Of Starlight and Plague

This book is really in two halves - in the first part we learn how a man, a doctor, loses his daughter to rabies and is determined to find a cure that would save others. Very altruistic, but no reputable medical institutions will support his research, which is rooted in some serious animal experiments. So he goes alone with a derelict building on a little Caribbean island, trying to find the cure. What he creates is a new virus which quickly spreads across the world and hits civilisation hard. In the second part we see the new world as the virus takes hold, with packs of infected people trying to feed their hunger. We meet Louella, an old farmer who sees the way things are going and sets out to save as many of her friends and family as she can, offering refuge in her farm. The book explores humanity, the lengths we will go to survive, and how ordinary humans will step up when circumstances bring them low. It is very reminiscent of Stephen King's 'The Stand', and certainly kept my attention, even through all the 'sciency bits'. An interesting dystopia, well described and pacy. Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/242565/review/527678

I enjoyed this apocalyptic tale about a rampant super rabies virus. It starts with how the virus was created and then how it became a deadly pandemic. I especially liked the stories of the survivor groups. In this era of pandemics, this story hits close to home and is well written. Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/242565/review/236689

Was a great quick story. Which I'm honestly surprised I enjoyed this book alot more than I originally thought. I really enjoyed the pacing and the slow-tidbits of reveals. It was wild and exciting and above all fascinating. This was a one sitting read and honestly I didn't want it to end so soon. I really got into it. The descriptive sense was also quite brilliant, the subtle unnerving tones building the fear, some of it visceral and sudden, other parts quietly disturbing. This novel shows us another side of what "could" happen. Maybe not this exact plot, but between natural disasters, unpredictable disease, and social unrest we could be teetering on the edge. And that's what I love about these books! Overall, A fantastic story. And I hope to see more of Beth. Original review: https://www.netgalley.co.uk/book/242565/review/680240