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Newsflesh #3.3
Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus
As Dr. Abbey knows, there are difficulties in running an underground virology lab in a post-Rising America.
And unwanted guests must be dealt with.
And unwanted guests must be dealt with.
124 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2015
56 people are currently reading
2241 people want to read
About the author
Mira Grant
47 books6,086 followersMira also writes as Seanan McGuire.
Born and raised in Northern California, Mira Grant has made a lifelong study of horror movies, horrible viruses, and the inevitable threat of the living dead. In college, she was voted Most Likely to Summon Something Horrible in the Cornfield, and was a founding member of the Horror Movie Sleep-Away Survival Camp, where her record for time survived in the Swamp Cannibals scenario remains unchallenged.
Mira lives in a crumbling farmhouse with an assortment of cats, horror movies, comics, and books about horrible diseases. When not writing, she splits her time between travel, auditing college virology courses, and watching more horror movies than is strictly good for you. Favorite vacation spots include Seattle, London, and a large haunted corn maze just outside of Huntsville, Alabama.
Mira sleeps with a machete under her bed, and highly suggests that you do the same.
Born and raised in Northern California, Mira Grant has made a lifelong study of horror movies, horrible viruses, and the inevitable threat of the living dead. In college, she was voted Most Likely to Summon Something Horrible in the Cornfield, and was a founding member of the Horror Movie Sleep-Away Survival Camp, where her record for time survived in the Swamp Cannibals scenario remains unchallenged.
Mira lives in a crumbling farmhouse with an assortment of cats, horror movies, comics, and books about horrible diseases. When not writing, she splits her time between travel, auditing college virology courses, and watching more horror movies than is strictly good for you. Favorite vacation spots include Seattle, London, and a large haunted corn maze just outside of Huntsville, Alabama.
Mira sleeps with a machete under her bed, and highly suggests that you do the same.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
May 16, 2020
i had no idea that mira grant had written ANOTHER newsflesh novella until i got my copy of Chimera in the mail and i saw this one listed on the "also by" page. i ran to my computer and bought it IMMEDIATELY and as soon as i finished Chimera, i read this even though a better person would have hoarded it instead of burning through all the available mira grant and finding themselves completely bankrupt of mira grant words to read.
but i'm not complaining. much.
generally speaking, you can read these newsflesh standalones in any order you please. however, in this case, you would be doing yourself a disservice to read this one without having read The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell first.
this is a story about dr. shannon abbey and ALSO a beloved character from Blackout who i'd always wanted more time with, and as i was reading this i got SO EXCITED to see them pop up and then as the story continued to unfold i had a moment of total readerheartgasm (if you are reading this, skip, this is also not a real word) when i realized how this story connected not only to Blackout, but also to The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell. i read Blackout so long ago that i don't remember how much of this character's backstory was revealed there, so maybe this wasn't a surprise to other readers, but when i was reading The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell, i didn't realize that that character was the same as the Blackout-character i so loved, and when all the connections were revealed in this story i was over the freaking moon with joy and delight and screaming. not literally. literally i squeaked instead of screaming, because it's rude to wake people who live in your apartment up with screaming. unless there is actual peril. then you should totally scream.
outstanding stuff here.
i hope she never ever stops writing these stories, and if she has more stuff like this in her - where she collapses stories into other stories in the most exquisite ways, well i might just scream after all. sleepers beware.
i'm sorry if this "review" makes no sense to you. because that means you have not read enough mira grant. get on that immediately.
come to my blog!
but i'm not complaining. much.
generally speaking, you can read these newsflesh standalones in any order you please. however, in this case, you would be doing yourself a disservice to read this one without having read The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell first.
this is a story about dr. shannon abbey and ALSO a beloved character from Blackout who i'd always wanted more time with, and as i was reading this i got SO EXCITED to see them pop up and then as the story continued to unfold i had a moment of total readerheartgasm (if you are reading this, skip, this is also not a real word) when i realized how this story connected not only to Blackout, but also to The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell. i read Blackout so long ago that i don't remember how much of this character's backstory was revealed there, so maybe this wasn't a surprise to other readers, but when i was reading The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell, i didn't realize that that character was the same as the Blackout-character i so loved, and when all the connections were revealed in this story i was over the freaking moon with joy and delight and screaming. not literally. literally i squeaked instead of screaming, because it's rude to wake people who live in your apartment up with screaming. unless there is actual peril. then you should totally scream.
outstanding stuff here.
i hope she never ever stops writing these stories, and if she has more stuff like this in her - where she collapses stories into other stories in the most exquisite ways, well i might just scream after all. sleepers beware.
i'm sorry if this "review" makes no sense to you. because that means you have not read enough mira grant. get on that immediately.
come to my blog!
May 24, 2016
2.5 stars. This was okay, but normally Mira Grant explores and element of society affected by the The Rising in her novellas. This was just a short story about two of the side characters, and although it was an easy quick read, I thought it wasn't as good as the rest of the series.
September 27, 2016
intresting
December 7, 2015
I REALLLY love this series, the author builds her world with feet firmly planted in plausible (and sometimes current) science. The series is also known to be light on the zombie chomping and heavy on strong characterization.
This novella seem to focus on the rogue scientist, Dr Shannon Abby but actually it revolved around Foxy (if you don’t know who she is then you have to read book 3) This add-on was not as fun as How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea but I was still left with a feeling of satisfaction when I was done.
If you don't know this series go look at Feed and take the plunge.
This novella seem to focus on the rogue scientist, Dr Shannon Abby but actually it revolved around Foxy (if you don’t know who she is then you have to read book 3) This add-on was not as fun as How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea but I was still left with a feeling of satisfaction when I was done.
If you don't know this series go look at Feed and take the plunge.
September 9, 2018
I picked this book up on a whim - I like the title and cover!
I've not read anything else in this series but it didn't matter at all - this had everything I wanted in a quick and random read; sass, action, imagination, humour and a good ending.
It was something a bit different that really worked for me - very entertaining.
I've not read anything else in this series but it didn't matter at all - this had everything I wanted in a quick and random read; sass, action, imagination, humour and a good ending.
It was something a bit different that really worked for me - very entertaining.
July 24, 2015
Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus takes us into the mind—and laboratory—of Dr. Shannon Abbey, who rightly believes that one should not taunt the octopus. But despite the silly title, this latest installment in the Newsflesh universe is just as serious and devastating as expected. It starts off rather slow, mostly introducing us to Dr. Abbey and her lab, but her voice carries the narrative. It's fascinating to see this character from the other side, to see the depth behind her crafted "mad scientist" persona. In a way, the whole novella is about the need to go a little mad to stay sane in a mad world. The plot kicks off once Dr. Abbey discovers a mysterious woman in the woods, and her investigation into her identity is a good source of tension. Once she finds out who she is, though, hoo boy, things get kicked up a notch, and the tension just keeps rising up to and through the climax. A small subplot involving a CDC spy doesn't really have a payoff, which was mildly disappointing. I did enjoy Dr. Abbey's hacker friend, though, and hope to see her again in future installments. But what Grant does in this one...I can't even say without spoilers. This one's a real treat for Newsflesh fans, a must-read.
July 16, 2016
3.5 stars
When it started w Dr Abby trying to get Barney the octopus down off of the light fixture and he takes the stick and pokes her back (& then whacks her head) I thought this was going to be funny and maybe it would counter balance the emotional destruction that last story did to my heart.
I was wrong.
This is a story about a few incidents that take place at Dr. Abby's lab. We also learn what happened to Elaine from The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell
When it started w Dr Abby trying to get Barney the octopus down off of the light fixture and he takes the stick and pokes her back (& then whacks her head) I thought this was going to be funny and maybe it would counter balance the emotional destruction that last story did to my heart.
I was wrong.
This is a story about a few incidents that take place at Dr. Abby's lab. We also learn what happened to Elaine from The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell
September 25, 2015
This is a novella set in the Newsflesh series but needs to be read after all the books otherwise there are too many spoilers. The story focuses on Dr Abbey and an attack on her lab. Of course she is also constantly dealing with spies from the CDC and that is brought up in the story. A good solid read but you must have read the other books first to get the best out of the story otherwise the surprise at the end will not make that much sense.
An ebook original
An ebook original
July 21, 2015
I love these novellas for adding so much background to the Newsflesh world, and this one definitely doesn't disappoint. It was great to see Dr Abbey again, and to learn how her underground lab keeps functioning. Not as action-packed as some of the others (which isn't a bad thing!) this instead had room for more character development and twists. And octopi!
August 5, 2015
I love Octopi. They are so damn smart and cool. I was exciting to see the latest installment of Ms. Grant's zombie opus included them. Since this is a NO SPOILER review I can't say who else showed up but one person broke my heart a little. It's a very good novella and well worth an afternoon.
August 20, 2015
This brings it all back and makes me realize just how much I've missed this series. Thank goodness there will be more!!!
September 8, 2023
comment on health care. Chills. Have a safe word when you try to change the word - science is cruel. The way these novels Connect is amazing! The follow up to the school teacher was devastating but I love it.
November 25, 2017
Anyone else totally in love with our mad scientist? And Foxy makes an appearance too! I haven't read her own novella, but I plan on it. :)
December 29, 2020
And so ends the last story in the world of the zombie rising. Not with a boom or a bang but with a smile.
July 13, 2018
No zombies :-( And not enough Octopus :-(
September 15, 2015
"We can raise the dead. We can cure cancer. We can make the world better in every possible way, save one: No matter how hard we try, we just can't cure stupid.”
I do miss Dr. Abbey and her snarky humor. Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus is a novella set in Newsflesh world. Dr. Abbey is this mad scientist that I came to love and be leery at the same time, and seeing that she finally have her moment, I was excited to read this one.
Fave quote:
"I didn't recognize what she was describing as love but I had been around long enough to understand that sometimes love doesn't look alike anything you would expect. Sometimes love is a spider hiding in the corner of the room, dark and brooding and terrible to anyone who doesn't experience love in the exact way. That's what makes love so dangerous , and so impossible to destroy. You can't kill what you see.”
Anyway, what we have here is an octopus named Barney, scientists who smoke marijuana, one giant dog and an asshole who just can't take no for an answer. So read this book.,/b>
I do miss Dr. Abbey and her snarky humor. Please Do Not Taunt the Octopus is a novella set in Newsflesh world. Dr. Abbey is this mad scientist that I came to love and be leery at the same time, and seeing that she finally have her moment, I was excited to read this one.
Fave quote:
"I didn't recognize what she was describing as love but I had been around long enough to understand that sometimes love doesn't look alike anything you would expect. Sometimes love is a spider hiding in the corner of the room, dark and brooding and terrible to anyone who doesn't experience love in the exact way. That's what makes love so dangerous , and so impossible to destroy. You can't kill what you see.”
Anyway, what we have here is an octopus named Barney, scientists who smoke marijuana, one giant dog and an asshole who just can't take no for an answer. So read this book.,/b>
May 31, 2016
Did you know that octopus held grudges?
Mira Grant is at it again, this time from another unique point of view: Dr. Abbey — the underground virologist. Follow her as she deals with “everyday” issues and some much bigger ones.
My first word of warning. Do not read this if you haven’t read all three in the Newsflesh series. But, another warning is definitely do not read this until you have finished the novels and The Day The Dead Came to Show and Tell. This book does contain spoilers to the three books, so please be warned.
If you enjoyed Dr. Abbey’s point of view in the novels, then you will definitely enjoy this novella. It had me cracking up throughout it. Dr. Abbey is just an incredibly funny character that is allowed to shine in Grant’s novels and specifically this novella.
The overall feel of this book was to give the reader a better understanding of the underground virology world that Dr. Abbey was a part of. And also, show them what threats she and her co-workers we under every day.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novella. I picked it up on a Sunday afternoon and I didn’t put it down until I was finished with it. Mira Grant has a way of doing that to me, though.
Did you enjoy this review? Find more like it at Brian's Book Blog
Mira Grant is at it again, this time from another unique point of view: Dr. Abbey — the underground virologist. Follow her as she deals with “everyday” issues and some much bigger ones.
My first word of warning. Do not read this if you haven’t read all three in the Newsflesh series. But, another warning is definitely do not read this until you have finished the novels and The Day The Dead Came to Show and Tell. This book does contain spoilers to the three books, so please be warned.
If you enjoyed Dr. Abbey’s point of view in the novels, then you will definitely enjoy this novella. It had me cracking up throughout it. Dr. Abbey is just an incredibly funny character that is allowed to shine in Grant’s novels and specifically this novella.
The overall feel of this book was to give the reader a better understanding of the underground virology world that Dr. Abbey was a part of. And also, show them what threats she and her co-workers we under every day.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novella. I picked it up on a Sunday afternoon and I didn’t put it down until I was finished with it. Mira Grant has a way of doing that to me, though.
Did you enjoy this review? Find more like it at Brian's Book Blog
August 13, 2015
More a 3.5. Novella in the Newsflesh series regarding Dr. Shannon Abbey.
My biggest complaint about this novella is probably just that the character of Shannon Abbey is so very like the character of Dr. Cale from Grant's Parasitology series that I sometimes got confused which story and which traits belonged to which. Grant definitely has some repeating character types (look at how much Newsflesh's Foxy is like Parasitology's Tanzy) and it can make it harder to tell the series apart, remember which storylines belong to which series.
What I liked most about this novella, though, is that--of the to-date Newsflesh novellas--this one felt the most like it's pushing the story forward, post-Blackout. I have enjoyed every single Newsflesh story, but by and large, they've been illustrative, embroidering on what already is but not pushing too far into the future. Which makes sense if Grant wants to leave herself room to (maybe) work on a new series some unknown time in the future, but Octopus really feels like the first story that is pushing into that unknown future, where new connections are being made and I liked that.
My biggest complaint about this novella is probably just that the character of Shannon Abbey is so very like the character of Dr. Cale from Grant's Parasitology series that I sometimes got confused which story and which traits belonged to which. Grant definitely has some repeating character types (look at how much Newsflesh's Foxy is like Parasitology's Tanzy) and it can make it harder to tell the series apart, remember which storylines belong to which series.
What I liked most about this novella, though, is that--of the to-date Newsflesh novellas--this one felt the most like it's pushing the story forward, post-Blackout. I have enjoyed every single Newsflesh story, but by and large, they've been illustrative, embroidering on what already is but not pushing too far into the future. Which makes sense if Grant wants to leave herself room to (maybe) work on a new series some unknown time in the future, but Octopus really feels like the first story that is pushing into that unknown future, where new connections are being made and I liked that.
July 22, 2016
Love the novella. Especially the perfect touch of Dr. Abbey's objection & consistent rejection & calling out of the ableism of the term "mad scientist", because I am very tired of casual slurs against me & other disabled people as a mentally ill & physically impaired person, & it's very comforting to see a talented, now deservedly well-known & awarded author speak up about ableist language, especially towards people with mental illness.
I know Seanan/Mira has OCD, like me (I'm not outing her, she's pretty open about it), and it would be even better to have this kind of attitude towards ableist bullshit coming from an author who does not have first-hand experience, as well as one who does, but it really is great to have it, all the same.
It is a pity, however, that far too many of the reviewers here don't seem to have taken that on board as anything more than yet another little quirk of an oddball character, though, & are using the term "mad scientist" themselves with no apparent concern for the issues involved. Sigh.
I have the odd nitpick, & I'll go into more detail on those on my next read, but for now, 4.25*.
I know Seanan/Mira has OCD, like me (I'm not outing her, she's pretty open about it), and it would be even better to have this kind of attitude towards ableist bullshit coming from an author who does not have first-hand experience, as well as one who does, but it really is great to have it, all the same.
It is a pity, however, that far too many of the reviewers here don't seem to have taken that on board as anything more than yet another little quirk of an oddball character, though, & are using the term "mad scientist" themselves with no apparent concern for the issues involved. Sigh.
I have the odd nitpick, & I'll go into more detail on those on my next read, but for now, 4.25*.
January 19, 2019
2018:
I don't usually re read books but I needee comfort book when all others felt too much. After this I read 2,5 of newsflesh trilogy and I still think this is better than the trilogy.
The shoehorned references of Shaun seemed little out of place. I guess if you are coming to this book to have more of Newsflesh you want those but I think this book didn't need so many of those.
2015:
For once I will complain that the book was too short. There were octopus, there were lab and there were scientist. Although there was too little of the octopus. Needs more Barney!
I haven't read other newsflesh books and I feel it wasn't necessary. I read sample of the first book so I knew the people this book referenced. I probably spoiled the previous books for me but I couldn't resist octopus. Will probably now read the others too.
I don't usually re read books but I needee comfort book when all others felt too much. After this I read 2,5 of newsflesh trilogy and I still think this is better than the trilogy.
The shoehorned references of Shaun seemed little out of place. I guess if you are coming to this book to have more of Newsflesh you want those but I think this book didn't need so many of those.
2015:
For once I will complain that the book was too short. There were octopus, there were lab and there were scientist. Although there was too little of the octopus. Needs more Barney!
I haven't read other newsflesh books and I feel it wasn't necessary. I read sample of the first book so I knew the people this book referenced. I probably spoiled the previous books for me but I couldn't resist octopus. Will probably now read the others too.
July 24, 2015
If the title won't draw you in I don't know what will. I wondered what the heck Octopus/Octopi would have to do with the story, turns out they made for a great opening! I had to laugh at the antics of Barney and the odd relationship that Dr. Abbey had with him.
Dr. Abbey was funny in her views of her job, her relationship with her staff and the legitimate organizations like hers. You could tell that newbies weren't quite sure what to make of her, but loved her once they got to know her.
The mystery woman made me sad, mostly because I remember her better as a teacher not her alter ego. She was quite scary at the end, but will be a good ally for Dr. Abbey.
Dr. Abbey was funny in her views of her job, her relationship with her staff and the legitimate organizations like hers. You could tell that newbies weren't quite sure what to make of her, but loved her once they got to know her.
The mystery woman made me sad, mostly because I remember her better as a teacher not her alter ego. She was quite scary at the end, but will be a good ally for Dr. Abbey.
March 31, 2016
Short story set after the Feed trilogy ends. I would only recommend reading it if you've read the series as it features secondary characters who were developed more extensively in the longer works. Although this comes in the list after the story The Day the Dead Came to Show and Tell, I highly recommend reading them together in either order. I like Show and Tell a little better as it is more horrifying/disturbing and is set in early post-Rising. As this one is set after the Feed series ends, it is 30+ years post Rising but features a cross over character in both. There is some great zombie fiction out there, but Grant remains my favorite series.
February 23, 2017
Okay, so I mostly read this at work, which is kinda fun. Also, this was really good. Like, more like 4.5 stars. Not quite 5 stars, but almost. This absolutely reaffirms my decision to read anything by Mira Grant (and Seanan McGuire) -- it's always a good, of potentially heartbreaking, time.
Also, it was super convenient timing to start reading this right before Rise was released. I didn't plan it that way; I didn't even realize Rise was coming out. Weird, huh?
Also, it was super convenient timing to start reading this right before Rise was released. I didn't plan it that way; I didn't even realize Rise was coming out. Weird, huh?
February 4, 2016
Add usual, grim and funny and smart in about equal measure.
(Didn't make me cry as hard as Mira Grant usually does (seriously, if I can ever figure out what it is about her writing that does it, I will bottle it), but did get me a little weepy.)
(Didn't make me cry as hard as Mira Grant usually does (seriously, if I can ever figure out what it is about her writing that does it, I will bottle it), but did get me a little weepy.)
January 6, 2016
More from the Feediverse.
Oh, I love these stories SO MUCH.
Oh, I love these stories SO MUCH.
July 21, 2015
Oh so worth the price of admission. No less than 5 stars. I picture Dr. Abbey as looking just like the author.
August 17, 2015
Seanan McGuire continues to shatter my heart into a thousand pieces with the newest installment of her Newflesh series. (And the fact that the shorts can be even worse than the core three book should tell you something. Once I get caught up with the Parasite series, I’m a little terrified of what she’ll do there.) As I’ve mentioned with the other Newsflesh shorts, what I love is that there’s so much added to an already rich universe that I really don’t want to find out what’s happened to main the cast (especially not the Masons), although it is nice to pop in on them from time to time and see what they’ve been up to. (Although I do want to see more Alaric and Maggie because ALARIC!)
The latest entry in the post-Blackout universe is catching up with Dr. Abbey, the self-styled “mad scientist” from the back half of the series. But while we’re set up with a CDC mole and a KA-infected octopus prone to escaping his tank to taunt meek new hires (who are totally not CDC spies, what are you implying?), the plot doesn’t go down the route you expect it to. One of the reasons why I think the Newsflesh series is brilliant is because McGuire thinks of everything. I hate to keep bringing up World War Z in comparison to Newsflesh, but there is such a telling difference between the kind of cultures that emerge from their respective zombie apocalypses. (And not because McGuire figured out how to create a viable zombie virus.) The world of WWZ goes into a more post-wartime rebuilding, with the promise of a better tomorrow, but McGuire seriously sits down and thinks about the long-term ramifications of a zombie apocalypse and applies them not just to global and homeland security, but the cultural impact, and especially looking at the more human element to them.
(Side note, I nearly got into a fight at my old bookstore job with a male customer who dismissed Feed on the basis that “Writing a science fiction book that takes place in 2014 is stupid, doesn’t she know that it’s not gonna actually happen” before extolling Ray Bradbury’s books. I had to walk away before I did something that I might not actually have regretted, now looking back on it.)
In a world where disgraced scientists (and occasionally journalists) need to live off the grid, of course the black market is going to play a large role. We’ve already seen the underground side during the trip to the Monkey’s stronghold, but there really wasn’t much insight to off-the-grid living in a series with the single most tense road trip I’ve ever read. Outside of the regulated checkpoints and ubiquitous testing kits that ATET regularly operates in, there is a very real “kill or be killed” sentiment outside of that, and not just because of the potentially amplified wildfire literally lurking around every corner. There are awful, terrible people in the world who are prepared to survive an apocalyptic event, and they’re ready to do whatever it takes so that they come out on top, without any sympathy for anyone else who’s not as prepared as they are.
Also much like the ATET crew, it’s easy to assume that it’s just Dr. Abbey, Joe and her menagerie of KA-infected test animals on their own in woods as she does her research. We get to see how truly large her research facilities are, because there is a lot of work involved. I really liked both Jill and Tom and their respective interactions with Dr. Abbey as she’s trying to get her work done without having to deal with a fairly obvious CDC spy trying to “uncover” Dr. Abbey’s research. I laughed out loud when she comments that “If they’re going to send me expendable employees to spy on me, they could at least pick someone who could be subtle about it.” I really loved Dr. Abbey’s handling of Not-Zelda, and that even though Daisy is trying her best to be a heroic corporate spy, she really doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation and that Dr. Abbey is more than willing to take her in.
As I mentioned above, I do really believe that the Newsflesh novellas surpass the original series, just for how much more we learn about the world without needing to drag the main characters in all the time to do the info-dumping for us. (Well, they do, but it’s been mostly in the context of news features and the bulk of the narration is not from them. Additionally, I am so excited that there is going to be a retelling of Feed but from the perspective of the news team that was following the Democratic presidential candidate. So excited. So scared.) If you have not read the Newsflesh trilogy yet, then you need to start reading them, because they’re brilliant and so good. And then read the novellas, because yet again, EVEN BETTER.
The latest entry in the post-Blackout universe is catching up with Dr. Abbey, the self-styled “mad scientist” from the back half of the series. But while we’re set up with a CDC mole and a KA-infected octopus prone to escaping his tank to taunt meek new hires (who are totally not CDC spies, what are you implying?), the plot doesn’t go down the route you expect it to. One of the reasons why I think the Newsflesh series is brilliant is because McGuire thinks of everything. I hate to keep bringing up World War Z in comparison to Newsflesh, but there is such a telling difference between the kind of cultures that emerge from their respective zombie apocalypses. (And not because McGuire figured out how to create a viable zombie virus.) The world of WWZ goes into a more post-wartime rebuilding, with the promise of a better tomorrow, but McGuire seriously sits down and thinks about the long-term ramifications of a zombie apocalypse and applies them not just to global and homeland security, but the cultural impact, and especially looking at the more human element to them.
(Side note, I nearly got into a fight at my old bookstore job with a male customer who dismissed Feed on the basis that “Writing a science fiction book that takes place in 2014 is stupid, doesn’t she know that it’s not gonna actually happen” before extolling Ray Bradbury’s books. I had to walk away before I did something that I might not actually have regretted, now looking back on it.)
In a world where disgraced scientists (and occasionally journalists) need to live off the grid, of course the black market is going to play a large role. We’ve already seen the underground side during the trip to the Monkey’s stronghold, but there really wasn’t much insight to off-the-grid living in a series with the single most tense road trip I’ve ever read. Outside of the regulated checkpoints and ubiquitous testing kits that ATET regularly operates in, there is a very real “kill or be killed” sentiment outside of that, and not just because of the potentially amplified wildfire literally lurking around every corner. There are awful, terrible people in the world who are prepared to survive an apocalyptic event, and they’re ready to do whatever it takes so that they come out on top, without any sympathy for anyone else who’s not as prepared as they are.
Also much like the ATET crew, it’s easy to assume that it’s just Dr. Abbey, Joe and her menagerie of KA-infected test animals on their own in woods as she does her research. We get to see how truly large her research facilities are, because there is a lot of work involved. I really liked both Jill and Tom and their respective interactions with Dr. Abbey as she’s trying to get her work done without having to deal with a fairly obvious CDC spy trying to “uncover” Dr. Abbey’s research. I laughed out loud when she comments that “If they’re going to send me expendable employees to spy on me, they could at least pick someone who could be subtle about it.” I really loved Dr. Abbey’s handling of Not-Zelda, and that even though Daisy is trying her best to be a heroic corporate spy, she really doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation and that Dr. Abbey is more than willing to take her in.
As I mentioned above, I do really believe that the Newsflesh novellas surpass the original series, just for how much more we learn about the world without needing to drag the main characters in all the time to do the info-dumping for us. (Well, they do, but it’s been mostly in the context of news features and the bulk of the narration is not from them. Additionally, I am so excited that there is going to be a retelling of Feed but from the perspective of the news team that was following the Democratic presidential candidate. So excited. So scared.) If you have not read the Newsflesh trilogy yet, then you need to start reading them, because they’re brilliant and so good. And then read the novellas, because yet again, EVEN BETTER.
February 27, 2024
The Doc is one of those characters that I KNOW I would hate to meet in real life, but it's for that reason that I love her.
She's a bitch. She's a bitch because of the worst circumstances anyone can ever face. She takes 0 shits and proceeds to fling those shits strategically back at you. And then dumps them in your coffee to see if it changes the caffeine intake. Because She Can.
She's cold and calculating, but she never forgets she is a doctor who once swore an oath, and that gives her unparalleled depth. She will allow bodily harm to come to any of her interns, but she will also be the first to make sure the First-Aid kit is within visibility. She also has a large dog, and will kill anyone and anything that harms him. She lets him mope because she's a sucker, and it's the little lines like that which make her so very interesting.
McGuire's/Grant's writing SHINES with Doc's character. She also gets to have a lot of fun doing a "Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch..." story, and you understand the entire world without once meeting the MCs. Superb. 100/10
She's a bitch. She's a bitch because of the worst circumstances anyone can ever face. She takes 0 shits and proceeds to fling those shits strategically back at you. And then dumps them in your coffee to see if it changes the caffeine intake. Because She Can.
She's cold and calculating, but she never forgets she is a doctor who once swore an oath, and that gives her unparalleled depth. She will allow bodily harm to come to any of her interns, but she will also be the first to make sure the First-Aid kit is within visibility. She also has a large dog, and will kill anyone and anything that harms him. She lets him mope because she's a sucker, and it's the little lines like that which make her so very interesting.
McGuire's/Grant's writing SHINES with Doc's character. She also gets to have a lot of fun doing a "Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch..." story, and you understand the entire world without once meeting the MCs. Superb. 100/10
May 1, 2019
Ever had that “ I love that character... why can’t we have more of her “ thought ... for Mira Grant lovers ... that actually happens ... a lot ... and OCCASIONALLY ... she gives us gifts like this gem 💎! I fell in love with the cray cray mad scientist from the news-flesh series . I can’t thank her ( both the scientist in question and the author for her tenacity ) enough. It’s a great great read about one of those “ I wonder whatever happened too “ characters. And it’s a great one . From her pot smoking assistant , to the Ninny who’s driven to hysteria by a beloved pet octopus 🐙to the action filled conclusion its one I re read when I’m broken by my own disabling illness .
August 22, 2023
4/5 stars.
Dr Abbey my beloved <3 I love a mad scientist and this story cemented my adoration for her character. Abbey is a chaotic character who is full of empathy, and I really enjoyed finding more about her background and how she runs her science facility.
I was so happy to see the Fox from Newsflesh book3 again - it was not expected, I thought her ending was her end - and her interactions with Abbey were so interesting.
Dr Abbey my beloved <3 I love a mad scientist and this story cemented my adoration for her character. Abbey is a chaotic character who is full of empathy, and I really enjoyed finding more about her background and how she runs her science facility.
I was so happy to see the Fox from Newsflesh book3 again - it was not expected, I thought her ending was her end - and her interactions with Abbey were so interesting.
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