The Blood Artists

This not a book for someone who wants and "easy" read - you have to pay attention to what is going on! It is well written and keeps the suspense and action going at a sure pace. Definitely worth reading.

Well, I wasn't sure at first I was going to like this novel. Hogan's use of first person during the first few chapters is not my favorite writing style but I stuck with it and VOILA!!! What a TERRIFYING, TOTALLY GROSS, CAN'T-PUT-IT-DOWN story this turned out to be. This makes you cringe at Humankind's defenselessness!First there are Drs. Stephen Pearse and Peter Maryk, "The Blood Artists." Together, they are a whole person, acting with both commitment and conscience. When they separate and go their own way for a few years, neither can act as complete and dedicated (and honorable) scientists, one possessing the charm and goodness (Pearse), the other (Maryk), possessing the determination and devotion to the "virus".Then there are the survivors of the devastagin "Plainville" virus that wiped out the entire town, except MILKMAID, LANCET and BLOSSOM. Though they survived, their lives are hopelessly and completely changed forever.Finally, we meet Oren Ridgeway a.k.a. "Patient Zero". But really he is never Ridgeway in the story, only "Zero", as is totally and evily fitting.In spite of the complicated story and the plethora of "Main Characters", author Hogan does a fine job of weaving the plot and the lives of the characters into a story that you can actually care about. In the end, I actually hoped for a sequel!!! Perhaps Hogan will grant us that someday for after all, "Plainville" isn't really dead....

In Hogan's future world, overuse have rendered anti-biotics completely ineffective and blood becomes sacred. Could never happen? Don't bet on it. The pace is fast, the characters are very well drawn and you are hooked from word one. The future Hogan describes is completely believable. Don't start this one at bedtime unless you are prepared to see the sun come up!

Blood Artists isn't the most realistic story ever written and the author tends to over describe at times but all that aside, it is one of the most engaging books that I have ever read. Peter Mayrk is what makes this novel a great success. His physicality and personality make you love him and sometimes despise him at the same time. If you enjoy a good medical sci-fi thriller then you will love Blood Artists. By all means pick up a copy and read it today.

I love this book and since I live in the town that it takes place (i'll leave it up to you to find out)it makes it even more exiting. Though I doubt the town will ever reach 20,000 people. It's very interesting how a small town like ***** gets a deadly virus that kills every one exept 2. I don't want to give to much away so I'll leave it up to you.