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The Plague Confederacy #2
Contagion: Eyre
Eyre has survived the collapse of the galactic empire better than most of the lost colonies with a central government, a world trade network, an effective medical system - and a pathological fear of death. When the medical re-contact ship, Waiora, arrives with its dual mission of finding the plague and stabilizing surviving colonies, its crew is quickly immersed in a religious schism that threatens their mission and their lives. As a mysterious contagion threatens lives and incites revolution against the Caducean Order, the Waiorans must choose between the success of their mission and their most deeply held values. This is the second volume of The Plague Confederacy series from Alison Sinclair.
- GenresScience Fiction
290 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2015
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About the author
Alison Sinclair
35 books82 followersAlison Sinclair is a science fiction and fantasy author.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 2, 2015
The government of Eyre is a theocracy, led by the Caducean Order. According to their religion, only members of the clergy, dux, are allowed to learn the concepts and practice of medicine. Disease and death are greatly feared. If an individual succumbs to illness, it is presumed that they have been Stained by sin or disobedience.
When a landing team from the medical ship, Waiora, arrives requesting permission to examine records from the time of the plague and remains from plague graveyards, religious conflict arises. Adding to the troubles on Eyre is the emergence of a rapidly spreading contagion which certain members of the Order blame on the landing team.
Contagion: Eyre is a simply incredible novel. From the first page I found myself immersed in the story told alternately from the viewpoints of members of the landing crew, members of the Caducean Order, and members of the resistance. The different viewpoints added depth and cohesiveness to the narrative. It also made it possible to fully understand the challenges posed when individuals from drastically different backgrounds have to communicate for the first time. The Waiorans come from other worlds, with different levels of technology, and a different approach to medicine. The people of Eyre are not prepared for such a sudden challenge to their beliefs and worldview. Conflict is inevitable.
Although light on action, Contagion: Eyre is an electrifying read. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys science fiction. It is the second volume of The Plague Confederacy, and I look forward to future installments.
I received a copy of Contagion: Eyre from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
When a landing team from the medical ship, Waiora, arrives requesting permission to examine records from the time of the plague and remains from plague graveyards, religious conflict arises. Adding to the troubles on Eyre is the emergence of a rapidly spreading contagion which certain members of the Order blame on the landing team.
Contagion: Eyre is a simply incredible novel. From the first page I found myself immersed in the story told alternately from the viewpoints of members of the landing crew, members of the Caducean Order, and members of the resistance. The different viewpoints added depth and cohesiveness to the narrative. It also made it possible to fully understand the challenges posed when individuals from drastically different backgrounds have to communicate for the first time. The Waiorans come from other worlds, with different levels of technology, and a different approach to medicine. The people of Eyre are not prepared for such a sudden challenge to their beliefs and worldview. Conflict is inevitable.
Although light on action, Contagion: Eyre is an electrifying read. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys science fiction. It is the second volume of The Plague Confederacy, and I look forward to future installments.
I received a copy of Contagion: Eyre from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
August 28, 2021
Now that i got into the book, Amazon has removed it from my library. Cannot finish it, alas.
June 21, 2016
Three and a half stars.
What do you get when you mix sci fi and medicine? You get the Plague Confederacy Series, possibly the only example of Medical Space Opera.
After mixed feelings about the first book in the series, I’m not entirely sure why I picked up this one, but I’m glad I did, there was much to love. It was not an easy read – it took me weeks, taking it in small chunks – but I stuck with it because it intrigued me. Here’s why:
It does that wonderful space opera thing of putting us onto a whole new world and a society at once different from ours and believable. In this book, we have a post-plague society with a medical-based theology, melding the concepts of physical and spiritual ‘stain’. Those who dare to question why power rests entirely with the Caducean Order are subject to mind-altering drug treatments known as ‘mercies’ by psychopractors. Those who work with the dead, the necropractors, must ritually cleanse themselves.
So when the confederacy team arrive wishing to study their gravesites, right in the middle of a revolutionary uprising, they are quickly accused of doing the work of the Adversary.
Like the first book in the series, the story is told through a variety of major characters. This was one of the reasons I found it a hard read, because it was a big ask to develop a strong enough bond with each of these characters to handle all the changes in point of view. I kept feeling that it would work wonderfully as a television series, with more visual clues to bring these people and their environment fully to life.
What I particularly liked was that we spent more time in the pov of my favourite character, Teo, the ninety-something-year-old no-nonsense doctor with surgical tools embedded in her prosthetic hand. She’s wonderful.
Altogether, this was sort-of great and sort-of flawed, at once an intriguing and frustrating read. I’d recommend it for the unique melding of medical, spiritual and political manoeuvrings.
What do you get when you mix sci fi and medicine? You get the Plague Confederacy Series, possibly the only example of Medical Space Opera.
After mixed feelings about the first book in the series, I’m not entirely sure why I picked up this one, but I’m glad I did, there was much to love. It was not an easy read – it took me weeks, taking it in small chunks – but I stuck with it because it intrigued me. Here’s why:
It does that wonderful space opera thing of putting us onto a whole new world and a society at once different from ours and believable. In this book, we have a post-plague society with a medical-based theology, melding the concepts of physical and spiritual ‘stain’. Those who dare to question why power rests entirely with the Caducean Order are subject to mind-altering drug treatments known as ‘mercies’ by psychopractors. Those who work with the dead, the necropractors, must ritually cleanse themselves.
So when the confederacy team arrive wishing to study their gravesites, right in the middle of a revolutionary uprising, they are quickly accused of doing the work of the Adversary.
Like the first book in the series, the story is told through a variety of major characters. This was one of the reasons I found it a hard read, because it was a big ask to develop a strong enough bond with each of these characters to handle all the changes in point of view. I kept feeling that it would work wonderfully as a television series, with more visual clues to bring these people and their environment fully to life.
What I particularly liked was that we spent more time in the pov of my favourite character, Teo, the ninety-something-year-old no-nonsense doctor with surgical tools embedded in her prosthetic hand. She’s wonderful.
Altogether, this was sort-of great and sort-of flawed, at once an intriguing and frustrating read. I’d recommend it for the unique melding of medical, spiritual and political manoeuvrings.
November 12, 2015
Even though this story takes place in far-flung reaches it is a tale steeped in a very 'earthly' and age-old conflict - advancement vs. religion. Adding an element of excitement and anxiety to this conflict is an urgency of eminent death from a viral contagion if the more unyielding zealots of the Caducean Order remain mired in their beliefs and choose to save their 'essence' at the sacrifice of their physical bodies.
Told from widely varying viewpoints and perceptions all of which add to your understanding of otherwise unthinkable and unreasonable actions from opposing civilizations, this novel is very enjoyable.
I would recommend it for not only the enticing fact that we are immersed in science fiction, but that we are also involved in a very believable controversy. Thank you to Goodreads for this opportunity.
Told from widely varying viewpoints and perceptions all of which add to your understanding of otherwise unthinkable and unreasonable actions from opposing civilizations, this novel is very enjoyable.
I would recommend it for not only the enticing fact that we are immersed in science fiction, but that we are also involved in a very believable controversy. Thank you to Goodreads for this opportunity.
February 23, 2016
After the Great Plague, the lost colony world Eyre is ruled by a medical order turned religion that's obsessed with removing Stain, both physical diseases and spiritual heresy. Into this comes the medical re-contact team from the New Confederation who walk a tight rope between interfering with the colony's beliefs and their own mission... Strong tension between the various groups kept me turning pages.
Quibble: Phi's recklessness annoyed me.
Quibble: Phi's recklessness annoyed me.
January 16, 2018
This second book in the Plague Confederacy series is even better than the first, presenting an all-too-plausible dystopian society. Things are not necessarily for the best if the doctors are put in charge. I'm looking forward to what comes next in this series.
July 19, 2020
An entertaining story I read in the backdrop of Covid-19. Alison Sinclair tells a tale with a myriad of complexities, including the fundamental continuing war between science and faith dozens of centuries into the future. An excellent read!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews