This is the sort of horror novel that I can't help but think would make a good movie. The story starts with a rather dim-witted janitor steals a lab mouse that is being used in an experiment that appears to have something to do with increasing growth rates. Despite what you might expect, this doesn't result in a giant mouse rampaging through the countryside. Instead a slime monster bursts out of the mouse and rampages across the countryside. It isn't just a knockoff of The Blob though. This slime is more intelligent, can use the bones of its victims to give itself structure, and is capable of sending out small pieces to act independently.

The only real complaint I have is that it takes a little too long for the story to get to the main action, which is the slime attacking an isolated dive bar. I was also a bit annoyed by the unanswered questions of "Why was there a blob inside that mouse?" and "Why does a lab that is putting killer blobs inside of mice not have better security?". Even so, this was a great, gore-filled monster story. ( )

My first Adam Cesare book was Video Night which I really loved. I saw some starling reviews for Exponential, but I put it off for awhile because I am wary of "monster" novels. After so many years of reading horror monster stories can be rather formulaic that and zombies normally end up on the bottom of my read list.
Fortunately I didn't hold off on Exponential, thankfully my misgivings were wrong. Adam immediately captivated me with his characters in this tale. You wouldn't expect to find such rich back stories in a monster horror novel, but I found myself attached to these characters, even the ones that started out despicable you start feeling for. One character's back story Vicky even tugged at my emotional heart strings.
Oh yeah and there is a monster in this book aka snotdog, I thought was a very cool concept. And the monsters POV was unique and I found enjoying almost wishing there was more from it's perspective. Great read! Adam has been added to my must read list! ( )