By
Tess Gerritsen
Stephen King states on this book jacket that Gerritsen
is better than Crichton, but I just didn't see it. As writers of realistic
science-based fiction thrillers, they are similar, though Crichton's
focuses vary wildly while Gerritsen writes novels based solely on medical
science. Crichton also manages to always push the envelope of cutting-edge
science, which usually segues nicely into deep, upcoming ethical dilemmas
for our society. Not so here, just an easily digestible thriller.
The book was an enjoyably quick read, but several elements
and characters seemed contrived and predictable. The plot hangs on the
lives of astronauts that become infected with a nasty virus while aboard
a space station. The situation was interesting enough, and the technical
details were engaging and seemingly factual. But the characters didn't
seem real or well-rounded to me. I like starting with an ensemble cast
and then not knowing who's going to survive; in this, the two main characters
were obvious from the start and clearly not fated to die. And some elements
placed in the beginning of the book, meant to be forgotten about until
a convenient surprise moment, were not subtle enough to be easily forgotten.
3