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The Hydra
2020. The world watches as biogeneticist Brian Matterosi goes on trial for his life before the International Criminal Court. His crime? To engineer a virus which has swept the globe and sterilised entire populations. Is Matterosi a genius or a madman with a God complex? Only one thing is he is a complicated man with a difficult past. Nobody would acknowledge that more than Matterosi's defence attorney, Art Blume, who is spearheading the campaign to save the scientist's life. Prosecutor Leeton Kgabu has no such for him Matterosi is a vicious murderer who deserves death for his crimes against the human race. The world craves justice, and Leeton is determined to see it happen. At all costs. To Art Blume's dismay, Brian Matterosi appears intent on helping Kgabu achieve his goal. What dark secrets are driving the scientist to seek his own annihilation? Is he truly the worst mass murderer of mankind or is he its saviour? As the trial progresses, Art discovers he is running out of time to find the truth.
- GenresScience Fiction
Audible Audio
First published April 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 28, 2015
Ingenious
The plot is very well written and the narrative managed to make the villain a sympathetic character even when you know he is guilty. The twist in the end actually surprised me. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The plot is very well written and the narrative managed to make the villain a sympathetic character even when you know he is guilty. The twist in the end actually surprised me. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
March 21, 2016
Stull labels his debut novel, The Hydra, a political thriller but it is much more. In 2020, Brian Matterosi, is on trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague for crimes against humanity. He stands accused of developing a virus that has caused infertility in a significant number of the world's population, particularly in the developing nations, and colossal number of deaths attributed to the direct infection with the viral infertility syndrome virus.
His story is told from his own point of view going back to his past describing his formative years and how he became a scientist, alongside his current situation as he faces a trial on the world stage.
This defensive attorney, Art Blume and prosecuting attorney, Leeton Kgabu are the other two voices narrating the story of the legal battle he faces. The courtroom proceedings present the arguments for and against Matterosi actions and you soon find yourself swept up in the debate of the abuse of human rights, overpopulation and world economics, however there's also a twist that will intrigue.
This thriller has certainly been well thought out and captures the imagination from a biological view point as well as indulging our curiosity of a dystopian world. The charges against Matterosi become hard to back as he is a sympathetic and likeable character, even though his actions have taken away the choice and human rights of a vast population.
A truly engaging thriller that provokes much thought and self-awareness within the reader, which ought not to be missed b y political and medical thriller fans in my opinion.
His story is told from his own point of view going back to his past describing his formative years and how he became a scientist, alongside his current situation as he faces a trial on the world stage.
This defensive attorney, Art Blume and prosecuting attorney, Leeton Kgabu are the other two voices narrating the story of the legal battle he faces. The courtroom proceedings present the arguments for and against Matterosi actions and you soon find yourself swept up in the debate of the abuse of human rights, overpopulation and world economics, however there's also a twist that will intrigue.
This thriller has certainly been well thought out and captures the imagination from a biological view point as well as indulging our curiosity of a dystopian world. The charges against Matterosi become hard to back as he is a sympathetic and likeable character, even though his actions have taken away the choice and human rights of a vast population.
A truly engaging thriller that provokes much thought and self-awareness within the reader, which ought not to be missed b y political and medical thriller fans in my opinion.
December 26, 2015
This was one hell of a political thriller. From beginning to end you are entrenched in this world. You are angry and contemplative. You are curious and shocked. Its a hell of a ride.
Brian Matterosi is a complex man. He’s a kid who had nothing and no one. He was neglected and abused. He was starving and homeless.
He’s also a genius.
As a reader I had so many emotions towards him. Anger, fear, sympathy….to name a few.
Here’s the kicker. As atrocious as his actions are…it’s something to really take your feelings out of and think about. Think real hard here.
Over population is a real issue with no real answer that is morally sound. Make a one child rule like China? Definitely not morally sound. Make people apply and qualify to have a child? Still not okay. Forced sterilization? Big moral issue!
So, what is the real answer here? Because we need one.
This book explores one of those options. It gives a haunting look into the repercussions of literally stealing someones reproductive rights.
Art and Leeton are interesting characters. They are completely different people who get swept up into someone elses manipulation. The whole plot line there is extremely clever and calculating.
The disease is cleverly explained. The science terms used are technical but not overly so. It’s believability factor is high.
To see my full review, check out my blog AlliesOpinions on wordpress.
Brian Matterosi is a complex man. He’s a kid who had nothing and no one. He was neglected and abused. He was starving and homeless.
He’s also a genius.
As a reader I had so many emotions towards him. Anger, fear, sympathy….to name a few.
Here’s the kicker. As atrocious as his actions are…it’s something to really take your feelings out of and think about. Think real hard here.
Over population is a real issue with no real answer that is morally sound. Make a one child rule like China? Definitely not morally sound. Make people apply and qualify to have a child? Still not okay. Forced sterilization? Big moral issue!
So, what is the real answer here? Because we need one.
This book explores one of those options. It gives a haunting look into the repercussions of literally stealing someones reproductive rights.
Art and Leeton are interesting characters. They are completely different people who get swept up into someone elses manipulation. The whole plot line there is extremely clever and calculating.
The disease is cleverly explained. The science terms used are technical but not overly so. It’s believability factor is high.
To see my full review, check out my blog AlliesOpinions on wordpress.
September 26, 2015
This is not the genre I usually read but I was really intrigued by the idea behind the plot: a scientist is on trial for his life after engineering a virus to cause global infertility and 'save' the world. Part politial thriller, part courtroom drama, part Frank McCourt style memoir, the writing is consistently good, and the pace and suspense never flags.
The moral questions raised by the novel are thought-provoking and highly intelligent. The science stayed just on the right side of being overly technical, especially for someone like me who has a bit of an aversion to science. Characters much more believable (except for Rachel) and complex than anything you'll find in Dan Brown.
The moral questions raised by the novel are thought-provoking and highly intelligent. The science stayed just on the right side of being overly technical, especially for someone like me who has a bit of an aversion to science. Characters much more believable (except for Rachel) and complex than anything you'll find in Dan Brown.
July 29, 2015
3.5 Stars (July 2015)
Biogeneticist, Brian Matterosi is on trial for murder, but not the murder of just one person, the murder of billions, billions that will never be born. He’s engineered and dispersed a virus that will render the overpopulated nations of the world infertile; his version of population control that he feels will save the planet.
The story is told from two PoVs; the trial at the International Criminal Court in third person, and Brian’s first person account of his life via a “diary”. The author touches on all the hot-button issues of our current time: overpopulation, starvation, climate change, world politics, and science—the combination results in an intricate tale of a mad-scientist’s desire to mold the future of the world into his version of survival of the fittest. While you feel bad for Brian’s difficult life and upbringing, you also hate him for playing God.
The issues brought up in this novel are complicated enough, but the author manages to complicate things even more with an intriguing, fast paced tale that will leave you with the thought-provoking issues of our time spinning through your head. An enjoyable if not disturbing read!
This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review (see all our reviews at http://www.bookexplosions.com/ or on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... )
Biogeneticist, Brian Matterosi is on trial for murder, but not the murder of just one person, the murder of billions, billions that will never be born. He’s engineered and dispersed a virus that will render the overpopulated nations of the world infertile; his version of population control that he feels will save the planet.
The story is told from two PoVs; the trial at the International Criminal Court in third person, and Brian’s first person account of his life via a “diary”. The author touches on all the hot-button issues of our current time: overpopulation, starvation, climate change, world politics, and science—the combination results in an intricate tale of a mad-scientist’s desire to mold the future of the world into his version of survival of the fittest. While you feel bad for Brian’s difficult life and upbringing, you also hate him for playing God.
The issues brought up in this novel are complicated enough, but the author manages to complicate things even more with an intriguing, fast paced tale that will leave you with the thought-provoking issues of our time spinning through your head. An enjoyable if not disturbing read!
This book was provided to me for free for an honest and unbiased review (see all our reviews at http://www.bookexplosions.com/ or on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/... )
February 28, 2019
I enjoyed this book. It was thought provoking especially looking at the world as it is now.
June 3, 2015
Free book for honest review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
Graham Stull labels his book a political thriller. It is that with a touch of sci-fi added. It’s a remarkable achievement for a first novel.
The year is 2020. Hydra is a man-made virus that stops population growth by making its carriers incapable of making a baby. The story is told from three POV’s - Brian Matterosi the scientist who discovers and releases the virus, Art Blume the lawyer who defends him at the International Criminal Court, and Leeton Kgabu the prosecuting attorney.
Is Matterosi a deranged scientist or a savior? Earth is on course to an end from overpopulation, so maybe Hydra isn’t such a bad thing.
This is not your ordinary courtroom drama. Plenty of external action along with themes of coming-of-age, infidelity and parental struggle.
When the word political is used to describe a book or a movie today one thing you can be sure of...good guys are hard to find. Think “House of Cards”. It’s true here.
Stull can tell a story and his characters are believably flawed. The book has a surprise ending well worth the effort to read every word.
5 Stars
Bill
Graham Stull labels his book a political thriller. It is that with a touch of sci-fi added. It’s a remarkable achievement for a first novel.
The year is 2020. Hydra is a man-made virus that stops population growth by making its carriers incapable of making a baby. The story is told from three POV’s - Brian Matterosi the scientist who discovers and releases the virus, Art Blume the lawyer who defends him at the International Criminal Court, and Leeton Kgabu the prosecuting attorney.
Is Matterosi a deranged scientist or a savior? Earth is on course to an end from overpopulation, so maybe Hydra isn’t such a bad thing.
This is not your ordinary courtroom drama. Plenty of external action along with themes of coming-of-age, infidelity and parental struggle.
When the word political is used to describe a book or a movie today one thing you can be sure of...good guys are hard to find. Think “House of Cards”. It’s true here.
Stull can tell a story and his characters are believably flawed. The book has a surprise ending well worth the effort to read every word.
5 Stars
Bill
October 1, 2015
I was not at all attracted by this book because of its cover. I thought of a cheap thriller, which I usually do not read, but I started and I got completely trapped in it! I read it in record timing and really liked it. I liked the characters, not in the sense that I proved sympathy for them (it is actually very difficult to prove absolute sympathy for any of the characters in the book), but I liked the way of making them all very complex, in a different way each time. The ending was completely unexpected to me. I thought, once again wrongly, that I was done with the story, when suddenly, there is the twist of the last 20 pages which came completely unexpected...
I like the jumping between the present of the court and the past of the recording left by the main characters, even if I thought that those had be too much enriched with unnecessary sex scene.
I like the jumping between the present of the court and the past of the recording left by the main characters, even if I thought that those had be too much enriched with unnecessary sex scene.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2015
This book has a cast of well written characters and a strong story-line. It opens at the beginning of a trial taking place under the spotlight of the international media. Like all good trials both prosecution and defence present plausible arguments and my vote for guilty or not-guilty swung between the two. There is an interesting contrast between this courtroom drama being played out on the world stage and the intimately detailed back-story of the main character. The book is well paced and the story kept me guessing right to the end. There is a resolution of the main events but the key issues raised have stayed with me as there are no easy answers.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes fast-paced political thrillers or conspiracy theories.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes fast-paced political thrillers or conspiracy theories.
June 20, 2015
A real pager turner - enjoyable, well paced and with memorable characters.
I look forward to the author's next novel
I look forward to the author's next novel
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews