kandicez's review against another edition
3.0
Tremblay and I have a weird relationship. I think he has the most fantastic ideas and I usually read the first half of his books with a five star review in mind. The guy is inventive and really knows how to set a scene and tighten a stomach with anxiety. But then…he always loses me a little past the halfway mark. I have a list of books that I wish other writers had written. Books where the plot and premise are fantastic, but the follow through leaves something to be desired. Sadly, this one will go on that pile with every other Tremblay I have read. That being said, I will keep reading his books.
A virus that mimics rabies is spreading quickly and killing people at an alarming rate. Regular rabies may take weeks to months for symptoms to occur, people infected with this new virus have an hour at best to receive treatment. The authorities are implementing curfews and restrictions to slow the spread, but really, with an hour incubation period, what chance do they have? Covid anyone?
It was a bit eerie the way this book was so topical. Almost as if the publishing house used the current Covid 19 pandemic as an advertising gimmick. I know that's not true. Tremblay must have written this book almost a year ago, but it lent a certain gravity to the story that I am not sure future readers will feel. That could be a point in it's favor now, but will it hold up?
Someone who is infected breaks into the home of Natalie, who is nine months pregnant, kills her husband and bites her. Natalie leaves to find her best friend Ramola, who is a doctor. She finds Rams and the rest of the book is all about their race to get Natalie the vaccine and save her unborn child.
Tremblay is great at creating a very scary situation and building the world in which it takes place. Apocalyptic worlds, pandemics, and other catastrophes are in every other new book that comes out. Tremblay set up this original premise, with the rabies virus that has mutated, but then relies on every apocalyptic trope to tell the story. People are worse than the disease. The unknown is what gets you killed. People you don’t trust become the good guys. Rams and Nat are easy to like and he writes their relationship in a very realistic way, but still. It doesn’t feel three dimensional to me. Despite liking them and their friendship, I never really felt for them.
I really disliked the epilogue. I won’t spoil anything, but after Ramola has gone through hell and back, she ends up resigned. Unhappily so, in my opinion, and that’s not what I wanted.
A virus that mimics rabies is spreading quickly and killing people at an alarming rate. Regular rabies may take weeks to months for symptoms to occur, people infected with this new virus have an hour at best to receive treatment. The authorities are implementing curfews and restrictions to slow the spread, but really, with an hour incubation period, what chance do they have? Covid anyone?
It was a bit eerie the way this book was so topical. Almost as if the publishing house used the current Covid 19 pandemic as an advertising gimmick. I know that's not true. Tremblay must have written this book almost a year ago, but it lent a certain gravity to the story that I am not sure future readers will feel. That could be a point in it's favor now, but will it hold up?
Someone who is infected breaks into the home of Natalie, who is nine months pregnant, kills her husband and bites her. Natalie leaves to find her best friend Ramola, who is a doctor. She finds Rams and the rest of the book is all about their race to get Natalie the vaccine and save her unborn child.
Tremblay is great at creating a very scary situation and building the world in which it takes place. Apocalyptic worlds, pandemics, and other catastrophes are in every other new book that comes out. Tremblay set up this original premise, with the rabies virus that has mutated, but then relies on every apocalyptic trope to tell the story. People are worse than the disease. The unknown is what gets you killed. People you don’t trust become the good guys. Rams and Nat are easy to like and he writes their relationship in a very realistic way, but still. It doesn’t feel three dimensional to me. Despite liking them and their friendship, I never really felt for them.
I really disliked the epilogue. I won’t spoil anything, but after Ramola has gone through hell and back, she ends up resigned. Unhappily so, in my opinion, and that’s not what I wanted.
nia_guy's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Well hold the mother-fucking door! Allow me to go on record and declare that there will never be a better time to read Paul Tremblay’s Survivor Song than 2020, and I managed it by the arse of my pants! Tremblay is a decorated horror novelist that I am ashamed to say have never read, until now. The guy has a huge responsibility on his shoulders, but he is still swimming, still telling stories that stay with the reader. This story is going to be one that I will remember and hold in regard to the year 2020.
I’m waffling (not unlike the victims of the super rabies that have taken hold).
Let’s play the Survivor Song. Can you remember where you were when you heard a particular song? Where were you when you read Survivor Song? In a cruel twist of fate, I was in lockdown. I’m one of these twisted individuals that just love reading about pandemics IN a pandemic. So, lock those damn doors, have a weapon close by and never, ever, leave a door open.
A grieving wife, pregnant with their first child. A shock virus is spreading within Massachusetts. A strong, super contagious mega-rabies is spreading from animals to humans. Its contracted by saliva and as a result the entire state goes into lockdown (sound familiar?) The hospitals can’t cope, the emergency services are overrun, and no residents can leave the state. Dr Ramola Sherman, a paediatrician is being drafted in as second tier support and no-one is more shocked than her at how quickly things have gotten out of control. However, a plea for help from her best friend, Natalie turns both their worlds upside down. Natalie’s husband has been killed by an infected neighbour and she has sustained a bite that could be infected with the mutant rabies.
Survivor Song is a tale of love and hope, believe it or not. Natalie is a deep character that is dealing with hope, loss, and fear. She is a strong and capable character but in her vulnerability is where you see her immovable need to put someone else first, her unborn baby. The virus trope is a an old one, but Tremblay does more than rehash an old script. He examines the fear and the mental strain pandemics place upon the human psyche. The vulnerability etches a bullseye for everyone to see and just how that world reacts to it was just perfection. Natalie’s struggle was hard to read, I was mesmerised by her plight and Tremblay has played a blinder with this one.
Dr Ramona and Natalie are against the clock. Natalie needs immediate medical care and Ramona believes she has the sway needed to get her it. The way Tremblay wrote an incredibly fractious situation through a potentially infected character was so spot on, I was floored. You could feel the fear and love for her unborn child. We seek something when our worlds are falling apart…a connection, help, understanding.
Releasing this book at this moment in time? Mind-blowing!
Survivor Song at the hands of a deft magician delivered pain and anguish whilst in freefall. A cautionary tale about the things that could just be around the corner.
I’m waffling (not unlike the victims of the super rabies that have taken hold).
Let’s play the Survivor Song. Can you remember where you were when you heard a particular song? Where were you when you read Survivor Song? In a cruel twist of fate, I was in lockdown. I’m one of these twisted individuals that just love reading about pandemics IN a pandemic. So, lock those damn doors, have a weapon close by and never, ever, leave a door open.
A grieving wife, pregnant with their first child. A shock virus is spreading within Massachusetts. A strong, super contagious mega-rabies is spreading from animals to humans. Its contracted by saliva and as a result the entire state goes into lockdown (sound familiar?) The hospitals can’t cope, the emergency services are overrun, and no residents can leave the state. Dr Ramola Sherman, a paediatrician is being drafted in as second tier support and no-one is more shocked than her at how quickly things have gotten out of control. However, a plea for help from her best friend, Natalie turns both their worlds upside down. Natalie’s husband has been killed by an infected neighbour and she has sustained a bite that could be infected with the mutant rabies.
Survivor Song is a tale of love and hope, believe it or not. Natalie is a deep character that is dealing with hope, loss, and fear. She is a strong and capable character but in her vulnerability is where you see her immovable need to put someone else first, her unborn baby. The virus trope is a an old one, but Tremblay does more than rehash an old script. He examines the fear and the mental strain pandemics place upon the human psyche. The vulnerability etches a bullseye for everyone to see and just how that world reacts to it was just perfection. Natalie’s struggle was hard to read, I was mesmerised by her plight and Tremblay has played a blinder with this one.
Dr Ramona and Natalie are against the clock. Natalie needs immediate medical care and Ramona believes she has the sway needed to get her it. The way Tremblay wrote an incredibly fractious situation through a potentially infected character was so spot on, I was floored. You could feel the fear and love for her unborn child. We seek something when our worlds are falling apart…a connection, help, understanding.
Releasing this book at this moment in time? Mind-blowing!
Survivor Song at the hands of a deft magician delivered pain and anguish whilst in freefall. A cautionary tale about the things that could just be around the corner.
kalio's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
dylan_dr3's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
riggad's review against another edition
4.0
My entire heart was shattered from the beginning. Such amazing pacing and direction. The side characters met along the way elevated the story creating tension and suspicion. It's like somebody paired "Jericho" and "Train to Busan" together.
arrrgh_schooling's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
just_jack's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5