Deadline
Jill McDole reviews the second book in the Newsflesh series.
Author: Mira Grant
Publisher: Orbit Books
Availability: Out Now
Price: £7.99
Mira Grant is a pseudonym of award-winning author Seanan McGuire and Deadline is the second book in the Newsflesh series published under Grant’s name. The book picks up from the first book, Feed, after a period of time has passed. Shaun Mason, still grieving over the loss of his sister, now heads his newsgroup in her stead. Shaun is a bit unhinged, carrying on entire conversations with his deceased sibling Georgia inside his head. His grief for the only person he’s ever cared about runs deep.
A researcher from the CDC shows up at his news groups’ headquarters, with a zombie hoard close behind her. She stated that she faked her own death to get away and enlists the help of the post-apocalyptic Scooby gang, but the ensuing bombing attack and explosion leaves Shaun and his friends suspicious. Soon the band of news bloggers is on the run, looking for outlaw scientists and trying to find out what’s behind the attempt on their lives. The secrets they uncover may lead to the most explosive recurrence of the illness that started the uprising.
The book delves more deeply into the science around the fictional virus, named Kellis-Amberlee, a deadly virus that was born out of two separate vaccinations that were not compatible. The medical discussions are not overwhelming, however, and the novel is as compelling as its predecessor. The reader gets a broader insight to some of the supporting characters in the novel as well. I found this book to be even a little more intense than the first.
The characters and the way they relate to one another is what makes this series unique. While the Newsflesh series does involve zombies, it is more about close relationships, friendship, and overcoming obstacles than the undead. Only a fool would make the mistake to pass this gem by because it is just another zombie series.
10/10
