Review: Indie Books R Us Review: Yay!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 7, 2012
Exotic animals being held for private hunting, mysterious human and animal deaths occurring rapidly, and danger from multiple vectors--equals one heck of a wild ride. At initial glance Sector C made me think of popular pandemic films like the Andromeda Strain or Outbreak, simply because the story provided multiple view points and characters. What grabbed my attention, and changed my mind is the science behind the story. This book is no ordinary life-killing-disease-resulting-in-mass-hysteria type. The plot is well thought out and the possibilities clearly defined and researched.I will admit getting into the mind frame of this story took a couple chapters, simply because medical thrillers are not my usually escape novel choice. Within those chapters I quickly became absorbed. I wanted to know everything, especially what this particular disease was and if it would be successfully combated. Of course I'm rooting for humanity. Sullivan does an excellent job of providing a brief scientific explanation, and a more detailed description of the science behind the debilitating disease running rampant without confusing readers or mass info-dumping. This book does require an alert mind, but even if you weren't the person with top marks in Chemistry in high school the mechanics are easily understood.I will offer caution to those who are huge animal lovers. This book is not for those who are easily overcome by animal death. There are several heartbreaking moments, and each one brings a tug on the heartstrings.Main characters Mike and Donna were easy to relate to, though I often wished more was said in the earlier stages of their professional relationship. Sullivan makes up for this little lapse as the story goes on, with both Mike and Donna showing their true intelligence in their confrontations with the Triple E CEO. Mike and Donna's relationship unfolds similar to those formed out of stressful, life or death situations, but the main emphasis of the story is not eclipsed by their relationship.  Other characters, including the main antagonist, were portrayed with a certain realism that is easily identified with, and that can already be seen with the questionable ethical/moral practices we see from big business present day.Overall, I give this book a `Yay' rating because by the end I was researching prions, and diligently attempting to discover more behind the science in the story. I'm still not quite done with my research, and have already found articles speaking to the distinct possibility that lichens are a good combatant against protein based mutations. If you're looking for a book that will engage your mind, as well as get the old synaptic pathways fired up, this is definitely one to purchase.