This book was a strong four stars for the first half, but the second half fell away. The dialogue became cliched and the story seemed choppy. Maybe that was because I had guessed what was happening so didn't have the intrigue to keep me distracted, I'm not sure. Not sure I will read the rest of the trilogy. ( )

2.5 Stars ( )

Contagion by Teri Terry is a dystopian YA Sci-Fi story set in the near future. The story totally took me by surprise. I loved every minute of it. A deadly virus grown in a lab that escapes, people who have special abilities after being infected, a ghost set on revenge, it all worked so well.
The story begins in an underground research facility in Shetland, UK. Where a group of researchers are working on a cure for cancer. Callie, subject 369X, is being “cured” which results in her death. Instead of moving on to the afterlife she becomes a ghost. Shortly after her death an explosion occurs in the underground facility and the facility is destroyed in the fire that follows. This allows a deadly virus, later named the Aberdeen Flu, to be released.
Meanwhile, Shay, a typical teen except for her photograph memory, has her eye caught by a flyer of a missing girl. Turns out she saw the girl on the day she went missing. Shay calls the number on the flyer and later meets Kai the missing girl’s older brother. This missing girl in none other than Callie. Unfortunately, Shay is not able to provide must assistance to Kai since she only saw Callie briefly. However, they do form a bond.
By now the virus is wreaking havoc all over Scotland. Ever containment line the government sets seems useless and the virus is spreading like wildfire. This “flu” is so deadly it kills 95% of those infected within 24 hours. There are a lucky few who are immune. Those that do survive are changed and either kill themselves or are hunted down by the government.
While Kai is one of the lucky immune, Shay is infected and becomes a survivor. Shortly after her recovery Shay discovers that she can talk to the dead, including Callie. Together the three set out to discover what really happened in Shetland.
Fantastic story! Usually the characters are my favorite part of a story. Not so this time, I was pulled into the story from the start. I especially liked that it was not far-fetched and I feel something like this is plausible. The execution of the plot was spot on, fast paced but not rushed so there was a slow buildup of tension as the story progressed. There were a couple of twists to the plot I was not expecting and some hints about what is to come… I think. Then there is the cliff hanger, of course.
The characters are good too. There was a fair amount of character development which never fails to surprise me in an action novel. I crave a story that lets me understand and connect to the characters. Each of the three main characters has a distinct voice and yet the story is told through the eyes of the female characters only. It was an interesting way of seeing things. The author did a good job of connecting it all together so it flowed seamlessly. The only negative, I have to wait to read the next book!
I highly recommend this book to fans of near future Sci-Fi and YA Sci-Fi stories. There are a few scenes that maybe disturbing to the younger readers. Nothing overly graphic but the story does contain mild violence and the subject matter some may find unsettling.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. For more of my reviews, and author interviews, see my blog at www.thespineview.com. ( )

I thought this was a stand alone book so was very disappointed to find out it is the first in yet ANOTHER YA trilogy! Told in alternating chapters by the two main characters : Callie ( Subject 369X) who has been kidnapped and is being held in underground bunker where she is subjected to contamination by a man made disease and then ultimately killed by cremation. Her spirit lives on though after her death as a an undead ghost who is bent on revenge against those who wronged her. Enter Sharona (or Shay) who notices a missing poster for Callie and draws on her photographic memory realizing that she may have been one of the last people to see Callie alive. Shay contacts Callie's brother Kai and together they retrace Shay's last steps when she saw Callie.
Meanwhile, the facility where Callie is being held has a huge explosion and Callie AND a terrible disease are released from the Shetland Islands. This disease slowly works its way through Scotland, killing 99% of the people it infects. Those who survive seem to have gone insane as they can see and hear ghosts.
Shay contacts the disease and Callie finally has someone to communicate with. Shay also falls in love with Kai.
There is mystery, disease - bleeding from eyes, unbelievable pain, torture, betrayal; you name it - it all abounds in this first book. (I did guess how the disease was spread though) Can't wait for the next one. ( )