Infected Review

As mentioned in my previous review, I've found a new appreciation for audiobooks since my return trip from Minnesota. In my family's search for listening materials we found podiobooks. Podiobooks are podcasts of books, many are offered for free from the Podiobooks website. I think this is a great way to advertise books, they even have a few classics. The search feature was not as user friendly as I would have liked, but it's a relatively new site. If you are looking for a legally free book, check them out.

Now, onto the book I read through this service (I downloaded it from them through iTunes, you can also stream them directly from the net.). As you may have guess from the title of this blog article, the book is called Infected. It was written and performed by the author, Scott Sigler.

In the beginning, we learn that there is a mysterious disease causing regular people to go crazy and slaughter their families, friends, and themselves. There is no pattern to the outbreaks and no known means of transmission. A low level CDC agent, Margaret Montoya, notices the incidents and contacts the CIA to help her look into it. They determine that this has to be kept quiet to avoid creating a national panic. From her viewpoint, we see the fear and actions of those trying to stop the disease from spreading.

The other main perspective in the story belongs to Perry Dawsey, a former football player with anger management issues. He is one of the infected, we witness his descent into madness. His history with anger management issues, actually assists him in staving off the affects of the disease. We also get insight into what the disease is, and how it is spread.

Sigler did a lot of research into disease transmission, progression, and parasitic organisms which gives the story a stronger feeling of credibility. His explanations of the scientific reasoning used by Margaret and her partner, and Perry, is well done with out being over technical. He even introduces the disease by going through the process of it gaining hold in a human host.

The story is very intense emotionally and physically. The descriptions give you a very clear mental pictures of the events taking place, sometimes you wish they weren't quite so good. Sigler employs a lot of gore and violence in this tale, so if this isn't your cup of tea I warn you to avoid reading this book. However, if you enjoy intense scifi/horror novels than this book is definitely for you. It is the first in a series, and gives you a classic cliffhanger ending. I look forward to reading the next book.

I wasn't sure if I would be able to get into the story, the first few chapters. It wasn't because of the plot, but because Mr. Sigler's reading was a bit rushed. His reading improved as the novel progressed, as parents and teachers know, reading aloud well is an acquired skill and requires practice. If audiobooks or podiobooks aren't your thing, you can get the book in printed format as well. If you choose the audiobook, please remember it is not child appropriate.