tanya_the_spack's review against another edition
3.0
Love the premise and the monsters, but too many of the characters make no sense. The average ones and the ones who had no clue what was going on make sense. But the supposedly smart/brilliant people who know more are just so stupid. But it was, overall, a fun read, if a bit of a bloody gore-fest. Also, I know the author's later works are better in the character department, so I'm still a fan.
gregtrob's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as Infected or Contagious but a great fun albeit somewhat predictable read.
hippie13's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
0.75
A monster book that doesn't even have monsters actually show up until the last 100 pages.
Or, is it supposed to be a story of how humans are the real monsters? In that case, just read Jurassic Park instead. That one doesn't string you along at least.
By the time the monsters did show up, I just wanted all the characters to die because I hated them all at that point.
Or, is it supposed to be a story of how humans are the real monsters? In that case, just read Jurassic Park instead. That one doesn't string you along at least.
By the time the monsters did show up, I just wanted all the characters to die because I hated them all at that point.
zjswetlik's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
duchessnikki's review against another edition
4.0
Somehow to wierd to believe. Still very entertaining
knotabart's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
5.0
eserafina42's review
3.0
Not terribly impressed with this one. It took me ages to get through - must have gotten it from the library at least 3-4 times. It didn't really start moving (for me, at least) until about 35% through. I also - although I have to admit my knowledge of biology and genetics is limited to some popular science I've read - had a lot of problems suspending my disbelief that a creature like the one described could be genetically engineered, even by a deeply disturbed genius. Finally, I didn't really connect to any of the characters, particularly the men, who I had a lot of trouble telling apart, to be honest.
Anyway, maybe it's just me, since the book, and the author, none of whose other books I've read, seem to be enormously popular.
Anyway, maybe it's just me, since the book, and the author, none of whose other books I've read, seem to be enormously popular.
melle's review against another edition
4.0
I came across Sigler via the Nerdist podcast, and liked the cut of his jib. I was also interested in how he said he would have readers contact him to correct errors in his books. Because he writes science-heavy fiction, there's a lot he can get wrong, and when a lot of his audience are SME nerds, there are a lot of folks to notice small screw-ups. Ahh, crowdsourcing. :) I appreciate his attention to the craft, though.
I reserved the first two books of his "disease" series: Infected and Contagious, as well as Ancestor, at the library. I definitely agree that his work is science fiction, heavy on the science, with a dash of action adventure. It's not much of a mental leap to believe any of the stuff in the book could happen -- hell, probably has. I also appreciate his sense of humour. You may never look at a Holstein the same way again is all I'm sayin'. :)
It's a fairly testosterone-heavy read, but doesn't really tip over into an orgy of violence porn like Maberry books do. And hey, there's even a Strong Female Character. Even if she is the love interest...
All in all, an enjoyable page turner, and I'm looking forward to burning through the "disease" books while travelling this week.
Oh, and I did find a screw-up. Maybe. There's a dog in the book (who, I gather, is a stand-in for Sigler's own, now-deceased dog). He refers to her as a) a cattle dog, b) a border collie, and c) an Australian Shepherd at various points. These are three different breeds. However, he also refers to her having a long, poofy tail, and to her being black and white, which would make her a border collie most likely, since Australian Shepherds don't have tails (unless they're mutts, like Gordie). And while it's possible to get a black and while only cattle dog or Aussie, especially if mixed, at best they're usually merle, which tends to look more grey. Hey, we dog nerds are useful, too.
I reserved the first two books of his "disease" series: Infected and Contagious, as well as Ancestor, at the library. I definitely agree that his work is science fiction, heavy on the science, with a dash of action adventure. It's not much of a mental leap to believe any of the stuff in the book could happen -- hell, probably has. I also appreciate his sense of humour. You may never look at a Holstein the same way again is all I'm sayin'. :)
It's a fairly testosterone-heavy read, but doesn't really tip over into an orgy of violence porn like Maberry books do. And hey, there's even a Strong Female Character. Even if she is the love interest...
All in all, an enjoyable page turner, and I'm looking forward to burning through the "disease" books while travelling this week.
Oh, and I did find a screw-up. Maybe. There's a dog in the book (who, I gather, is a stand-in for Sigler's own, now-deceased dog). He refers to her as a) a cattle dog, b) a border collie, and c) an Australian Shepherd at various points. These are three different breeds. However, he also refers to her having a long, poofy tail, and to her being black and white, which would make her a border collie most likely, since Australian Shepherds don't have tails (unless they're mutts, like Gordie). And while it's possible to get a black and while only cattle dog or Aussie, especially if mixed, at best they're usually merle, which tends to look more grey. Hey, we dog nerds are useful, too.
pbanditp's review against another edition
5.0
Scott is a master storyteller, this an amazing scientific possibility with a nightmare twist. It is filled with hidden surprises that tie into Scott's other novels, making it fun and engaging. This was my third time through Ancestor and it gets better every time.