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Graham's Resolution #1
The China Pandemic
Read how author A. R. Shaw delivers a far too plausible scenario challenging human survival."Powered by adept character development and relentless pacing, this post-apocalyptic novel...makes for a page-turning, end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it reading experience. ...readers will find Morgan to be an endearing hero at world's end." Kirkus Review
A weaponized bird flu ravaged the globe to near extinction.
A former Seattle math professor races on a journey to survive.
A community of survivalists, without immunity to the killer virus, struggle to remain undetected.
A young girl is exposed, threatening war between those few left behind.
A weaponized bird flu ravaged the globe to near extinction.
A former Seattle math professor races on a journey to survive.
A community of survivalists, without immunity to the killer virus, struggle to remain undetected.
A young girl is exposed, threatening war between those few left behind.
322 pages, Paperback
Published April 2, 2020
1747 people are currently reading
1478 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
July 14, 2016
It was a good concept that was not executed very well. I gave it 2 starts since the concept was actually good and gave the book some type of promise.
A major virus breaks out in China killing most of the world's population. The ones that survive are immune or carriers. There are also the Preppers, people who prepared for the 'end of the world'. If any of the Preppers get the virus it could kill them since they are not carriers or immune to the virus.
It was a slow read to me. Nothing big really seemed to happen. I couldn't relate or connect with any of the characters. If any of them died I wouldn't care too much. I would care of Ennis died since I have a soft spot for cute old men! In the beginning you have Bang's mother trying to find someone to take care of her son since she has the virus and is going to die. She finds Graham and figures he be able to take care of her son. So this mother leaves her child with a complete stranger. Graham is trying to get to his family's cabin in the mountains and along they way they run into more people and trouble blah blah blah. It's the typical plot honestly. This is a series I will not continue. There was nothing there to keep me involved in the story. They all had too good of luck. The only way I would read the next one if it was free and my whole TBR list has been completed.
A major virus breaks out in China killing most of the world's population. The ones that survive are immune or carriers. There are also the Preppers, people who prepared for the 'end of the world'. If any of the Preppers get the virus it could kill them since they are not carriers or immune to the virus.
It was a slow read to me. Nothing big really seemed to happen. I couldn't relate or connect with any of the characters. If any of them died I wouldn't care too much. I would care of Ennis died since I have a soft spot for cute old men! In the beginning you have Bang's mother trying to find someone to take care of her son since she has the virus and is going to die. She finds Graham and figures he be able to take care of her son. So this mother leaves her child with a complete stranger. Graham is trying to get to his family's cabin in the mountains and along they way they run into more people and trouble blah blah blah. It's the typical plot honestly. This is a series I will not continue. There was nothing there to keep me involved in the story. They all had too good of luck. The only way I would read the next one if it was free and my whole TBR list has been completed.
October 17, 2020
The China Pandemic Graham's Resolution, Book 1
By: A. R. Shaw
Narrated by: Darriel Driml
This sounded like a good idea but ended flat. I almost stopped multiple times but wanted to give it a chance.
By: A. R. Shaw
Narrated by: Darriel Driml
This sounded like a good idea but ended flat. I almost stopped multiple times but wanted to give it a chance.
March 22, 2019
I purchased this based on the fact that I enjoy science fiction, the Amazon and Goodreads reviews good to fair, and the price was very reasonable ($1.99). At least Goodreads readers were somewhat lukewarm, the Amazon reviews were atrociously good(not the first time that has happened to me)! An unfortunate waste of $2 and my time.
This is one of a glut of dystopian sci-fi novels produced lately. If you are going to compete with the likes of Cormac McCarthy ('The Road'), Emily St. John Mandel ('Station Eleven'), and many other excellent writers present and past; you need to stand out with unique ideas, superb writing, or hopefully both. 'The China Pandemic (Graham's Resolution #1) earns two strikes. The character development is poor, the dialog is stilted and overdone, ideas are tediously repeated, many actions don't make sense, and the ending is predictable. (For instance, the virus central to the book renders the victim permanently contagious if he survives. But the victim is also asymptomatic. I've never heard of an illness like that and it does not make biological sense.) More than enough to strike out the side!
The worst is the quality of the writing. Some examples:
"Graham, sitting in a chair in the living area, looked out the window and saw the first snowflakes drifting down as the ambient morning light just glided over the horizon, lighting the area in a dusky blue."
"When Graham and Tala resumed watch, Ennis and the others devised a chicken coop out of the old shed that sat upon concrete blocks which served no real purpose after his father had built a new one, which was designated the new chicken coop." Huh?
"He wondered about Tala and knew something had begun to grow between them, but he wasn't ready to give it a name just yet. Something held him back, even though he could smell her across the room at night. Their eyes often locked at randomly odd moments during the day and that night when he held her close in the forest, as the invaders came in, his instinctive protectiveness had surprised him with its intensity." Smell her...instinctive protectiveness...?
"The ambient light of the moon cast down upon them and the intricacy of the traps challenging as they maneuvered through the maze, often tripping, which caused the other men watching the monitors to hold their breath." What? (The author clearly has a thing about ambient light, whatever that is.)
I could go on, but you get the idea. Much of this reads like a high school writing assignment. It also badly needs good editing. I don't think there's any point in relating story highlights. Cannot recommend.
This is one of a glut of dystopian sci-fi novels produced lately. If you are going to compete with the likes of Cormac McCarthy ('The Road'), Emily St. John Mandel ('Station Eleven'), and many other excellent writers present and past; you need to stand out with unique ideas, superb writing, or hopefully both. 'The China Pandemic (Graham's Resolution #1) earns two strikes. The character development is poor, the dialog is stilted and overdone, ideas are tediously repeated, many actions don't make sense, and the ending is predictable. (For instance, the virus central to the book renders the victim permanently contagious if he survives. But the victim is also asymptomatic. I've never heard of an illness like that and it does not make biological sense.) More than enough to strike out the side!
The worst is the quality of the writing. Some examples:
"Graham, sitting in a chair in the living area, looked out the window and saw the first snowflakes drifting down as the ambient morning light just glided over the horizon, lighting the area in a dusky blue."
"When Graham and Tala resumed watch, Ennis and the others devised a chicken coop out of the old shed that sat upon concrete blocks which served no real purpose after his father had built a new one, which was designated the new chicken coop." Huh?
"He wondered about Tala and knew something had begun to grow between them, but he wasn't ready to give it a name just yet. Something held him back, even though he could smell her across the room at night. Their eyes often locked at randomly odd moments during the day and that night when he held her close in the forest, as the invaders came in, his instinctive protectiveness had surprised him with its intensity." Smell her...instinctive protectiveness...?
"The ambient light of the moon cast down upon them and the intricacy of the traps challenging as they maneuvered through the maze, often tripping, which caused the other men watching the monitors to hold their breath." What? (The author clearly has a thing about ambient light, whatever that is.)
I could go on, but you get the idea. Much of this reads like a high school writing assignment. It also badly needs good editing. I don't think there's any point in relating story highlights. Cannot recommend.
November 9, 2015
I totally enjoyed it, surprisingly so, as I'm typically leery of post-apocalyptic material. It is the gratuitous nihilism of the genre that tends to numb me. However, with A.R. Shaw's "The China Pandemic" the caricature of dystopian mayhem is displaced, instead the reader is treated to a well-developed humanist portrayal of individual and community survival despite awful odds. The sense of responsibility borne on the shoulders of the main protagonist Graham, is palpable. His cautious generosity, taking care of a motley crew of survivors at great personal risk--some being children, is admirable to witness. Seeing the personal growth of all the characters as the narrative unfolds is satisfying; they are at times pitiful, vulnerable and cruel, yet, at other times they are resourceful, compassionate and selfless. This all seems plausible to me considering the extraordinary pressures everyone was living under.
Adding to the tension of this well-written novel is the unseen presence of a well-organized compound of Preppers. The addition of this group leads to further intriguing plot lines; and raises questions about the amazing lengths ordinary men and women are prepared to go in order to survive. Appropriately, the reader is consciously aware that all the resources of civil society have been eviscerated by the pandemic, and that the threat of anarchy, lawlessness and death remains a constant in every chapter. For instance, any chance meeting with a stranger may well have dire consequences, whether it be contagion, assault, abduction or even execution. Then there is the change in the social order; a segregation between the Carriers (those immune, but carrying the virus) and the Preppers who are understandably struggling to remain disease free. I found this to be immensely provocative...and emotionally powerful.
I'm looking forward to reading A.R. Shaw's next book in the Graham's Resolution series now that my misgivings of the genre have been so effectively allayed.
Review by Mark Fine of THE ZEBRA AFFAIRE: An Apartheid Love Story
Adding to the tension of this well-written novel is the unseen presence of a well-organized compound of Preppers. The addition of this group leads to further intriguing plot lines; and raises questions about the amazing lengths ordinary men and women are prepared to go in order to survive. Appropriately, the reader is consciously aware that all the resources of civil society have been eviscerated by the pandemic, and that the threat of anarchy, lawlessness and death remains a constant in every chapter. For instance, any chance meeting with a stranger may well have dire consequences, whether it be contagion, assault, abduction or even execution. Then there is the change in the social order; a segregation between the Carriers (those immune, but carrying the virus) and the Preppers who are understandably struggling to remain disease free. I found this to be immensely provocative...and emotionally powerful.
I'm looking forward to reading A.R. Shaw's next book in the Graham's Resolution series now that my misgivings of the genre have been so effectively allayed.
Review by Mark Fine of THE ZEBRA AFFAIRE: An Apartheid Love Story
May 15, 2018
Ok book —- if you:re 13
Apocalyptic is the right word for this book - if you’re talking about the writing.
When one endeavors to write about the future, there is a responsibility to earn the reader’s trust - credibility is paramount. We need to buy in to the world being created, before we can buy in to the characters or the story line.
A runaway virus has killed 95% of the world’s people. The story is about a group of survivors banded together against roving predators, both animal and human.
Ok, we can work with that. But almost immediately we get insulted by stupidity in the details. Everyone’s dead, but somehow there’s still electricity. Lights work, refrigerators- hot water for the shower. Who’s running the power plant? Two way radios (do batteries last forever?) And there”s another camp nearby, equipped better than NASA with technological gadgets and construction that would take years - it just makes it hard to stay engaged when there’s so much ‘wrong’ with this picture.
The writing style is ,well, Jr, High School level, and the rest of the book focuses on the relationships between characters as they ’fight to survive’ in the wilderness ( but not really).
I only kept reading to see what silliness came next.
Don’t make the same mistake.
Apocalyptic is the right word for this book - if you’re talking about the writing.
When one endeavors to write about the future, there is a responsibility to earn the reader’s trust - credibility is paramount. We need to buy in to the world being created, before we can buy in to the characters or the story line.
A runaway virus has killed 95% of the world’s people. The story is about a group of survivors banded together against roving predators, both animal and human.
Ok, we can work with that. But almost immediately we get insulted by stupidity in the details. Everyone’s dead, but somehow there’s still electricity. Lights work, refrigerators- hot water for the shower. Who’s running the power plant? Two way radios (do batteries last forever?) And there”s another camp nearby, equipped better than NASA with technological gadgets and construction that would take years - it just makes it hard to stay engaged when there’s so much ‘wrong’ with this picture.
The writing style is ,well, Jr, High School level, and the rest of the book focuses on the relationships between characters as they ’fight to survive’ in the wilderness ( but not really).
I only kept reading to see what silliness came next.
Don’t make the same mistake.
August 12, 2016
First Impressions:
I have only just begun, but I already have some strong feeling about this book. First off, I find the plot to be very catching. It has already drawn me in and left me wondering. Unfortunately, so has the structure of the writing.
Typically, I am a fairly advanced reader, but with this book, I find myself doubling back to reread sentences. They are oddly worded. I'm still not sure If I am going to read this one to completion, despite the obviously intriguing story line.
-Kindle e-book provided by A.R. Shaw via Goodread-
I have only just begun, but I already have some strong feeling about this book. First off, I find the plot to be very catching. It has already drawn me in and left me wondering. Unfortunately, so has the structure of the writing.
Typically, I am a fairly advanced reader, but with this book, I find myself doubling back to reread sentences. They are oddly worded. I'm still not sure If I am going to read this one to completion, despite the obviously intriguing story line.
-Kindle e-book provided by A.R. Shaw via Goodread-
September 30, 2014
First, the author has shared a great apocalyptic story. A flu-type virus has come from China, killing all but 2% of the population. Those who are left are divided into those who have been exposed and survived, and those who have managed to not be exposed, but remain fearful of such a thing happening.
The book does a good job of staying out of a global view of things. Instead, the first half of the book is spent with individuals meeting and becoming a group, with Graham the leader, and then trying to get out the big city without being killed. I like the real-life dangers, ones that one wouldn’t anticipate. I also liked the fact that the characters were focused on daily needs such as what to eat and where to go to the bathroom. It made it very real. The author also does a good job of helping the reader like each of the characters.
That’s the good news. Even though the Amazon page said it was completely reedited in 2013, I found the editing pretty bad. Punctuation and grammar were a problem throughout. There were formatting problems. In addition there were some plausibility problems. One problem that didn’t have to do with editing was the fact that much of the first chapter or so was spent in exposition: I found myself being told the story rather than living it. The author took a very good idea for a story, but I thought had a hard time delivering it professionally.
The book does a good job of staying out of a global view of things. Instead, the first half of the book is spent with individuals meeting and becoming a group, with Graham the leader, and then trying to get out the big city without being killed. I like the real-life dangers, ones that one wouldn’t anticipate. I also liked the fact that the characters were focused on daily needs such as what to eat and where to go to the bathroom. It made it very real. The author also does a good job of helping the reader like each of the characters.
That’s the good news. Even though the Amazon page said it was completely reedited in 2013, I found the editing pretty bad. Punctuation and grammar were a problem throughout. There were formatting problems. In addition there were some plausibility problems. One problem that didn’t have to do with editing was the fact that much of the first chapter or so was spent in exposition: I found myself being told the story rather than living it. The author took a very good idea for a story, but I thought had a hard time delivering it professionally.
December 29, 2017
Full disclosure: I wasn't able to finish this book.
I am wiling to overlook general editing and proofreading issues. They happen, but if the story is good and the pacing is tight, they generally do not overwhelm my enjoyment of the book. Unfortunately, the story here is not good and the pacing is mediocre (at best!), and so these mistakes stuck out like a sore thumb to me.
The premise is promising. I love a good dystopian/post-apocalyptic thriller. However, this book teetered on the edge of unbelievable for me from the start. The dialogue was stilted and the characters /just/ on this side of "incredulous." A little too perfect for my tastes, but the book is just starting, I'm sure we'll see flaws soon. Nope. Those aforementioned flaws never really seem to come up. Everyone just gets more resilient and more hardy and more exceptional as the book continues and latent abilities are discovered. This bears repeating: the dialogue was SO stilted. No one talks like that! So no, I didn't enjoy this novel. There are many more books written with a similar plot that you will not be missing out if you don't pick this one up.
I am wiling to overlook general editing and proofreading issues. They happen, but if the story is good and the pacing is tight, they generally do not overwhelm my enjoyment of the book. Unfortunately, the story here is not good and the pacing is mediocre (at best!), and so these mistakes stuck out like a sore thumb to me.
The premise is promising. I love a good dystopian/post-apocalyptic thriller. However, this book teetered on the edge of unbelievable for me from the start. The dialogue was stilted and the characters /just/ on this side of "incredulous." A little too perfect for my tastes, but the book is just starting, I'm sure we'll see flaws soon. Nope. Those aforementioned flaws never really seem to come up. Everyone just gets more resilient and more hardy and more exceptional as the book continues and latent abilities are discovered. This bears repeating: the dialogue was SO stilted. No one talks like that! So no, I didn't enjoy this novel. There are many more books written with a similar plot that you will not be missing out if you don't pick this one up.
April 11, 2020
This was free during this isolation period, so I thought it would be good to see what an author could depict in this environment we are going through now.
This was a good read and I was engrossed and absorbed in it. I thought it was a single story but now see there are 5 novels in this series. I cannot say I am upset at this! I am really hooked on this now. The author has done her research into how a Prepper would be organised in the event of such a pandemic as this.
Interestingly this was written in 2013 and describes what is happening now but goes past this. That is the hook that gets you reading more, you want to know how they survive and what they do to do this.
Very entertaining.
This was a good read and I was engrossed and absorbed in it. I thought it was a single story but now see there are 5 novels in this series. I cannot say I am upset at this! I am really hooked on this now. The author has done her research into how a Prepper would be organised in the event of such a pandemic as this.
Interestingly this was written in 2013 and describes what is happening now but goes past this. That is the hook that gets you reading more, you want to know how they survive and what they do to do this.
Very entertaining.
December 26, 2013
A.R Shaw's book, Graham's Resolution book one in The China Pandemic series, explores one man's journey when one of the greatest threats to modern society, a wide-spread Flu pandemic, comes to fruition. In a society devastated by the loss of 98% of the population, Graham must somehow make his way to the family cabin. The plot thickens when Graham is made the sole guardian of a young boy. Along the way, he makes both friends and enemies, all with the same goal-survival. Somehow Graham must find a way to make a better future.
This book is a must read for fans of the post-apocalyptic genre. Looking forward to book two.
This book is a must read for fans of the post-apocalyptic genre. Looking forward to book two.
June 12, 2014
I am lost as to some of the poor review here on Goodreads, but it may be that I have received an edited copy as there were no mistakes that I could see.
The story was excellent and I started to imagine myself in a similar scenario. There is a haunting aspect to this book as pandemics are a very real threat to our species and this made the book feel very real to me.
The story was excellent and I started to imagine myself in a similar scenario. There is a haunting aspect to this book as pandemics are a very real threat to our species and this made the book feel very real to me.
June 13, 2014
The China Pandemic is one of the best post apocalypse stories I have read. I think what makes it so good is the fact it is grounded in what we know could really happen instead of an outlandish SF fantasy scenario. I think the author has written an evocative and thought provoking novel which would make a good film.
June 15, 2017
I did not want it to end. Good development of characters. AR Shaw has good technical advisors. I was surprised to learn the author is not a real prepper because books are so accurate technically.
April 1, 2019
I got barely a third of the way through this book and had to stop. Poor grammar, contradictions between one sentence and the next, descriptions that didn't work.
September 1, 2018
I truly enjoyed this book but it's hard for me to pin down what made it so enjoyable for me.
The story centers on Graham, who has rece lost his wife to a viral pandemic that has wiped out all but 2% of the world's population. The virus was released by the Chinese, supposedly by accident, as it was made clear that the Chinese population was not spared.
A woman who is dying of the virus has been watching Graham, and has deemed him a good man. He picks him to care for her 5 year old son. The book then follows him as he tries to make his way to his family's cabin in the woods. Of course he meets others along the way who join him in creating a makeshift family in the cabin. They try to establish some sense of normalcy but, of course, all will not be well.
This book is not an action packed, thrill-a-minute roller coaster ride. It moves along at a very steady pace but is never ever boring. I listened to the audiobook and the story was narrator's voice was calm, even and evoked all the seriousness of Graham's situation.
What I did enjoy about this book was the authenticity of the characters and the insights into their thoughts and feelings. Their whole sutuation seemed very real. They weren't prepared for this and were doing the best they can. The group came together as a family and you can't help but love them and root for them. Graham didn't have all the answers, hesitated in certain situations, and it sometimes cost him.
Graham's group was directly contrasted by the Cascade Peppers, who were prepared in every way. I think my only knock against the novel was that the peppers were TOO well equipped. I mean, they had EVERYTHING. It felt a little over the top. Otherwise, I loved the book and I loved the characters and enjoyed the realism. This is first installment in a five part series. That means there's much more left to tell about this world. I'm excited to see what becomes of it.
The story centers on Graham, who has rece lost his wife to a viral pandemic that has wiped out all but 2% of the world's population. The virus was released by the Chinese, supposedly by accident, as it was made clear that the Chinese population was not spared.
A woman who is dying of the virus has been watching Graham, and has deemed him a good man. He picks him to care for her 5 year old son. The book then follows him as he tries to make his way to his family's cabin in the woods. Of course he meets others along the way who join him in creating a makeshift family in the cabin. They try to establish some sense of normalcy but, of course, all will not be well.
This book is not an action packed, thrill-a-minute roller coaster ride. It moves along at a very steady pace but is never ever boring. I listened to the audiobook and the story was narrator's voice was calm, even and evoked all the seriousness of Graham's situation.
What I did enjoy about this book was the authenticity of the characters and the insights into their thoughts and feelings. Their whole sutuation seemed very real. They weren't prepared for this and were doing the best they can. The group came together as a family and you can't help but love them and root for them. Graham didn't have all the answers, hesitated in certain situations, and it sometimes cost him.
Graham's group was directly contrasted by the Cascade Peppers, who were prepared in every way. I think my only knock against the novel was that the peppers were TOO well equipped. I mean, they had EVERYTHING. It felt a little over the top. Otherwise, I loved the book and I loved the characters and enjoyed the realism. This is first installment in a five part series. That means there's much more left to tell about this world. I'm excited to see what becomes of it.
May 26, 2023
DNF!!!
OMG, this writing is so damned manky! I know 6th graders who can write better. I stopped reading this shite at chapter 4 when this Barney who has just survived an apocalypse where only 2% of the world population remains becomes far too concerned that the 5 year old must have a bike helmet before they can make their escape. Furthermore, JUST TAKE THE DAMNED TRUCK!!! He’s running scared of some effin under the bridge troll and going to try to sneak past him on …
… yes, you guessed it, “BIKES”! 🙄🙄🙄. Authors like this lame brain is precisely why self publishing should be banned!
Oh, there’s far more wrong with this hot mess than I have listed (as I found out by reading the negative Amazon reviews), but alas, I didn’t have the patience, self loathing, or desire to waste another moment of my life on this filth. As a matter of fact, just writing this review is time I will never get back all due to some retarded nut job wasting good ink and tree pulp on this vomit!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE AVOID!!!!!
OMG, this writing is so damned manky! I know 6th graders who can write better. I stopped reading this shite at chapter 4 when this Barney who has just survived an apocalypse where only 2% of the world population remains becomes far too concerned that the 5 year old must have a bike helmet before they can make their escape. Furthermore, JUST TAKE THE DAMNED TRUCK!!! He’s running scared of some effin under the bridge troll and going to try to sneak past him on …
… yes, you guessed it, “BIKES”! 🙄🙄🙄. Authors like this lame brain is precisely why self publishing should be banned!
Oh, there’s far more wrong with this hot mess than I have listed (as I found out by reading the negative Amazon reviews), but alas, I didn’t have the patience, self loathing, or desire to waste another moment of my life on this filth. As a matter of fact, just writing this review is time I will never get back all due to some retarded nut job wasting good ink and tree pulp on this vomit!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE AVOID!!!!!
April 17, 2021
3 and a half stars. Good but not great or compelling.
This is my third plague book of 2021. What does that say about me?
Full disclosure: I read this book because it was:
- free
- prescient- written in 2013, although this pandemic has a 98% fatality rate
- short- I'm behind in my 2021 reading challenge
The character development is good. Worldbuilding is good, as the author lives in the area where the book takes place. I just found the actions of the characters, and the plot itself implausible as a response to a dystopian future following a global pandemic.
I will continue reading the series later this year.
This is my third plague book of 2021. What does that say about me?
Full disclosure: I read this book because it was:
- free
- prescient- written in 2013, although this pandemic has a 98% fatality rate
- short- I'm behind in my 2021 reading challenge
The character development is good. Worldbuilding is good, as the author lives in the area where the book takes place. I just found the actions of the characters, and the plot itself implausible as a response to a dystopian future following a global pandemic.
I will continue reading the series later this year.
March 31, 2020
Potentially a difficult read, especially in the current climate, but a really enjoyable book.
I loved the fact that it followed the characters development rather than the virus and how it came into being. It made it more of a human interest story and how we adapt to situations rather than a sci fi book and all doom and gloom.
I'm so invested in the characters now and what happens next that I've downloaded the next 4 books in the series.
I loved the fact that it followed the characters development rather than the virus and how it came into being. It made it more of a human interest story and how we adapt to situations rather than a sci fi book and all doom and gloom.
I'm so invested in the characters now and what happens next that I've downloaded the next 4 books in the series.
May 20, 2019
From start to finish I felt a part of the action and am totally happy with book 1 despite having it come to an end without final resolutions.
Maybe someday will get a chance to continue the series.
Maybe someday will get a chance to continue the series.
July 9, 2022
The characters were fully developed and it was good to listen to an uplifting 'pandemic' book. You could really picture it happening. Looking forward to listening to the next few books. This author is a favourite of mine for this genre.
I was given a free copy by the author but the review is entirely my own.
I was given a free copy by the author but the review is entirely my own.
May 15, 2014
"The Stand" meets "Hatchet"
What would you do if you were dying of the flu in a worldwide pandemic, with no surviving friends or family to care for your beloved –and immune – little boy? What if you were immune to the virus killing off the world’s population, but it wasn’t your own child you were called upon to care for, but a complete stranger’s child? What if you were a man who had lost his entire family, including his pregnant wife, and you were approached by a desperate, dying mother who begs you to care for her child?
A.R. Shaw has put a twist on the apocalyptic survival tale with the story of Graham, a man who has lost everyone he loved – first his wife and their unborn child, then his mother, then his sister and her four-year-old daughter, and finally his much-loved father. While Shaw alternates between characters, slowly introducing new characters to the mix, Graham is the focal point of the story.
An interesting but sensible addition to the apocalypse-tale is the presence of Preppers. These people are not necessarily immune to the virus, but thanks to their careful preparations followed by fast action when the pandemic struck, they were able to escape and remain uninfected. Unfortunately, those who are immune – like Graham – are still carriers of the virus. Even the most casual contact with the immune Carriers could cause the death of the Preppers. This adds another layer of tension to the end-of-the-world scenario crafted by the author.
Honestly, I debated between rating this three stars or four because “The China Pandemic” could have done with another round with the red pen; there were some typos/misspellings, random commas, and other minor editing errors. But the book is readable, and the storyline is compelling enough that I was willing to let my inner editor skim over the mistakes (not always an easy thing for me to do), so I went with four stars based on the strength of the plot and characterization. There are also times when the reader has to be willing to suspend disbelief for the sake of the story when characters behave in a way that doesn’t necessarily make sense (to me, at least – but then again, I’ve never survived a worldwide pandemic, so I can’t really say how I’d respond in that situation).
In some ways this book reminded me of a combination of Stephen King’s “The Stand” merged with Gary Paulsen’s “Hatchet” – while the apocalyptic killer-flu theme is similar to The Stand (one of my all-time favorite books), the manner in which the characters survive is much more nature-based, like Hatchet. Shaw does a great job with the little details that really pull the reader into a story. One section I particularly enjoyed was a description of a dog and the way his ears continued to move “like some sort of radar detection device put on autopilot” after he fell asleep.
The conclusion of the book was simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful. I grew to care about the characters, and want to continue following their stories. Fortunately, this is the first book in a series (Graham’s Resolution, Book Two: The Cascade Preppers is listed as “coming soon” on the author’s website), and I’m looking forward to reading the next book as soon as it’s released.
What would you do if you were dying of the flu in a worldwide pandemic, with no surviving friends or family to care for your beloved –and immune – little boy? What if you were immune to the virus killing off the world’s population, but it wasn’t your own child you were called upon to care for, but a complete stranger’s child? What if you were a man who had lost his entire family, including his pregnant wife, and you were approached by a desperate, dying mother who begs you to care for her child?
A.R. Shaw has put a twist on the apocalyptic survival tale with the story of Graham, a man who has lost everyone he loved – first his wife and their unborn child, then his mother, then his sister and her four-year-old daughter, and finally his much-loved father. While Shaw alternates between characters, slowly introducing new characters to the mix, Graham is the focal point of the story.
An interesting but sensible addition to the apocalypse-tale is the presence of Preppers. These people are not necessarily immune to the virus, but thanks to their careful preparations followed by fast action when the pandemic struck, they were able to escape and remain uninfected. Unfortunately, those who are immune – like Graham – are still carriers of the virus. Even the most casual contact with the immune Carriers could cause the death of the Preppers. This adds another layer of tension to the end-of-the-world scenario crafted by the author.
Honestly, I debated between rating this three stars or four because “The China Pandemic” could have done with another round with the red pen; there were some typos/misspellings, random commas, and other minor editing errors. But the book is readable, and the storyline is compelling enough that I was willing to let my inner editor skim over the mistakes (not always an easy thing for me to do), so I went with four stars based on the strength of the plot and characterization. There are also times when the reader has to be willing to suspend disbelief for the sake of the story when characters behave in a way that doesn’t necessarily make sense (to me, at least – but then again, I’ve never survived a worldwide pandemic, so I can’t really say how I’d respond in that situation).
In some ways this book reminded me of a combination of Stephen King’s “The Stand” merged with Gary Paulsen’s “Hatchet” – while the apocalyptic killer-flu theme is similar to The Stand (one of my all-time favorite books), the manner in which the characters survive is much more nature-based, like Hatchet. Shaw does a great job with the little details that really pull the reader into a story. One section I particularly enjoyed was a description of a dog and the way his ears continued to move “like some sort of radar detection device put on autopilot” after he fell asleep.
The conclusion of the book was simultaneously heartbreaking and hopeful. I grew to care about the characters, and want to continue following their stories. Fortunately, this is the first book in a series (Graham’s Resolution, Book Two: The Cascade Preppers is listed as “coming soon” on the author’s website), and I’m looking forward to reading the next book as soon as it’s released.
April 4, 2014
I really enjoyed The China Pandemic. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I could't put it down. Told in multiple points of view, I felt the characters were well defined and I connected to their emotions. It became a personal story of survival as the human strengths and failings of the characters resonated with me.
Shaw created a thrilling and fresh dystopian novel. The scenario was an all too real fear, making dangers hit home in what could be seen as a realistic reality. The world building was beautifully done, and a number of surprises in the story line kept readers on their toes.
While it didn't bother me enough to give this book anything other than 5 stars, there were a number of grammar mistakes.
I would recommend this book to anyone, and I am definitely looking forward to the second installment.
Shaw created a thrilling and fresh dystopian novel. The scenario was an all too real fear, making dangers hit home in what could be seen as a realistic reality. The world building was beautifully done, and a number of surprises in the story line kept readers on their toes.
While it didn't bother me enough to give this book anything other than 5 stars, there were a number of grammar mistakes.
I would recommend this book to anyone, and I am definitely looking forward to the second installment.
July 31, 2016
A thoughtfully written post-apocalyptic tale
A. R. Shaw has written a finely tuned, beautifully woven story of survival and redemption.
Her characters, most notably Graham, are carefully constructed and real. One feels their pain, their struggles, and sympathizes with their difficult choices as they navigate a disease-ridden world.
She builds the story methodically, carefully giving the reader a forward moving narrative while, at the same time, offering just enough of a hint at their worlds as they once existed to frame their individual plot lines.
Shaw's voice is clear is consistent throughout the story. She writes with a language that wonderfully complements the novel's setting, the Pacific Northwest.
This is a fantastic first story of a well-received epic that stands among the finest character-driven post apocalyptic novels.
A. R. Shaw has written a finely tuned, beautifully woven story of survival and redemption.
Her characters, most notably Graham, are carefully constructed and real. One feels their pain, their struggles, and sympathizes with their difficult choices as they navigate a disease-ridden world.
She builds the story methodically, carefully giving the reader a forward moving narrative while, at the same time, offering just enough of a hint at their worlds as they once existed to frame their individual plot lines.
Shaw's voice is clear is consistent throughout the story. She writes with a language that wonderfully complements the novel's setting, the Pacific Northwest.
This is a fantastic first story of a well-received epic that stands among the finest character-driven post apocalyptic novels.
March 21, 2015
For whatever reason I didn't necessarily think I'd like this book but I'm happy to say I was wrong. The writing was rich with details and the characters were well developed. Thinking back to various parts I'm surprised that I never thought it was too slow but it all ended up being just right.
My only criticisms are that there were some minor occasional editing issues and I thought the end was perhaps just a tad bit abrupt.
My only criticisms are that there were some minor occasional editing issues and I thought the end was perhaps just a tad bit abrupt.
October 14, 2018
I gave this an honest chance. I enjoyed the characters and this spin on post-apocalyptic survival. The setting was also interesting and appealing. I thought this story had potential but I could not get over the prose. It was so clunky at times that it was almost uncomfortable. Unfortunately I probably won't finish the series.
March 7, 2014
I am a sucker for survival stories and was hooked on this one from the beginning chapter. The plot and characters were well developed and it was a good read. I am looking forward to the sequel. Kudos to A R Shaw for an outstanding first novel.
May 26, 2014
Despite some serious editorial issues, I am giving this book a 5 because it is a great story. Excellent plot and characters and kept me turning the pages. I recommend doing your best to ignore the grammar problems and occasional typo...it is worth it.
October 20, 2018
Definitely not my cup of tea! Concept was interesting. The writing level was just too basic and there was too much repetition of the situation the main subjects were in. Finished it but would not want to do it again.
March 16, 2014
I got this book free in a giveaway but I would've purchased it. This was a really good story and all the characters were well developed. I'm looking forward to book 2 and I would recommend it if.
February 24, 2014
A good story. the ending left me hanging, almost a cliff-hanger. Characters were clearly developed. Excellent writing style. Need book #2 out asap to complete story -more complete story.
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