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The Love Virus
When Katie finds out that her increasingly unresponsive legs and extreme fatigue is due to Multiple Sclerosis, she rides an emotional rollercoaster – anger, denial and fear – when faced with a wheelchair-bound existence. She puts her studies at Oxford on hold, and she splits up from her fiancé, Mark, even though she still loves him. While undergoing treatment, Katie is diagnosed with MS2 – a virus that paralyses the mind. In hospital, Katie has to cope with her irritating bedfellows who argue constantly, and where she is treated by Dr Andrews, a handsome psychologist. The closer she gets to him however, the worse her pain becomes. Compounding Katie’s struggle is Mark, who returns to her bedside day after day. Once Katie begins Dr Andrews’ new experimental MS2 treatment, Mark can’t recognise her anymore. He begins to wonder if Katie will ever be cured.
- GenresAudiobook
493 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2020
5 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 1, 2021
Although this kind of sails under the YA genre category I think this is a read that readers both young and old will be able to relate to. The subject matter doesn't change much in relation to age.
It's a powerful piece of writing. Provocative, excruciatingly detailed when it comes to moments full of embarrassment. Moments everyone else takes for granted. How Katie is betrayed by her body, which culminates in fear, rejection, and a feeling of having no control. Feeling full of doubt, because loved ones act out of pity. 'I felt more loved by her when I was miserable and in pain' - little shots like that between the mundane moments are what make this an emotionally charged response. Sway, sway - wham upside the head. Softly, softly - screams of pain.
I don't think the blurb does the content enough justice. It's far from just a story about a young woman who becomes a prisoner to a disease. It's far more than that. I wonder what a theatrical stage interpretation of this piece would look like.
This is an interesting one. It's a story written entirely in lyrical prose. It might not be everyone's cup of tea when it comes to style. You tend to get readers who want a story or want to read poetry.
I have to say I liked it, perhaps because it has a Shakespearean sonnet vibe, but more because Cay brings a compelling narrative to the table.
It's honest and doesn't pull any punches, especially when it comes to pain, pain management and having a sexual relationship with the physical and psychological limitations of an autoimmune disease. It's a speculative exploration of voice and words.
( received a courtesy copy)
It's a powerful piece of writing. Provocative, excruciatingly detailed when it comes to moments full of embarrassment. Moments everyone else takes for granted. How Katie is betrayed by her body, which culminates in fear, rejection, and a feeling of having no control. Feeling full of doubt, because loved ones act out of pity. 'I felt more loved by her when I was miserable and in pain' - little shots like that between the mundane moments are what make this an emotionally charged response. Sway, sway - wham upside the head. Softly, softly - screams of pain.
I don't think the blurb does the content enough justice. It's far from just a story about a young woman who becomes a prisoner to a disease. It's far more than that. I wonder what a theatrical stage interpretation of this piece would look like.
This is an interesting one. It's a story written entirely in lyrical prose. It might not be everyone's cup of tea when it comes to style. You tend to get readers who want a story or want to read poetry.
I have to say I liked it, perhaps because it has a Shakespearean sonnet vibe, but more because Cay brings a compelling narrative to the table.
It's honest and doesn't pull any punches, especially when it comes to pain, pain management and having a sexual relationship with the physical and psychological limitations of an autoimmune disease. It's a speculative exploration of voice and words.
( received a courtesy copy)
June 17, 2021
Just a long long LONG fever dream.
August 15, 2020
Imagine waking up one day and no longer being able to feel anything below the waist. Your legs are deemed useless as you suddenly find yourself wheelchair-bound and your life is put on hold as you stare at your diagnosis. It would mess with anyone’s mind. We follow Katie as she is faced with this very predicament. Not only does she have Multiple Sclerosis but she also has MS2, a virus that paralyses the mind. As she prepares to undergo treatment she has to delay her studies at Oxford and breaks up with her fiancé, Mark. Dr Andrews charms and convinces Katie to try his new experimental MS2 treatment the Andratalia pill saying it is the only way to cure her illness. Katie agrees as she is desperate to escape the land of disability, the land ruled by the black Rooster. What she finds and discovers on the island of Andratalia changes her, forever.
This lyrical prose book was a different, enjoyable experience to read. The narrative switched from Katie’s point of view in the present and past to being inside her mind when she took the pill. At times it flowed before quickly shaking awake from Andratalia island or re-living a flashback to laying in a hospital bed. It was interesting and allows readers to fully immerse themselves into the mind of someone who is suffering with this illness.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Katie as a character. It was compelling to see through the eyes of someone who is suffering with Multiple Sclerosis and was a unique experience. Katie’s emotions explode all at once as she feels angry, afraid, confused and is in complete denial. Cay has captured this perfectly as the presence of a rooster can manifest at any given time which sets Katie on edge. It chases her constantly and she can never seem to escape its deadly pecks. Feathers surround you as the fear builds and builds until you are drowning in the blackness. Katie also constantly has everyone’s opinion forced upon her, but is unsure of her own. She wants to marry Mark yet pushes him away. She feels helpless as she needs the assistance of nurses or family on a day-to-day basis. She is a strong, independent character but is forced to now rely on the aid of others. She wants to take back control and sees her only way to do so is to take the Andratalia pill. It’s difficult to watch her fall down this spiral as she feels more and more detached but she is a fighter, a survivor and claws her way back to sanity.
Cay writes strong, bold, ruthless characters. During Katie’s stay in hospital she shares a room with Paul and Rosemary who do nothing but argue with each other. And boy do they love to disagree dear reader. They are quite a pair, ranting and raving their opinions at one another while Katie feels stuck in the middle. Paul is a big supporter of technology. He believes it gives us more options and sees it as a big part of life. Rosemary is the opposite and argues it is only destroying the planet. She believes in the healing power of her crystals and flowers, nature. The reader is treated to many of their arguments throughout the book. Cay shows the positives and the negatives and leaves it up to the reader to decide on finding the balance. It all points towards perspective and what matters most to you in life.
The island of Andratalia is one of simple pleasures. They are free of any technology and appreciate the small things. Katie is joined by Paul and Rosemary on the island who again do nothing but fight while Katie’s mind wanders to their guide, Kai, who they briefly met on arrival. In ways, being on the island made me feel like I was stuck in a groundhog day loop. The character’s opinions refusing to change as they argued constantly. It was a slow process but one that needed to happen, for all three characters are extremely stubborn. Only when they realised they could let go and to stop being in denial did they make steady progress. Breaking the habit and the endless loop.
I give The Love Virus By Eleni Cay a Four out of Five paw rating.
A detox for the mind, an escape for the body there is no better place then to disconnect and reconnect than that of the island of Andratalia.
This book is Extremely relatable given our times and this pandemic we are all facing.
You will be left with a new appreciation for life. Cay brings more awareness and understanding to what it means to have Multiple Sclerosis. An exquisite read.
This lyrical prose book was a different, enjoyable experience to read. The narrative switched from Katie’s point of view in the present and past to being inside her mind when she took the pill. At times it flowed before quickly shaking awake from Andratalia island or re-living a flashback to laying in a hospital bed. It was interesting and allows readers to fully immerse themselves into the mind of someone who is suffering with this illness.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Katie as a character. It was compelling to see through the eyes of someone who is suffering with Multiple Sclerosis and was a unique experience. Katie’s emotions explode all at once as she feels angry, afraid, confused and is in complete denial. Cay has captured this perfectly as the presence of a rooster can manifest at any given time which sets Katie on edge. It chases her constantly and she can never seem to escape its deadly pecks. Feathers surround you as the fear builds and builds until you are drowning in the blackness. Katie also constantly has everyone’s opinion forced upon her, but is unsure of her own. She wants to marry Mark yet pushes him away. She feels helpless as she needs the assistance of nurses or family on a day-to-day basis. She is a strong, independent character but is forced to now rely on the aid of others. She wants to take back control and sees her only way to do so is to take the Andratalia pill. It’s difficult to watch her fall down this spiral as she feels more and more detached but she is a fighter, a survivor and claws her way back to sanity.
Cay writes strong, bold, ruthless characters. During Katie’s stay in hospital she shares a room with Paul and Rosemary who do nothing but argue with each other. And boy do they love to disagree dear reader. They are quite a pair, ranting and raving their opinions at one another while Katie feels stuck in the middle. Paul is a big supporter of technology. He believes it gives us more options and sees it as a big part of life. Rosemary is the opposite and argues it is only destroying the planet. She believes in the healing power of her crystals and flowers, nature. The reader is treated to many of their arguments throughout the book. Cay shows the positives and the negatives and leaves it up to the reader to decide on finding the balance. It all points towards perspective and what matters most to you in life.
The island of Andratalia is one of simple pleasures. They are free of any technology and appreciate the small things. Katie is joined by Paul and Rosemary on the island who again do nothing but fight while Katie’s mind wanders to their guide, Kai, who they briefly met on arrival. In ways, being on the island made me feel like I was stuck in a groundhog day loop. The character’s opinions refusing to change as they argued constantly. It was a slow process but one that needed to happen, for all three characters are extremely stubborn. Only when they realised they could let go and to stop being in denial did they make steady progress. Breaking the habit and the endless loop.
I give The Love Virus By Eleni Cay a Four out of Five paw rating.
A detox for the mind, an escape for the body there is no better place then to disconnect and reconnect than that of the island of Andratalia.
This book is Extremely relatable given our times and this pandemic we are all facing.
You will be left with a new appreciation for life. Cay brings more awareness and understanding to what it means to have Multiple Sclerosis. An exquisite read.
September 24, 2020
"Is it you, Rooster, who ignites these love particles? So tell me then, why him and me? If the love virus can attack anyone, anytime, why did it attack us?" the speaker says in Eleni Cay's novel-in-verse, Love Virus.
The book is a stream of consciousness--there are several different storylines, woven together. In one, the protagonist, Katie, has been diagnosed with MS. In another, Katie goes to Andratalia, a sunny island retreat. And, in another, Katie and her boyfriend, Mark, are struggling to maintain their failing relationship.
I have to admit, it took me a little while to get used to reading a novel-in-verse. When I'm reading a novel, my first instinct is to read very quickly, while with poetry, I like to read slowly to really process. My brain wasn't quite sure what to do for the first few chapters. Once it clicked, however, I read through the rest of it with ease and enjoyment.
This book is an inside look into chronic illness, and what happens when your body betrays you. Katie's struggle with her own body is portrayed by a struggle with a black rooster. He shows up when she's at her particularly low points. It's an interesting conceit.
"The Rooster flew up, straight towards my face," Katie says. "His beak was millimetres away from my nose. He turned his head and started pecking his back. Within seconds the room was full of feathers. Cobalt blue, dark orange, green gasoline-like sheen. He pecked more feathers and more grew back."
Roosters are believed to send away bad spirits. However, this rooster is a bad spirit. He haunts Katie when she's at her worst, mocking her weakness. Just like any other antagonist, he needs to be faced, despite him being a stand in for Katie's own struggles with her body.
"A body that is soiled, washed, soiled, washed again," Katie says. "Same rhythm as when the beach confers with the sea. Same as the MS remissions and relapses. Same as when you think you are in control and then you see your black shadow."
The physical body becomes an object, one which can't be controlled, only taken care of. Only through undergoing treatment and slowly regaining her health and control over her body does Katie win the battle for dominance. She overcomes the Rooster.
"‘See how it grows? I don’t give it anything. But it still grows. It might outlive me. But I’ve put it here, in the corner. I don’t water it. I’m in power. You need to do the same with your fear," Katie says.
Overall, Love Virus is a well-written book that accurately depicts the struggle that someone with a chronic illness faces. Katie is a true heroine, one who the reader roots for, all the way through. I recommend Love Virus, which has been self-published by the author and is available now on Amazon.
The book is a stream of consciousness--there are several different storylines, woven together. In one, the protagonist, Katie, has been diagnosed with MS. In another, Katie goes to Andratalia, a sunny island retreat. And, in another, Katie and her boyfriend, Mark, are struggling to maintain their failing relationship.
I have to admit, it took me a little while to get used to reading a novel-in-verse. When I'm reading a novel, my first instinct is to read very quickly, while with poetry, I like to read slowly to really process. My brain wasn't quite sure what to do for the first few chapters. Once it clicked, however, I read through the rest of it with ease and enjoyment.
This book is an inside look into chronic illness, and what happens when your body betrays you. Katie's struggle with her own body is portrayed by a struggle with a black rooster. He shows up when she's at her particularly low points. It's an interesting conceit.
"The Rooster flew up, straight towards my face," Katie says. "His beak was millimetres away from my nose. He turned his head and started pecking his back. Within seconds the room was full of feathers. Cobalt blue, dark orange, green gasoline-like sheen. He pecked more feathers and more grew back."
Roosters are believed to send away bad spirits. However, this rooster is a bad spirit. He haunts Katie when she's at her worst, mocking her weakness. Just like any other antagonist, he needs to be faced, despite him being a stand in for Katie's own struggles with her body.
"A body that is soiled, washed, soiled, washed again," Katie says. "Same rhythm as when the beach confers with the sea. Same as the MS remissions and relapses. Same as when you think you are in control and then you see your black shadow."
The physical body becomes an object, one which can't be controlled, only taken care of. Only through undergoing treatment and slowly regaining her health and control over her body does Katie win the battle for dominance. She overcomes the Rooster.
"‘See how it grows? I don’t give it anything. But it still grows. It might outlive me. But I’ve put it here, in the corner. I don’t water it. I’m in power. You need to do the same with your fear," Katie says.
Overall, Love Virus is a well-written book that accurately depicts the struggle that someone with a chronic illness faces. Katie is a true heroine, one who the reader roots for, all the way through. I recommend Love Virus, which has been self-published by the author and is available now on Amazon.
August 12, 2020
The Love Virus, by Eleni Cay, is an unforgettable lyric novel about the onset of illness and the difficult journey in mapping a new life. When 19-year-old Katie is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she is suddenly thrust into a world of fear and confusion. Her journey to try to make sense of her illness and fight to keep a sense of self is at times heartbreaking and at moments triumphant.
Enter the Blues
Perhaps this whole
Multiple Sclerosis thing
was one of those blue notes.
It added some novelty to the ordinary,
some new vocabulary we all had to learn,
something new for friends to Facebook
and to Tweet about.
Some modifications to my diet,
to my personalised Google ads.
Some changes to my thinking,
to my love life…
It was just a blue note, nothing more,
so why was I crying like a baby?
-The Love Virus, Eleni Cay
I simply can’t imagine what it would feel like to receive a diagnosis like this, especially at a young age. Last year, I had a colleague who was similar in age to me that was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It began with a pain behind her eye and blurry vision. One doctor visit led to another and in the space of a moment she was hospitalised. They supposed that the lesion had been quietly at work for a long time and gone undetected. The woman I knew was blithely going about her life and had just returned from a Disney holiday trip with her husband and children.
It’s a cliche to say that life can change in a heartbeat. But, it’s a cliche because sudden and damaging changes feel that way. Suddenly, she was deposited from one reality into another. We spoke a lot and some days the conversation mirrored the sentiments in the above passage. There was the idea that it could be handled, though not cured, that somehow it could be minimised to things like a few extra doctor visits or medical tests. Just a bit of extra monitoring.
I never knew what to say. Words didn’t feel sufficient. And in the middle of our conversations, she would suddenly burst into tears. There was no getting around the fact that this news was life-altering and devastating for her. Cay brings this truth home in this short passage, with the briefest of words. She compares it to a ‘blue note’, though really, it’s the entire score that’s changed.
... To read the full review please visit my blog at : Juliette Writes
Enter the Blues
Perhaps this whole
Multiple Sclerosis thing
was one of those blue notes.
It added some novelty to the ordinary,
some new vocabulary we all had to learn,
something new for friends to Facebook
and to Tweet about.
Some modifications to my diet,
to my personalised Google ads.
Some changes to my thinking,
to my love life…
It was just a blue note, nothing more,
so why was I crying like a baby?
-The Love Virus, Eleni Cay
I simply can’t imagine what it would feel like to receive a diagnosis like this, especially at a young age. Last year, I had a colleague who was similar in age to me that was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It began with a pain behind her eye and blurry vision. One doctor visit led to another and in the space of a moment she was hospitalised. They supposed that the lesion had been quietly at work for a long time and gone undetected. The woman I knew was blithely going about her life and had just returned from a Disney holiday trip with her husband and children.
It’s a cliche to say that life can change in a heartbeat. But, it’s a cliche because sudden and damaging changes feel that way. Suddenly, she was deposited from one reality into another. We spoke a lot and some days the conversation mirrored the sentiments in the above passage. There was the idea that it could be handled, though not cured, that somehow it could be minimised to things like a few extra doctor visits or medical tests. Just a bit of extra monitoring.
I never knew what to say. Words didn’t feel sufficient. And in the middle of our conversations, she would suddenly burst into tears. There was no getting around the fact that this news was life-altering and devastating for her. Cay brings this truth home in this short passage, with the briefest of words. She compares it to a ‘blue note’, though really, it’s the entire score that’s changed.
... To read the full review please visit my blog at : Juliette Writes
October 15, 2020
"I opened my eyes …
there were no templates for the sky.
It was an open-ended playground for water creations.
That’s why the sky never judges, never offers personalised service."
The Love Virus by Elina Cay is a verse novel with different storylines; the past and the present woven together into a beautiful and heartfelt fabric of the speaker's life. The protagonist, Katie, is nineteen years old and suffers from MS2 and Multiple Sclerosis who struggles her way into a normal life that is, a life she led before the disease(s). As an independent and strong willed person she finds it excruciatingly difficult to cope up with the daily struggles of life
When I started reading the novel, I intended to read it quickly like any other novel, but this being in verse demanded patience and time and after the first few chapters, I eventually relented to the pace of the novel and enjoyed it a little more than I was initially.
The novel demands time and asks of the reader, understanding and cooperation as it progresses, to feel what she is feeling, to have an insight into her consciousness.
The detailed description of Katie's everyday battle with herself, her paranoia and her body is beautiful and painful in contrast to her imaginary and lively trip to Andratalia where she meets Paul and Rosemary who are poles apart, one a tech savvy and the other a nature enthusiast yet manage to live at ease with each other. This is what Katie learns, to live with the new reality so soon and so abruptly. The core of the narrative is the resilient protagonist and her determination to help herself out of the imaginary rooster that haunts her whenever she's at her worst or when she doubts herself and to cope up with the after effects of the binary nature of things around.
Now and then Cay brings in the two worlds together with the precision of a story teller with heart-wrenching poetry at places that just demands to be read endlessly and medical language in flawless verses.
"I opened my eyes...there were no templates for the sky.
It was an open-ended playground for water creations.
That’s why the sky never judges, never offers personalised service.”
there were no templates for the sky.
It was an open-ended playground for water creations.
That’s why the sky never judges, never offers personalised service."
The Love Virus by Elina Cay is a verse novel with different storylines; the past and the present woven together into a beautiful and heartfelt fabric of the speaker's life. The protagonist, Katie, is nineteen years old and suffers from MS2 and Multiple Sclerosis who struggles her way into a normal life that is, a life she led before the disease(s). As an independent and strong willed person she finds it excruciatingly difficult to cope up with the daily struggles of life
When I started reading the novel, I intended to read it quickly like any other novel, but this being in verse demanded patience and time and after the first few chapters, I eventually relented to the pace of the novel and enjoyed it a little more than I was initially.
The novel demands time and asks of the reader, understanding and cooperation as it progresses, to feel what she is feeling, to have an insight into her consciousness.
The detailed description of Katie's everyday battle with herself, her paranoia and her body is beautiful and painful in contrast to her imaginary and lively trip to Andratalia where she meets Paul and Rosemary who are poles apart, one a tech savvy and the other a nature enthusiast yet manage to live at ease with each other. This is what Katie learns, to live with the new reality so soon and so abruptly. The core of the narrative is the resilient protagonist and her determination to help herself out of the imaginary rooster that haunts her whenever she's at her worst or when she doubts herself and to cope up with the after effects of the binary nature of things around.
Now and then Cay brings in the two worlds together with the precision of a story teller with heart-wrenching poetry at places that just demands to be read endlessly and medical language in flawless verses.
"I opened my eyes...there were no templates for the sky.
It was an open-ended playground for water creations.
That’s why the sky never judges, never offers personalised service.”
October 11, 2020
The Love Virus is written in prose, and it does take a minute to get used to. It starts right in the thick of things, stick with it to watch the story unfold. Our three main characters seem like they are completely at odds with each other, but they’re more alike than they think. Rosemary drove me nuts, and I think she was written purposefully so. She represented those against big pharma, and even though I didn’t agree with it, I liked the representation. I was waiting for her to mention colloidal silver and was incredibly relieved when she didn’t.
Paul likes the technological advances that have happened in society, which is the complete opposite of Rosemary. He’s proud of what Cay has written of The Smooth Revolution, which advanced society for the better in Paul’s eyes. He’s incredibly lost without his phone.
Last but not least, our main character, Katie. She’s newly diagnosed with MS and a spinoff disease invented in the author’s mind, MS2. We weave through time to Katie’s life before this diagnosis and after, but the bulk is during her time on Andratalia, which mentally sends her to another world. Before she started treatment, she wasn’t ready to accept the MS. This med makes her withdraw, and her inability to speak of speaks of how ill she’s coping with this disease. Throughout it all, her love of her fiance, Mark, shines through. Even when she’s trying her hardest to push him away.
Being disabled myself, I chose to read this because I can relate to your body failing you when your mind has other plans. But the constant bickering was distracting, and it took up too much space. This wasn’t exactly the book for me, but I think it could be the right book for others.
Paul likes the technological advances that have happened in society, which is the complete opposite of Rosemary. He’s proud of what Cay has written of The Smooth Revolution, which advanced society for the better in Paul’s eyes. He’s incredibly lost without his phone.
Last but not least, our main character, Katie. She’s newly diagnosed with MS and a spinoff disease invented in the author’s mind, MS2. We weave through time to Katie’s life before this diagnosis and after, but the bulk is during her time on Andratalia, which mentally sends her to another world. Before she started treatment, she wasn’t ready to accept the MS. This med makes her withdraw, and her inability to speak of speaks of how ill she’s coping with this disease. Throughout it all, her love of her fiance, Mark, shines through. Even when she’s trying her hardest to push him away.
Being disabled myself, I chose to read this because I can relate to your body failing you when your mind has other plans. But the constant bickering was distracting, and it took up too much space. This wasn’t exactly the book for me, but I think it could be the right book for others.
April 5, 2021
You realise you are reading a different kind of story when the character says they give up trying to make love ... because she is 'disabled'. I have never read a book where the protagonist is wheelchair-bound, until I got
The Love Virus
by Eleni Cay.
The book is unique, unforgettable, and it addresses real issues (though the characters whining a lot according to me) like the impact technology has today. (Well, we should get used to it and move on while awaiting the post-apocalyptic time when it shall fail.)
Katie suffers from multiple sclerosis, and is wheelchair bound. The inability to do things for herself brings anger, denial, and fear. She puts her studies at Oxford on hold, and she splits up from her fiancé Mark, even though she still loves him. While undergoing treatment, Katie is diagnosed with MS2 - a virus that paralyses the mind. However, Mark tries to be there for her, but she pushes him away.
At hospital, she meets Dr Andrews who suggests she take his experimental MS2 treatment. At first Mark promises to investigate whether the treatment is okay before she begins the regimen, but he is caught up at work he goes the following day. Katie is angry he was not there to advise her before she began the treatment, and she pushes him away. Mark can’t recognize her anymore. He begins to wonder if Katie will ever be cured.
To cut the best self-definition and determination story I have ever read short, it is a mature writing style by the author, even though it's a YA book, adults can read and relate.
The book is unique, unforgettable, and it addresses real issues (though the characters whining a lot according to me) like the impact technology has today. (Well, we should get used to it and move on while awaiting the post-apocalyptic time when it shall fail.)
Katie suffers from multiple sclerosis, and is wheelchair bound. The inability to do things for herself brings anger, denial, and fear. She puts her studies at Oxford on hold, and she splits up from her fiancé Mark, even though she still loves him. While undergoing treatment, Katie is diagnosed with MS2 - a virus that paralyses the mind. However, Mark tries to be there for her, but she pushes him away.
At hospital, she meets Dr Andrews who suggests she take his experimental MS2 treatment. At first Mark promises to investigate whether the treatment is okay before she begins the regimen, but he is caught up at work he goes the following day. Katie is angry he was not there to advise her before she began the treatment, and she pushes him away. Mark can’t recognize her anymore. He begins to wonder if Katie will ever be cured.
To cut the best self-definition and determination story I have ever read short, it is a mature writing style by the author, even though it's a YA book, adults can read and relate.
October 8, 2020
My Review: I applaud the author for raising awareness of Chronic Conditions such as M.S. Eleni brilliantly shows how devesating chronic illnesses can be. Such as having loosing control over your body, your independence, your relationship and identity. The author is very creative in how she shows what the Protagonist is experiencing in her mind and body. The author really dig deeps and brings out the emotional torture of what the protagonist is going through.
In addition, Eleni shows how both the disabled person and the loved ones can be easily misunderstood.
Also, Eleni shows a genuine love connection between the protagonist and the love interest. Yet, provides realistic conflict such as finances and jealousy. Many authors shy way from interabled couples and It is refreshing to see that Eleni has put this relationship as centre of this novel.
At times the novel is very confusing and over descriptive. The supporting main characters 'Paul' and 'Rosemary' argue far too much, which makes the story drag at time. Yet, in parts the topics of debate are interesting. In addition, I was disappointed with the ending. I felt there was too many unanswered questions.
Triggers - If you are newly diagnosed with M.S - please remember this is a book of fiction and to always take medical advice.
I think it is fantastic that the author based her novel on M.S. There are not enough novels out there which focus on chronic conditions. I mostly enjoyed reading this book but I also found it very confusing.
Disclaimer: My Book Reviews are based on my own opinions and experiences only.
In addition, Eleni shows how both the disabled person and the loved ones can be easily misunderstood.
Also, Eleni shows a genuine love connection between the protagonist and the love interest. Yet, provides realistic conflict such as finances and jealousy. Many authors shy way from interabled couples and It is refreshing to see that Eleni has put this relationship as centre of this novel.
At times the novel is very confusing and over descriptive. The supporting main characters 'Paul' and 'Rosemary' argue far too much, which makes the story drag at time. Yet, in parts the topics of debate are interesting. In addition, I was disappointed with the ending. I felt there was too many unanswered questions.
Triggers - If you are newly diagnosed with M.S - please remember this is a book of fiction and to always take medical advice.
I think it is fantastic that the author based her novel on M.S. There are not enough novels out there which focus on chronic conditions. I mostly enjoyed reading this book but I also found it very confusing.
Disclaimer: My Book Reviews are based on my own opinions and experiences only.
April 16, 2021
This was a confusing book. The narrator had no personality other than being horny and disabled, she kept pointing out women's boobs when there was no reason to, things were brought up and dropped every other chapter and Rosemary and Paul were so annoying it gave me a headache.
They were both caricatures and extremely flawed, to the point that it felt like the book was condemning everything they said, even though they both had some good points.
The protagonist has no opinion, and the book expresses no opinion on the things they talked about which pissed me off because from what i can tell this is for young teens. There is no moral.
The whole book read like a fever dream, and not like The Secret Library by Murakami type way, but in an After by Anna Todd type way. It all seemed so badly thought out and expressed, and I do not recommend it to anyone who hasn't already developed an ideology of their own.
Also, characters keep saying "follow, retweet!" and things like that at random times, and it all comes off so.. preachy and fake. It feels like the author thought this would make it "deep" and realistic, but even in a dystopia like that, nobody will speak that way. It's just stupid.
Such a frustrating read. I listened to the audiobook at 2.0 speed, and it still felt so boring and slow.
They were both caricatures and extremely flawed, to the point that it felt like the book was condemning everything they said, even though they both had some good points.
The protagonist has no opinion, and the book expresses no opinion on the things they talked about which pissed me off because from what i can tell this is for young teens. There is no moral.
The whole book read like a fever dream, and not like The Secret Library by Murakami type way, but in an After by Anna Todd type way. It all seemed so badly thought out and expressed, and I do not recommend it to anyone who hasn't already developed an ideology of their own.
Also, characters keep saying "follow, retweet!" and things like that at random times, and it all comes off so.. preachy and fake. It feels like the author thought this would make it "deep" and realistic, but even in a dystopia like that, nobody will speak that way. It's just stupid.
Such a frustrating read. I listened to the audiobook at 2.0 speed, and it still felt so boring and slow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2020
A deep insight to MS and how it can destroy not only the body but mind and soul too.
The story is focused around a woman called Katie who has relapsed with her MS and finds herself spiralling out of control being tormented by her inner emotions which are so unbalanced she’s thrown between her real life and her inner mind life as a way of dealing with the stress and impact the disability has over her.
Katie’s journey is an unusual one that has many twists and turns till she can find her way back to herself and being able to love again but not just her life but her partner too.
The book also has a strong insight of how technology today can overtake ones life; causing stress, unrealistic expectations and an overbearing sense of trying to be the thing people expect you to be. How technology as we know it has taken some of the authentic and natural joy from life and being surrounded by technology often makes us miss out on living in the now and taking in everything around us.
In the first few chapters I found it a little slow however the more I read the more I realised it needed the slower start to fulfil the intensity and build up for the rest of the book.
The story is focused around a woman called Katie who has relapsed with her MS and finds herself spiralling out of control being tormented by her inner emotions which are so unbalanced she’s thrown between her real life and her inner mind life as a way of dealing with the stress and impact the disability has over her.
Katie’s journey is an unusual one that has many twists and turns till she can find her way back to herself and being able to love again but not just her life but her partner too.
The book also has a strong insight of how technology today can overtake ones life; causing stress, unrealistic expectations and an overbearing sense of trying to be the thing people expect you to be. How technology as we know it has taken some of the authentic and natural joy from life and being surrounded by technology often makes us miss out on living in the now and taking in everything around us.
In the first few chapters I found it a little slow however the more I read the more I realised it needed the slower start to fulfil the intensity and build up for the rest of the book.
July 16, 2021
Katie experienced what many women experienced - a misdiagnosis by a male doctor. The rollercoaster of emotions unfolded. In addition, she had to battle her boyfriend's old-fashioned ideas of a modern relationship. She wanted to study and be independent but he wanted her to have children and look after them. They were not financially independent to have both. When she is in hospital, Katie escapes to a fantasy world Andratalia. here she meets the same characters who she meets in real life but their reactions are exaggerated. For example: Instead of arguing about medical treatment (traditional or natural), they argue about technology (physical or virtual lives). There is an interesting twist at the end of the story revealing Katie's strength as a young woman.
Style: the story is written in verses, with some short prose passages. Ideas are canvassed in images and metaphors when the main protagonist is ill and daydreaming. Medical terms and real-life scenes are written in short sentences in a journalistic style.
Recommendation: There are some explicit scenes that might upset some readers. The book could be shelved under contemporary romance or YA novel.
Style: the story is written in verses, with some short prose passages. Ideas are canvassed in images and metaphors when the main protagonist is ill and daydreaming. Medical terms and real-life scenes are written in short sentences in a journalistic style.
Recommendation: There are some explicit scenes that might upset some readers. The book could be shelved under contemporary romance or YA novel.
July 26, 2020
The title and cover do not do this book justice. My breath was taken away more than once when reading it. It is hard to write a review without spoilers but imagine two stories woven into one narrative, depicting a real and imagined world of someone diagnosed and misdiagnosed with a major life-changing illness. My eyes were moist when the main protagonist, Katie, describes her everyday struggles but I also laughed loud when Katie visits the imaginary island Andratalia. The core of the story is that Katie’s incredible resilience brought her face to face with the only one who can help her: herself. Some sections are heart-wrenchingly beautiful poetry, some sections are precisely worded medical prose. Yet, it all feels like an honest story and Cay’s take on modern issues of a perfection-obsessed society is a breath of fresh air. This is a novel for demanding readers who know what mature writing and in-depth characters look like.
October 7, 2020
This book follows our main character Katie as she is diagnosed with MS1 and (misdiagnosed) MS2. She spends the majority of the book going in and out of reality. She thinks she’s in this place called Andratalia. Throughout the story she’s riding this emotional roller coaster. She feels anger, sadness, denial and even fear. She’s in a wheelchair for some of the book but when she realizes that she can walk she uses other ways to walk. According to the story (I’m not a doctor), MS2 is something that paralyses your mind. She has to deal with Rosemary and Paul along with their bickering over technology. When she starts her Andratalia treatment, her boyfriend can’t recognize her anymore. That’s when he wants her to get a second opinion and possibly a different treatment. Katie does get the second opinion and that’s when she finds out that she is misdiagnosed with MS2. She finds ways to deal with it even if it means having a relapse and going back to the hospital.
July 13, 2021
This was a complete surprise, I picked up the book for some summer reading, intrigued by the title, we live in the middle of a virus pandemic after all. I struggled with the writing style first, I have not come across such poetic prose before and found it quite slow to begin but then the events started to take on pace. The main protagnosit Katie is incredibly tough what she had to go through as a young disabled woman brought me to tears but I also admired her energy and felt empowered as a woman after reading the book. i won't spoil it for you but there are some beautiful fantasy moments in the book when Katie dreams off a better life and also some very modern insights into what technology does to human relationship and how modern medicine adopts the same approach like technology dividing a human into body and mind forgetting the whole. The book is a debut novel and the author offered it for free during the apndemic, kudos to her and more power to all strong women!
July 16, 2024
Wtf have I just read. It's really confusing, at times it's very dark, where the main character is suicidal then all of a sudden is very light hearted again. The author should have invented a new name for her sickness and not use MS, MS is still a shocking diagnosis and badly treatable and cannot be healed, people die from it still nowadays, and here she is comparing it to a rooster? If the switches from her mind to the hospital to the reality outside of the hospital would have been more clear and she'd have said an invented illness, then the book could have been good. Why? Because the struggle to live with a sickness felt real, especially how different your surroundings treat you and how some people just don't understand what you have. But the rest was ridiculous.
February 17, 2025
I have mixed feelings. I appreciate the writing style, the way the author creates sentences, and it reads nicely. But the storyline was so so so confusing for me. I started to understand what the hell is going on waaaay later in the book (...did I really?! I'm not sure). By that time I was already very very annoyed with it. The charactres are so painfully annoying (but I belive it was on purpose). Some bits were really interesting, others made me think " why the hell is it there...now...what is she tryign to say". It is definitely not a book for me. I picked it up without research coze it was the only book I could read at the moment. And I do regret the time spent. I hoped it would get better and less confusing and a lot of people loved it. But for me it didn't happen.
June 15, 2020
Love Virus is a very moving and heartfelt story that helps you see what this illness feels like from the protagonist's perspective so that you get to see how it affects not just the family and friends but also how it affects Katie's psyche too.
I will say that the writing style was a little too much like poetry for my liking but other than that this is a very good read!
I give this story ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of five stars and I highly advise you to check this book out soon!
If you want to read my full review check out my blog Lynn's Tidbits
Book Review: The Love Virus by Elani Cay
I will say that the writing style was a little too much like poetry for my liking but other than that this is a very good read!
I give this story ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of five stars and I highly advise you to check this book out soon!
If you want to read my full review check out my blog Lynn's Tidbits
Book Review: The Love Virus by Elani Cay
October 21, 2020
I would just like to thank the author and @lovebookstours for gifting me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I must admit that this book is not my usual genre but when I read the blurb it intrigued me and had me hooked and after reading the book I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend.
There is a different points of view narrative that switches throughout the story and once I got used to it, I really enjoyed this style of writing.
I also enjoyed reading about Katie as a character and about her experiences with multiple sclerosis and the difficulties she faces.
I loved the story, I loved the characters and I loved the narrative - a very good read.
I must admit that this book is not my usual genre but when I read the blurb it intrigued me and had me hooked and after reading the book I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend.
There is a different points of view narrative that switches throughout the story and once I got used to it, I really enjoyed this style of writing.
I also enjoyed reading about Katie as a character and about her experiences with multiple sclerosis and the difficulties she faces.
I loved the story, I loved the characters and I loved the narrative - a very good read.
October 26, 2020
Rating 3.5
It was a mixture of different stories and locations. It has some form of poetry in it and music. It was a mixture of emotions and difficulties. It was an enjoyable read. Something different and it was romantic in its own way. Helping others is something that the protagonist was able to learn and it allowed her to grow with her partner. She became more understanding about the difficult it is to care for someone. Therefore, her love for whoever she cared about for grew. I can relate to this story to a sense. And I think others will too.
It was a mixture of different stories and locations. It has some form of poetry in it and music. It was a mixture of emotions and difficulties. It was an enjoyable read. Something different and it was romantic in its own way. Helping others is something that the protagonist was able to learn and it allowed her to grow with her partner. She became more understanding about the difficult it is to care for someone. Therefore, her love for whoever she cared about for grew. I can relate to this story to a sense. And I think others will too.
September 26, 2020
This is a very unusual book. The entire novel is in verses. Then it is the diversity of topics with so much covered. Modern lifestyle and technology, love and family relationships, illness and body transformations and also viruses and mental health issues! The breadth of topics and depth with which the author goes into them are outstanding. Katie fights for truth and "authentic love". I was captivated by the story. Magical, lyrical, stunning read.
January 16, 2021
At first, this book didn't grip me. I was confused by the different timings in the book.
I do admit, that I believe I was confused because this isn't the typical style of writing in which I would read.
But, I did like how the author helped open one's eyes to how one struggles with MS and what could be going through their minds. There was emotion in this book, emotion that moved you. There's a mixture of anger, sadness and some love and light.
I do admit, that I believe I was confused because this isn't the typical style of writing in which I would read.
But, I did like how the author helped open one's eyes to how one struggles with MS and what could be going through their minds. There was emotion in this book, emotion that moved you. There's a mixture of anger, sadness and some love and light.
May 8, 2020
I was diagnosed with an autoimmune illness two years ago and still struggle to come to terms with many of the aspects described in this book, like the impact on family members and their own struggles. I appreciated the very honest portrayal of Katie's relapses, her experiences of intimacy and the hard decision-making around medication. The novel made me cry but also laugh. I like Katie's determination to live her life on her own terms.
May 19, 2020
The Love Virus by Eleni Cay is about Katie's struggles with Multiple Sclerosis, it's a YA book that reads like poetry and has all the feels. Having MS is hard enough, but Katie is determined to defeat it. The Love Virus is Katie's point of view of the disease, as well as how it impacts the people around her. Definitely a must read.
April 26, 2020
I was a bit put off by the title, but was pleasantly surprised that the references to love virus were subtly woven into the narrative. The novel deals with several topics, including authentic love, struggles that come with a diagnosis and misdiagnosis, trust and the digital age challenges.
January 22, 2024
I listened to the audio book, narrated by Shelly Atton. I found it hard to follow and I didn’t enjoy the narration. For some reason her voice irritated me. The story felt more like a diary with no real plot or destination. I was hoping it would improve as I listened, but it did not. Not my vibe.
April 26, 2020
Very compelling. Will recommend to others.
April 29, 2020
Normally dont read romance stuff, book was recommended to me because author lives in Norway. I liked it.
I liked the fast pace. Read it in two sittings. Good dialogues Paul had great ideas. Must be hard to live with MS. Thanks
I liked the fast pace. Read it in two sittings. Good dialogues Paul had great ideas. Must be hard to live with MS. Thanks
December 7, 2021
Interesting premise, but mostly poorly executed. There were a few really good moments, but a lot of time wasted on pointless arguments between the side characters that went on forever and ever. The audiobook narrators voices for these were particularly annoying. I would have rather seen the pages used to have the other ideas flushed out more. The ending was written as though all the issues were resolved, but it felt really unresolved to me.
March 29, 2022
I wish I liked this more. The parts about Katie’s experience with MS were interesting & I feel like it gave good insight in to what chronic illness is like for someone and those around them.
However, so much of the book was spent on Paul & Rosemary’s (Katie’s hospital roommates) arguments that it became unbearable at some points. So many chapters were focused on their technology/authenticity debates, which were all redundant and barely pushed the story forward.
I would’ve loved more of Katie, Mark, and her family/friends, rather than half the book being set in “Andratalia.”
However, so much of the book was spent on Paul & Rosemary’s (Katie’s hospital roommates) arguments that it became unbearable at some points. So many chapters were focused on their technology/authenticity debates, which were all redundant and barely pushed the story forward.
I would’ve loved more of Katie, Mark, and her family/friends, rather than half the book being set in “Andratalia.”
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