Pestilence

by Susie Kearley

What if a new drug had unintended consequences?A fungal outbreak, government corruption, scientific denial.The story begins with a medical breakthrough, a world full of hope.Before things go catastrophically wrong...Civilisation collapses.Is the end of the world inevitable?

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 6, 2021

About the author

I am a freelance writer and journalist, working for magazines and newspapers both in the UK, USA and internationally. I cover a wide range of subjects from gardening to the paranormal. A qualified nutritionist, I write regularly for a variety of publications on health and nutrition.

Reviews

[Lee Hall]

A well-thought-out pacey tale of the times from a promising British author…

Pestilence is an extremely well thought out story with an accurate outlook on the events that lead to the collapse of society through a pandemic. For some and in recent times that might feel a little close to home but this book carves a new and different path while acting as a social commentary. The vessel in this scenario is the emergence of a fungus which is the resultant of a warmer climate – a reaction to how we treat this planet. Every major moment that unfolds is covered by Susie Kearley who tells this story with a unique overview style that keeps the events moving and homes in on the reactive details even if things move quickly – this pace works for the genre giving it a page turning flow.

The emergence of a wonder drug ultimately leads humanity on a downward path of addiction and excessive consumption with eventual side effects that become incurable. Its humanity not learning from the past on repeat over and over again as we see the medical system downplaying this emerging threat through lack of knowledge and then being overwhelmed. There’s a theme throughout of vicious cycles where the government or even society fails to take note of a very real threat all caused by our species.

“a toxic culture of unhealthy living, a reliance on pharmaceutical drugs rather than health living, destroying the planet and allowing the pathogenic fungus to thrive…”

The story is told via a wide array of characters and from the very beginning they live their way through a well imagined and ultimately important case study about our nature. We see the elite taking from the less fortunate and with force – more social themes that ring true and echo to our reality. This world we live in is fragile and our attitudes will be probably be our undoing. A threat emerges and those who survive it perhaps leave further generations doomed to live through something similar and that’s probably the most powerful message of all.

[Cloudsong Arts]

This book is hard look at what easily can happen, and is fact happening, on a mild level. As I was reading it, to me I was reading what the next process was to be.
Straight away I was hooked with the fast pace of the action occurring between the characters, and instantly disliked Alex lol... I haven't put the book down until it was ended, just wanted to know how they came about turn and the conclusion. The government was not heard of again towards the end and hence no control from them any more. .hooray.
I liked the way you used Neem oil, id forgotten how strong that is and how they used it.
Isn't it a shame we can not create an idyllic situation now, like the commune why wait till a fungus.
Everybody should read this book and wake up, its very inspiring in changing the way you live.
Cloudsong

[Leonard Tillerman]

Have you ever considered the saying “If it seems too good to be true… it probably is?” In a world that is filled with enticing promises and tempting shortcuts, this timeless adage serves as a cautionary reminder of the pitfalls that await the unsuspecting. Not one that is always followed, however, as people relentlessly push forward in their pursuit of quick fortune and fame.

If we throw a “miracle health cure” into the mix, we are left with a recipe for disaster. Individuals will jump at the opportunity to cure what ails them, and damn the consequences! Unfortunately for such poor souls, quick fixes and miracle cures will frequently lead to disastrous results.

If such notions intrigue you, then Pestilence by author Susie Kearley will be right up your reading alley. An enthralling narrative of tenacious survival and resilience that fearlessly delves into the abyssal depths of human nature.

Essentially, Pestilence is a novel that cleverly examines the threat our human species poses to the planet. It begins in a world that is brimming with promise. A groundbreaking medical discovery has propelled humanity into an era of hope. A fungal outbreak has brought with it hope for all that promises to heal and comfort the sick and ailing. Harnessing the healing powers of the fungi, society has found the quick fix they were looking for. Yet, unbeknownst to them all, this marvel harbors unforeseen repercussions.

As the fungal outbreak ravages, corruption seeps through the corridors of power, and scientific denial persists. The collapse of civilization looms ominously, rendering the question: is the apocalypse inevitable? The emergence of this miraculous drug acts as a catalyst, driving humanity down a treacherous path of addiction and excessive consumption. With dire consequences that prove incurable, history repeats itself as the medical system disregards the looming threat, only to be overwhelmed. Vicious cycles persist, exposing the failures of government and society, all stemming from the actions of our own species. Will all eventually be lost as human society rapidly spirals to unthinkable depths? Or is there still a glimmer of hope as humans navigate their new reality?

There is an awful lot to like about this story. The plot will instantly captivate the reader as they identify with the notion of a pandemic that threatens to decimate the human population. It is a subject that is very close to home for all of us! All of this is done with perfect pacing that reels the reader right into the pages. There are moments of intense action that are interspersed with quieter, introspective scenes that allow for thorough character development.

The author’s attention to detail is commendable. Kearley’s vivid descriptions paint a hauntingly realistic picture of a world in ruins, evoking a sense of desolation and despair. The author masterfully captures the atmosphere of an apocalyptic landscape, with crumbling cities, abandoned hospitals, and scarce resources, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in this bleak and unforgiving reality.

While the novel primarily explores the human condition in the face of a pandemic, Kearley also delves into thought-provoking themes such as societal collapse, moral dilemmas, and the power dynamics that emerge in times of crisis. The ethical questions raised throughout the narrative challenge readers to ponder the lengths they would go to ensure their own survival and the consequences that may arise from those choices. They will also make the reader question their own daily habits, and how this may be harming our planet even as we speak!

What sets Pestilence apart from many other post-apocalyptic narratives that I have read is the depth of characterization. Kearley has crafted complex and multi-dimensional individuals who grapple with their inner demons while striving to stay alive. There are a number of characters in the novel, and I found them to be authentic and genuine individuals who I felt I really had got to know by the end of the book.

With its gripping storytelling, rich character development, and thought-provoking themes, Pestilence is an absolute must for fans of the genre seeking an immersive and unforgettable experience.

5 out of 5 Apocalyptic Stars for this one!

[Christopher Denton]

Great World Building

Pestilence is a disturbing vision of an all too possible near future where a drug developed to help us becomes the cause of our downfall. This book contains many unique and intriguing elements that hook the reader into a dystopian vision.

The Opening

The book starts really well with the introduction of the medicine and some initial early conflict that ensures it’s not all plain sailing. The main characters and the main plot are effortlessly introduced.

The Characters

Dr Leeman is a likable character from the very beginning. He’s clearly cautious and conscientious. Despite what Alex thinks about him, it’s interesting to note how he actually takes care of the various “lab rats” used throughout this story.

Terry is even more of a sympathetic character due to her affliction and how she is treated by Alex. In light of later revelations, I dislike the way she is so supportive of Alex in the opening chapters. However, I also recognize her behavior isn’t unusual and have met ladies like this in real life who turn a blind eye to the obvious due to their love for their partner.

Alex is my favorite character. He is unlikable, yet he does have morals of his own kind. I was disappointed his character redemption arc was not more complete. He was extremely underutilized toward the end of the novel when he was in a position to become a much more proactive and useful character. Sadly, I can’t expand on that without creating spoilers.

A few other characters were well developed and became important as the story developed. Notably, Jessica and Kevin.

The Plot

The main conflict is clear and interesting. I enjoyed the journey and the fight against the pestilence. There were some interesting plot twists along the way.

However, the ending was disappointing. It was abrupt and left minor plot lines hanging.

In particular, there was a group of people who were very much involved in the fight and also became part of the conflict in the center of the book. But they disappear from the story with no explanation. I can’t expand on this without spoilers.

The Setting

I enjoyed the description of the post-apocalyptic world, and the medical stuff was easy to understand and well introduced. However, there were some elements of the story that felt under researched.

For example, in chapter 7 the police do not follow the regular proceedings and actually break the law multiple times. I can’t say what they do without spoilers, but anyone who has ever had dealings with them or even watches police procedural shows on TV will quickly spot the issues.

At times, the story felt too focused on England. While I think it’s great to read a story set here, sometimes it felt like it was the only country that existed or had any relevance to the developing plot. Sometimes other places were referenced in vague terms as if they were unimportant.

For example, Terry’s friend Charlotte goes to live “in Africa”. I mean, it’s a whole continent with 54 countries and multiple climate zones, so it sounds a bit silly on page 126 when Terry says, “Tell me more about Africa.” Why not specify a country or famous city, like Nairobi?

The Prose

The narrative is generally clear and shown rather than told. I had no problems following the story as it developed.

However, one thing I didn’t like was the chapter titles. They frequently gave away what would happen so that I knew the plot developments and twists before they were actually shown in the narrative. For example, the title of chapter 43.

The editor missed a few small errors. For example, “Leeman was talking to this wife Jenny” p. 35. These issues aren’t significant, but they stuck in my head.

My Opinion

I enjoyed the journey. Pestilence engaged my full attention right to the end. However, I wish said ending was more detailed. Whole groups of people disappeared, their fates unknown. The transformations were not adequately shown. And I really wanted to see Alex play more of a part.

I am going to rate it as 7 out of 10, which will translate to 4 out of 5 on Goodreads and Amazon. If the ending had been more detailed, it would have rated much higher.

[M.G. Mason]

This is a familiar tale - new diseases hits humanity unexpectedly, confounding everyone. Scientists are stumped while politicians drag their feet.

Nothing new or unrealistic there.

It's a fast-paced tale. Stylistically, it's a "telling rather than showing" approach which I didn't always feel worked, especially at the times when I wanted to get into the heads of characters through this unravelling trauma. We don't get much of a sense of how people are being impacted mentally but then we don't always need to.

It works. It's an easy read and that's definitely what I needed. As a fan of Wyndham, sometimes you it's a great happy medium between more intense disaster stuff and something fluffier.

I don't know whether the author was going for a Wyndham style "cosy catastrophe" but that's the kind of style you get.

[Christine Booth]

Dramatic

I found it dramatic, imaginative, well written and compulsive reading. I would recommend it to anyone with medical or scientific interest.