During Black October 2004, a genetically engineered virus turns people into deadly blood suckers. Will Kate become one of the infected?Kate had just begun her job as a high school science teacher in rural Maine and was looking forward to living her new life. All her hopes and dreams turn into smoke as a virus turns people into some kind of vampire, roaming the world in packs and killing everybody … killing everybody they can get their hands on. Together with her friends, Sue and Charlie, she hides at a campground. They think they are safe there. Unfortunately, they are wrong.
As Kate is forced to hide in plain sight among the infected, she wonders if they are the monsters they are portrayed to be on the news. They are stronger, healthier, and, dare she say, more caring? One of the infected attracts Kate’s particular attention, making her question right and wrong. But could she live forever in a world of darkness?
Find out in this action-packed, suspenseful vampire apocalypse sci-fi thriller.
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A Wonderful Resolution
V-Virus Infected 1 is an entertaining vampire romantic suspense novel with an unusual romance plot arc. I love that it doesn’t follow the typical fated mates route followed by many vampire stories, and I found the story engaging throughout.
The Opening
Sadly, chapter 1 is an infodump. It is an entirely told rather than shown narrative and fails to successfully introduce either the protagonist or the main conflict, which is not necessarily related to fleeing the vampires.
Chapter 2 provides a much better introduction to the main characters and an interesting initial conflict. It provides a nice hook and would make a better opening chapter for this novel.
The Characters
Kate is an instantly sympathetic character not only because she fears for her life but also because of her concern for her friends. As the story develops, she becomes even more likable through her actions and decisions.
However, it would have been nice if she had been named in dialogue earlier in chapter 2. As it is, we don’t get to hear her name until the fourth page of the second chapter.
Charlie is by far my favorite character. I loved his loyalty and sacrifice. I also enjoyed his actions and the comic relief he often provides, such as the smell issue at one point.
The Plot
I enjoyed the action in this story and the main relationship arc. It went in an unexpected direction, which I liked. I also loved how Kate was different to the other infected and the reasons behind this. That plot line was well developed and smoothly introduced.
I loved the core resolution… that of the relationship plot. It couldn’t have been better.
The Setting
The general physical setting is fine. There were some really great ideas utilized in this story, such as the magnesium from the science lab and the fake teeth scenario.
I wasn’t too happy about the larger social and political picture. Given the way the virus was introduced, I didn’t understand how the army lost control. The behavior of the vampires is extremely predictable and their vulnerability to UV light makes them exceptionally easy to beat.
A single soldier carrying a “light sabre” from a repurposed sunbed tube could defeat a whole nest in seconds. Also, sunbeds installed at the entrances to any public building, such as a church or school hall, could have created instant fortresses.
The vampires’ general behavior pattern was also illogical. These vampires are not “out of control”. They can still think, reason, and make plans. This is shown quite extensively through Duncan’s command structure, hunting strategies, and training regime. Yet their current strategy of killing most and turning a few will inevitably lead to a vampire famine in the very near future once the only living people are infected.
Then there was the electric power grid status. There’s an apocalypse and everyone is dying, yet apparently the power stays on. A power grid only stays operational if someone is at the controls. It is generally estimated that a power grid would collapse within 24 hours if left entirely unattended.
While nuclear power stations and hydroelectric generators can theoretically operate without supervision, there is a standard protocol to shut them down in an emergency scenario. Plus, the electricity grid is a separate entity to the generating stations. Without someone to route the electricity, the substations would overload one by one and the while system collapse very quickly.
And then, given how it was shown that the vampires had effectively won the battle against the uninfected, how could the army have so swiftly gained the upper hand in the latter part of the book. The vampires didn’t want to be “cured”, so they would need to be restrained one by one.
Although the vampire virus is a great way of explaining the situation, I did have some reservations. My main issue was over why Kate and Rhona behave so differently to the other infected. We’re somehow expected to forgive Julie her actions because she couldn’t help herself due to the virus yet neither Kate or Rhona behave like her.
It could be excused that Kate is different due to her unique situation, but Rhona shouldn’t be. Either the virus turns people into killers or it doesn’t.
If the author wanted this to be a plausible story, then the vampire reaction to UV light should be much less debilitating, Rhona should have more trouble controlling herself, and the power should go off after the first day.
The Prose
The first person narrative from Kate’s viewpoint is easy to follow and becomes immersive during the opening paragraphs of the second chapter.
With the exception of the terrible opening chapter, this story is effectively shown rather than told. The opening paragraph of chapter two could have been a little stronger — more shown and less told — but the showing improves dramatically as we get into the story.
My Opinion
I enjoyed reading this vampire romance, and the resolution is wonderful. However, elements of the setting are rather implausible, which somewhat spoils the suspension of disbelief. Because I found this vampire romantic suspense so entertaining and satisfying, I’m going to award it 4 out of 5. But this novel would be much better if the opening chapter were removed and a few of the implausible elements toned down.
Notice:
I received an advance review copy (ARC) for free, but this review is my honest opinion of the book.