Hello guys!
I'm back after my wee tiny bit of a break! I'm starting this week enjoying some days off and tonight is the night where presents are delivered on Twelfth Night, though in my family we exchange gifts after dinner insted of in the morning of the sixth, so I'll let you know how my loot is!
For this week's Mark This Book Monday I have a book that I've loved, but took me a while to read. I started it as a buddy read with Faye from The Social Potato and Jeann for Happy Indulgence, even if both me and Faye got stuck for a while and Jeann finished before we did! I finally finished and loved it, and cannot wait to hear what Faye thinks!
Symbiont by Mira Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I read Parasitology last year and loved it, loved the science and the amazing premise of the different "kind" of zombies and the starting of the apocalypse.
After the ending and revelations I was really looking forward to reading Symbiont, the sequel and I'm very happy to report that it didn't disappoint at all!
Symbiont started with Sal dealing with the revelations of Parasitology and even if Sal keeps having her doubts and is somewhat paralized, she does a pretty good job at figuring out what really matters about who or what she is.
Sal is not a heroine in the more traditional sense of the word, she is not strong or a natural leader and she finds herself very much over her head in many occasions, and she even proves unable to present a serious opposition even at times when her life is in danger BUT she is always ready to try and do what is right, asks herself hard questions and isn't scared to sacrifice herself for those she love.
If I had to choose one word to describe the book, the first one that pops into my mind is "creepy" and if you think it is because of the thought of parasites taking over my body by migrating from my gut to my head, nope, that's not it! All the science and the tapeworms and ethical issues were simply fascinating and made me love the book so much! Nope, the reason for my to think of the book as creepy is because of two characters: Sherman and Dr Banks, two guys that appear to be on opposite sides but that have more in common that you'd even expect at first. Both simply are monsters, stopping at anything to achieve their goals, however different they are, the ways they go about it are disturbingly similar.
The apocalypse has started, everything seems to be collapsing and no one knows how to react or how to stop what's happening, and to complicate things, these are NOT your regular zombies, they are not who they were before but could they be considered people with their implants? Are chimera people? What defines a person? are humans better just for the mere fact of being human? The amount of food for thought and ethical questions this book raises is amazing and I cannot help but highly recommend it to everyone that wants some deep substance in their books but also want some action and creepiness and zombies!
Also, as a dog lover having them fight and ensure both pups were safe and cared for was something that I simply loved! And I love how Sal actually said to Dr Banks that to her Beverly was more of a person than he was.
I'm finding it hard to say much more about the book without spoiling something or revealing something, so I'll just say that I highly recommend this book and the entire series and I cannot wait till Chimera is out next year! So excited because that damned ending was quite jarring!
Very much deserved 4.5 stars!
View all my reviews
I'm back after my wee tiny bit of a break! I'm starting this week enjoying some days off and tonight is the night where presents are delivered on Twelfth Night, though in my family we exchange gifts after dinner insted of in the morning of the sixth, so I'll let you know how my loot is!
For this week's Mark This Book Monday I have a book that I've loved, but took me a while to read. I started it as a buddy read with Faye from The Social Potato and Jeann for Happy Indulgence, even if both me and Faye got stuck for a while and Jeann finished before we did! I finally finished and loved it, and cannot wait to hear what Faye thinks!
Symbiont by Mira GrantMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I read Parasitology last year and loved it, loved the science and the amazing premise of the different "kind" of zombies and the starting of the apocalypse.
After the ending and revelations I was really looking forward to reading Symbiont, the sequel and I'm very happy to report that it didn't disappoint at all!
Symbiont started with Sal dealing with the revelations of Parasitology and even if Sal keeps having her doubts and is somewhat paralized, she does a pretty good job at figuring out what really matters about who or what she is.
Sal is not a heroine in the more traditional sense of the word, she is not strong or a natural leader and she finds herself very much over her head in many occasions, and she even proves unable to present a serious opposition even at times when her life is in danger BUT she is always ready to try and do what is right, asks herself hard questions and isn't scared to sacrifice herself for those she love.
If I had to choose one word to describe the book, the first one that pops into my mind is "creepy" and if you think it is because of the thought of parasites taking over my body by migrating from my gut to my head, nope, that's not it! All the science and the tapeworms and ethical issues were simply fascinating and made me love the book so much! Nope, the reason for my to think of the book as creepy is because of two characters: Sherman and Dr Banks, two guys that appear to be on opposite sides but that have more in common that you'd even expect at first. Both simply are monsters, stopping at anything to achieve their goals, however different they are, the ways they go about it are disturbingly similar.
The apocalypse has started, everything seems to be collapsing and no one knows how to react or how to stop what's happening, and to complicate things, these are NOT your regular zombies, they are not who they were before but could they be considered people with their implants? Are chimera people? What defines a person? are humans better just for the mere fact of being human? The amount of food for thought and ethical questions this book raises is amazing and I cannot help but highly recommend it to everyone that wants some deep substance in their books but also want some action and creepiness and zombies!
Also, as a dog lover having them fight and ensure both pups were safe and cared for was something that I simply loved! And I love how Sal actually said to Dr Banks that to her Beverly was more of a person than he was.
I'm finding it hard to say much more about the book without spoiling something or revealing something, so I'll just say that I highly recommend this book and the entire series and I cannot wait till Chimera is out next year! So excited because that damned ending was quite jarring!
Very much deserved 4.5 stars!
View all my reviews
I'm not so slowly easing back into the swing of things as well. This morning has been super hectic so far! Oh well, at least this way the day will fly by. I usually get frustrated by buddy reads cuz I end up way ahead of everyone. LOL! Mira Grant's duology has been on my radar for a while now. I love that she has such a different take on zombies. Can't wait to tackle this one!
ReplyDeleteCarmel @ Rabid Reads
I enjoy buddy reads, but this time it was a bit of a messy one! And btw, this one is now a trilogy, not a duology, one more book coming out this year (I think!).
DeleteI hope your day will fly and won't be too horribly hectic Carmel!
So many books I need to read Pili! Everyone seems to really love this series, so I need to make time for it this year! Love that they work hard to save the pups, I'm not sure I could handle a dog not making it right now! *high five for dog lovers*
ReplyDeleteLovely review my friend:)
I have to say you really need to read this series, and it ends this year (I think book 3 does come out this year!).
DeleteThe doggies are important in the book and are well taken care of, so YAY for that! *high fives*
I need to read this series, soon!! I didn't read this review because I haven't read the first one, but the fact that you gave it 5 stars means it's really good!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Pili!
It really is Lis! It's a series very much worth starting!
DeleteSounds like I need to look into this series!
ReplyDeleteUnless you are squeamish, YES YOU DOOOOO!! ;)
DeleteOoo, well, I remember you liked Parasite a lot - glad you liked this one even more! I don't think it's for me (unfortunately), but I'm happy to see that the series is working for ya ;)
ReplyDeleteExcellent review, Pili!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
It is very cool science fiction/postapocalyptic because it's about the times when shit is starting to hit the fan instead of the aftermath, and frankly, the science is quite cool and well done!
DeleteThank you Alyssa!
Glad to see that you loved it, Pili! You know how I feel about this book and that I agree with you, it's bloody creepy! I don't even want to imagine worms crawling in the insides of my brain. EWWWW. I can't wait to finish this later in the book. I bet I'll be having the same sentiments ;)
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato
I cannot wait to hear what you think of the book Faye!! Hope you'll love it too!
DeleteThis book is bound to give me nightmares, but I may have to give it a try. *adds series to Goodreads wish list*
ReplyDeleteIt is quite creepy and scary but also VERY good, so I hope you'll read it! And hopefully it won't give you nightmares!
DeleteYay :D Great review Pili. <3 These books do sound exciting :) I'm so glad you loved this one. <3 Thank you for sharing about it sweetie. And aw. I hope you had an amazing time with your family. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you so much sweetie! We had a great time! My nephews are a blast, always! ;)
DeleteI really need to read a book by Mira Grant! They seem to be less in the limelight, but I have only ever heard positive things about her works. This seems awesome :D
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend reading both this one and the first one in the series! If you are not squeamish and don't mind loads of science, these books are amazing!
Delete