What the world dreads most has happened — because of a mutated avian bird flu (H5N1) pandemic. It has ravaged the globe. Only 2% of the population has survived. A dying mother knows that her young child is among the few immune to the virus. What will she do to ensure his survival before her own coming tragic death?
Meanwhile, Graham has buried his last remaining family member. Following his … Following his father’s advice to make it to the family cabin, he meets with triumph and tragedy; learning new rules along the way. Just when he thinks he’s finally got a handle on this new world, he’s taken by surprise, as he learns he’s not alone. A hidden yet vulnerable community of Preppers are nearby. Will he find the strength to escape these dangers and go on living? And more importantly, will he have the ability to protect those he’s come to trust?
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The China Pandemic is the first book in a post-apocalyptic series that initially hinges around Graham Morgan, a sturdy, even-keeled survivor of a lethal, quick-killing pandemic that sweeps 98% of the world’s population off the map in the span of weeks. Graham has just buried his wife and father, finding himself without purpose, until a gift is bestowed upon him—the unexpected stewardship of a young child. With the promise to guard the child “like his own” recently forged, Graham departs on a journey to reach his family’s empty lake house in the rural Northwest, and the perceived safe haven of a secluded locale.
Needless to say, his journey and the following trials are not for the faint of heart. A.R. Shaw strikes a nice balance between menace and the post-apocalyptic environment that would ensue after 98% of the people essentially disappeared. Supplies are still available, to include food, medicine, and essential materials, and there’s an unnerving quiet blanketing the landscape. Very unsettling, because getting to those supplies often proves dangerous, and as a reader, you will cringe any time Graham’s crew sets out to scavenge. Shaw adds an unexpected, and often overlooked threat in this story…I won’t spoil it for you.
Shaw also embeds a high degree of survivalist realism. Emergency first-aid is featured prominently (not for the squeamish), while home remedies and extensive survival craft is solidly locked around the framework of an exciting, fast paced story. Fast paced, but not exhausting. A.R. Shaw gives you plenty of breathers, filled with raw human emotion and well crafted dialogue. Graham’s expanded crew spends a balanced amount of time cramped into tight quarters, and Shaw fleshes this out perfectly. But don’t get comfortable in the warm confines of the cabin, because just when you let your guard down…let’s just say that the author is not afraid to put her characters in harm’s way.
Overall, a thoroughly post-apocalyptic novel, with solid character development, realistic settings and a well balanced pace. I highly recommend it.
This is the first in a series of books about a global pandemic. I was very affected by the inital loss of families. I admit it I cried. But that is just the beginning, and reading this book is worth the journey. I love apocalyptic fiction and this is a good e ample of these kind of books.
Very good reading. Scary but it could happen. I enjoyed the book.
I’ve read all of A. R. Shaw’s ebooks twice. Great writer. She makes her stories come alive. I can hardy wait for more….
This novel was written as a Post-Apocalyptic novel back in 2013 (?). But you may end up feeling like it is happening right now!! This is the first in the series. I have also read a couple of others. One of these days I will read a series in order!! This can obviously be read as a stand alone.
I found myself shocked and sometimes reaching for the tissue box but I could not put it down. It did my heart good to realize that some people did try to help others and to start a new life. There are bad guys and good guys and then even some who started out not exactly bad but petrified they would contact the virus.
The ending will make you smile and make you want to read the other books in this series to see what ultimately happens.
I read this book during the covid 19 pandemic and it gave me the chills ! Things could be much worse than they are at the moment !!!! I enjoyed reading the story and the ways the remaining human beings found to restart their lives in a totally different environment. Gone are the niceties of modern life, welcome back the ruthless game of survival. A chilling reminder that we should think better about our planet, natural resources and our own lives. Very entertaining and gives a lot of food for thought!
“Why should I go on?’ ‘ You’ll find a reason or the reason will find you'”
NB: This book was written in 2013 around the H5N1 Chinese pandemic. I think it is important that that be noted upfront. AR Shaw has written a fascinating beginning of a series of books set after the “China Pandemic”. Having buried his wife and his family, Graham can’t figure out why it looks as though he was spared. Headed for a safe place- his family’s remote cabin, he seems to collect a ragtag bunch of survivors: 5 year old Bang, Macy and Marcy, preteen twins, and their police dog Sheriff; and, upon reaching the cabin, find Tala and Ennis squatting there. And, realizing they might be better off together, they become a family of choice: willing to protect one another.
Will they make it? Can they fend off intruders-4 footed and 2 footed? Shaw draws you in with the humanity of the whole thing and spins a tale that keeps you right there; good and bad, and then leaves you hanging as you breathlessly wait for the next one in the series. Highly recommended 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
Based on the name of the book, I thought that this would be a medical thriller. It wasn’t, but I was pleasantly surprised at this story. Graham, one of the few survivors of a pandemic, finds himself the foster-father of a five year old boy named Bang, after his dying mother leaves him with Graham. Together they set out from Graham’s home to his cabin in the wilderness to live a new life. On the way, he encounters people that need his help and protection, and he brings them along. There are also several perilous events, but Graham overcomes them all. You will enjoy this tale of human kindness and survival against countless perils. I will enjoy reading the rest of the series.
If you enjoy the post-apocalyptic genre, this is a great what-if book.
Audio rating overall 4.5, narrator 3
Story: 5
Rating: 4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this novel. The characters were well developed and the author drew you into the story through the connection you felt for the characters. The author’s descriptions of the scenery made it possible for me to visualize the settings the characters found themselves in. This also immersed me further into the story. I will not give any more details about the story because I do not want to give any of the story away.
The narration of this story was just OK. The narrator had a pleasant voice to listen to. However, there was no voice differentiation between the characters.
There is no swearing in this book, but because of the violence, I would rate this book PG-13. I recommend this book to those who like a good post apocalyptic read.
I was given a free copy of this audiobook. My review was voluntary and my opinions were my own.
I enjoyed the realistic take of the pandemic from the personal level of the characters. The day-to-day activities it takes to survive as well as the terrifying challenges they faced were interesting and kept the story moving.
I totally enjoyed it, surprisingly so, as I’m typically leery of post-apocalyptic material. It is the gratuitous nihilism of the genre that tends to numb me. However, with A.R. Shaw’s “The China Pandemic” the caricature of dystopian mayhem is displaced, instead the reader is treated to a well-developed humanist portrayal of individual and community survival despite awful odds. The sense of responsibility borne on the shoulders of the main protagonist Graham, is palpable. His cautious generosity, taking care of a motley crew of survivors at great personal risk–some being children, is admirable to witness. Seeing the personal growth of all the characters as the narrative unfolds is satisfying; they are at times pitiful, vulnerable and cruel, yet, at other times they are resourceful, compassionate and selfless. This all seems plausible to me considering the extraordinary pressures everyone was living under.
Adding to the tension of this well-written novel is the unseen presence of a well-organized compound of Preppers. The addition of this group leads to further intriguing plot lines; and raises questions about the amazing lengths ordinary men and women are prepared to go in order to survive. Appropriately, the reader is consciously aware that all the resources of civil society have been eviscerated by the pandemic, and that the threat of anarchy, lawlessness and death remains a constant in every chapter. For instance, any chance meeting with a stranger may well have dire consequences, whether it be contagion, assault, abduction or even execution. Then there is the change in the social order; a segregation between the Carriers (those immune, but carrying the virus) and the Preppers who are understandably struggling to remain disease free. I found this to be immensely provocative…and emotionally powerful.
I’m looking forward to reading A.R. Shaw’s next book in the Graham’s Resolution series now that my misgivings of the genre have been so effectively allayed.
China unleashes a weaponized version of bird flu, resulting in the China Pandemic, which spares only a fraction of Earth’s population, known as carriers. Graham, a college math professor, is the only survivor in his family, having buried his parents and pregnant wife. He intends to head for his family’s isolated cabin in the Cascades by himself, as the once-secure suburbs have become hunting grounds for now-feral pets and emboldened wildlife, but finds himself the guardian of three children and a a police dog along the way, as well as two survivors, Tala and Ennis, who broke into the cabin in desperation.
As the group settles in, it becomes clear they’re not alone. They first encounter hazmat-suited men who abandon a captive in clear sight of Graham and one of the children, leaving a note identifying themselves as the Cascade Prepper Association and promising no trouble as long as the carriers stay away from their compound. The second group is sighted on a nearby lake, and retired cop Ennis accurately intuits that the men are are dangerous, but when they attack, the group is rescued by a surprising ally.
In this new, deserted world, the rules are harsh and consequences lethal, but while the flame of hope is small, it hasn’t been extinguished. In this first of five books, A. R. Shaw creates a realistic post-apocalyptic Washington state and the choices and decisions faced by those spared viral death.
I truly enjoyed this book but it’s hard for me to pin down what made it so enjoyable for me.
The story centers on Graham, who has rece lost his wife to a viral pandemic that has wiped out all but 2% of the world’s population. The virus was released by the Chinese, supposedly by accident, as it was made clear that the Chinese population was not spared.
A woman who is dying of the virus has been watching Graham, and has deemed him a good man. He picks him to care for her 5 year old son. The book then follows him as he tries to make his way to his family’s cabin in the woods. Of course he meets others along the way who join him in creating a makeshift family in the cabin. They try to establish some sense of normalcy but, of course, all will not be well.
This book is not an action packed, thrill-a-minute roller coaster ride. It moves along at a very steady pace but is never ever boring. I listened to the audiobook and the story was narrator’s voice was calm, even and evoked all the seriousness of Graham’s situation.
What I did enjoy about this book was the authenticity of the characters and the insights into their thoughts and feelings. Their whole sutuation seemed very real. They weren’t prepared for this and were doing the best they can. The group came together as a family and you can’t help but love them and root for them. Graham didn’t have all the answers, hesitated in certain situations, and it sometimes cost him.
Graham’s group was directly contrasted by the Cascade Peppers, who were prepared in every way. I think my only knock against the novel was that the peppers were TOO well equipped. I mean, they had EVERYTHING. It felt a little over the top. Otherwise, I loved the book and I loved the characters and enjoyed the realism. This is first installment in a five part series. That means there’s much more left to tell about this world. I’m excited to see what becomes of it.
The China Pandemic: A Post-Apocalyptic Medical Techno Thriller Series (Graham’s Resolution Book 1) by A. J. Shaw
5.0 out of 5 stars
I couldn’t put it down. Must read.
Such a well written story. The characters pull you in making you feel like you know them. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
https://robinsreviewcom.wordpress.com/2021/07/16/the-china-pandemic/