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Sympatico Syndrome #3
Invasion
Plunged into a free for all lifestyle with survival of the fittest the only law, it would be easy for Cole Evans and his family to remain in short-term survival mode, living in the moment. But, Cole refuses to lose his conscience—his humanity—and won't stop fighting for a better future.
After surviving a harsh Wisconsin winter only months after a lethal virus wiped out most of the population, strangers arrive from the East. They bring news that pushes them to leave the island and Cole leads his family on a dangerous, but necessary trek across the country to a new home and hopes of a permanent settlement. Their destination: Nevada and the Hoover Dam.
After surviving a harsh Wisconsin winter only months after a lethal virus wiped out most of the population, strangers arrive from the East. They bring news that pushes them to leave the island and Cole leads his family on a dangerous, but necessary trek across the country to a new home and hopes of a permanent settlement. Their destination: Nevada and the Hoover Dam.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2018
1059 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
M.P. McDonald
26 books180 followersM.P. McDonald makes a living from taking your breath away... then giving it back via a tube or two. She lives in a frozen land full of ice, snow, and abominable snowmen. On the days that she's not taking her car ice-skating, she sits huddled over a chilly computer, tapping out the story of a camera that can see the future. She hopes it can see summer approaching, too.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
September 19, 2018
I didn't enjoy this as much as I did the first two books- problems that I'd noticed in them were even more evident in the third. Sloppy editing (one chapter Jenna's had her tubes tied years ago, another chapter she's trying to get pregnant), bad proofreading (lots of grammatical errors with extra ands or ofs), the insistence on traditional gender roles, and above all the fact that the main character never makes a bad decision all stood out much more in this book.
Still a fun read, but it would have been better if those easily correctable mistakes had been taken care of.
Still a fun read, but it would have been better if those easily correctable mistakes had been taken care of.
June 3, 2019
Hmm, not how I hoped it would end
So, the first two books in this trilogy were fantastic, but the last one didn’t hit the mark for me. Not sure what happened, but the writing just wasn’t as good as before. With a title like Invasion, I expected, I don’t know, more action? The ending seemed rushed, like the author ran out of material and was just trying to tie up all the loose ends. I’m not unhappy that I read it, but just bummed how this story ended.
So, the first two books in this trilogy were fantastic, but the last one didn’t hit the mark for me. Not sure what happened, but the writing just wasn’t as good as before. With a title like Invasion, I expected, I don’t know, more action? The ending seemed rushed, like the author ran out of material and was just trying to tie up all the loose ends. I’m not unhappy that I read it, but just bummed how this story ended.
June 4, 2019
needs more editing
I gave 3 stars because I was very distracted by the numerous editing errors. I loved the first 2 books. the second book had lots of errors also but this one had so many more. it would be great if the author could go back and reedit this story.
I gave 3 stars because I was very distracted by the numerous editing errors. I loved the first 2 books. the second book had lots of errors also but this one had so many more. it would be great if the author could go back and reedit this story.
February 9, 2023
Through many ups and downs, a new settlement has been started with survivors near the Hoover Dam, due to its volume of water and electricity production and weather.
It was only somewhat comforting that these people survived and were starting a new world with their knowledge and experience. What will the future bring? Will they survive? Is the virus nonexistent? Will there be another virus?
This is the last book in the series.
It was only somewhat comforting that these people survived and were starting a new world with their knowledge and experience. What will the future bring? Will they survive? Is the virus nonexistent? Will there be another virus?
This is the last book in the series.
January 14, 2019
Book 3 is a 'proper' end to this post-apocalyptic series, with a resolution, a community coming together and much hope for the future.
Cole Evan's extended family travels to Nevada in the hope of finding other people, a more hospitable climate and a source of power to give them at least a modicum of the lives they had before the virus destroyed most of the population. The journey is of course fraught with danger (the river crossing is very realistic and scary!) and they meet a few other people on the way, some of whom are absorbed into the group. Cole's leadership skills are put to the test both during the journey and when they reach Nevada.
This book is a definite improvement on book 2 because it is much more lively and active, helped by the introduction of new characters and new situations. The ending is great and I'm glad I stuck with the series.
Cole Evan's extended family travels to Nevada in the hope of finding other people, a more hospitable climate and a source of power to give them at least a modicum of the lives they had before the virus destroyed most of the population. The journey is of course fraught with danger (the river crossing is very realistic and scary!) and they meet a few other people on the way, some of whom are absorbed into the group. Cole's leadership skills are put to the test both during the journey and when they reach Nevada.
This book is a definite improvement on book 2 because it is much more lively and active, helped by the introduction of new characters and new situations. The ending is great and I'm glad I stuck with the series.
October 8, 2020
Hard to finish
Boring. Hard to finish. Took too much time to read about nothing! I did like the ending. Not much more than that
Boring. Hard to finish. Took too much time to read about nothing! I did like the ending. Not much more than that
June 29, 2020
A very well written pandemic series by M.P. McDonald. Written well before COVID
Cole is a widowed epidemiologist who has retired from the army and is now renovating houses. His son is in college and his brother and sister-in-law live nearby with their son and daughter.
One day he gets a phonecall from a co-worker he battled ebola with in Africa called Elly. She warns him a virus has escaped a navy lab on an island and that she expects that 95% of the world population will be dying from it in the coming week. So he best bunkers down somewhere save but only to warn the people dear to him as otherwise the chaos will make his survival hopeless too.
Cole decides to try to reach the island he has inherited in Lake Michigan and warns his family members to go there too.
The story is with our COVID experience still going on quite eerie and familiar. But the first novel was written in 2016!
Some of the group survive the outbreak and survive a cold winter in an idyllic spot so I was flabbergasted when Cole thought it necessary to leave there. And that is when the author shows how good she is as most writers will just let their survivors scavenge and farm.
Cole realises that his group survives but when they will not act they will condemn their children and future grandchildren to a medieval life in a very small group. Now food is still available in shops and cars and petrol still works he wants to take them to a place he expects more people flocking to and what has better facilities to rebuild a form of modern life. (I only wondered if the soil conditions there would be good enough to raise plenty of crops but I have never been there).
The female author is brilliant in worldbuilding and you get the feeling you really know the main characters. She is also good in the psychological thinking of how people would act and what you should do to persuade them.
I was sorry there was no part 4. I can really recommend the series. While the first 2 novels are 4 stars the last is 5 out of 5.
Cole is a widowed epidemiologist who has retired from the army and is now renovating houses. His son is in college and his brother and sister-in-law live nearby with their son and daughter.
One day he gets a phonecall from a co-worker he battled ebola with in Africa called Elly. She warns him a virus has escaped a navy lab on an island and that she expects that 95% of the world population will be dying from it in the coming week. So he best bunkers down somewhere save but only to warn the people dear to him as otherwise the chaos will make his survival hopeless too.
Cole decides to try to reach the island he has inherited in Lake Michigan and warns his family members to go there too.
The story is with our COVID experience still going on quite eerie and familiar. But the first novel was written in 2016!
Some of the group survive the outbreak and survive a cold winter in an idyllic spot so I was flabbergasted when Cole thought it necessary to leave there. And that is when the author shows how good she is as most writers will just let their survivors scavenge and farm.
Cole realises that his group survives but when they will not act they will condemn their children and future grandchildren to a medieval life in a very small group. Now food is still available in shops and cars and petrol still works he wants to take them to a place he expects more people flocking to and what has better facilities to rebuild a form of modern life. (I only wondered if the soil conditions there would be good enough to raise plenty of crops but I have never been there).
The female author is brilliant in worldbuilding and you get the feeling you really know the main characters. She is also good in the psychological thinking of how people would act and what you should do to persuade them.
I was sorry there was no part 4. I can really recommend the series. While the first 2 novels are 4 stars the last is 5 out of 5.
January 20, 2024
I had enjoyed the first two books of this series, but this one a bit less so. There were editing issues and a tendency to overdo the specifics of inventory, scavenging etc that caused the flow to stall. I didn't care for some of the characters especially Sean. What kind of guy is so immature that he just takes a contrary view to that of his brother and does not consider what is best for the group? This far into the aftermath of a pandemic that killed 99% of everyone, these guys are behind on a lot of stuff. They are often not prepared with their weapons handy and not too systematic in scavenging. The appearance of Holland seemed ominous and sinister, but then kind of vanishes until the end when there is happy music. There was enough of a government to send out helicopters to find one guy, but they never indicate what else they are doing to organize survivors and communities. And somehow, a caravan of our group are able to just leave and a helicopter can't find them? I get wanting to leave Wisconsin for more hospitable climate and better agriculture but Cole!, Las Vegas is not it. It is a desert with poor soil and not much water. To go from Wisconsin to there just in case they have power is just crazy. Did you try to use a HAM radio to see who else is out there? Did you use a map? I like they helped young Travis, but not sure I would have had a kid riding shotgun for me hours after we first met. I also get not wanting to get in a war with everyone because at that point, people really are your most valuable resource, but to confront the guys that forcibly removed a family from their ranch (just because they could), shot and wounded the dad and kept him prisoner, unarmed and to invite them to a meeting to organize survivors? I'm not sure how Amanda didn't just punch Cole in the head. And shaming the ranch usurpers for make a noisy entrance to the meeting causes them to just hand back what they took? I don't buy that at all. The ending was very rushed but full of rainbows and unicorns. I felt like the series deserved a better ending.
December 4, 2019
She needs to learn not everyone reads books in a series,1,2,3, and that means providing enough background to get a reader started. There is no prolog or explanation to start you off, so one is totally confused until you can sort it out in your head. Maybe I should have read it right after Isolation but I read so much, I prefer stand alone books. I read Isolation in April and it is now December? Ok, so now I am remembering some of the past and the story is interesting. She needs advice on ice fishing : if you made a hole you would know if the ice was thick enough to support you, and for you to stay on and fish. When they leave to go west are they so dumb, to not use a vehicle they are driving to push other dead vehicles out of the way? They do it the hard way???Then they wait until the next day???Give me a break here McDonald. I know you are writing a novel, but let’s be smart about it, how many of your readers would have waited until the next day? When we go from chapter 17 to 18 Cole is magically driving when Sean was behind the wheel.? A lot of editing mistakes, one of the worst I have read in awhile.
Now for the title, there really is no invasion just the arrival of a helicopter, I would think Discovery would be a better title. With all that I still give it a 5.
Now for the title, there really is no invasion just the arrival of a helicopter, I would think Discovery would be a better title. With all that I still give it a 5.
September 16, 2018
Before you read this one, please note it is the third book of a series: you need to read the other two in order and here is the first book: Infection: A Pandemic Survival Novel (Sympatico Syndrome Book 1). If you don’t the situations, characters, etc., won’t make much sense to you.
The author pretty much picks the story up where book two ended. If you’ve read other post-apocalyptic novels you will see some similarities, but the author’s writing style is relaxed and makes you feel as if you are right in the middle of the story and living it out yourself and you feel as if you really “know” the main character. The ending did leave it open for a sequel and if one is published I would read it. I picked this up for free with my Kindle Unlimited borrow vs. its normal price of $2.99 and certainly received more than $2.99 worth of entertainment value out of it. If you enjoyed the first two books of the series, I imagine you would also enjoy this one.
The author pretty much picks the story up where book two ended. If you’ve read other post-apocalyptic novels you will see some similarities, but the author’s writing style is relaxed and makes you feel as if you are right in the middle of the story and living it out yourself and you feel as if you really “know” the main character. The ending did leave it open for a sequel and if one is published I would read it. I picked this up for free with my Kindle Unlimited borrow vs. its normal price of $2.99 and certainly received more than $2.99 worth of entertainment value out of it. If you enjoyed the first two books of the series, I imagine you would also enjoy this one.
August 20, 2018
Life on a small island in Wisconsin is harsh. Having lived in Wisconsin for a year on a college campus I can attest to that! So much happens to this family and the people who have joined them so far. But Cole Evans is still hoping they can move somewhere warmer-with a less harsh environment--and meet others who have also survived the deadly virus. They begin to see people traveling through--also headed "south". They allow two of them to stay with them--
The Hoover Dam is their destination--will they make it--what will happen along the way--is this the new beginning for civilization--or the end?
I definitely enjoyed this series!!
Invasion: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Novel
The Hoover Dam is their destination--will they make it--what will happen along the way--is this the new beginning for civilization--or the end?
I definitely enjoyed this series!!
Invasion: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Novel
December 19, 2020
The survival story continues
After finishing the first book of this series, the following books were a must. Continuing the stories of McDonald's characters, this volume follows a move to the southwest and the attempt to start a community of survivors. Battling the elements as well as rogue rufians out to steal and dominate others, there is plenty to keep the reader engrossed. A mix of apocalyptic survival, adventure, and discovering how to changing strangers into family and friends, most readers will find this series hard to set down.
The lightly edited books are not letter perfect, but a compelling story makes up for the occasional errors. Recommended for YA through adults, and precocious younger readers, as well.
After finishing the first book of this series, the following books were a must. Continuing the stories of McDonald's characters, this volume follows a move to the southwest and the attempt to start a community of survivors. Battling the elements as well as rogue rufians out to steal and dominate others, there is plenty to keep the reader engrossed. A mix of apocalyptic survival, adventure, and discovering how to changing strangers into family and friends, most readers will find this series hard to set down.
The lightly edited books are not letter perfect, but a compelling story makes up for the occasional errors. Recommended for YA through adults, and precocious younger readers, as well.
May 8, 2018
Great read
I really do like this series. But.... the author needs to do a little research to make it believable.
Cattle ranches? In the desert? There is scraggly brush and sand. Even around a water source, Lake Mead the land isn't viable. Certainly isn't worth raising cattle. Can't grow hay. I am sure they could probably live there, but they would be scrawny like the burros.....has this author been to Las Vegas? There is no commercial farms. It is a desert. Water is 'brought in' thus Hoover dam and Lake Mead.
It isn't going to stop me from reading M P. McDonald's books. They are well written and entertaining.
I really do like this series. But.... the author needs to do a little research to make it believable.
Cattle ranches? In the desert? There is scraggly brush and sand. Even around a water source, Lake Mead the land isn't viable. Certainly isn't worth raising cattle. Can't grow hay. I am sure they could probably live there, but they would be scrawny like the burros.....has this author been to Las Vegas? There is no commercial farms. It is a desert. Water is 'brought in' thus Hoover dam and Lake Mead.
It isn't going to stop me from reading M P. McDonald's books. They are well written and entertaining.
May 21, 2018
The usual incorrect words and incorrectly spelled words which seems to be the norm these days, however, it does not distract too much (I did have to go back and look at one thing when two different names were used referencing the same subject and one was an error I believe) from the story. Overall, a good trilogy. I waited for what feels like a long time for this third book and cannot decide how I feel about the ending. It seemed rather abrupt though pretty much wrapped up. I just either wasn't prepared for it to end so soon or just simply wasn't mentally ready.. :-)
Again, a good trilogy and I'm glad I read it.
Again, a good trilogy and I'm glad I read it.
July 25, 2019
Good conclusion to the Sympatico pandemic apocalyptic series! If you haven’t read the first two books, don’t start this one yet!
There were some minor editing issues with the kindle version of this book—missing words, incorrect punctuation, a repeated phrase. Very minor and don’t hurt the storyline, but it did take me out of the world of the story. Not too many though.
I liked and disliked the ending. I’m always rooting for everyone to come out ok, but not sure of one particular turnaround. Not realistic but in a way I liked that—these end of world books are often very grim and the main characters get hit with every possible problem.
I’d read more books set in this world!
There were some minor editing issues with the kindle version of this book—missing words, incorrect punctuation, a repeated phrase. Very minor and don’t hurt the storyline, but it did take me out of the world of the story. Not too many though.
I liked and disliked the ending. I’m always rooting for everyone to come out ok, but not sure of one particular turnaround. Not realistic but in a way I liked that—these end of world books are often very grim and the main characters get hit with every possible problem.
I’d read more books set in this world!
July 23, 2024
Hopeful Version of Survival
Really good series (without zombies!) but still with plenty of bad guys.
Cole Evans and his extended family by blood and found family encounter new threats after having endured a long hard winter in the Great Lakes area of the US. One of the threats is significant enough to spur a move in the “golden hour” a period of time when fuel is still viable all the way to the Hoover Dam. With the hope that there would still be electricity.
A whole new series of risks and discoveries await.
Strongly recommend this series, to be frank it highlights just how much can be achieved as well as how much is reliant on the luck and charisma of a few.
Really good series (without zombies!) but still with plenty of bad guys.
Cole Evans and his extended family by blood and found family encounter new threats after having endured a long hard winter in the Great Lakes area of the US. One of the threats is significant enough to spur a move in the “golden hour” a period of time when fuel is still viable all the way to the Hoover Dam. With the hope that there would still be electricity.
A whole new series of risks and discoveries await.
Strongly recommend this series, to be frank it highlights just how much can be achieved as well as how much is reliant on the luck and charisma of a few.
March 14, 2019
Great story
I really liked this series. You need to read all three books to get the whole story, i guess it's really one book broken into three parts. Story is based on a man made virus that decimated humanity and follows a man that may have been patient zero. The trials of him and his family are explored and glimpses into psychological issues encountered by survivors are a part of the story.
I really liked this series. You need to read all three books to get the whole story, i guess it's really one book broken into three parts. Story is based on a man made virus that decimated humanity and follows a man that may have been patient zero. The trials of him and his family are explored and glimpses into psychological issues encountered by survivors are a part of the story.
January 23, 2022
what I didn't like about book 3 was it drop Noah's stories complete gone after the house fire where everyone got out fine. I though 3 should have been more what happen to Noah's family it could have been the beginning of the 3 book but it was about a different family living on a lake front cabins, then their trip to Las Vega they had problem with bandits or people trying to take what they had. but other then that the story was good.
December 31, 2022
Fantastic
Read the series! I enjoyed this series very much.
I got attached to the characters by the end of the first book. The fight for survival of each character was so real, I felt like I was there.
The snow really scared me. I don't want to go info who was battling the Blizzard but I was there for each visible mile!
I could pick a scene here and there but it would ruin the book. Read it and you will enjoy each and every page.
Read the series! I enjoyed this series very much.
I got attached to the characters by the end of the first book. The fight for survival of each character was so real, I felt like I was there.
The snow really scared me. I don't want to go info who was battling the Blizzard but I was there for each visible mile!
I could pick a scene here and there but it would ruin the book. Read it and you will enjoy each and every page.
June 22, 2025
Invasion
This book wasn’t as good as the others as it felt extremely rushed, like the author just got tired of it and wanted to venture into something else. I was disappointed that she left several questions unanswered. Also, the timeline was so skewed, such as, one minute Elly is three months pregnant and a week later she’s seven to eight months along. There were also numerous grammatical errors in this book. Again, so disappointed….
This book wasn’t as good as the others as it felt extremely rushed, like the author just got tired of it and wanted to venture into something else. I was disappointed that she left several questions unanswered. Also, the timeline was so skewed, such as, one minute Elly is three months pregnant and a week later she’s seven to eight months along. There were also numerous grammatical errors in this book. Again, so disappointed….
July 8, 2018
Surprisingly good
Like the first two books ... no aliens. No nuclear fall out. No zombies. No conflicts with psycho lead groups of survivors. Just survival. Sounds boring I know, but it is surprisingly good.
The later chapters are riddled with editing issues. Not enough to distract from the story, but unfortunate nonetheless.
Like the first two books ... no aliens. No nuclear fall out. No zombies. No conflicts with psycho lead groups of survivors. Just survival. Sounds boring I know, but it is surprisingly good.
The later chapters are riddled with editing issues. Not enough to distract from the story, but unfortunate nonetheless.
August 13, 2018
Awesome
The story telling is great and the characters jump off the page. But the best part is both this book and the first in the series are filled with what I call the American spirit. The will to survive. Yes, horrible things happen, but people find ways to cope. Lot's of new ideas💡for peppers to think about. Great books!
The story telling is great and the characters jump off the page. But the best part is both this book and the first in the series are filled with what I call the American spirit. The will to survive. Yes, horrible things happen, but people find ways to cope. Lot's of new ideas💡for peppers to think about. Great books!
September 28, 2018
Enjoyable fictitious read
I enjoyed the entire series very much. The characters were interesting and believable, the dialogue natural, and I particularly liked the author's focus on resources and food availibility that might actually arise in an apocalyptic event........ an enjoyably fictitious read.
I enjoyed the entire series very much. The characters were interesting and believable, the dialogue natural, and I particularly liked the author's focus on resources and food availibility that might actually arise in an apocalyptic event........ an enjoyably fictitious read.
January 1, 2019
An excellent story different than many and more complex than most. The main character thought himself flawed but at every time he was needed, stepped up. Violence was not his first thought even though it seemed the only way to go. Reason and patience won the day and made for an interesting survival story.
November 7, 2019
Solution focused absorbing apocalypse book
This author builds you up and won’t let you go from the first page to the last. I read all the books in quick succession! I couldn’t stop. I loved the intelligence and empathic connections of the characters. I enjoyed experiencing their learning curves and I loved the ending. Give me more!!
This author builds you up and won’t let you go from the first page to the last. I read all the books in quick succession! I couldn’t stop. I loved the intelligence and empathic connections of the characters. I enjoyed experiencing their learning curves and I loved the ending. Give me more!!
February 10, 2020
Good series
All three in this series were well written and fast paced. The one thing that bothered me in this last book were the number of typos. It's not a big deal but makes you think it was rushed to finish. I have read several book by this author and never noticed it in other books.
All three in this series were well written and fast paced. The one thing that bothered me in this last book were the number of typos. It's not a big deal but makes you think it was rushed to finish. I have read several book by this author and never noticed it in other books.
June 25, 2020
Pastoral
Pretty good series. A nice break from the violent ,Apocalypse novels. As I've written before, these books are in the same genre as ,Pat Frank's , "Alas Babylon" and George Stewart's , " The Earth Abides. ". Anyone who enjoyed this series should read those books ,written over 50 years ago.
Pretty good series. A nice break from the violent ,Apocalypse novels. As I've written before, these books are in the same genre as ,Pat Frank's , "Alas Babylon" and George Stewart's , " The Earth Abides. ". Anyone who enjoyed this series should read those books ,written over 50 years ago.
November 11, 2020
Sad to See It End
I enjoyed the series. Is it the best survival fiction I've ever read? Probably not but it was pretty darn entertaining. I would definitely recommend. There wasn't as much violence as some since 95%+ of the population was gone. So if you're into gun battles then this is not for you.
I enjoyed the series. Is it the best survival fiction I've ever read? Probably not but it was pretty darn entertaining. I would definitely recommend. There wasn't as much violence as some since 95%+ of the population was gone. So if you're into gun battles then this is not for you.
March 20, 2021
Perfect follow - -
...to the previous book. I loved it! It has a lot of real life information that made it believable. So many things that are "true to life".
The characters all seemed so real that it made it easy to feel for them, making them so believable!
Thank you again for a great "page turner"! 👍
...to the previous book. I loved it! It has a lot of real life information that made it believable. So many things that are "true to life".
The characters all seemed so real that it made it easy to feel for them, making them so believable!
Thank you again for a great "page turner"! 👍
January 18, 2022
Great Series
I loved this series. It was realistic, suspenseful, and entertaining. The reason I gave this specific book 3 stars is for two reasons - the ending came fast (unnaturally so) and left me wanting, and there were so many typos/grammatical issues/missing words it was distracting. Combined, they communicated this was rushed and sloppy. But I still recommend.
I loved this series. It was realistic, suspenseful, and entertaining. The reason I gave this specific book 3 stars is for two reasons - the ending came fast (unnaturally so) and left me wanting, and there were so many typos/grammatical issues/missing words it was distracting. Combined, they communicated this was rushed and sloppy. But I still recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews