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The Regression Strain
Nobody’s safe when the inner beast awakens...
Dr. Peter Palma joins the medical team of the Paradise to treat passengers for minor ailments as the cruise ship sails across the Atlantic. But he soon discovers that something foul is festering under the veneer of leisure. Deep in the bowels of the ship, a vile affliction pits loved ones against each other and shatters the bonds of civil society. The brig fills with felons, the morgue with bodies, and the vacation becomes a nightmare.
One by one, the chaos claims Peter's allies. His mentor spirals into madness and the security chief fights a losing battle against anarchy. No help comes from the captain, who has an ego bigger than the ocean.
With the ship racing toward an unprepared New York, the fate of humanity hinges on Peter's deteriorating judgment. But he's hallucinating and delirious...and sometimes primal urges are impossible to resist.
The Regression Strain is a fast-paced medical thriller laced with psychological suspense, perfect for fans of Michael Crichton and Blake Crouch.
First Place Winner, 2025 IAN Book of the Year Award, Thriller category
Gold Medal, 2025 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest, General Thriller category
Medical Thriller of the Year, 2025 BestThrillers Book Awards contest
Best Adventure, 2025 Bookshelfie Awards
Dr. Peter Palma joins the medical team of the Paradise to treat passengers for minor ailments as the cruise ship sails across the Atlantic. But he soon discovers that something foul is festering under the veneer of leisure. Deep in the bowels of the ship, a vile affliction pits loved ones against each other and shatters the bonds of civil society. The brig fills with felons, the morgue with bodies, and the vacation becomes a nightmare.
One by one, the chaos claims Peter's allies. His mentor spirals into madness and the security chief fights a losing battle against anarchy. No help comes from the captain, who has an ego bigger than the ocean.
With the ship racing toward an unprepared New York, the fate of humanity hinges on Peter's deteriorating judgment. But he's hallucinating and delirious...and sometimes primal urges are impossible to resist.
The Regression Strain is a fast-paced medical thriller laced with psychological suspense, perfect for fans of Michael Crichton and Blake Crouch.
First Place Winner, 2025 IAN Book of the Year Award, Thriller category
Gold Medal, 2025 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest, General Thriller category
Medical Thriller of the Year, 2025 BestThrillers Book Awards contest
Best Adventure, 2025 Bookshelfie Awards
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2025
116 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Hwang
2 books78 followersKevin O. Hwang, MD, is a professor of internal medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston where he sees patients and teaches residents. His academic work has appeared in leading medical journals. Nothing excites him more than chicken enchiladas, index cards, and appropriately sized packaging. The Regression Strain, his debut novel, has won multiple awards, including first place in the Thriller category in the 2025 Independent Author Network (IAN) Book of the Year Award contest, Gold Medal for General Thriller in the 2025 Readers' Favorite International Book Award Contest, Medical Thriller of the Year in the 2025 BestThrillers Book Awards contest, and Best Adventure in the 2025 Bookshelfie Awards. The novel earned Second Place in both the Medical Thriller and Dystopian - Viruses, Plagues & Zombies categories at the 2025 BookFest Awards. The Regression Strain is also shortlisted for both the Clue Award for Suspense and Thriller and the Global Thriller Award in the 2025 Chanticleer International Book Awards competition.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
July 16, 2025
it’s nice and refreshing to get a bit of a zombie like thriller, where a doctor is even confused and doesn’t understand. I like the close proximity of them being on a cruise and the fact is the human emotions are all over the place with the decisions that they have to make the character development was really great. Kept me railing in like what is gonna happen next who is gonna do what. it’s a great read.
June 27, 2025
Something strange is happening…
The passengers and crew aboard the Paradise Cruise are acting like animals—literally. Dr. Peter Palma, the ship's new doctor, is overwhelmed with patients and bizarre cases, but as the chaos escalates, he starts to piece together the clues in a desperate attempt to uncover the source of the outbreak.
This book was an absolute page-turner. From the very first chapter, the plot pulled me in with its intriguing characters and steadily building suspense. It’s fast-paced, gripping, and had me constantly wondering what would happen next.
I especially loved the cast of characters:
Peter, our strong and determined main character, fights through the infection and refuses to let it take control.
Nali, his sister, selflessly steps up to care for a disabled boy after his mother goes missing.
Mandy, whose endless positivity and energy are contagious.
Luisa, the sassy, no-nonsense mother hen of the clinic.
The ship’s journey—from Copenhagen to Norway, Lisbon, and finally New York—adds a global, high-stakes feel to the story. And my favorite thriller trope, the race against time, is done incredibly well here.
If you enjoyed Dead Med by Freida McFadden or love thrillers set in isolated environments with impossible twists, high tension, and medical mystery, this one’s for you.
I absolutely loved this book. It gave me strong NCIS vibes with its blend of suspense, smarts, and action. That ending? Total jaw-drop. I’ll definitely be reading more from Kevin Hwang!
The passengers and crew aboard the Paradise Cruise are acting like animals—literally. Dr. Peter Palma, the ship's new doctor, is overwhelmed with patients and bizarre cases, but as the chaos escalates, he starts to piece together the clues in a desperate attempt to uncover the source of the outbreak.
This book was an absolute page-turner. From the very first chapter, the plot pulled me in with its intriguing characters and steadily building suspense. It’s fast-paced, gripping, and had me constantly wondering what would happen next.
I especially loved the cast of characters:
Peter, our strong and determined main character, fights through the infection and refuses to let it take control.
Nali, his sister, selflessly steps up to care for a disabled boy after his mother goes missing.
Mandy, whose endless positivity and energy are contagious.
Luisa, the sassy, no-nonsense mother hen of the clinic.
The ship’s journey—from Copenhagen to Norway, Lisbon, and finally New York—adds a global, high-stakes feel to the story. And my favorite thriller trope, the race against time, is done incredibly well here.
If you enjoyed Dead Med by Freida McFadden or love thrillers set in isolated environments with impossible twists, high tension, and medical mystery, this one’s for you.
I absolutely loved this book. It gave me strong NCIS vibes with its blend of suspense, smarts, and action. That ending? Total jaw-drop. I’ll definitely be reading more from Kevin Hwang!
February 9, 2026
Move over, Michael Crichton and Robin Cook. There’s a new specialist in the room, and his name is Kevin Hwang!
Young Dr. Peter Palma must put his own personal and physical demons behind him as he joins the medical team aboard the cruise ship Paradise. Something evil is brewing as the ship, with its 4000 passengers and crew, sails from Denmark to a final destination of New York City. Minor medical problems grow into uncontrollable symptoms and eventual death. No one is excluded from the grip of the disease … from deck hands to the captain, from the kitchen staff to the medical staff, from the richest passenger to a young boy in a wheelchair. Madness abounds, and Palma’s own suppressed demons crawl through the cracks.
Hwang presents a diverse cast of characters. Who will be next to demonstrate the disease indicators? Who will be next to die? Who is orchestrating this insanity? Why is it happening?
Kevin Hwang’s The Regression Strain is a fast-paced medical thriller. Think about The Poseidon Adventure meets The Andromeda Strain, then add even more pressure. Mark the last 100 pages to devour in one reading.
Young Dr. Peter Palma must put his own personal and physical demons behind him as he joins the medical team aboard the cruise ship Paradise. Something evil is brewing as the ship, with its 4000 passengers and crew, sails from Denmark to a final destination of New York City. Minor medical problems grow into uncontrollable symptoms and eventual death. No one is excluded from the grip of the disease … from deck hands to the captain, from the kitchen staff to the medical staff, from the richest passenger to a young boy in a wheelchair. Madness abounds, and Palma’s own suppressed demons crawl through the cracks.
Hwang presents a diverse cast of characters. Who will be next to demonstrate the disease indicators? Who will be next to die? Who is orchestrating this insanity? Why is it happening?
Kevin Hwang’s The Regression Strain is a fast-paced medical thriller. Think about The Poseidon Adventure meets The Andromeda Strain, then add even more pressure. Mark the last 100 pages to devour in one reading.
June 28, 2025
This is a fantastic story in the vein of “The Andromeda Strain” or “The Hot Zone.” As a potentially globally devastating disease begins to spread, the medical professionals find themselves fighting bureaucracy as much as the virus.
Peter has had some professional and personal problems. He has taken a job on a cruise ship hoping for a relaxing recovery treating sprains and hangovers. Alas, it’s not to be. As the ship reaches International waters, an unknown pathogen begins to spread. The only other doctor aboard, his boss, is disabled by the disease and Peter finds himself leading the fight.
The ship’s captain is also effected and in denial about the danger. He resists Peter’s attempts to stop the spread. If things can’t get any worse, Peter soon comes to suspect this may be a man made agent, spread by a terrorist who is likely aboard and hunting him.
While there is sufficient science to support the premise, the reader isn’t overwhelmed in technical terminology or procedures. This is a thrilling and compelling tale, well worth the time to read.
Peter has had some professional and personal problems. He has taken a job on a cruise ship hoping for a relaxing recovery treating sprains and hangovers. Alas, it’s not to be. As the ship reaches International waters, an unknown pathogen begins to spread. The only other doctor aboard, his boss, is disabled by the disease and Peter finds himself leading the fight.
The ship’s captain is also effected and in denial about the danger. He resists Peter’s attempts to stop the spread. If things can’t get any worse, Peter soon comes to suspect this may be a man made agent, spread by a terrorist who is likely aboard and hunting him.
While there is sufficient science to support the premise, the reader isn’t overwhelmed in technical terminology or procedures. This is a thrilling and compelling tale, well worth the time to read.
February 2, 2026
You might never want to go on a cruise again!
I have enjoyed cruising, but we all hear about what can go wrong. Imagine being on a ship, far from home, and getting sick or even dying. That does not sound like a fun time to me. However, that is what Dr. Peter Palma is experiencing on this ship. Not the dying part, but a mystery illness that is affecting the crew and passengers at an alarming rate. He thought this job was going to be easy, but he walked into a hornet's nest without even realizing it.
I do not speak or understand much medical jargon, and I was pleased to see that while the author is a doctor, he made it so that anyone could understand what was happening to the patients. I don't want to spoil anything, but as I read further and understood more, I predicted a few things before they happened. What I did not predict was who was behind all of this. That was quite a surprise. And how was the virus spreading? Whoa. Let's just say I think I would be safe, but for reasons similar to Mandy.
Outside of the thriller, this is also about family reconnecting, especially when times are tough. The relationship between Peter and Nali, his sister. There are other notable characters, including Mandy and Luisa, who work with Peter in the medical facility.
This thriller is fast-paced, and although it spans nearly two weeks, it does not feel that long. The flow is continuous and kept me engaged from start to finish. I also enjoyed the imagery throughout the novel.
We give this book 5 paws up.
I have enjoyed cruising, but we all hear about what can go wrong. Imagine being on a ship, far from home, and getting sick or even dying. That does not sound like a fun time to me. However, that is what Dr. Peter Palma is experiencing on this ship. Not the dying part, but a mystery illness that is affecting the crew and passengers at an alarming rate. He thought this job was going to be easy, but he walked into a hornet's nest without even realizing it.
I do not speak or understand much medical jargon, and I was pleased to see that while the author is a doctor, he made it so that anyone could understand what was happening to the patients. I don't want to spoil anything, but as I read further and understood more, I predicted a few things before they happened. What I did not predict was who was behind all of this. That was quite a surprise. And how was the virus spreading? Whoa. Let's just say I think I would be safe, but for reasons similar to Mandy.
Outside of the thriller, this is also about family reconnecting, especially when times are tough. The relationship between Peter and Nali, his sister. There are other notable characters, including Mandy and Luisa, who work with Peter in the medical facility.
This thriller is fast-paced, and although it spans nearly two weeks, it does not feel that long. The flow is continuous and kept me engaged from start to finish. I also enjoyed the imagery throughout the novel.
We give this book 5 paws up.
June 20, 2025
Peter Palma signs on as a shipboard doctor on a cruise, hoping he’ll get a much-needed change of scene and some distance from his personal problems, while he helps passengers with sunburn and seasickness.
But unfortunately, he’s not about to get any of that in this thriller. Almost immediately, Peter notices something’s a little off on the ship. Passengers seem a bit volatile, a bit too stressed for vacationers, and his new boss seems a little strange, almost like she has no filter. It’s the beginning of a twisty medical thriller.
Plus his little sister shows up as a passenger on the cruise, so poor Peter’s not even going to get any space and solitude to face his personal issues!
The Regression Strain isn’t exactly a locked-room mystery, but it had many of the elements I enjoy in locked-room mysteries. Because almost the entire book takes place on the ship, there’s no ability to call in police when passengers turn violent or to send very serious patients to the emergency room. Sure, Peter can call and email other physicians, but he’s largely on his own, making high-stakes decisions as best he can.
Full review, contains mild spoilers
But unfortunately, he’s not about to get any of that in this thriller. Almost immediately, Peter notices something’s a little off on the ship. Passengers seem a bit volatile, a bit too stressed for vacationers, and his new boss seems a little strange, almost like she has no filter. It’s the beginning of a twisty medical thriller.
Plus his little sister shows up as a passenger on the cruise, so poor Peter’s not even going to get any space and solitude to face his personal issues!
The Regression Strain isn’t exactly a locked-room mystery, but it had many of the elements I enjoy in locked-room mysteries. Because almost the entire book takes place on the ship, there’s no ability to call in police when passengers turn violent or to send very serious patients to the emergency room. Sure, Peter can call and email other physicians, but he’s largely on his own, making high-stakes decisions as best he can.
Full review, contains mild spoilers
June 23, 2025
If you thought cruise ships were all umbrella drinks and sun decks, The Regression Strain is here to ruin that fantasy—in the best way possible.
The Regression Strain throws you into a pressure-cooker scenario onboard a cruise ship that’s anything but relaxing. What starts as a seemingly routine medical gig for Dr. Peter Palma quickly spirals into chaos. Passengers are falling ill—but this isn’t your typical virus. This is a full-blown regression of the human psyche, dragging people down into their most primal, violent instincts.
Perfect for fans of Michael Crichton, Robin Cook, or anyone who wants their beach read to come with a side of existential dread. Just maybe don’t bring it on a cruise…
Read my full spoiler-free review here: https://savoryourreads.com/2025/06/th...
The Regression Strain throws you into a pressure-cooker scenario onboard a cruise ship that’s anything but relaxing. What starts as a seemingly routine medical gig for Dr. Peter Palma quickly spirals into chaos. Passengers are falling ill—but this isn’t your typical virus. This is a full-blown regression of the human psyche, dragging people down into their most primal, violent instincts.
Perfect for fans of Michael Crichton, Robin Cook, or anyone who wants their beach read to come with a side of existential dread. Just maybe don’t bring it on a cruise…
Read my full spoiler-free review here: https://savoryourreads.com/2025/06/th...
July 21, 2025
The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang is a medical thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The novel starts with Dr. Peter Palmer joining the medical team aboard the cruise ship, Paradise. Unfortunately, as he soon learns, the ship's moniker is as far from the truth as it gets - nor is the laid back job helping happy vacationers laid back!
The novel takes place after COVID restrictions have lifted and life has gotten back to normal. However, when people start coming into the clinic, first with minor respiratory symptoms, and later with aggression in its many forms, Peter begins to suspect a virus. Slowly, everyone in his new life begins to change - and his hope for a rest from the anxiety of his life turns to fear and dread.
Is the virus natural or man-made? Is someone behind its spread? Can he stop the rest of the ship from getting sick? Will anything he does be 'too little, too late'?
This is a quick read that will have you breathlessly turning the page to find out if Peter can save first the ship - but more importantly, the world.
The novel takes place after COVID restrictions have lifted and life has gotten back to normal. However, when people start coming into the clinic, first with minor respiratory symptoms, and later with aggression in its many forms, Peter begins to suspect a virus. Slowly, everyone in his new life begins to change - and his hope for a rest from the anxiety of his life turns to fear and dread.
Is the virus natural or man-made? Is someone behind its spread? Can he stop the rest of the ship from getting sick? Will anything he does be 'too little, too late'?
This is a quick read that will have you breathlessly turning the page to find out if Peter can save first the ship - but more importantly, the world.
November 3, 2025
A friend of mine was on a cruise while I was reading this book and I kept putting her in this scenario. It sure made things feel more real for me.
I’m a fan of stories where the setting is a challenge as much as the situation is. A cruise ship may be huge but it’s still a ship…. floating on the vast ocean. You can communicate by phone and radio, but help isn’t just five minutes away. And the people aboard the ship, Paradise, soon find that out.
Dr. Peter Palma thinks serving as a physician on the ship will be easy peasy. When things start going sideways, and the do so quickly, he’s confronting something no one could imagine. A virus is traceling through the ship. It’s not picky on who it infects. People are becoming violent. People are getting hurt. Can he, with his limited knowledge of the virus and low medical supplies figure things out? Or will the ship arrive at port carrying a mass of lunatics?
Well, this was intense. I liken it to the calm before the storm. That’s how it felt. And the storm grew and grew. If I ever did take a cruise, I’m sure this book would enter my mind.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
I’m a fan of stories where the setting is a challenge as much as the situation is. A cruise ship may be huge but it’s still a ship…. floating on the vast ocean. You can communicate by phone and radio, but help isn’t just five minutes away. And the people aboard the ship, Paradise, soon find that out.
Dr. Peter Palma thinks serving as a physician on the ship will be easy peasy. When things start going sideways, and the do so quickly, he’s confronting something no one could imagine. A virus is traceling through the ship. It’s not picky on who it infects. People are becoming violent. People are getting hurt. Can he, with his limited knowledge of the virus and low medical supplies figure things out? Or will the ship arrive at port carrying a mass of lunatics?
Well, this was intense. I liken it to the calm before the storm. That’s how it felt. And the storm grew and grew. If I ever did take a cruise, I’m sure this book would enter my mind.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
August 26, 2025
Bioterrorism on a boat...
The Regression Strain is an excellent bioterrorism thriller set on a cruise ship. At first, people are acting a bit off, then off the wall. The virus is engineered to damage the brain and cause people to act on base instincts. The quality of the writing is first rate, with well written and conceived characters, real medical background, A great story and a highly compelling and entertaining story that matches up with the plot. I really enjoyed The Regression Strain and look forward to reading more from Hwang! 5/5 stars, highly recommended for fans of thrillers in general, but especially to fans of excellent medical thrillers!
The Regression Strain is an excellent bioterrorism thriller set on a cruise ship. At first, people are acting a bit off, then off the wall. The virus is engineered to damage the brain and cause people to act on base instincts. The quality of the writing is first rate, with well written and conceived characters, real medical background, A great story and a highly compelling and entertaining story that matches up with the plot. I really enjoyed The Regression Strain and look forward to reading more from Hwang! 5/5 stars, highly recommended for fans of thrillers in general, but especially to fans of excellent medical thrillers!
June 20, 2025
Anatomy of a carnivorous vanishing
Kevin Hwang’s The Regression Strain offers a taut, intellectually charged contribution to the medical thriller genre, reframing the traditional outbreak narrative within the hyper-contained environment of a transatlantic cruise ship. As the vessel Paradise sails toward New York, a mysterious illness erupts onboard, exposing not only biological vulnerability but also the fragile scaffolding of societal order. Hwang's TRS orbits around Dr. Peter Palma, whose professional expectations dissolve amid a crisis that escalates from minor clinical cases to mass hysteria, violent disintegration, and psychosis. The affliction—rendered almost sentient in its capacity to manipulate perception and behaviour—collapses the boundaries between instinct and rationality, forcing readers to confront the instability of both medical authority and human civility.
Hwang’s prose is unrelentingly paced yet layered with psychological nuance. Rather than simply tracing the trajectory of contagion, the novel interrogates the porous line between empirical knowledge and primal impulse, especially as Palma himself becomes increasingly unreliable. Hallucinations, moral ambiguity, and the decay of social bonds accumulate as the disease corrodes not only bodies but also cognition. By embedding the outbreak within a claustrophobic space where escape is impossible and authority is crumbling, Hwang transforms The Regression Strain into a study of dread and ethical erosion under pressure. The cruise ship becomes a laboratory for testing not just virological hypotheses but the tensile strength of trust, memory, and identity in extremis.
What distinguishes this novel from formulaic pandemic thrillers is its tonal complexity and atmospheric density. At once clinically precise and emotionally fraught, the story juxtaposes visceral horror with intimate revelations. Secondary characters—many of whom grapple with their own traumas and relational conflicts—are drawn with enough interiority to elevate the tale beyond spectacle. Echoes of contemporary global health crises resonate throughout, yet the text resists reductive allegory in favour of a more existential meditation on the limits of science, the volatility of the human mind, and the deceptive comforts of civilisation. In that sense, Hwang’s debut is a wondrous synthesis of suspense, pathology, and philosophical reflection—a compelling fiction that interrogates the stability of reason itself.
Kevin Hwang’s The Regression Strain offers a taut, intellectually charged contribution to the medical thriller genre, reframing the traditional outbreak narrative within the hyper-contained environment of a transatlantic cruise ship. As the vessel Paradise sails toward New York, a mysterious illness erupts onboard, exposing not only biological vulnerability but also the fragile scaffolding of societal order. Hwang's TRS orbits around Dr. Peter Palma, whose professional expectations dissolve amid a crisis that escalates from minor clinical cases to mass hysteria, violent disintegration, and psychosis. The affliction—rendered almost sentient in its capacity to manipulate perception and behaviour—collapses the boundaries between instinct and rationality, forcing readers to confront the instability of both medical authority and human civility.
Hwang’s prose is unrelentingly paced yet layered with psychological nuance. Rather than simply tracing the trajectory of contagion, the novel interrogates the porous line between empirical knowledge and primal impulse, especially as Palma himself becomes increasingly unreliable. Hallucinations, moral ambiguity, and the decay of social bonds accumulate as the disease corrodes not only bodies but also cognition. By embedding the outbreak within a claustrophobic space where escape is impossible and authority is crumbling, Hwang transforms The Regression Strain into a study of dread and ethical erosion under pressure. The cruise ship becomes a laboratory for testing not just virological hypotheses but the tensile strength of trust, memory, and identity in extremis.
What distinguishes this novel from formulaic pandemic thrillers is its tonal complexity and atmospheric density. At once clinically precise and emotionally fraught, the story juxtaposes visceral horror with intimate revelations. Secondary characters—many of whom grapple with their own traumas and relational conflicts—are drawn with enough interiority to elevate the tale beyond spectacle. Echoes of contemporary global health crises resonate throughout, yet the text resists reductive allegory in favour of a more existential meditation on the limits of science, the volatility of the human mind, and the deceptive comforts of civilisation. In that sense, Hwang’s debut is a wondrous synthesis of suspense, pathology, and philosophical reflection—a compelling fiction that interrogates the stability of reason itself.
September 15, 2025
Aboard the opulent ship, Paradise, Dr. Peter Palma has been hired to heal minor injuries and ailments for the wealthy vacationers. But he quickly realizes something is very wrong when some passengers become impulsive and aggressive. A young man jumps to his death, a passenger tries to strangle another, and a mother abandons her severely disabled son. Plus, hallucinations and puzzling flu-like symptoms have Peter and his team stumped. Trying to get support from his superior, Dr. Hartley, proves an impossible task as she, too, seems to be plagued by erratic behavior.
Peter feels a deep urgency to get to the bottom of this, all the while grappling with his declining mental health. Are they up against a highly contagious infection, or could the chaos be drug-induced? Peter has to make the right judgment call; the fate of the passengers depends on it!
The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang is a fast-paced medical thriller with a unique setting. An idyllic voyage quickly transforms into mayhem as the ship becomes a petri dish of infection and chaos. Without the help of his superior, Peter has to trust his gut and work within the limitations of a ship that is dangerously unprepared and low on medical supplies. Brace yourselves for this exciting, albeit high-stakes, novel.
I love medical dramas, and this one did not disappoint! Rife with puzzling symptoms, a swift-acting doctor, and just enough new medical terminology for my next Google search, the novel checked all the boxes. Maybe I missed my calling as a doctor because nothing brought me more joy than making amateur diagnoses, while Peter sussed out what was wrong with each patient he encountered. (I gave myself a well-deserved pat on the back when my diagnoses were anything remotely close to his.)
Hwang has done an excellent job creating a propulsive book that is unputdownable. Between the heart-pumping chaos of a crew and passengers on the verge of lunacy, and the depth of character development of Peter in particular, the novel should be at the top of your reading list. What’s more entertaining than a luxury cruise gone feral and in charge of it all is a doctor battling delusions and inappropriate impulses? (I can’t think of anything.) If you love fast-paced, high-stress series like The Pitt, then The Regression Strain will appeal to your inner medical nerd!
Peter feels a deep urgency to get to the bottom of this, all the while grappling with his declining mental health. Are they up against a highly contagious infection, or could the chaos be drug-induced? Peter has to make the right judgment call; the fate of the passengers depends on it!
The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang is a fast-paced medical thriller with a unique setting. An idyllic voyage quickly transforms into mayhem as the ship becomes a petri dish of infection and chaos. Without the help of his superior, Peter has to trust his gut and work within the limitations of a ship that is dangerously unprepared and low on medical supplies. Brace yourselves for this exciting, albeit high-stakes, novel.
I love medical dramas, and this one did not disappoint! Rife with puzzling symptoms, a swift-acting doctor, and just enough new medical terminology for my next Google search, the novel checked all the boxes. Maybe I missed my calling as a doctor because nothing brought me more joy than making amateur diagnoses, while Peter sussed out what was wrong with each patient he encountered. (I gave myself a well-deserved pat on the back when my diagnoses were anything remotely close to his.)
Hwang has done an excellent job creating a propulsive book that is unputdownable. Between the heart-pumping chaos of a crew and passengers on the verge of lunacy, and the depth of character development of Peter in particular, the novel should be at the top of your reading list. What’s more entertaining than a luxury cruise gone feral and in charge of it all is a doctor battling delusions and inappropriate impulses? (I can’t think of anything.) If you love fast-paced, high-stress series like The Pitt, then The Regression Strain will appeal to your inner medical nerd!
March 1, 2026
4.5 stars
***SPOILERS BELOW***
In works about contagions, one of my favorite things is the very start of the outbreak, when one or two people have been infected and things are just starting to get a little odd. The main sees things happening that are a bit "off" but they don't realize exactly what's happening yet, and of course they have no idea just how bad it's going to get. I love the "something's a little off" feeling at the start of works like this, and Kevin Hwang did a great job with this aspect of the novel.
When Peter is nearly attacked by the dad in the elevator, the woman suddenly hitting on him hardcore, the others having difficulty rousing Peter from sleep... These little things would just seem like throwaway moments or coincidences at first. They are just little things that seem odd but probably wouldn't be given another thought normally. But as more "strange moments" add up, they start seeming less like coincidences and more like something in their situation is really...off. And I love that feeling in this type of story.
The pacing of this novel was really good. The writing was great & succinct, giving a clear picture of what was happening but without getting wordy in the least. Peter was a very relatable & sympathetic character. I loved how unreliable he became as the virus began affecting him more & more. I loved the descriptions of the ship. As someone who has been on a few cruises, the descriptions felt very real and familiar to me. I also loved the "contained" feeling of this novel -- that it was set on a cruise ship which was isolated from the rest of the world. It gave the whole thing some boundaries & parameters, while also making it a little scarier because there was no escape.
I had been wanting to read this novel for several months after hearing about it late last year. I had hoped it was as good as it sounded from the summary, and it actually ended up being even better than that. I found myself drawn back to this novel every time I put it down. This is probably the best (non-zombie) "contagion" novel I've read so far, and I hope to read more in a similar vein from Kevin Hwang in the future!
***SPOILERS BELOW***
In works about contagions, one of my favorite things is the very start of the outbreak, when one or two people have been infected and things are just starting to get a little odd. The main sees things happening that are a bit "off" but they don't realize exactly what's happening yet, and of course they have no idea just how bad it's going to get. I love the "something's a little off" feeling at the start of works like this, and Kevin Hwang did a great job with this aspect of the novel.
When Peter is nearly attacked by the dad in the elevator, the woman suddenly hitting on him hardcore, the others having difficulty rousing Peter from sleep... These little things would just seem like throwaway moments or coincidences at first. They are just little things that seem odd but probably wouldn't be given another thought normally. But as more "strange moments" add up, they start seeming less like coincidences and more like something in their situation is really...off. And I love that feeling in this type of story.
The pacing of this novel was really good. The writing was great & succinct, giving a clear picture of what was happening but without getting wordy in the least. Peter was a very relatable & sympathetic character. I loved how unreliable he became as the virus began affecting him more & more. I loved the descriptions of the ship. As someone who has been on a few cruises, the descriptions felt very real and familiar to me. I also loved the "contained" feeling of this novel -- that it was set on a cruise ship which was isolated from the rest of the world. It gave the whole thing some boundaries & parameters, while also making it a little scarier because there was no escape.
I had been wanting to read this novel for several months after hearing about it late last year. I had hoped it was as good as it sounded from the summary, and it actually ended up being even better than that. I found myself drawn back to this novel every time I put it down. This is probably the best (non-zombie) "contagion" novel I've read so far, and I hope to read more in a similar vein from Kevin Hwang in the future!
June 12, 2025
A Mind-Blowing Medical Thriller
"The Regression Strain" by Kevin Hwang is a mind-blowing medical thriller that I couldn't put down! In this story, Dr. Peter Palma joins The Paradise medical team on a cruise ship trip heading to New York. Yet what was meant to be a basic job treating minor illnesses and injuries ends up turning into a nightmare pandemic filled with deadly threats and delusion. Dr. Palma must find a way to stop the deadly disease from spreading before it's too late. Yet the lines between what's real and what's a hallucination begin to blur, causing him to be unsure of who to trust... including himself.
This book is a striking blend of mystery, psychological suspense, realistic fiction, romance, and science/medical fiction that draws the reader in and has them wanting to know more about both the mysterious illness and the characters' backstories. I like how there is a strong emotional depth to the story, especially with Dr. Palma and both his dark past, vulnerability, and earnest need to help others.
The characters in this story excellently showcase emotional complexity and moral dilemmas, both inside and out. They are relatable to the reader as well, immersing you into the story right alongside them. The world-building is incredible, and the setting is so realistic that I could clearly picture it in my mind and really feel the emotionally-charged atmosphere. I really enjoyed the fast pace of the story and how it kept me engaged and guessing throughout it. It really made me think about the relationship between future medical science, human complexity, morality, and survival instincts. Certain aspects reminded me of the pandemic in 2020.
How far can modern medicine go to save us, and what's worth risking? It can make you doubt reality, yourself, and others' best interests. I highly recommend this gripping and intriguing tale to all mystery, psychological suspense, and science/medical fiction enthusiasts for an edge-of your-seat adventure!
"The Regression Strain" by Kevin Hwang is a mind-blowing medical thriller that I couldn't put down! In this story, Dr. Peter Palma joins The Paradise medical team on a cruise ship trip heading to New York. Yet what was meant to be a basic job treating minor illnesses and injuries ends up turning into a nightmare pandemic filled with deadly threats and delusion. Dr. Palma must find a way to stop the deadly disease from spreading before it's too late. Yet the lines between what's real and what's a hallucination begin to blur, causing him to be unsure of who to trust... including himself.
This book is a striking blend of mystery, psychological suspense, realistic fiction, romance, and science/medical fiction that draws the reader in and has them wanting to know more about both the mysterious illness and the characters' backstories. I like how there is a strong emotional depth to the story, especially with Dr. Palma and both his dark past, vulnerability, and earnest need to help others.
The characters in this story excellently showcase emotional complexity and moral dilemmas, both inside and out. They are relatable to the reader as well, immersing you into the story right alongside them. The world-building is incredible, and the setting is so realistic that I could clearly picture it in my mind and really feel the emotionally-charged atmosphere. I really enjoyed the fast pace of the story and how it kept me engaged and guessing throughout it. It really made me think about the relationship between future medical science, human complexity, morality, and survival instincts. Certain aspects reminded me of the pandemic in 2020.
How far can modern medicine go to save us, and what's worth risking? It can make you doubt reality, yourself, and others' best interests. I highly recommend this gripping and intriguing tale to all mystery, psychological suspense, and science/medical fiction enthusiasts for an edge-of your-seat adventure!
October 16, 2025
MY THOUGHTS -
Whoa, this book is so good !! SO GOOD! Like crazy good! It is intense! When I say all hell breaks loose, I would not be kidding! This story was pretty unreal,,, and yet felt pretty darn real!
This is… The Walking Dead meets Grey’s Anatomy meets The Love Boat! All that wrapped up in one fantastically scary, action packed novel!
I am a huge lover of medical thrillers! I would actually say they are one of my favorite genres. So this book was definitely perfect for me! It passed the test for sure.
I don’t think this book hardly has a slow page in it! It just builds, and builds, and builds. Also, great character building. Dr. Palma, Peter, I thought was a great character! I really liked him. He was definitely the superhero in this story. He just never gave up. Even when he probably should have. And thank God he didn't.
You know that point in a book where everything just kind of hits you? I had that moment in this book about halfway through! I mean the whole thing is so good, but halfway through I had that “oh my gosh!“ moment. And I knew that this was not going to end well!
I think I have found a new Author in Kevin Hwang. I certainly hope he continues to write. I will be following him. This book will be making my list for favorite books of 2025 for sure!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours. Thank You!
Whoa, this book is so good !! SO GOOD! Like crazy good! It is intense! When I say all hell breaks loose, I would not be kidding! This story was pretty unreal,,, and yet felt pretty darn real!
This is… The Walking Dead meets Grey’s Anatomy meets The Love Boat! All that wrapped up in one fantastically scary, action packed novel!
I am a huge lover of medical thrillers! I would actually say they are one of my favorite genres. So this book was definitely perfect for me! It passed the test for sure.
I don’t think this book hardly has a slow page in it! It just builds, and builds, and builds. Also, great character building. Dr. Palma, Peter, I thought was a great character! I really liked him. He was definitely the superhero in this story. He just never gave up. Even when he probably should have. And thank God he didn't.
You know that point in a book where everything just kind of hits you? I had that moment in this book about halfway through! I mean the whole thing is so good, but halfway through I had that “oh my gosh!“ moment. And I knew that this was not going to end well!
I think I have found a new Author in Kevin Hwang. I certainly hope he continues to write. I will be following him. This book will be making my list for favorite books of 2025 for sure!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours. Thank You!
March 23, 2026
This medical thriller takes us into a nerve-wracking scenario. The novel is set aboard a luxurious cruise ship crossing the Atlantic. A routine voyage transforms into a nightmare as a mysterious affliction spreads among passengers, triggering violence, paranoia, and a collapse of human behavior. The carefree travel is replaced with escalating dread.
Dr. Peter Palma, a physician, joins the ship’s medical team expecting to handle minor illnesses and routine emergencies. Instead, he finds himself confronting something far more sinister. A strange condition begins to emerge among passengers, one that seems to awaken primal instincts buried deep within the human mind. As the disease spreads, the social order aboard the ship disintegrates. Friends turn on each other, families fracture under the strain of sudden aggression. The once-peaceful vessel becomes a floating pressure cooker of fear and chaos.
The novel builds its tension well. I haven't read something like this in a while. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Kevin Hwang has effectively mixed the elements of medical science, psychological suspense, and horror. The Regression Strain is an eye opener on what happens when science uncovers something that awakens the darkest corners of human nature.
Dr. Peter Palma, a physician, joins the ship’s medical team expecting to handle minor illnesses and routine emergencies. Instead, he finds himself confronting something far more sinister. A strange condition begins to emerge among passengers, one that seems to awaken primal instincts buried deep within the human mind. As the disease spreads, the social order aboard the ship disintegrates. Friends turn on each other, families fracture under the strain of sudden aggression. The once-peaceful vessel becomes a floating pressure cooker of fear and chaos.
The novel builds its tension well. I haven't read something like this in a while. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Kevin Hwang has effectively mixed the elements of medical science, psychological suspense, and horror. The Regression Strain is an eye opener on what happens when science uncovers something that awakens the darkest corners of human nature.
April 3, 2026
The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang is a medical thriller set on board of a cruise ship. Peter Palma, is our MMC in this book and he is a doctor who is hired for a cruise ship doctor position. He is supposed to be treating patients for minor issues, but from the moment he boards the ship he finds weirdness and things that are wrong with passengers. Peter also finds out that his younger sister has joined the same cruise ship that he is working on as a chorus line dancer for one of the shows. A horrible accident happens on the ship after Peter starts his doctoring and the captain and the crew are left wondering why. I really liked this thriller, it kept my attention from the beginning to the end of the book. I love the premise of a close quarters cruise ship environment. That was a brilliant way to write this story and to incorporate the medical issues that Peter faces. I loved the characters, especially Peter and Mandy:) The medical mystery keeps you guessing to the very end! I love that the author wrote a story about what could happen on a cruise ship with illness as a lot of people take a ship and need to be aware that something like this plot could absolutely happen in modern day. I will be checking out more by the author soon!
October 4, 2025
This novel is right out of today's headlines as yet another cruise ship recently reported a virus on board. Hwang has upped the danger by making this virus part of a dedicated attack on all humans. It's now only Peter who can save the future of humanity.
Hwang's writing style is good. He keeps the action moving along at a good pace. I like that the hero ends up working pretty much on his own as others succumb to the disease. We hold our breath as we wonder if Peter can finish the task before he too falls to the disease's mental oblivion. There is a good balance of plot progression mixed with Peter dealing with the mistakes in his past. There are interesting interludes of people behaving as their base animal selves, and even Peter gets caught up in it.
This is a good medical thriller, especially on the heels of Covid. It makes me wonder how prepared the world is for a new plague. This is an engaging novel to read. Just don't read it right before you go on that cruise you are planning!
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Hwang's writing style is good. He keeps the action moving along at a good pace. I like that the hero ends up working pretty much on his own as others succumb to the disease. We hold our breath as we wonder if Peter can finish the task before he too falls to the disease's mental oblivion. There is a good balance of plot progression mixed with Peter dealing with the mistakes in his past. There are interesting interludes of people behaving as their base animal selves, and even Peter gets caught up in it.
This is a good medical thriller, especially on the heels of Covid. It makes me wonder how prepared the world is for a new plague. This is an engaging novel to read. Just don't read it right before you go on that cruise you are planning!
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
February 8, 2026
This thriller offered a unique and engaging ride, especially with its cruise ship setting, which added an extra layer of tension and atmosphere to the story. One of the standout elements for me was how the author thoughtfully sprinkled Felipe’s storyline throughout the book. His character and struggles felt authentic and reminded me of my own brother who has faced addiction, making those moments especially impactful. The flashbacks and the emotional connections tied to the sibling relationship were handled in a way that felt real and meaningful.
It did take me a little while at the beginning to understand exactly where the story was heading. At first, I was unsure whether the focus would lean toward zombies, illness outbreaks, or relationship-driven drama, but once the narrative took shape, I had a much clearer sense of the journey and found myself more fully invested. The main character’s strong will and tendency to push forward even when unsure of their own judgment is a trait I always enjoy reading, and it added depth to the story.
Overall, the unique setting, layered character elements, and emotional undercurrents made this an enjoyable and memorable thriller.
It did take me a little while at the beginning to understand exactly where the story was heading. At first, I was unsure whether the focus would lean toward zombies, illness outbreaks, or relationship-driven drama, but once the narrative took shape, I had a much clearer sense of the journey and found myself more fully invested. The main character’s strong will and tendency to push forward even when unsure of their own judgment is a trait I always enjoy reading, and it added depth to the story.
Overall, the unique setting, layered character elements, and emotional undercurrents made this an enjoyable and memorable thriller.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2026
The Regression Strain was a fairly quick read. Personally, I’m not a fast reader at all, but Hwang’s style makes trudging through 300 + pages feel seamless. Not to mention my own connection to Texas, and the peripheral knowledge of medical terms my girlfriend’s obsession with medical shows has made me privy to, immersing myself into the story was pretty easy. Fortunately, the story isn’t encumbered with a litany of terms I would have to continually research. I would have appreciated a little more development of the characters though. There were moments I was questioning the motivations of some of the choices of the main characters that removed me from the suspense to criticize the writing. Aside from that, it’s for sure a Thriller I would recommend, especially for folks that have issues with confinement.
September 27, 2025
Dr. Peter Palma wanted a change of scenery so he joins a cruise ship as a doctor. It is a long cruise with passengers getting on and off at ports for various stays on the ship. Peter’s new job has a rocky start with a traumatic injury. Then he notices passengers being overly aggressive and starts to look into a link. Could there be an outbreak on the ship?
The best way to read this book is to dive in and suspend everything you think you know. I’d recently gone on a cruise and kept picking the ship I was on in the story. This would a scary trip for passengers and baffling for the medical staff. I enjoyed the realistic portrayal of the ship and the medical mystery. I hope something like this book never happens in real life!!!
The best way to read this book is to dive in and suspend everything you think you know. I’d recently gone on a cruise and kept picking the ship I was on in the story. This would a scary trip for passengers and baffling for the medical staff. I enjoyed the realistic portrayal of the ship and the medical mystery. I hope something like this book never happens in real life!!!
March 15, 2026
What if a virus made you do things you really wanted to? Impulses? Urges? And what if they all happened on a cruise ship. The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang is a medical thriller set on the cruise ship The Paradise. New doctor Peter Palma takes a job on the ship as one of the rotating physicians. Thinking he will do minor duties in a small clinic and a fresh start he sets out, only to quickly determine that something is not right on the ship. More and more passengers start to show strange symptoms that are out of character. The captain and head doctor dismiss his concerns. When more and more show up at the clinic, Peter knows he has an epidemic on board. This is a fast-paced story and is well written. The reader finds out early that the author, due to his medical background, knows his stuff but is written in a way that doesn't get bogged down in terminology. I give it 4 1/2 stars.
March 18, 2026
What a journey. What seems like a great mash-up of an episode of Pit on a cruise with a hint of a murder mystery quickly escalates into an international pandemic with action and tension that gave me vibes of James Patterson and Michael Crichton, with a pinch of Stephen King. I love a man vs. nature thriller but this one has an extra layer of possibly more. (trying not to give away spoilers). Satisfying ending, super creepy start, and middle. It's not horror but the possibility of something spreading and making humans act in a bizarre, violent, and erratic way makes it unpredictable, so we never know what kind of bad thing is going to happen next, a young doctor with very little experience (and some trauma to deal with) to be the one to get to the bottom of it all.
July 2, 2025
This book starts off seemingly like any other but quickly turns into something you can't put down until it's finished.
Dr.Palma thinks he is taking an easy trip helping out on a cruise ship to treat minor thing's but what awaits him is so much more.
Between the deadly outbreak, the criminals, the bodies piling up and the hysteria it's all so much.
He must decide who he can trust and quickly even though he is beginning to not even be able to trust himself.
This is a thriller that keeps you second guessing anything and everything, what's really real?
I truly enjoyed this read and felt it gave me everything I was searching for and more.
Dr.Palma thinks he is taking an easy trip helping out on a cruise ship to treat minor thing's but what awaits him is so much more.
Between the deadly outbreak, the criminals, the bodies piling up and the hysteria it's all so much.
He must decide who he can trust and quickly even though he is beginning to not even be able to trust himself.
This is a thriller that keeps you second guessing anything and everything, what's really real?
I truly enjoyed this read and felt it gave me everything I was searching for and more.
June 20, 2025
This debut novel is so well written. Caught my attention right at the start and the twists and turns throughout the book are so unexpected but perfect. Not only that, but there are also heartwarming moments which I didnt expect in a thriller book. This author writes books in a way that are easy to understand and enjoyable at every moment! Amazing book!
June 26, 2025
Picked this up on a whim and tore through it in two sittings! it was intense, creepy and way too plausible. The medical angle made it even more chilling so I passed it to my brother knowing he’d be hooked too. If you like fast-paced thrillers that mess with your head, this one delivers.
February 20, 2026
could not put this down
The regression strain is a great medical thriller with just enough details of both cruising and medical science to be interesting to a wide audience. The characters are flawed and believable. I was hooked immediately and read it in a day. What a fun read!
The regression strain is a great medical thriller with just enough details of both cruising and medical science to be interesting to a wide audience. The characters are flawed and believable. I was hooked immediately and read it in a day. What a fun read!
August 26, 2025
Just one more reason I will never take a cruise.
Well written, with likeable and believable characters. Very easy read, even with all the medical jargon sprinkled in.
Well written, with likeable and believable characters. Very easy read, even with all the medical jargon sprinkled in.
October 21, 2025
Exciting from start to finish! I hope the author writes a sequel so we can get a another adventure with Dr. Palma
February 14, 2026
An amazing medical thriller with detailed and realistic characters. As a regular cruiser and still coping with the effects of West Nile Encephalitis, this hit on many levels. Despite the catastophic effects of the "regression strain" disease, the book ends with a softly uplifting message for anyone coping with difficulties.
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