Hiya book lovers With Christmas being just around the corner, I thought I’d highlight some South African reads that should go on your TBR pile. We have so many phenomenal SA authors that deserve to be celebrated , and because this list will be an extensive one, I am splitting this post and making it a series. I know it won’t be possible to include every single South African author, but I am going to try to highlight books from every genre and make it as diverse as possible (so, with respect, please don’t ask me why so and so isn’t on the list – there’s more to come). First up: 1. Sing Down the Stars by Nerine Dorman A book I recently received for review ( thanks you NB publishers ) and am super excited about diving into is Sing Down the Stars. I was first introduced to Nerine’s writing years ago, when I read one of her first books, What Sweet Music They Make (Would 100% still love to see more of that). Over the years, I ’ve come to know Nerine as well and she’s not ...
Disclaimer: This review originally appeared on W24.co.za. Click on the link at the bottom to purchase a copy of the book. Huge thanks to Pan Macmillan SA for sending me a copy to review.
Contagion by Teri Terry (first published in 2017 by Orchard Books)
Ever had one of those books that made you believe you’re reading one thing, only for it to be something a lot more different than you anticipated?
Teri Terry’s Contagion is that book for me. It’s definitely different in a good way because it offered a refreshing take on a concept that I’ve previously seen in TV, movies and other books.
The story revolves around Callie, a missing girl, a killer strain of flu that’s evolved into a nationwide pandemic and Shay and Kai two teens – Kai being Callie’s older brother - who not only want to find Callie, but want answers to a situation that’s quickly spiraled out of control.
But answers are proving hard to find when the government is doing its level best to downplay and hide the unfolding events that are forcing residents to evacuate from their homes, or restricting them from leaving by imposing quarantine lockdowns on affected areas.
Forced to go on the run and avoid the military - who may be looking for survivors for all the wrong reasons - Kai and Shay have to rely on their wits and on each other to survive, not realising that the direction their hunt is taking them in is only putting them in more danger.
Contagion is a fascinating read, particularly because it delves into an area of science that I confess to knowing very little about. I won’t go in-depth with regards to this aspect of it because that would be giving away a good focus point of the book, but what I can say is that it sets itself up for an intriguing start to a new trilogy.
Admittedly, I would have like to have seen the introduction to this concept earlier in the novel, but I was kept intrigued enough that it isn’t actually a big issue for now.
There’s a supernatural element in the book that requires you to suspend your disbelief in many places, but I do think it’s one that created an eerie atmosphere and provided a nice red herring that hid what was really going on.
The characters were intriguing enough for me to want to continue this series and the mystery surrounding Shay’s father is a storyline I’d love to see explored more in the next installment.
All in all, Contagion is a book steeped in mystery and one that sets itself up nicely for a follow up that will no doubt be a high octane rollercoaster ride featuring more thrills and answers to the science explored in book one.
Bring on book two.
Nhận xét
Đăng nhận xét