Contagion by Teri Terry is a ticking time bomb of a novel, each chapter bringing the reader closer to the point of impact. This pre-apocalyptic dystopian novel set in Scotland follows two unique and compelling viewpoints; Shay, whose world is about to be changed forever, and Callie, who has seen everything but can communicate nothing. Both characters have secrets and limitations that they must keep from each other, creating that sense of urgent frustration that means you’re reading something great.
The chapters in the first part of the book begin with a countdown, which is easy to ignore at first but slowly because crucial to the plot, leaving you flicking through the pages to find out what happens when that timer reaches zero. Contagion is exhilarating; throughout the novel’s fast pace, Terry drops foreshadowing and hints like a trail of breadcrumbs. The world-building is spectacular; Terry has put a lot of research into making the fictional epidemic seem plausible, and it shows. For as much as my limited knowledge of quantum physics is worth, I couldn’t find any plot holes or anything that lowered the believability of the story.
The main characters are written so that they feel their ages; Callie is impatient and impulsive and a little bit selfish, but it feels justified and natural for a thirteen year old girl. Shay is more mature and thoughtful, but still headstrong as a teenager should be. Terry doesn’t shy away from the impact that an unpredictable epidemic would have on adolescents, and conveys their suffering and fear in beautifully tragic detail. The action scenes and brief periods of rest are laced with tear-jerking moments that surprise you by showing just how attached to these characters you really are.
Contagion is an outstanding beginning to a series that I’m already holding out to read the rest of. Terry’s writing hooks you from the very first page, never letting go of the suspense. It’s the kind of book that you either read all in one go, or every second you’re not reading it, you’re thinking about reading it. What a thrilling read!
Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series played a huge role in my love of Greek mythology – the modern take on heroes and myths make them easier for a young audience to understand, and there are plenty of Easter eggs for those who already know their myths. The Lightning Thief kicks off the series wonderfully, introducing …
Astrid Sholte’s novel combines urban fantasy and murder mystery in a setting that echoes the popular dystopian-style factions of young adult fiction, but with enough unique elements to make it stand out. The world of Four Dead Queens is reminiscent of fantasy, but instead of magic, there is strange and interesting technology that serves as …
Marcus Zusak’s captivating debut novel follows the story of Liesel, who witnesses the death of her younger brother while on a train through Germany. When she discovers a novel hidden in the snow while standing by her brother’s grave, Liesel pockets it, despite the fact that she has not acquired the ability to read. When …
Jakob Wegelius’ middle-grade novel The Murderer’s Ape tells the story of Sally Jones, an anthropomorphic gorilla working closely with a man known as ‘The Chief.’ Together, the two journey all around the coastlines and rivers of Europe and its surrounding areas aboard a grand sailing ship known as the Hudson Queen. When a midnight expedition …
The Bronze Key is the third instalment in the Magisterium series. Picking up a year after book three (The Copper Gauntlet), Callum and his best friends are now entering the third year of their magical training. Callum has now revealed the truth about his soul to his close friends, as well as his frenemy Jasper …
Eoin Colfer’s bestselling middle-grade adventure mystery novels chronicle the lives of twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl. In the first Artemis Fowl novel, we meet our eponymous character, who is more devious and clever than most adults. The novel follows Fowl after he attempts to catch a fairy in order to obtain gold for ransom. His main motive …
Book Review – Contagion by Teri Terry
The chapters in the first part of the book begin with a countdown, which is easy to ignore at first but slowly because crucial to the plot, leaving you flicking through the pages to find out what happens when that timer reaches zero. Contagion is exhilarating; throughout the novel’s fast pace, Terry drops foreshadowing and hints like a trail of breadcrumbs. The world-building is spectacular; Terry has put a lot of research into making the fictional epidemic seem plausible, and it shows. For as much as my limited knowledge of quantum physics is worth, I couldn’t find any plot holes or anything that lowered the believability of the story.
The main characters are written so that they feel their ages; Callie is impatient and impulsive and a little bit selfish, but it feels justified and natural for a thirteen year old girl. Shay is more mature and thoughtful, but still headstrong as a teenager should be. Terry doesn’t shy away from the impact that an unpredictable epidemic would have on adolescents, and conveys their suffering and fear in beautifully tragic detail. The action scenes and brief periods of rest are laced with tear-jerking moments that surprise you by showing just how attached to these characters you really are.
Contagion is an outstanding beginning to a series that I’m already holding out to read the rest of. Terry’s writing hooks you from the very first page, never letting go of the suspense. It’s the kind of book that you either read all in one go, or every second you’re not reading it, you’re thinking about reading it. What a thrilling read!
Contagion will be released on May 18 2017.
Related Posts
Book Review – Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series played a huge role in my love of Greek mythology – the modern take on heroes and myths make them easier for a young audience to understand, and there are plenty of Easter eggs for those who already know their myths. The Lightning Thief kicks off the series wonderfully, introducing …
Book Review – Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte
Astrid Sholte’s novel combines urban fantasy and murder mystery in a setting that echoes the popular dystopian-style factions of young adult fiction, but with enough unique elements to make it stand out. The world of Four Dead Queens is reminiscent of fantasy, but instead of magic, there is strange and interesting technology that serves as …
Book Review – The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Marcus Zusak’s captivating debut novel follows the story of Liesel, who witnesses the death of her younger brother while on a train through Germany. When she discovers a novel hidden in the snow while standing by her brother’s grave, Liesel pockets it, despite the fact that she has not acquired the ability to read. When …
Book Review – The Murderer’s Ape by Jakob Wegelius
Jakob Wegelius’ middle-grade novel The Murderer’s Ape tells the story of Sally Jones, an anthropomorphic gorilla working closely with a man known as ‘The Chief.’ Together, the two journey all around the coastlines and rivers of Europe and its surrounding areas aboard a grand sailing ship known as the Hudson Queen. When a midnight expedition …
Book Review – The Bronze Key
The Bronze Key is the third instalment in the Magisterium series. Picking up a year after book three (The Copper Gauntlet), Callum and his best friends are now entering the third year of their magical training. Callum has now revealed the truth about his soul to his close friends, as well as his frenemy Jasper …
Book Review – Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Eoin Colfer’s bestselling middle-grade adventure mystery novels chronicle the lives of twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl. In the first Artemis Fowl novel, we meet our eponymous character, who is more devious and clever than most adults. The novel follows Fowl after he attempts to catch a fairy in order to obtain gold for ransom. His main motive …