The Apocalypse Strain by Jason Parent
A multi-national research team, led by a medical genomics expert suffering from MS, study an ancient pandoravirus at a remote Siberian research facility.
Called "Molli" by the research team, the organic substance reveals some unique but troublesome characteristics, qualities that, in the wrong hands, could lead to human extinction.
The researchers soon learn that even in the right hands, Molli is a force too dangerous to escape their compound. But the virus has a mind of its own, and it wants out.
FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
Jason is an author of horror, thrillers, and science fiction, though his novels tend to blur the boundaries between genres. From his award-winning first horror/mystery novel, What Hides Within, to his widely applauded supernatural thriller, Seeing Evil, Jason’s work has earned him praise from both critics and avid readers alike.
In his head, Jason Parent lives in many places, but in the real world, he calls New England his home. The region offers an abundance of settings for his writing and many wonderful places in which to write them. He currently resides in Rhode Island.
In a prior life, Jason spent most of his time in front of a judge... as a civil litigator. When he wanted a change, he traded in his cheap suits for flip flops and designer stubble. The flops got repossessed the next day, and he's back in the legal field...sorta. But that's another story.
When he's not working, Jason likes to kayak, catch a movie, and travel any place that will let him enter. And read and write, of course - he does that too sometimes.
Please visit the author on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJasonParent, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AuthorJasParent, or at his website, for information regarding upcoming events or releases, or if you have any questions or comments for him.
Review
I have to admit I don’t really read science fiction as a genre. But being part of the book blogging community I have opened myself up to more genres and loved them so I decided to give this one a bash! I am glad that I did as I really enjoyed this book and its premise. I can totally see this as being a blockbuster film with some big named stars in it.
From the offset this book dragged you in with Sergei hearing his dead daughter whilst walking in a spacesuit on the Siberian tundra! From there onwards it doesn’t pack its punches, there are twists and turns, lots of action, great characters and a satisfying resolution. This isn’t about a pandemic but in the world we live in today it makes it easier to envisage something like this occurring. It probably does and we are all oblivious to it!
I really liked the characters of Clara and Monty. They seemed the most natural out of all of them as they jumped out of the page at you, but Jason is able to portray characters well. I also really enjoyed reading about Dante and his back story.
“Molli’ and the narrative of the story was well written. Im getting with this genre that you need to push the boundaries when writing but it all came across as being believable, especially to this science fiction newbie. It felt claustrophobic with all the different tunnels and hallways, future like with the automatic lockdowns and the control room. I enjoyed this book immensely.
I am really glad that I gave this book a chance as I was surprised by how much I have enjoyed this genre. Maybe you should take a chance as well?
