Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Robert Liparulo ~ Germ


Germ
Robert Liparulo
Hardcover: 496 pages
WestBow Press
ISBN: 0785261788








Book Description:

"The list of 10,000 names was created for maximum devastation. Each person named will be part of the most frightening brand of warfare the world has ever known. The germ-an advanced form of the Ebola virus-has been genetically engineered to infect only those people whose DNA matches the codes embedded within it. Within days, their internal organs liquify. The release of the virus will usher in a new era of power where countries are left without defense. Where a single person or millions could be killed with perfect accuracy and zero collateral damage. Where our own DNA works against us.

The time isn't coming. It is now. "

Reviewed by Gina Holmes

Plenty of books are claimed to be "thrillers". Once you read Liparulo's work, the difference between a suspense and a true thriller becomes clear.

Germ starts at warp speed and doesn't slow down longer than it takes the reader to refuel for the next lap.

Robert's prose in the first chapters are what I love about his writing. He has a literary bent that few thriller writers do. After the first chapters, the action continues to pick up and his writing moves into less literary and more unobtrusive, which serves the story well.

This book had unique, believable characters who were layered and likeable. The writing was top notch and the action moved along so quickly I had to take breaks, just to catch my breath and process it all.

In short, this novel read like an action movie, which is apparently a good thing, since I believe it's being made into one. Though not as gruesome as Liparulo's first novel, Comes A Horseman, it does contain a good amount of violence in the form of shootouts and fist-fights.

Germ is a great choice for thriller lovers and most especially for men as it isn't weighed down with a lot of romance or mushy gushy feelings and deep self-exploration. This stays true to its genre.

If you're not afraid to be scared sick, pick up this Germ, er, gem.

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