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Omega Pathogen
The horrific plague that has spread throughout the world today began in the 1950’s, when Soviet geologists searching for valuable minerals happen upon human remains that had been buried for thousands of years. The remains are packaged and shipped to Moscow for further study.
Anthropologists studying the remains realize they are ancient and they discover something else, a virus hidden inside the brain tissue of the dead. The virus is ancient and possibly the original form of rabies. Virologists are added to the study. After decades of research, and being turned into a bioweapon, the virus is placed in cold storage and largely forgotten during Glasnost.
Over sixty years after the virus is first discovered it is released upon the world. Those infected with the Siberian Cannibalistic Aggressive Rabies virus turn into mad, salivating, primitive forms of their former selves. They seek out and attack nearly anything that moves. Those not infected must flee and kill those with the S.C.A.R. virus to keep from being ripped to shreds or turned into a ravenous version of their former self.
In the middle of the mayhem, Jim Matthews and his family try to survive. Jim is a paramedic, an ex-police officer and former private security team medic in Iraq. Jim and his wife and children can no longer hold out in their family home with the hordes of infected growing in number and flee.
Jim and his family are compelled by loyalty attempt to travel thousands of miles in the hope they can locate the rest of their family. As they scavenge and fight infected and non-infected marauders along their way, they must rely on each other to have any chance at survival in this new and terrifying world caused by the plague.
Anthropologists studying the remains realize they are ancient and they discover something else, a virus hidden inside the brain tissue of the dead. The virus is ancient and possibly the original form of rabies. Virologists are added to the study. After decades of research, and being turned into a bioweapon, the virus is placed in cold storage and largely forgotten during Glasnost.
Over sixty years after the virus is first discovered it is released upon the world. Those infected with the Siberian Cannibalistic Aggressive Rabies virus turn into mad, salivating, primitive forms of their former selves. They seek out and attack nearly anything that moves. Those not infected must flee and kill those with the S.C.A.R. virus to keep from being ripped to shreds or turned into a ravenous version of their former self.
In the middle of the mayhem, Jim Matthews and his family try to survive. Jim is a paramedic, an ex-police officer and former private security team medic in Iraq. Jim and his wife and children can no longer hold out in their family home with the hordes of infected growing in number and flee.
Jim and his family are compelled by loyalty attempt to travel thousands of miles in the hope they can locate the rest of their family. As they scavenge and fight infected and non-infected marauders along their way, they must rely on each other to have any chance at survival in this new and terrifying world caused by the plague.
- GenresZombies
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2015
14 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 13, 2015
As far as I’m concerned, the premise of this story is totally believable. I have a background in anthropology and researchers are finding long-dead ancient viruses more and more frequently. It wouldn’t be a far stretch to think that one might wreak havoc on humanity at some point. The S.C.A.R. virus was an all-too-believable scenario for me which just added to the thrill of the story. Very cool.
Beyond just the S.C.A.R. premise, you can tell that J.G. Hicks Jr. took his time in setting up this horrific, post-apocalyptic world. It’s detailed, and the characters aren’t just guys running around—they’re people with rich backgrounds that color their behavior and how they cope with the crisis.
I didn’t realize this book was just a part of the ‘Omega Pathogen’ series when I first picked it up, but I don’t think it really mattered in terms of understanding and readability. I was able to follow and enjoy Jim Matthews’ story with little difficulty.
Beyond just the S.C.A.R. premise, you can tell that J.G. Hicks Jr. took his time in setting up this horrific, post-apocalyptic world. It’s detailed, and the characters aren’t just guys running around—they’re people with rich backgrounds that color their behavior and how they cope with the crisis.
I didn’t realize this book was just a part of the ‘Omega Pathogen’ series when I first picked it up, but I don’t think it really mattered in terms of understanding and readability. I was able to follow and enjoy Jim Matthews’ story with little difficulty.
April 28, 2015
The second book in the Omega Pathogen series, "Mayhem" delves into the origins of a horrible plague while also showing the aftermath of its spread on society. The virus, called the Siberian Cannibalistic Aggressive Rabies virus, turns ordinary people into killers.
The protagonist is Jim Matthews, a sharp, resourceful man whose priority is surviving with his family. Fortunately, Jim has plenty of survival skills, as a paramedic and former cop. The plot of the story is well paced with lots of action and suspense. I love that the story switches from modern day with Jim to decades ago in the Soviet Union, to build the back story of the virus. The author does a great job describing the virus and making the reader see how it developed into the threat that is putting Jim in danger. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic fiction.
The protagonist is Jim Matthews, a sharp, resourceful man whose priority is surviving with his family. Fortunately, Jim has plenty of survival skills, as a paramedic and former cop. The plot of the story is well paced with lots of action and suspense. I love that the story switches from modern day with Jim to decades ago in the Soviet Union, to build the back story of the virus. The author does a great job describing the virus and making the reader see how it developed into the threat that is putting Jim in danger. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic fiction.
September 19, 2015
I loved the first book and while it was short, it got me completely hooked. I love how the characters are realistic and like your average neighbors just trying to survive. I happen to live in the town which this book is based and I also love reading about areas and streets that I know. The book comes alive even more in my mind. Both the present and the past start to come together to help understand how this infection comes to be. I started reading Mayhem at my desk at work; I got to work 45 minutes early. When I finally looked up I was almost saddened to see it was 8am and I had to start work. I continued reading at lunch and had the same "problem" at 1pm. Now I'm at home and I hope I can finish before bedtime because I don't want to stop.
March 25, 2015
Keeps getting better.
The trek begun by Jim Matthews and his family in the first installment continues here. Along the way they pick up compatriots, deal with multiple sorts of enemy, and do lots and lots of shooting :) We're also given quite a bit of backstory on the raging SCAR virus, which could command a book all its own.
This installment builds tremendously on the first and is action-packed from the beginning. My only quibbles are that the proofreading slips quit a bit toward the end, and that the ending is (understandably but frustratingly!) a cliffhanger. Can't wait to see how this continues.
The trek begun by Jim Matthews and his family in the first installment continues here. Along the way they pick up compatriots, deal with multiple sorts of enemy, and do lots and lots of shooting :) We're also given quite a bit of backstory on the raging SCAR virus, which could command a book all its own.
This installment builds tremendously on the first and is action-packed from the beginning. My only quibbles are that the proofreading slips quit a bit toward the end, and that the ending is (understandably but frustratingly!) a cliffhanger. Can't wait to see how this continues.
April 21, 2015
I had read the beginning book in this series and loved it, so was excited to get my hands on the next one in the series. I was absolutely captivated by the Omega Pathogen: Mayhem from the beginning and found it an incredibly hard book to put down. It is both intriguing and action packed, with some truly great characters. For a sci-fi book this has a really believable premise- which makes the plot all the more chilling and enticing. It was great to see where Jim and his family had got to in their struggle to survive and see how the story continued to unfold. I thoroughly enjoyed the second book by Hicks, and after that ending I can hardly wait for more! Hurry up with the next one please!
July 17, 2015
I could not stop reading. Ended up reading the whole thing in one day. It was riveting. I loved the fact that the author did not dumb down the tech for the guns and the vehicles. The descriptions of the infected eating habits were explicit. I am going to have to get the second book. I really need to find out if Jim finds his family.
January 14, 2016
Awesome!
J.G. Does a great job with Omega Pathogen: Mayhem! The characters are fun, cool, and interesting. Jim is who we wish we would be in this situation. It is well worth the time.
J.G. Does a great job with Omega Pathogen: Mayhem! The characters are fun, cool, and interesting. Jim is who we wish we would be in this situation. It is well worth the time.
March 28, 2015
Excellent book
This book was really good but I sure hope the author has the next one ready real quick. What an ending!!
This book was really good but I sure hope the author has the next one ready real quick. What an ending!!
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January 21, 2016Good read
Very good book and it was free I just wish I could get the rest free couldn't put it down
Very good book and it was free I just wish I could get the rest free couldn't put it down
November 22, 2015
Better
This is 100 percent better. I love it. You are a good story teller. I enjoyed this so much. I am about to read the third book in your set now.
This is 100 percent better. I love it. You are a good story teller. I enjoyed this so much. I am about to read the third book in your set now.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews