Review: Infected by Scott Sigler
by Jenners • 10/05/2010 • 3 Stars, Fiction, Gothic/Horror, I Titles, S Authors, Science Fiction • 40 Comments
Infected
Scott Sigler
Crown Publishers, 2008
399 pages
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
My Rating: 3 Stars (Maybe/Maybe Not)
This was the third book I read for the RIP V Challenge. Because I don’t want to get too far behind in writing these reviews, I decided to review all my RIP books by answering the 5Ws―Who, What, When, Where, Why.
Scare-O-Meter Rating: 6 screams out of 10
I don’t know if this is scary as much as incredibly gross … as gross as the bug shown to the left. This is a book that will turn your stomach and make you queasy. If you can’t handle looking at the bug, then you might not be able to stomach this book!
WHAT is this book about?
A mysterious disease is turning ordinary Americans into murdering psychotics. As the government tries to keep a lid on what is happening, a CDC doctor struggles to find out what is causing the strange triangular growths that seem to be the source of the violent behavior. The only problem is that the triangles trigger a complete meltdown of the body once the host dies―resulting in limited time to figure out what is happening. As we follow the efforts to figure out the cause and source of the infection, we also follow the growth of the triangles on one person, Perry Dawsey. Perry decides not to take the arrival of these mysterious growths on his body lying down; he decides to fight back―resulting in descriptions of self-mutilation that will turn your stomach.
WHO do we meet?
- Perry Dawsey is a former college football star whose NFL career was ruined by a knee injury. Raised in an abusive household, Perry has struggled for years to control his temper and violent tendencies. With the help of his best friend Bill, he’s managed to build a life for himself and hold down a job. But when mysterious growths begin showing up on different parts of his body, Perry decides to take matters into his own hand, with horrific consequences.
- Margaret Montoya is a low-level researcher with the CDC, who stumbles onto the “triangles” case and is recruited by the CIA to figure out the source and cause of the mysterious growths that seemingly cause ordinary Americans to commit acts of unspeakable violence.
- Dew Phillips is a Vietnam vet whose seen lots of horrible things. But the acts of violence committed by the people infected with the triangles goes beyond anything he’s ever seen before. Asked to take the lead in keeping a lid on the increasing number of cases that are cropping up, Dew struggles to get a handle on something that is quickly spiraling out of control.
WHEN and WHERE does the book take place?
The book takes during modern day, primarily in Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin.
WHY should you read this book?
Well, I’m not really sure you should―unless fast-paced, sci-fi thrillers filled with increasingly disgusting acts of violence and carnage are your thing. The book isn’t particularly well-written, and the characterization is almost non-existent. This book, which was originally published as a podcast, is really stomach-turning and an almost literal definition of pulp fiction. It is kind of like Invasion of the Body Snatchers mixed with a really disgusting horror film. How Perry Dawsey fights the triangles is just repulsive and stomach-turning. I really didn’t care for this book … but then gory stuff like this isn’t my cup of tea. I could see that this book might appeal to a certain type of reader … but I wasn’t that reader. That being said, if you want to freak yourself out and give yourself the heebie jeebies, then maybe this book would be a good read.
Note: There is a sequel to this book called Contagious that continues the story if you like the first book. I don’t think I’ll be reading it though.
What are other book bloggers saying about this book? Find out at the Book Blogs Search Engine.
I think these people may already be here in Ohio!
RUN!!! Run far away!!!!
Well, I kinda like fast-paced, sci-fi thrillers filled with increasingly disgusting acts of violence and carnage in a RIP read, though only if it’s well written, like, say, A Clockwork Orange. So I think I’ll skip this one and wait until the inevitable movie comes out.
It is pretty much movie ready … but even then I don’t think I’d see it.
I have to admit I’m all for the yuck factor when it comes to body mutilation and murder. Perhaps all of those Law and Orders and Dexters and Barneys just desensitized me to violence. Or perhaps I’m just strange. However, the lack of characterization is something I just can’t get passed. I need in-depth character development.
I can handle gore and violence if I CARE about the people it is happening to, which was not the case with this book.
WOW……that cover alone creeps me out.
I know! I think that cover is why I picked it up in the first place.
Totally doesn’t sound like the type of book I’d read but I think Jason might take a crack at it. He’s totally into the sci-fi thing. Not sure if he’s into gore though. I’ll run it by him anyway
I’m sure there are better gory books out there, to be honest.
ewww! but then again….I read The Ruins, which was gory and I enjoyed it.
Thanks for the honest review.
I read “The Ruins” too and this is pretty much the same level of gross … but I thought The Ruins was a bit better.
I don’t know what to do. I like thrillers, but don’t like sci-fi at all.
It isn’t too sci-fi really … but the triangles don’t necessarily come from earth if you know what I’m saying…
Okay. I’ll admit I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I’ll also admit I had no idea what I was getting into when I bought it…. I just loved the cover!! Despite all its flaws, it kept me engrossed (and grossed out) until I finished it. And yes, I got suckered into the sequel, which I also enjoyed. Totally different from my usual reading material, but a nice diversion.
I remember that you liked it but it just wasn’t for me. SOOOOO GGGGRRRROOOSSSS!
I’ll pass.
I do like scary books but this one sounds like it will scare me in a bad way, not in a good way!
Exactly … it is a scary in a gross way.
I really don’t mind gore…I’m a disciple of Uncle Stevie after all. But it sounds like this might just be gore for the sake of a shock factor, which is annoying. If I want to be scared about a spreading virus, I will read The Hot Zone again.
This book kind of reminded me of Uncle Stevie a little bit … kind of a “wannabe” feel to it.
Thanks for the review. BTW – I love the new look of your blog. Nicely done!
Thanks for the feedback on the blog. I appreciate it.
Too Gorey for me, I will pass on this one. Thanks!
I think it has a great cover, but I don’t think the book is for me. I can read gore, but I want there to be some substance too. Thanks for your review!
It is lacking in substance I thought.
LOL! I love that you’re not really sure we should read it, lol. It sounds, well um interesting. Not sure it’s my thing though.
I do like to look out for you guys! If grossness isn’t your thing, then this book isn’t for you!
Ewww. I can barely stand to look at the picture of the bug…so I definitely won’t be reading the book!
In K Bros news, I only have 50 pages left! I might have to have a party to celebrate the end.
Woo hoo! Only 50 pages … that will feel like 150 pages!
This totally sounds like it will be made into a movie!!!
I agree!! The imagery would be horrific though. I bet it would be a big hit with teenage boys.
This is definitely something I wouldn’t choose to read. Thanks for your honesty. It’s pouring rain here, and I keep thinking of you on your roof. In his youth my husband would just go up there to see what’s going on. One year he decided to put Christmas Lights around the eaves, it was raining, and all of a sudden my kids (who were watching out the window) saw their dad slide down to the front lawn. This is why when someone says there is no God I disagree, he did even have a scratch on him. He literally landed on his feet. Now that’s a RIP mystery to me.
Wow … that is some story. I think your husband had a guardian angel looking out for him!
I don’t think I have ever actually read a book that fits this description, and although I am really kind of grossed out over it, I am also curious about it. It does sound like it’s pretty disgusting, and I am wondering just what my reaction to it would be. Thanks for the excellent review on this one. I am going to go for it and check it out!
Some people LOVE stuff like this … and maybe you are one of them! If you read it, I’d be curious to hear what you think!
Ewwww! Sounds yucky. I think I’ll pass. At least it counted for a challenge.
It was super yucky. But some people dig those kinds of books, but not me.
Definitely not for me, then…
Yeah … it was really gross! It wasn’t for me either.