I just had to stop and consider what I would want to add to the list. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Loved the book. Wish I had the money to spend to find out what happens next.
Clever disease. Like the characters. Being from Wisconsin I like the setting- but not too many islands in Green Bay!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the whole series. I became very invested in the characters and hated to see it end.
Well thought out, great plot, believable and likable characters, keeps you hooked, making you want more. I’ve read three books in the series, buying the second and third!
I enjoy post apocalyptic books. This one does not disappoint.
I’m sorry to say it’s pretty hacky but it’s a standout in the ‘beach read’ category.
Great read as is usual by one of my favourite authors!
Liked it pretty well, very suspenseful. I would have preferred more action.