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Fevers
FEVERS is a novel unlike any you have ever read. Exotic adventure, white knuckled suspense, torrid romance, and a haunting portrait of three damaged individuals – one man who has turned beast, one who must confront the beast within himself, and the woman torn between them.
Rio de Janeiro. 1984.
There are whisperings that somewhere deep in the steamy rain forest of the Amazon a man, once-civilized, is hiding in the jungle’s prehistoric ferns and moss-shrouded trees. To the Brazilian Indios, he represents the “pale skinned messiah” they’ve waited so long for. Others believe he is an evil supernatural power stirring the indigenous masses to a frenzied, killing pitch. And yet others suspect he might be Michael Fevers.
Into the lush tropics comes William Straw. A rebellious journalist and embittered Vietnam vet, the troubled Norte Americano forms an uneasy alliance with Maggie O’Hara, a beautiful anthropologist. Together the two embark on a tortured journey up the Amazon River – from swamp river shantytown to opulent plantation, from explosive passion to brutal murder – that can only conclude in the vast, incalculable depths of the jungle.
Whether he is chasing a story, an adventure, or a chance to finally exorcise his own inner demons, nothing will prepare William Straw for the senseless violence and cruel logic of the one who has been patiently waiting to take him beyond the jungle – Michael FEVERS.
Rio de Janeiro. 1984.
There are whisperings that somewhere deep in the steamy rain forest of the Amazon a man, once-civilized, is hiding in the jungle’s prehistoric ferns and moss-shrouded trees. To the Brazilian Indios, he represents the “pale skinned messiah” they’ve waited so long for. Others believe he is an evil supernatural power stirring the indigenous masses to a frenzied, killing pitch. And yet others suspect he might be Michael Fevers.
Into the lush tropics comes William Straw. A rebellious journalist and embittered Vietnam vet, the troubled Norte Americano forms an uneasy alliance with Maggie O’Hara, a beautiful anthropologist. Together the two embark on a tortured journey up the Amazon River – from swamp river shantytown to opulent plantation, from explosive passion to brutal murder – that can only conclude in the vast, incalculable depths of the jungle.
Whether he is chasing a story, an adventure, or a chance to finally exorcise his own inner demons, nothing will prepare William Straw for the senseless violence and cruel logic of the one who has been patiently waiting to take him beyond the jungle – Michael FEVERS.
Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 31, 2015
REVIEW:
Some books are engrossing in their summary, some in their title. Some books lead you to believe that the title points to something while the intended meaning is something else. Fevers checks all the above.
Set in the Amazon Rainforest, the location, scenes and characters are exotic, much aided by the sparkling visual description. From describing the characters to the scene setting, Joel Homers does complete justice to the story, even erring on the side of excess prose. The premise of story is about the arrival of a Messiah - or the misguided belief of a folklore that promises such a deliverer. The political climate and the tension is brought out in well written, sequenced prose.
Some scenes stood out in memory, like the iguana that was eaten alive by ants - and other such symbolic metaphors. Emphasising much on the plot would ruin the suspense of the story, but it will suffice to say a troubled hero who is fighting his inner demons and a ruthless opponent who stops at nothing is a combination that always works for thrillers. William Straw is every bit a representation of the good and evil present inside every man and his survival is more about his situations and skill than his fate.
The plot moves smoothly enough with enough twists to be a page turner. But for new readers, the description is slightly tedious. It also adheres to the summary given and is racy enough in some parts to keep the reader at the edge of their seat. For exotic adventure thriller lovers, this book will interest you. Give it a read!
Some books are engrossing in their summary, some in their title. Some books lead you to believe that the title points to something while the intended meaning is something else. Fevers checks all the above.
Set in the Amazon Rainforest, the location, scenes and characters are exotic, much aided by the sparkling visual description. From describing the characters to the scene setting, Joel Homers does complete justice to the story, even erring on the side of excess prose. The premise of story is about the arrival of a Messiah - or the misguided belief of a folklore that promises such a deliverer. The political climate and the tension is brought out in well written, sequenced prose.
Some scenes stood out in memory, like the iguana that was eaten alive by ants - and other such symbolic metaphors. Emphasising much on the plot would ruin the suspense of the story, but it will suffice to say a troubled hero who is fighting his inner demons and a ruthless opponent who stops at nothing is a combination that always works for thrillers. William Straw is every bit a representation of the good and evil present inside every man and his survival is more about his situations and skill than his fate.
The plot moves smoothly enough with enough twists to be a page turner. But for new readers, the description is slightly tedious. It also adheres to the summary given and is racy enough in some parts to keep the reader at the edge of their seat. For exotic adventure thriller lovers, this book will interest you. Give it a read!
March 21, 2015
Fevers is an in-your-face story about a gadfly of a journalist and his adventures into the Amazon. It's primal and the pages are smeared with blood. It drags the reader, perhaps a little unwillingly, into the jungle too and forces them to watch the events as they unfold.
Certainly not a tale for children, nor those with weak stomachs, Fevers will possibly even make the harder readers wince or retch.
The gore and thrills aside, the story actually started off a little slowly. I get the need to set the scene, but I felt waiting about 50% of the book to get William into the jungle seemed a little excessive. I also felt that once there, some of the scenes that were most important were rushed over to get to the 'juicier' scenes. This annoyed me more than anything, it left me feeling a little cheated and harried to get through the story.
I'm not really sure what the cover has to do with the book, I think something more suitable would draw in more readers. I'd recommend this for readers of gore and thriller detective type books, those who enjoy reading about out there cultures and beliefs or readers of gritty in-your-face adult fiction.
There's a little work that could be done on the writing, some of it reads a little weirdly and there's plenty in there that can be cut. Happily, though, I only found one instance of a typo:
85% - bum, should be burn.
Certainly not a tale for children, nor those with weak stomachs, Fevers will possibly even make the harder readers wince or retch.
The gore and thrills aside, the story actually started off a little slowly. I get the need to set the scene, but I felt waiting about 50% of the book to get William into the jungle seemed a little excessive. I also felt that once there, some of the scenes that were most important were rushed over to get to the 'juicier' scenes. This annoyed me more than anything, it left me feeling a little cheated and harried to get through the story.
I'm not really sure what the cover has to do with the book, I think something more suitable would draw in more readers. I'd recommend this for readers of gore and thriller detective type books, those who enjoy reading about out there cultures and beliefs or readers of gritty in-your-face adult fiction.
There's a little work that could be done on the writing, some of it reads a little weirdly and there's plenty in there that can be cut. Happily, though, I only found one instance of a typo:
85% - bum, should be burn.
May 25, 2015
“I received a copy of this book for an honest review”
Fevers is a novel unlike any I have ever read
It’s a very gritty, raw and shocking Novel. If you are not a “Fan” of Blood and Gore, this will be a very difficult read.
The story started off a little slow, but felt rushed once William went into the Jungle but no detail was left out. The Characters are well written.
William Straw, an American Expatriate Reporter takes a journey through the Amazon in search for the “Messiah” Rumours has it that Michael Fevers is this So Called “Messiah” or is he the “Beast” of the Jungle?
This Novel has Unusual / Bizarre Adventure’s, Suspense that will keep you at the edge of your Seat and a little Romance.
At Times I did need a break from the book as it can get too much.
This Book is not for the faint hearted
Fevers is a novel unlike any I have ever read
It’s a very gritty, raw and shocking Novel. If you are not a “Fan” of Blood and Gore, this will be a very difficult read.
The story started off a little slow, but felt rushed once William went into the Jungle but no detail was left out. The Characters are well written.
William Straw, an American Expatriate Reporter takes a journey through the Amazon in search for the “Messiah” Rumours has it that Michael Fevers is this So Called “Messiah” or is he the “Beast” of the Jungle?
This Novel has Unusual / Bizarre Adventure’s, Suspense that will keep you at the edge of your Seat and a little Romance.
At Times I did need a break from the book as it can get too much.
This Book is not for the faint hearted
January 7, 2023
I have always been a sucker for a jungle story. In this one, a newspaper reporter and a beautiful anthropologist head deep into the Amazon jungle to check out rumors of a white man who has set himself up as a kind of Messiah figure among the primitive tribes. The book is well-written and interesting, but very violent. If you don't like extreme violence, you'd be advised to skip this one. I stayed with it, but would never rank it among my favorites.
July 7, 2015
William Straw, a reporter and embittered Vietnam vet, is searching for Michael Fevers. He is about to take a journey deep into the Amazon Basin he will never forget. You won’t forget it either.
Who is Michael Fevers? He is an American kid, thought to be trying to save the Indios and reputed to be their long-awaited savior. Since he is extremely hard to track down, some are not even sure he is a real person. Many think he is part of a legend.
Deep in the Amazon Basin, it doesn’t look as though Straw will be able to find the elusive Fevers. But Straw isn’t one to give up. He only becomes more determined. Those who help him unfortunately end up violently killed.
The first two parts of the story are good but not so good that I couldn’t easily lay the book down and go on to something else. That part of the story was necessary to understand what is going on. Then in part III, they enter the jungle. I could no longer take a break from reading. Think of Indiana Jones. Things became intense, violent, unpredictable. Yet, in the midst of all the chaos, there is romance.
Straw finds Michael Fevers. The depth of his delusions and beliefs astounds even Straw. And the torment that Straw survives would have driven just about anyone else to the edge of sanity.
The author’s awesomely vivid descriptions easily painted pictures in my mind of what the jungle looked and sounded like. Visualizations of what happened to certain individuals also appeared clearly in my mind, so be prepared.
Parts of the book are extremely bloody. Then there are parts that are not so bloody, but the mere thought of what has been done is enough to make some sick to their tummy, possibly even making them lose their dinner. This is definitely not a book for those with weak stomachs.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Who is Michael Fevers? He is an American kid, thought to be trying to save the Indios and reputed to be their long-awaited savior. Since he is extremely hard to track down, some are not even sure he is a real person. Many think he is part of a legend.
Deep in the Amazon Basin, it doesn’t look as though Straw will be able to find the elusive Fevers. But Straw isn’t one to give up. He only becomes more determined. Those who help him unfortunately end up violently killed.
The first two parts of the story are good but not so good that I couldn’t easily lay the book down and go on to something else. That part of the story was necessary to understand what is going on. Then in part III, they enter the jungle. I could no longer take a break from reading. Think of Indiana Jones. Things became intense, violent, unpredictable. Yet, in the midst of all the chaos, there is romance.
Straw finds Michael Fevers. The depth of his delusions and beliefs astounds even Straw. And the torment that Straw survives would have driven just about anyone else to the edge of sanity.
The author’s awesomely vivid descriptions easily painted pictures in my mind of what the jungle looked and sounded like. Visualizations of what happened to certain individuals also appeared clearly in my mind, so be prepared.
Parts of the book are extremely bloody. Then there are parts that are not so bloody, but the mere thought of what has been done is enough to make some sick to their tummy, possibly even making them lose their dinner. This is definitely not a book for those with weak stomachs.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
May 29, 2015
Have you seen the movie Apocalypse Now? That’s how this story felt. A madman enters the jungle with a twisted crusade to save the Indios of Brazil.They are being enslaved and their culture is being erased. Michael Fevers has a plan to unite the tribes and wage war.
Another man enters the jungle on a mission to find Michael Fevers. William Straw, a journalist haunted by his time in the Vietnam War. He’s damaged, bitter, angry, and determined to get his story. At all costs.
Though the title suggests this story is about Michael Fevers, I felt it was more about William. At least for the first half of the book. Michael may be crazy, but William Straw is no angel himself.
Then things start ramping up. Blood flows. A lot of it. I just want to warn you some scenes are visceral, raw, the author doesn’t spare you. I felt the descriptions were important to get me engaged, outraged, to get the full experience.
I’m not sure if the plight of the Brazilian Indios is real. Their situation made me think of the Aborigines. Very similar situations. Slavery, forced to leave their way of life, their culture, behind.
As the story escalates in the second half, I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end. The slow start to this story was worth it for the finale.
There’s something about the jungle, the primal feel of it, that fascinates me. I’m always looking for books like this. Movies too. If they ever made this into a movie, I’d be in line for a ticket. I’d settle into my seat with a big bucket of popcorn with extra butter and enjoy the show.
I received this book for my honest review.
Another man enters the jungle on a mission to find Michael Fevers. William Straw, a journalist haunted by his time in the Vietnam War. He’s damaged, bitter, angry, and determined to get his story. At all costs.
Though the title suggests this story is about Michael Fevers, I felt it was more about William. At least for the first half of the book. Michael may be crazy, but William Straw is no angel himself.
Then things start ramping up. Blood flows. A lot of it. I just want to warn you some scenes are visceral, raw, the author doesn’t spare you. I felt the descriptions were important to get me engaged, outraged, to get the full experience.
I’m not sure if the plight of the Brazilian Indios is real. Their situation made me think of the Aborigines. Very similar situations. Slavery, forced to leave their way of life, their culture, behind.
As the story escalates in the second half, I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end. The slow start to this story was worth it for the finale.
There’s something about the jungle, the primal feel of it, that fascinates me. I’m always looking for books like this. Movies too. If they ever made this into a movie, I’d be in line for a ticket. I’d settle into my seat with a big bucket of popcorn with extra butter and enjoy the show.
I received this book for my honest review.
May 19, 2015
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
This book is a little hard to categorize. It’s an action/thriller/suspense book but it also reads like a history novel as well. The atrocities that are described in this book at the hands of the government of the Indios have truth to them. While the book is fiction, there is usually an element of truth to some of the more horrific aspects. All you have to do is look at the treatment of the Native Americans at the hands of the government here in the U.S.
The story of Michael Fevers is a pretty interesting read. The action and suspense is abundant throughout and the trials and tribulations of this “gadfly” to get his story seems to know no bounds. It seems as though no matter what happens, William Straw will get his story. Once his journey takes him down a certain path, there is no going back and it’s hard to determine if he’s continuing out of pride or if he really needs the closure. There is a drive in William Straw that has to go beyond just the story and getting the headline. It seems as though he feels personally connected to his subject and must follow the connection no matter where it leads. This story is gritty, raw, shocking, provocative, and thought provoking. It definitely is not for the faint of heart. I give Fevers 4 books.
This book is a little hard to categorize. It’s an action/thriller/suspense book but it also reads like a history novel as well. The atrocities that are described in this book at the hands of the government of the Indios have truth to them. While the book is fiction, there is usually an element of truth to some of the more horrific aspects. All you have to do is look at the treatment of the Native Americans at the hands of the government here in the U.S.
The story of Michael Fevers is a pretty interesting read. The action and suspense is abundant throughout and the trials and tribulations of this “gadfly” to get his story seems to know no bounds. It seems as though no matter what happens, William Straw will get his story. Once his journey takes him down a certain path, there is no going back and it’s hard to determine if he’s continuing out of pride or if he really needs the closure. There is a drive in William Straw that has to go beyond just the story and getting the headline. It seems as though he feels personally connected to his subject and must follow the connection no matter where it leads. This story is gritty, raw, shocking, provocative, and thought provoking. It definitely is not for the faint of heart. I give Fevers 4 books.
June 10, 2015
This was a difficult book to read. The underlying uncomfortable truth that is brought to light in the story is one that everyone should know about, but no one really wants to know about. It is an uncomfortable reminder of the brutalities in our shared past and the underlying violence that mankind is capable of perpetrating. So it was difficult to read.
However, everyone should read something uncomfortable that makes them think on a regular basis. That said, this is not the book for everyone. It has many uncomfortable scenes and ideas. Those who can look at the brutality of people and learn from it will get something from this book. But don’t look for a quick easy read because this book will pull at your heart and make you contemplate uncomfortable ideas.
I give this book 3 out of 5 clouds.
This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
However, everyone should read something uncomfortable that makes them think on a regular basis. That said, this is not the book for everyone. It has many uncomfortable scenes and ideas. Those who can look at the brutality of people and learn from it will get something from this book. But don’t look for a quick easy read because this book will pull at your heart and make you contemplate uncomfortable ideas.
I give this book 3 out of 5 clouds.
This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
May 12, 2015
REVIEW: FEVERS by Joel Homer
Wildly engrossing and unforgettable, FEVERS is a rocketing ride into the heart of the Amazonian jungle, the heart of darkness, and the heart of evil. At first akin to a fictional Stanley & Livingston saga as American expatriate reporter William Straw hunts for the elusive, invisible North American "messiah " to the Indio, the unidentifiable Michael Fevers--reportedly a strong leader, dedicated to preservation of the native tribes--the One prophesied throughout Native history in Latin America. With every twist and turn, on land an on the river, Straw's quest becomes a journey akin to Joseph Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS: a journey of terror, heartache, terrible physical injury, indignity, and madness. I don't know that I will ever be able to forget this novel.
Wildly engrossing and unforgettable, FEVERS is a rocketing ride into the heart of the Amazonian jungle, the heart of darkness, and the heart of evil. At first akin to a fictional Stanley & Livingston saga as American expatriate reporter William Straw hunts for the elusive, invisible North American "messiah " to the Indio, the unidentifiable Michael Fevers--reportedly a strong leader, dedicated to preservation of the native tribes--the One prophesied throughout Native history in Latin America. With every twist and turn, on land an on the river, Straw's quest becomes a journey akin to Joseph Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS: a journey of terror, heartache, terrible physical injury, indignity, and madness. I don't know that I will ever be able to forget this novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews