Virus Thirteen by Joshua Alan Parry | Book Review

Virus Thirteen is the debut novel from writer Joshua Alan Parry and depicts a not too distant America in which cancer has a cure and public health is at the forefront of government interest. (Yes! It’s a science fiction novel.) The book follows several different characters (James, Modest and Marnoy just to name a few) as a terrifying new super flu breaks out causing global panic and hysteria. That description doesn’t really do the book justice because it is much more than a book about the “end of the world”.

The first half of the book is set up. You flash from character to character in order to get an understanding of who they are what they will go through. During these open chapters you get familiar with the cast of unique characters and, occasionally, curse the author for not showing more of that one character you really like. (I’ll be honest, I wanted to know more about Pat and his luck with a certain female character, but alas, I had to take what I was given and move on.) Now that is not to say that the other characters in the book are bad. All of them have their fair share of flaws and stupid mistakes, but they all are interesting to read about. James, for example, is the scientist who discovers a way to make the cancer free gene inheritable. Meanwhile, Marnoy is a government employee who works for the Department of Homeland Health and he has his own secrets to make you want to keep reading.

The second half of the book is where things take a darker turn as a deadly storm starts to brew, the virus’ death toll increases rapidly and the gravity of what is happening is exposed. I won’t say too much about the latter half as to not ruin any of the several plot twists that will leave you cautiously flipping to the next page in anticipation. However, I will say that after the first big reveal the rest becomes less jaw-dropping and more frustrating. (In the i-wanna-know-more kinda way.)

Now let's talk about the good, the bad and the ugly of this book. Starting with the good because there is a lot more of that to discuss. I have to say that the depiction of futuristic America is believable and well explained. For example, instead of IDs, government officials can simply scan your wrists in order to pull up your information. And remember when I said that “public health is at the forefront of government interest” well that is because if people are healthier, they won’t have to go to hospitals and, consequently, the government does not have to pay for the medical bills. Also, in hopes of enforcing a healthier lifestyle, those deemed unhealthy are sent to “health retreats” in which they spend six weeks in a hellish white walled rehabilitation program. This may not sound fun, but I would not be surprised if such “retreats” actually become reality. (I mean, hey, we already have shows like The Biggest Loser which pretty much do that but telecast it globally.) What I am trying to say about this, is that Joshua Alan Parry’s depiction of the future feels very close to that of George Orwell's Nineteen Eight-Four. Definitely not to that magnitude, but certainly following in those steps. (Although I can assure you that Virus Thirteen reads much faster and simpler than Nineteen Eight-Four and it won’t be a part of high school English syllabus any time soon.)

Let me explain what I mean by using some examples. I read this book during January of 2017 and finished around January 26. In the book the way they cure cancer is by using the genes from an animal who have mutated genes. They take those genes and place them into the human’s genome to prevent mutation. On January 30, an article hit the internet that “immunity genes” in sharks could help in the fight against cancer. (NSU Article) Also a big conversation being had in the world of genetic research is the alteration of genes to “customize” your child. In Virus Thirteen the world has made it’s decision: alter everything! The long-short of it is that in the book you can take your pregnant pet to the vet and get get a glow-in-the-dark puppy. (I don’t know what to think about that either.)

Also maybe it’s just the film aficionado in me, but as I read the book I couldn’t help but notice how made-for-movie this book was. If you are a visual reader this will be a very good thing for you because the book almost reads like a movie script at times. I would not be surprised if the author had hopes of making the novel into a film when he started writing the book due to its film-like layout of actions and scenes. In fact, the end of the novel, more so than the rest of the book, reads exactly like the end of a film and I can almost see the camera panning out as whatever happens happens. (As to not spoil the ending, which I certainly enjoyed.)

As for the bad...the first thing on the list is genericness. As different as the main characters are, everything else in the book has a general air of genericness. From the gene research company being named GeneFirm, to the way the brutish health retreat employees are described, it all feels bland. Which is unfortunate because the rest of the book’s world and the inhabitants are so interesting that everything else feels flat in comparison. Another problem I had with the book is a minor and more personal one, but I can’t help but talk about the stupidity of certain characters. Especially James. Without ruining anything, I think it is fair to say that most people would go with former if given the option of going along with the “bad guys” plans, to ensure your family's safety, or dying. Even if it is just to buy yourself some time to think of an alternate plan, no one would say “Get it over with you bastard!” It seems Dr. Genius Scientist, however, would prefer the latter. I get that it is supposed to show a charter that is pure but it felt a bit unnatural for the character that I thought I got to know pretty well.

In the end, Virus Thirteen was a surprising novel. I had little to no expectations going into it and came out having enjoyed the experience thoroughly. Writing a debut novel of such thrilling levels of entertainment is no easy accomplishment and as I put down Virus Thirteen, until it’s film adaptation is announced, I look forward to seeing what Joshua Alan Parry writes next.