Parasite

I am a fan of Mira Grant's, and there were things to like in this book. However, for me, the flaws outweighed the strengths. While the characters were interesting, too many major plot elements hinge on massive coincidences of the protagonist just happening to know or be related to people in specific positions. One of these I might have been able to swallow, but there are two major ones and at least a third minor one. It surpassed my ability to suspend disbelief.Also, the big reveal of the book was pretty obvious about forty pages in, and the fact that the character doesn't get it until the very end made her seem incredibly stupid. More importantly to me, despite some hand-waving to justify the character not wanting to face this revelation, the whole thing felt contrived and more like the writer needed to stretch out the story than character consistent.Which actually ties into my biggest issue with the book. All of the pacing felt stretched out, as if the author was reaching to make a half a book of content into an entire novel so that the material could be spread over a greater number of books. Unfortunately, I won't get to the rest of the series to find out if that continues.However, the characters are mostly strong, the personal dynamics interesting, and the premise fascinating. So, I'm sure for other readers this could be a genuinely enjoyable book.

Sadly I finished this book. Why the book was so bad that it required me to power up my speed reading became clear when her character was talking about journaling again. The bad parts of the book are where the author falls into a what I hope at least is a wine induced journaling binge before passing out. Had it been edited, I could see this being a two star to two and a half star. Certainly with a non-harmful edit, it could have been a 5 novella.Great idea, good characterization. My last book of hers I will read. Stop at the newsflesh series.

The Setup (Overview):In the near future health care has become almost universally standardized. A company by the name of SymboGen has found away to take one of nature's more pesky parasites and turn it into a revolutionary way of delivering medicine. There is almost no down sides and millions have been saved that might have other wised perished. In the case of one one woman the SymboGen treatment may even have brought her back from the the dead. Of course this is an unexpected side effect, one that SymboGen doesn't quite understand so they are very eager, or very worried, and want to find an explanation as soon as possible. This is the story of Sally Mitchell, the girl who came back.The Story(Some Story Details):Sally Mitchell was not the nicest person in the world before her accident. While her SymboGen implant saved her body from the effects of getting T-Boned by a semi-truck, it didn't quite stop her brain from getting banged around a bit. In fact she doesn't remember anything at all from her past. Which is why she prefers to be called Sal now since she's apparently a completely opposite person now. It has taken Sal almost two years to make up all the progress she lost due to the accident.She is ready to move on with her life but SymboGen still hasn't gotten the answers they wanted. There is also some lingering side effects that no one can quite explain. While some might normal, like nightmare's, there are others such as severe allergy reactions that could be deadly. So Sal puts up with the continuing tests whether she likes it or not.Everything changes though when a strange new sickness starts to spread across the country. It causes normal people to act as if they are suddenly sleep walking. The victims start out docile but eventually they become aggressive, almost as if they are hunting something. As the sickness accelerates it seems that SymboGen might not have been quite as beneficial as they seemed.The answers lie locked in the head of Sal Mitchell. Now she and her ragtag group of friends and unlikely allies must delve into the shrouded history of SymboGen to find the truth behind what was thought to be the miracle of the century.Conclusion(My Overall Opinion on the Story):This was a pretty good read. The story moves a pretty good clip, it does get a little fast toward the end as this is the first book in the trilogy so the next book needs to get it's story arc's setup. It's not really that distracting, just after a certain point in the book there are a few “and then!” moments. The story may remind some of “The Host”, while there are a few similarities the idea has more to do with the “humans mess nature's plan and that's a bad idea” concept than anything else. The characters are also interesting for the most part. Just about everyone has more than meets the eye to them or most likely will in the sequel. If your interested in thrillers that have a side of “mysterious virus may destroy the world” or you liked the “news flesh trilogy” give this one a read. m.a.c

When I was young, I devoured medical thrillers by Robin Cook. I grew tired of his formula quickly enough, but medical stuff will still draw me in.After reading Feed, I was ready to read anything that Mira Grant chose to write. When I started this book, I remembered thinking that it didn't quite...er...infect me the same way that the Newsflesh series had. Which clearly isn't true, because I should have been able to stop turning pages, but I could not. And now here I am, ready to dive rig into book two of the series.There are twists, turns, close calls, friendly dogs, and if that's not enough, there's also really solid-sounding science (I am not s!art enough to know how plausible it truly is) and there's Tansy. You should meet her. She's fascinating in an Elaine Oldenburg/Foxy sort of way.

I bought this because I like her zombie books, however, this one is awful. The premise is ridiculous, the characters are forgettable and the so called heroine of the book has you rooting for the tapeworm. Quite an imagination, but in all the wrong areas. I wouldn't read part II if the book was given to me. Don't waste your $$$.

First let me say I will buy and read everything Ms. Grant writes! I feel she is a very gifted writer! The Newsflesh trilogy was superb!This book however is not her best work. I know it is probably the start of a new trilogy, but it was not "Feed" by any means. That book jumped off the page and grabbed the reader by the throat. This book, on the other hand, was so slowly paced that I kept wondering what I had missed. I kept waiting for it to take off but it never did. I have not seen so much foreshadowing since viewing a Dali painting! Each new section I was sure would be the start, but no, not a chance! The book had more exposition than a Shaw play! I certainly hope the sequel has more to it, now that we are invested in these characters!

Re-reading this book after a few years rekindled the gut theories that now are popular with evidence-based background. The forward to 'Parasite' refers to 'fringe science' in the late 1980's, ignoring people who were developing 'life-threatening allergies and autoimmune conditions... due to lack of allergens, bacteria, even parasites'. The balance to maintain an equilibrium between the gut, biological and neurological disorders are explicitly described. This is the opening of a fictional account of Sally Mitchell, a 20 year old dying on a life-support machine, legally dead after a road traffic accident. A gut parasite (Diphyllobothrium - a common world-wide tape-worm), marketed as 'SymboGen' has remarkable properties. It has been modified scientifically to not only secrete 'miracle' chemicals but can be manipulated to deliver drugs with a health and potential financial bonanza. Sally Mitchell recovers. Her memory does not. The story of her rehabilitation is fascinating. The narrative delves into the processes of physical and mental recovery that are stirring. The genetic manipulation of the gut parasite has devastating effects when released on the population as a panacea for illness just by popping a pill. Marvellous, but Mira Grant delivers a grim account in her narrative of how a scientific marvel can have catastrophic effects through the doctors, scientists and the affected. The morals and ethics smell as much as the financial rewards.This is an excellent and topical novel. It is part fact and fiction. I mention the former as drugs and other agents are currently being investigated and delivered by genetically modified viruses and bacteria. An intriguing read. I look forward to reading the second part.

As Mira Grant's books go, this one is definitely slower paced. It does have the feel of a set up for the next book rather than standing alone which I think accounts for some of it. On the other hand I still found it sufficiently engaging that I didn't mind that it wasn't going anywhere fast - I was happy to go along for the ride. And what a set up it is; I was put in mind of H.G. Wells War of the Worlds except in this case the invasion is coming from within.Under the lowering shadow of the faintly paternal and obscurely threatening Symbogen, Sal Mitchell is just not improving any further after a car accident six years ago killed her but the Symbogen engineered intestinal bodyguard saved her life. She has no memories of the life she led before the car accident and in a very real sense has been learning to be herself for the last six years.What Sal doesn't know, what she can't let herself know, is why. And how does this make her so important to both sides in an upcoming war? When the battle lines are drawn, which side will she stand on?Anyone who has read any science fiction is going to figure out in about twelve pages what the big plot twist is. On the other hand I think it was never intended to be a big twist; the conflict in this first book is on a small scale - Sal vs herself. Sal vs Symbogen and her loving but controlling parents , then later Sal vs the sleeping sickness which may have something to do with symbogen implants. As a confused character who has not had a lifetime to learn social mores and niceties (and therefore doubts that she is behaving appropriately, ceding control to others) Sal is sympathetic and well depicted. Yet she does have agency. She is frightened on an instinctual level and while she doesn't have the polish of some female characters or the hard carapace of others, she does have a well of her own strength which she draws on. I suppose if I had a niggle about her character it would be the 'I don't understand the science' aspect. But then as a former scientist I find it hard to believe that anyone wouldn't understand the science so perhaps that is personal bias.This is the beginning of the end; the dawn before the apocalypse. Don't expect big portents or lights in the sky, but there will be signs. I am looking forward to reading book two and very glad that book three is out later this year.

Another great book by Mira Grant and a strange yet interesting take of the future. The way in which her books are written including 'Parasite' makes you feel as if the story is real and that anything is possible. The characters are likeable and I have grown attached to them. The science behind the storyline and the obvious amount of research that has been put into this book is amazing, it helps to not only understand the characters better but develops the story into something I haven't found with any other book or author. I cant wait for a second volume, this book seems to be the beginning of an exciting series.

Arguably not quite as exciting as her Zombie trilogy and the characters not perhaps so vividly formed. However, interesting premise, based on science and well researched, well written and good enough to encourage me to read the next two. Fans will enjoy this new series.

Wasn't sure about this book...I had seen it before and never bought it.I took the plunge and wow am I glad!I could not put it down! Brilliant...very different idea for a story...a bit scary that I can believe it happening!Off to buy the next one now!