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The Nephilim Virus

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Nick Reese wakes from a three-year coma to find the world he once knew is gone. An ancient virus has infected two-thirds of the world's population, turning humans into either incredibly intelligent super-humans or large and indestructible animalistic creatures. For the survivors, there is no government, no antidote, and no safety. With the help of a beautiful hematologist named Faith and a man they call the Commander, Nick must survive long enough to discover the origin of the virus and learn how his blood could hold the key to a cure. But he has to do it while being hunted by the infected. And failure means the extinction of the human race. Author and Hollywood actor John Prather intertwines history and science to create a plausible post-apocalyptic tale. The Nephilim Virus is an intense thriller implementing spiritual ideas. The Nephilim Virus is a nonstop race against time from beginning to end.

384 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2017

36 people are currently reading
141 people want to read

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John T. Prather

1 book26 followers

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5 stars
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24 (16%)
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12 (8%)
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3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Cassandra.
1,390 reviews27 followers
March 22, 2018
The Nephilim Virus is an intense book! It is entirely plot driven and the action never stops. I’m a mom to two teens (demanding and time intensive parenting for sure!) and yet I could barely put the book down. It was suspenseful! I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. Was Nick going to find the other virus survivors? Was he going to be able to save the human race or was life hopeless? Events kept happening, never a dull moment in Nick’s life. I felt the novel sacrificed character development for constant plot development, but that may be more common in the thriller genre.

My only real criticism about the novel is that the ending felt entirely too rushed. Until the last 25 or so pages, I thought for sure that this was going to be a series. Then all of a sudden, the novel ended and everything was wrapped up. A sequel might have been a good idea to help the ending feel more realistic. I’m also curious if this book was written with the intent to bring it to film. The chapters were short, quick scenes that advanced the plot. Dialog was short and snappy. Since the author is also an actor, I can easily see how he could write the book intending it to someday be on the big screen.

I am definitely glad that I read this book. While supernatural thriller will never be my favorite genre, The Nephilim Virus was definitely worth the read. It’s an adventure story that kept me at the edge of my seat.
Profile Image for Marianne.
137 reviews2 followers
October 13, 2021
This book piqued my interest since I actually spent several years working in the Hematology department in the lab of a local VA hospital. Because of that, the science was easy to follow and I wanted to see how the author was going to use that science to describe the pathology of the virus. Umm…okay, the science was very basic and lightweight and I really didn’t get much clarity on said pathology. But hey, it’s FICTION! Good spooky read for the Halloween season, with heavy zombie overtones. After watching the news today (10/12/21) I have concluded that the Anakim are California voters and the California legislature is the Nephilim, with Gavin Newsom as Abar. The book was actually written by a California actor!
Profile Image for Heather.
370 reviews1 follower
June 14, 2023
Short, easy chapters. Everything moved so quickly and kept my interest peaked the entire time. A must-read.
Profile Image for Dianna (SavingsInSeconds blog).
948 reviews23 followers
February 23, 2018
I received a free copy of this book for review. Opinions shared are mine.

The setting and timeline of The Nephilim Virus reminded me a bit of The Walking Dead. Man awakens from coma to discover the world as he knew it is completely changed. Humans are the prey, falling victim to an unprecedented virus that turns them into indestructible, unrecognizable beings. Any of that sound familiar? Thankfully, in The Nephilim Virus, author John Prather sets up the main character (Nick Reece) quite nicely in a hospital with a conveniently beautiful hematologist (Faith). How many drop-dead-gorgeous hematologists do you know? Then again, how many books are endorsed by Megan Fox? The Nephilim Virus has her seal of approval!

All joking aside, the story is interesting and fast-paced. It has enough twists to keep the pages turning, yet the softer moments give the reader time to breathe. Prather’s writing style is extremely choppy and could use a stronger editing hand. It drove me crazy, and I ended up skimming most of it. Perhaps it’s his experience in the entertainment industry that pushes this novel to read more like a script than a story. Still, if you prefer action flavored with romance, not the other way around, you might enjoy it. The Nephilim Virus is a good choice for readers who love sci-fi elements, and for fans of post-apocalyptic genre.
1 review
November 7, 2017
Great book! A fast paced addictive adventure that will keep you flipping pages and putting off the stuff that you should be doing!
Profile Image for Hannah Hart.
8 reviews
November 19, 2017
Such a good read! This book will keep you up Into the wee hours when you should be sleeping. Highly recommend!!!! Cant wait to read more by this author!!
Profile Image for Nay Denise.
1,727 reviews88 followers
November 30, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the faith aspects as far as including the Nephilim, talking about angels and the Bible. I loved the action bits. The Anakim were interesting creatures. The characters were all unique to me and the romance that was snuck in was done well.

Nick was a well-rounded character. He wasn't too prideful, but neither was too weak. I loved seeing him throughout the story and enjoyed his POV the most. Faith was interesting and at times pissed me off. She felt like she had to shoulder the world alone when she didn't need to. Her POV was fun to read as well.

For some believers, this book may not sit well as it blends Nephilim with vampires and zombies, but I found it quite intriguing.

Overall, I would definitely read more from this author. The only reason I couldn't give it a full five-star rating is simply because I found that I could go weeks without reading it. Other than that, this was an epic read.
Profile Image for Mel.
9 reviews4 followers
October 25, 2023
Its ok.

I can't lie I enjoyed the book. I didn't want to put it down at some parts, but the ending just doesn't do it for me. I wish there was just a little bit more to it. I guess I'll have to see if there is some type of sequel to it because even though it was good I need a little bit more explanation to how the virus started why certain blood was special and others weren't. To me the book is a mix of I Am legend and world war z.

Profile Image for Emily.
83 reviews4 followers
April 6, 2021
I ended up skimming the last half of this book. Not worth the time I invested in it.
Profile Image for Nathan Albright.
4,488 reviews163 followers
January 9, 2018
[Note:  This book was provided free of charge by the Adams Group.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.]

In a nearly 400 page book, the first-time novelist, at least as far as I am aware, has provided an exciting and adventurous novel that mixes inventive biblical interpretation with a gripping story and some compelling characters.  If you enjoyed World War Z and I Am Legend [1] and have an openness to speculation about ancient evil brought to life all because someone failed to take care of one little detail, this book will provide an action story that hints at a great deal more than simply a good time.  In reading this book I was struck by the fact that actress Megan Fox really likes this book and thinks it should be made into a movie, and after reading it I happen to agree.  I do not know on how many things Ms. Fox and I agree on, but in reading this I was definitely imagining a very thrilling and exciting film, for it was a thrilling and exciting novel that has a great deal to say about the triumph of hope as well as the persistence of evil.

Without giving away too much of the story, the novel begins with an exciting premise, namely a man has come out of a coma after three years of being one of only four survivors of a plane crash, and finds that the world has gone to pieces while he was sleeping.  After that the novel lurches into an exciting look at the rebirth of an ancient evil from the time of David and the division of humanity between supercilious Nephilim who act like vampires and frightened Anakim who mindlessly hunt the few human beings who remain.  While Nick Reese and his associates, including the lovely and dedicated Dr. Faith Richards, try to figure out what makes his blood special and how to cure the virus and stop the ancient evil, there is also the need to stay safe and stay ahead of the clever and manipulative Nephilim and the need to act with heart and faith and knowledge and not only with weapons, although these help too.  The book starts out with a bang and continues a breakneck and torrid pace to the end, never losing track of the need to build tension but also provide plenty of excitement and peril.

It is pretty easy to figure out who would like this book, and there are many people who would find this book a very appealing one with its mixture of thrilling action sequences, a bit of romance, as well as an inventive and thoughtful reading of scripture.  Among the more interesting aspects of this book is the way that the authors offer hope for the oppressed, even among those who are ill.  Over and over again in this novel, we see people make choices that seem counterproductive because they are acts of generosity and sacrifice, and yet time and time again that generosity and that love and that kindness to others is rewarded by beneficent authorial providence.  This is a rare example of an apocalyptic thriller that makes one feel a greater sense of kinship and fellow feeling with humanity, which is the opposite of the way one normally feels after a book like this.  In some ways I got the warm fuzzies that I did out of warm bodies, for example, with an attempt to understand common humanity in uncommon situations in what appear to be the worst of circumstances.  This was a rewarding read, and here's hoping that many other people get to enjoy reading it--and perhaps someday seeing it as well.

[1] See, for example:

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...

https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2013...
Profile Image for Meagan Myhren-Bennett.
Author 30 books162 followers
February 12, 2018
The Nephilim Virus
By John T. Prather

For 3 years he has been in a coma, one of four survivors of a plane crash that took nearly 140 lives. For 3 years humanity has been decimated by a virus. Waking from his coma Nick Reese is in for the surprise of his life. And his survival may be the key to humanity's survival.

An ancient evil has been awakened and it has been making its presence known ever since as an altering virus. Those infected have either lost their humanity becoming an animalistic horde that can't be stopped or super-humans that are intent on ruling the world as gods. The uninfected are outnumbered by those who have been turned into Anakim or Nephilim. And the method of infection is horrific - at least to Nick's eyes when he sees a surveillance video of the day everything changed.

But hope has not been lost and those with whom Nick finds himself have been surviving for the three years he has been absent for the wakened world. Doctor Faith Richards has been working - searching for a cure. Commander Al Harris is in charge of the security and survival of the group that has taken up residence in Mercy General. And these two are those Nick is about to place his trust in this battle to survive. What Nick never anticipated was having to face a David-and-Goliath situation.

This is a book for those who are fans of Speculative or Dystopian fiction. Using a few verses from the Old Testament John Prather has created a unique foundation for this story. Offspring of Fallen Angels have survived and are attempting to completely corrupt the world and turn it into their own. What follows is an intense page-turning read. One will literally keep the pages in motion as the story unfolds. The chapters are fairly short so it is easy to stop if the need arises. The flow is easy and the transition between character viewpoints is marked but not jarringly so.

This book is well-written and the reader is not left wondering "What happened with..." The conclusion is obvious and leaves the reader satisfied with the outcome. And if you are a dog person be on the lookout for one that has an important role to play throughout. I highly recommend this book.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the Adams Group with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Angela Thompson.
461 reviews15 followers
February 13, 2018
The Nephilim Virus is a Page Tuner that Readers Won't be Able to Put Down. I was running "late" in reading this novel. When I did begin reading it--I was reading it with a bit of skepticism. I enjoy science fiction--but, I need to feel that the fictional scenario is a plausible one. I began reading this novel like all the rest-- by "nitpicking." Would the characters really do this or allow that or behave this way in this situation? As the book progressed past the first couple of chapters--the author answered my questions and doubts and had me completely hooked into a fast paced, action packed, science fiction / medical thriller that I didn't want to put down. I had planned to read the first few chapters of the book and then work on another project for a couple of hours. I found myself reading the book the entire time instead. I mostly read it from start to finish in that one sitting!

Prather Creates a Very Well Developed Storyline with Believable Characters. This book introduces a twist for most medical / sci-fi thrillers in that the author draws on The Bible a bit for the viral origins and takes those twists further as the storyline moves along and the main character discovers (and fulfills) his role in the good vs. evil / save humanity plight. The author creates enough twists, turns and surprises to keep the reader engaged and turning those pages to see just what happens to the characters next.

Would I recommend The Nephilim Virus? This book is indeed one of the best sci-fi / medical thriller/ apocalyptic novels I have read in a long time. While the science is not overly technical nor difficult to understand--the author's writing style fully engages those interested in science fiction and fantasy as well as those inclined to pick up medical thrillers or action adventure tales. There is something for everyone in this novel from the developing love story to the battle of good vs. evil to the dangerous, fast paced, action filled plot twists to the more obscure references to Christianity and The Bible. I would recommend it to fans of apocalyptic thrillers who enjoy something slightly off the beaten path. The Nephilim Virus is a great book and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author or publisher. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Beth.
292 reviews5 followers
February 22, 2018
The Nephilim Virus is John Prather's debut book and it is FANTASTIC!! I really enjoy reading new writers first books and this one if NO exception. I would classify this book as Christian Medical and Science Fiction. I don't read much of Science Fiction but I am glad I gave this book a chance. John Prather writes with authority on The Bible, medicine especially hematology, and survival. I have to say I could NOT put this book down and I know that I haven't read a book this fast in a while. From cover to cover this book grabbed a hold of me and kept me on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed the in depth explanations of the scriptures about the Nephilim, I really learned a lot and found John Prather's interpretation very interesting. I found John Prather's style of writing unique, especially the short chapters, gives more suspense and the feeling of being on the edge of your seat. He has also assembled a great cast of characters in this book. The main characters in this book are well written and real. I have a hard time trying to pick just one but I am going to say Nick Reese is my favorite. From the time he woke up from the coma and getting hit with the new world reality, Nick took it all in and wanted to help. His strength and his faith are admirable. I really don't feel I can do justice to this book. This is one of those books that will stay with me for a while. I really hope there are more books to follow this one. Really left me wanting more. I cannot say enough good about this book. This is a must read, especially if you enjoy Christian Suspense, Medical thriller, and/or Science fiction, you have to read it. I cannot wait to read more from John Prather, I have found a new must read author. I give this book 5+STARS

I received this book for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are mine.
Profile Image for Tyler Adams.
41 reviews
February 21, 2019
This is a great thriller that takes inspiration from the monstrous nephilim of the Bible and imagines them in a modern setting. Combining the unpredictability and creepiness of zombies and vampires, the monsters in the story provide plenty of suspenseful moments. It's a great thrill-ride that will keep you on your toes the whole way through.

The only two complaints I have is how short the chapters are and the love story. The chapters are usually 2-3 pages, sometimes 5. I suppose Prather wanted to break up each little moment into its own chapter, but I feel like he could have combined chapters together, making each moment feel more seamless and not so abrupt. The love story felt forced and unnecessary. It didn't make a whole lot of sense. I get that the main character Nick found someone attractive, but they don't get a chance to get to know each other, like on a date or something. It just felt shoe-horned in just to have the message "love saves everyone" that we've seen a billion times by now.

Overall though, I enjoyed reading this novel. I like the world building, Nick, and the crazy circumstances he finds himself in. It gave me chills at times, and I wanted to see what was going to happen next. If you like a good thriller and post-apocalyptic settings, give this book a try. It's a lot of fun.
Profile Image for Ian.
Author 4 books51 followers
December 23, 2018
What a lot of fun this novel was. Having watched the majority of The Walking Dead, I felt particularly at home reading a story of a time when two-thirds of humanity has been infected by a virus that transforms them into flesh eating creatures. But Prather takes it a step further and allows for the virus to particularly mutate with certain blood types to create a super race of humans – the Nephilim. Giants with superior intelligence, musculature, and conceivably invincible.

Except … for a particular blood strain. Nick Reese wakes from a three-year coma and the world has changed. A lot. He’s the answer. Or is he?

Fast paced, lots of action … no one is safe. I enjoyed reading this story. This is very much a plot-driven novel with a handful of heroes who make the story good to read.

There were a couple of things that I didn’t quite understand but, hey, that’s okay, this is fiction. The connection to the David and Goliath story is clever except a little confusing – did Arba bring the virus with him?

Overall this is a fun read that doesn’t have any great message attached to it but is just entertaining.
Profile Image for quiltingbeautyandbooks ~ Stephanie.
99 reviews32 followers
August 26, 2021
Wow, my first John T. Prather read and it was really good!

If you like Twilight, Walking Dead or Vampire/Zombie movies, you will definitely like this book.

Nick Reece wakes up from a 3 year coma and finds out that the world has drastically changed since the last he remembers.

The world is now being over taken by Anakim (Zombies) and Nephilim (Vampires). Humans stand no chance against them, some being turned or die from their infected blood.

Dr. Faith Richards, has been searching for a cure for the infected, especially her brother Steven. She has been watching over Nick, as well as a team of others. Soon they find themselves in a race of time to save themselves and as many others as they possibly can from a false god named Arba.


This book is FAST paced, so the story building goes quickly and may feel a little rushed, especially in the last couple of chapters.

————
This book reminds me of the consequences of sin. If we don’t deal with the root of our issues, it will cause us to be bitter and angry (Anakim) or give us a false sense of who we really are (Nephilim). The great news for us Christians, is that cure is Jesus!
Profile Image for Nay Denise.
336 reviews82 followers
November 30, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the faith aspects as far as including the Nephilim, talking about angels and the Bible. I loved the action bits. The Anakim were interesting creatures. The characters were all unique to me and the romance that was snuck in was done well.

Nick was a well-rounded character. He wasn't too prideful, but neither was too weak. I loved seeing him throughout the story and enjoyed his POV the most. Faith was interesting and at times pissed me off. She felt like she had to shoulder the world alone when she didn't need to. Her POV was fun to read as well.

For some believers, this book may not sit well as it blends Nephilim with vampires and zombies, but I found it quite intriguing.

Overall, I would definitely read more from this author. The only reason I couldn't give it a full five-star rating is simply because I found that I could go weeks without reading it. Other than that, this was an epic read.
Profile Image for bookwyrmemma.
513 reviews31 followers
January 19, 2025
A Thrilling, Fast-Paced Adventure That Kept Me Hooked

This book delivers an intense, fast-paced adventure that I couldn’t put down. It’s packed with nonstop action from start to finish, keeping me on the edge of my seat, constantly wondering what would happen next. The beginning instantly reminded me of Rick Grimes's awakening from a coma in The Walking Dead,, one of my favorite shows. That sense of disorientation and discovery pulled me into the story, setting the stage for an exciting journey ahead. Fans of science fiction and dystopian worlds will find plenty to enjoy, with intriguing world-building and compelling characters. My favorite moment in the entire book was when Nick first encounters Blue.

Overall, this book is a great pick for anyone who enjoys thrilling adventures with strong sci-fi and dystopian elements.
Profile Image for Danielle Urban.
Author 12 books167 followers
February 22, 2018
The Nephilim Virus by John T. Prather is an incredible thriller. It has a dystopian ring to it. A virus breaks us and the world is never again the same. People that were infected become hunters hunting the rest of the population. One man may hold the key to curing those who are infected with the virus. But until it's solved, he has to struggle in this new world. Fighting to survive felt so real. I was able to visually see the scenes as the happened. Exciting, edgy, and entertaining...I couldn't stop reading this book. John T. Prather has a way of luring me into his world of fiction. I was intrigued. Overall, I recommend this supernatural thriller to readers everywhere.

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
24 reviews
December 28, 2022
WOW!!!!

I did NOT expect this book to be as riveting as it was! I started reading it at 9pm at night. I left the light on to go to sleep at 2 AM when my eyes started crossing. I was up at 10 am in the morning and with some interruptions, I finished the book by 7 PM this evening. This book is vampires meets world war z type zombies meets biblical apocalyptic sci-fi thriller! If queen of the damned and left behind had a baby and that baby had a baby with world war z… this would be that baby. LOVED IT!! Megan Fox was spot on. While reading the book I was thinking, “This book would make an amazing movie”! Thank you to the author. This was exactly what I needed for Christmas break 2022.
Profile Image for Sydney.
199 reviews1 follower
October 31, 2023
Nick wakes up from a three-year coma to a world that is completely changed. Everyone thinks that Nick is the only one but when word comes out that there are three other survivors, Nick has to find them. Because they may be the only people able to stop the end of the world.

This book felt like it should have been multiple books instead of just one. The author tried to pack so many different things into the plot that lots of points just got lost. There was also a romance that I felt was just romance for the sake of romance. There really wasn't any chemistry between the two characters. The main idea behind that novel was insanely interesting but it wasn't really explained or explored that much.

Overall, it was kind of disappointing.
5 reviews
June 11, 2019
Excellent

I'm pretty picky about books, I'm into Ted Dekker, Stephen Lawhead, Sigmund Brouwer, etc., I'll definitely be watching for the next book from John Prather! This was a great book! The characters were a lot of fun, the story was well thought out, enough scientific jargon but not too much. Very enjoyable! Thanks John!
Profile Image for Amy Hampton.
6 reviews
April 1, 2018
An exciting awesome ride!

An excellent page turning thriller that keeps the action going strong. I loved the characters and the unexpected twists. I definitely can't wait to see what Prather comes out with next!!
Profile Image for Colleen Kroeker.
28 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Keeps you wanting to know what will happen next. Ending is a little fast and simple. Would have liked less simple sentences, but overall interesting and thought provoking. A good read.
Profile Image for Barb.
1 review
January 27, 2021
Great!

John T. Partner's The Nephilis Virus is a compelling read. It's reference to biblical facts make it especially frightening given the state of our CoVid -19 world. It is well written and fast moving. I highly recommend.

4 reviews1 follower
March 9, 2022
title is great

This is my first zombie vampire type book. It was a quick easy read. Somewhat predictable but enjoyable for sure. The title is what interested me to begin with but it was the story that kept me reading.
19 reviews
March 21, 2022
Unique take on zombies, though not zombies....

This book was a great read, never dull. It was
a unique take on Nephilim/ zombies. It reminded me very much of books written by James Byron Huggins ( which is a huge compliment).
Profile Image for Paula Parker.
Author 16 books25 followers
January 10, 2018
Excellent novel. Highly recommended for those who love face-paced, heart-pounding novels.
Profile Image for Paul.
3 reviews
February 28, 2018
Excellent book from a first author. This book reads at a furious pace.
2 reviews
April 2, 2018
Oh.My.Goodness!

I absolutely LOVE this book! I was hooked and couldn't put it down. It had me laughing, crying, freaking out and more. It's the worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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