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The Proxima Strain
Nathan didn’t expect to end up staring down the barrel of a gun when he chased that cute guy down the street, but who has the time to always think things through? Except in video games, sixteen-year-old Nathan doesn’t usually play hero, but what would you do if you caught a cute guy stealing from your convenience store? How was he supposed to know Adrian had a gun? Or that he escaped from a secret military lab where he was being experimented on, for that matter? Now Nathan is driving a stolen car, running from the government with his nagging best friend Kimiko and a stranger with a gun who is suffering from a mysterious disease that seems to be breaking out across the country. But apart from those minor snags, things are going great. Sometimes Adrian even speaks – making Nathan’s heart beat faster – even though he mostly just tells him to shut up. Nathan isn’t sure if he can believe Adrian’s story. All he knows is that if he doesn’t save him from the government, he will never see Adrian again, and that’s just a non-starter. But first he has to save his life. The Proxima Strain is a thrilling Young Adult action adventure that will take you on a riveting journey from the microscopic world of genetics to the doorstep of our interstellar neighborhood.
276 pages, Paperback
Published December 3, 2019
35 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Marcus Herzig
12 books57 followersMarcus Herzig, future bestselling author and professional sarcast, was born in 1970 and studied Law, English, Educational Science, and Physics, albeit none of them with any tenacity or ambition. After dropping out of university he held various positions in banking, utilities, and Big Oil that bore no responsibility or decision-making power whatsoever.
Always destined to be a demiurge, he has been inventing characters and telling stories since the age of five, and it’s what he wants to do for the rest of his life. His favorite genre, both as a reader and a writer, is Young Adult literature, but he also very much enjoys science- and literary fiction.
Always destined to be a demiurge, he has been inventing characters and telling stories since the age of five, and it’s what he wants to do for the rest of his life. His favorite genre, both as a reader and a writer, is Young Adult literature, but he also very much enjoys science- and literary fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 29, 2020
I had the chance at the start of the month to read this wonderful adventure book. It is something not accustomed very often in the LGBT bracket as most books deal with drama on the spot. Mr. Herzig has given us a memorable sci-fi addition to LGBT adventure. What I liked about this book was its compelling premise to keep you wanting to read in such a confined space. Most of the novel takes place in a car driven by Nathan, the protagonist accompanied by his best friend Kimiko and a mysterious boy named Adrian, who is on the run. What brought out the limited world expansion was the excellently created characters. The insulting, the light jabbering, the thrill of what is around the next corner keeps the idea quite fresh even though it has been explored many times. There are some intense scenes in the finished piece, some slow, but the strong characters keep you wanting to read. In all, I enjoyed the story as a whole. In the past, I have found that Mr. Herzig sometimes ends a tale a little abruptly. Though in this light, the book had a pretty good ending, of course, I would have wanted some higher stakes, but it is forgiven. Give the book a shot. It is definitely worth the read.
February 20, 2021
This had a really cool premise, but I don't think it held up very well by the end sadly.
Cons:
× Find me a teenage boy who calls people "darling" as much as Nathan does. Seriously. I have never, and I mean, NEVER, heard a teenage boy ever refer to other people as "darling". I rarely hear other adults (my age and older) use the word. I could have let it slide if it had only been once or twice, but Nathan had a habit of throwing it out numerous times thoroughly the book. It was jarring and cringey.
× Nathan as our protagonist was...okay, but I honestly prefer the other two way more. Much of what Nathan did or how he acted (like cracking jokes at inappropriate times, focusing more on his crush and jealousy when they are literally on the run, calling people by names they didn't like, etc) just didn't work for me overall. I get he's sixteen, but come on. At some point common sense has to take over given the situation.
× I do not need to know about a character "scratching his pubes" or having a character talking to his own dick. Please, these types of things are so unnecessary, especially in a YA book. Just, no.
× Once I finished the book, I realized it felt like nothing of true significance really happened in this book. Sure, there was tons of action and characters trying to unravel secrets, but plot wise, the story was pretty much in the same place where it started by the time it ended with the exception of a few things here and there. No one had to face any consequences for anything. And all of it left me wondering "what was the point of our characters doing anything?"
× Idk how I feel about the relationship between Nathan and Adrian. Like...there was nothing between them for most of the book (besides the occasional mention of Nathan having a crush on him), hell, Adrian didn't even really talk much, and then sudden they're all touchy-feely with one another. There was no real build up between them.
× The last 25% of the book felt sloppy and all over the place. It got to the point where characters were just rehashing things the reader already knew with very few new tidbits of info sprinkled in. There was a short "flashback" chapter consisting of a few pages that could have easily been summed up in a paragraph of dialogue. There was a plan, but the plan fell apart, then turned into something else that was pointless because another character threw something out that made it unnecessary... it just felt poorly done.
Pros:
× I loved the gas station scene. It was hilarious and surprisingly realistic. Something I could easily see happening with a group of teenagers in that predicament. This is a scene I would tell people to read a book alone for.
× Human expirements. Period. I'm a sucker for this in stories because it's a somewhat dark theme no matter how it's portrayed or what kind of story it's in.
× I really liked Kimiko and Adrian as characters, moreso than the protagonist himself. Kimiko's that person that'll call out your stupid shit (and her sarcastic nature is so relatable to me) and considering the stuff happening to Adrian somewhat ties into what was going on with the expirements, he came off as more interesting over Nathan.
Cons:
× Find me a teenage boy who calls people "darling" as much as Nathan does. Seriously. I have never, and I mean, NEVER, heard a teenage boy ever refer to other people as "darling". I rarely hear other adults (my age and older) use the word. I could have let it slide if it had only been once or twice, but Nathan had a habit of throwing it out numerous times thoroughly the book. It was jarring and cringey.
× Nathan as our protagonist was...okay, but I honestly prefer the other two way more. Much of what Nathan did or how he acted (like cracking jokes at inappropriate times, focusing more on his crush and jealousy when they are literally on the run, calling people by names they didn't like, etc) just didn't work for me overall. I get he's sixteen, but come on. At some point common sense has to take over given the situation.
× I do not need to know about a character "scratching his pubes" or having a character talking to his own dick. Please, these types of things are so unnecessary, especially in a YA book. Just, no.
× Once I finished the book, I realized it felt like nothing of true significance really happened in this book. Sure, there was tons of action and characters trying to unravel secrets, but plot wise, the story was pretty much in the same place where it started by the time it ended with the exception of a few things here and there. No one had to face any consequences for anything. And all of it left me wondering "what was the point of our characters doing anything?"
× Idk how I feel about the relationship between Nathan and Adrian. Like...there was nothing between them for most of the book (besides the occasional mention of Nathan having a crush on him), hell, Adrian didn't even really talk much, and then sudden they're all touchy-feely with one another. There was no real build up between them.
× The last 25% of the book felt sloppy and all over the place. It got to the point where characters were just rehashing things the reader already knew with very few new tidbits of info sprinkled in. There was a short "flashback" chapter consisting of a few pages that could have easily been summed up in a paragraph of dialogue. There was a plan, but the plan fell apart, then turned into something else that was pointless because another character threw something out that made it unnecessary... it just felt poorly done.
Pros:
× I loved the gas station scene. It was hilarious and surprisingly realistic. Something I could easily see happening with a group of teenagers in that predicament. This is a scene I would tell people to read a book alone for.
× Human expirements. Period. I'm a sucker for this in stories because it's a somewhat dark theme no matter how it's portrayed or what kind of story it's in.
× I really liked Kimiko and Adrian as characters, moreso than the protagonist himself. Kimiko's that person that'll call out your stupid shit (and her sarcastic nature is so relatable to me) and considering the stuff happening to Adrian somewhat ties into what was going on with the expirements, he came off as more interesting over Nathan.
February 22, 2020
I think the best way to describe this book is: fun. When I went in, I was expecting something a lot more dramatic and serious in tone, but what I got was a fun scifi romp with two bickering besties and a budding gay romance, and I wasn't at all disappointed.
The sheer concept of the story is wild and drew me in immediately, and the characters kept me reading. I loved Nathan's ability to annoy the crap out of everyone, how Adrian was technically holding them hostage but really had no plan or no idea what to do, Kimiko being the only one who had SOME sense and struggling to hold it together. All of their interactions were a joy to read.
In particular, the part where they attempt to hold up a gas station had me rolling. Nathan wanting to do the right thing and pay, with the others being like, "We've already done all these crimes, let's just steal this and go." I keep repeating this but it was just funny!
I really liked the weird scientist guy as well, especially once
I do wish there had been a touch more focus on the romance between Nathan and Adrian, and the end of the book left me with a lot of questions about... everything. I almost wonder if this is the planned start of a series, or something, because there's still so much that could be answered. I certainly wouldn't mind reading more of these characters.
The sheer concept of the story is wild and drew me in immediately, and the characters kept me reading. I loved Nathan's ability to annoy the crap out of everyone, how Adrian was technically holding them hostage but really had no plan or no idea what to do, Kimiko being the only one who had SOME sense and struggling to hold it together. All of their interactions were a joy to read.
In particular, the part where they attempt to hold up a gas station had me rolling. Nathan wanting to do the right thing and pay, with the others being like, "We've already done all these crimes, let's just steal this and go." I keep repeating this but it was just funny!
I really liked the weird scientist guy as well, especially once
I do wish there had been a touch more focus on the romance between Nathan and Adrian, and the end of the book left me with a lot of questions about... everything. I almost wonder if this is the planned start of a series, or something, because there's still so much that could be answered. I certainly wouldn't mind reading more of these characters.
December 23, 2022
📖📚Hi everyone, Its Christopher the reader here, The book we are here to talk about tonight is (Drum roll) The Proxima Strain. This was my first read of Marcus Herzig's work. After reading this story I would like to give his other books a go sometime. I have added some of them to my long to buy TBR list. I first read this book in October, of this year (2022) It took me quite a few days to finish reading, as I was pretty busy and also I feel like a part of me didn't want the story to be over. 'The Proxima Strain' was first published on the 3rd of December in 2019. The book was told using third person with it following Nathan and Mcreedy. Which had 19 chapters, All together the story had 276 pages.
-I thought that the book had some good character and place detail. I liked how the story started I think it was a pretty cool way to start the book off, I feel like it was also a good way for us as the reader to get to know two of the characters personality's a little more. For me it felt realistic, I enjoyed some of the funny scenes that the story had, I found the gas station scene especially funny while reading. Another thing that I liked was the action within the book. Personally I did find a few things a little predictable. I do think that some parts could have been worded differently and also shortened down a bit. While reading I did notice a few mistakes with some words and also some errors of quotation.
- I thought that we was introduced to the characters really well, I liked that we got to meet new people as the story went on. I found the person called Jodie pretty annoying but really funny. I really liked the character called Kimiko She is a badass, I also liked the friendship that she had with the main character called Nathan. I liked that we got to know a little about Nathan's family within the book and that we got to discover a bit of history of Adrian's character and how he got to where he was within the story. I do like the relationship between Nathan and Adrian and I liked that it didn't take up the main focus of the story, but I do feel like that part was rushed. I think that I would have liked it a bit more if that there was extra scenes of them two together in the book.
- To be honest I wasn't a huge fan of the fact that no characters within the book had to face any consequences for what happened. I liked the ending of the story although I personally would have liked the book more if the stakes were a little higher. After reading the story I do wish that I gave it a read sooner. Personally, I would love it if this book got its own audiobook and also if it was turned into a TV Show. If it ever does I would definitely go and watch it.
For each story that I read, I rate it out of 10 so for this am going to give it a 9 Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.
-I thought that the book had some good character and place detail. I liked how the story started I think it was a pretty cool way to start the book off, I feel like it was also a good way for us as the reader to get to know two of the characters personality's a little more. For me it felt realistic, I enjoyed some of the funny scenes that the story had, I found the gas station scene especially funny while reading. Another thing that I liked was the action within the book. Personally I did find a few things a little predictable. I do think that some parts could have been worded differently and also shortened down a bit. While reading I did notice a few mistakes with some words and also some errors of quotation.
- I thought that we was introduced to the characters really well, I liked that we got to meet new people as the story went on. I found the person called Jodie pretty annoying but really funny. I really liked the character called Kimiko She is a badass, I also liked the friendship that she had with the main character called Nathan. I liked that we got to know a little about Nathan's family within the book and that we got to discover a bit of history of Adrian's character and how he got to where he was within the story. I do like the relationship between Nathan and Adrian and I liked that it didn't take up the main focus of the story, but I do feel like that part was rushed. I think that I would have liked it a bit more if that there was extra scenes of them two together in the book.
- To be honest I wasn't a huge fan of the fact that no characters within the book had to face any consequences for what happened. I liked the ending of the story although I personally would have liked the book more if the stakes were a little higher. After reading the story I do wish that I gave it a read sooner. Personally, I would love it if this book got its own audiobook and also if it was turned into a TV Show. If it ever does I would definitely go and watch it.
For each story that I read, I rate it out of 10 so for this am going to give it a 9 Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.
December 24, 2019
This was a very good read, even though the beginning threw me off. This book isn't a normally plotted story; there were many exciting twists. Overall I'd like to give it five stars, but there were a few slow points.
February 2, 2020
Such a great read.
This is one of those rare gems you wish was way longer. Or even better, a series. The world building is excellent and the plot and sub plots very believable, to me any way.
This is one of those rare gems you wish was way longer. Or even better, a series. The world building is excellent and the plot and sub plots very believable, to me any way.
December 27, 2022
I love Heartmates (same author), so I try this one.
Quite disappoint.
- No chemistry between main characters
- Many plot holes
- It feel like a rushed novel that was written without a good plot structure
Quite disappoint.
- No chemistry between main characters
- Many plot holes
- It feel like a rushed novel that was written without a good plot structure
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews