Why Read: This strange read is not courtesy of NetGalley or an author coming straight to me – no, it was because of BookBub (which indirectly was a result of Book Riot… as are most things). Although not my usual pick up, I can’t deny that I enjoy a good gritty thriller when I find one – and if there are zombies involved… I mean, I won’t say no.
Review: Violence, whether it be in video games, movies or books, has always been something of an interesting subject for me – and this book is no exception. Violence combined with a pandemic, zombies and empathetic characters is a dangerous concoction for addiction.
Patient Zero felt like one of those cheap and quick horror movies that you watch at the theaters and rave about to your friends – but at the end, you know it’s not anything special. But thankfully it read nothing like that and it certainly had an ending that I appreciated more than I can put into words. There was something that seemed realistic about the whole situation… which is concerning, but not in the worse case scenario sense.
The main character, Sean Ryder, was one I felt I could agree and disagree with. He wasn’t the most level headed, but neither was his companion, Turk. Their actions weren’t the smartest, and they weren’t the ones you’d want the people in the field to be taking necessarily. But damn, they are actions you want the characters to take if you’re the one doing the reading.
Plot-holes there were. But at the same times, you’re so caught up in the action; it’s difficult to focus on those holes while a zombie is begging Sean to end its life. I won’t deny I did believe a different end would come, but the ending that ultimately I read was perfectly situated for a sequel: one I will happily read.
Rating: 3.7/5 Stars