Fertile Ground

by Charles Wilson

Exploring uncharted parts of the Amazon that may contain vital disease-fighting plants, Delaney and Jordan Jeffries are attacked by mysterious natives and infected with a deadly virus that they bring back with them to America. Original.

Genres: Thriller

Paperback

First published June 1, 1996

Reviews

[Addie Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought this was gonna be about a bunch of scientists accidentally contracting a strong form of rabies. Then I thought "oh, wait, no it's actually straight up zombies". Then by the end I was like "ah, vampires". This book was a trip that I didn't love or hate. Very good scary scenes with the rage-crazed people and I liked seeing how the virus spread. Realistically, it was complete luck that the virus didn't taken over the world completely with how rapidly it was spreading from person to animal to blood donation to person to animals etc. But it still ended alright in my opinion. The priest is objectively the best character though and has a surprising amount of depth for not being a main character.

Overall a solid 3 ⭐️

[Alexandria Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a gamble on this book from the thrift store because I liked the vibe and it gave Michael Crichton energy. It was surprisingly good! I really enjoyed it.

[Kristin Lundgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid medical thriller. Delaney Jeffries and his wife Jordan, are scientists exploring the Amazon jungle when they stumble upon a group of Indians that blows a dart at Jordan, and seems to be ready to attack the rest of them. They radio for the helicopter to return immediately, and since by that time, several of their members were looking ill they headed for home, as that had been the last leg anyway. But unknown to them at the time, a lethal virus had entered their systems, and that some of them were dying, exhibiting signs of rage and cannibalism. Meanwhile, the freighter that brought them to the area where they could hop a flight home, is also having trouble - they found a murder victim on board, but one by one, they too are felled by the sickness. The Us government immediately goes into crisis mode, quarantine, etc., and tries to find not only the virus or bacteria that created this toxin, but also the mode of contagion. And then it's back to the scene of it all, as the try and trace the origins, in that fertile ground before one of them dies from it....

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I wouldn't call this a great book - the characters were not fully fleshed out or anything special, really, but they were pretty sympathetic - the plot was definitely interesting. There are some really exciting moments and the pace is quick from start to finish. There were a few dangling questions left in the end that I wish had been tied up (is Ozzie okay?!). There was a lot of science and medicine spun into the storyline, but the whole book didn't really have a terribly credible ring to it... some of these thriller are better at exuding the possibilities as more authentic. Still, it was an entertaining and quick read. I much preferred Wilson's Extinct, but this isn't a bad read - just not a great one, either.

[Tara Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay book. The plot was of scientists going to a rainforest to discover new drugs, and being infected with something that makes them homicidal with terrible rage. This plot has been done to death, and this part of the book was okay, but not very interesting. BUT, as the book progressed, I did enjoy how the infected characters handled the news they were dying with no cure (hint - it wasn't weeping and waiting for death). I liked that the book was realistic in story progression and I could fully imagine the characters as real people. Very good ending.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like reading books about viruses that could wipe out the population. What I didn't really like about this book is how the priest ended up getting rid of his virus, without anyone else getting infected, a little too far out there, not that the whole premise of the book wasn't also. I also didn't like the fact that big parts of the Amazon were destroyed by our gov't but liked the fact that it was a cover up, made it a little more realistic. All the "good" guys lived & the "bad" ones didn't.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading "Fertile Ground"; it reminded me of why I fell in love with these types of books to begin with. Very good plot with well laid characters.

[Sarah Jowett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried really hard but I couldn't get into this one. The writing was odd and it made it hard to read.

[Karis Yuen]

It's awesome. Scary and thrilling. I just can't put down the book. As soon as I have finished it, I want to read it again.