Black Tears. They are the tears of the dying and the first symptom of the new plague. The HAVI Virus was sneaky and more contagious than anything the world had ever seen. By the time the tears appear, you’ve already infected everyone around you for at least three days. HAVI devastated the world’s population before anyone knew something was wrong. It didn’t take long for every system to collapse. … collapse. No more electricity. No more plumbing. No more government. Nothing but what you could create yourself. A perfect recipe for chaos and savagery.
For Paige, it all began in her best friend’s secluded cabin at Granby Lake. Paige was looking forward to a relaxing vacation with her friends. Three days into the vacation, they all wake up in the morning to news of a pandemic. One final message from the President and then the world goes dark. She thought they would be safe so far away from other people and the cities. It didn’t take her long to discover that there is no safe place. Not anymore.
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This book was so refreshing (as in new and different)! It was The Last of Us meets Outbreak.
This post apocalyptic novel follows young adult, Paige Anderson, a scientist who goes on a spar-of-the-moment summer vacation with her friends when a deadly and incredibly fast-moving pandemic breaks out worldwide practically overnight.
What starts out as a fun reunion of old friends, soon becomes a fight for her life as she tries to survive–attempting to avoid both the HAVI flu virus and the chaos of the world as they once knew it left in its wake–alongside romantic interest, swoony retired Navy S.E.A.L. Keith Reynolds.
I loved everything about this book. It was entertaining, heart-wrenching, funny, and down-right heart-pounding. I loved the connection between Paige and Keith, the friendship between Sarah and Paige, and the world and character building in general. Ms. Nightingale did a fabulous job covering all the bases and describing both the virus and the state of the world in the days following the outbreak. She really knew her stuff!
It was realistic and well-written, and left me in both awe and intrigue.
If you’re looking for a page turner of viral (pun intended) proportions, grab this book today and get lost on the pages of Black Tears. You’ll soon see what I mean!
Black Tears: HAVI Virus Book 1 Kindle Edition
by Nicol Nightingale
I borrowed this book via the Kindle Unlimited program and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I would like to note there were a few technical issues, like names changing (reversing initials), failure to capitalize some words that begin dialogue and some non-sequesters. I am only noting this to state these will not affect my review or opinion.
This book reminded me a lot of Michael Crichton’s medical thrillers with it intricate and excruciating detail. From the R=Naught value to the various weapon types, names and uses, Nightingale gives a depth to the story. At times, the depth can be a little overwhelming. Yet, that detail never overwhelms the plot or character development. Knowledge about virology and disease helps build the terror and determination to not only survive but help conquer the illness in Paige, our heroine. She is never weak willed. She wields her information and her background in biology as a weapon to protect the people she loves. Keith, who is the hero and the love interest, is a ‘retired’ SEAL. His military background keeps the story moving because he has the contacts and the training.
The plot is a little light. That might be because this is the series started and Nightingale has to lay down a lot of background for characters and the big bad disease. Dialogue is hit or miss in authenticity. It is stilted at times or just not quite right.
There is a nice romantic chemistry between Paige and Keith, everything beyond deep kisses occurs off screen.
The side characters, particularly those in the beginning and the cabin, are well filled out. I care about them deeply enough to be upset at what happens to most of them.
Men, in general and beyond out hero, the cabin characters and the military, fare badly in terms of their behavior. Much like many TEOTWAWKI novels, men apparently devolve quickly into rapists, killers and thieves. This is a touch of stereotype here, I would like to have seen something different.
All in all, it rates as not too bad. Not Swan Song/The Stand/The Book of the Unnamed Midwife awesome but not bad
3 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RB7GGZ5