Contagion: Everything I Wanted In A Sci-Fi Thriller

Contagion (Contagion, #1) by Erin Bowman
Genres: Sci-Fi (YA)
Pages: 432
Goodreads

Perfect for fans of Madeleine Roux, Jonathan Maberry, and horror films like 28 Days Later and Resident Evil, this pulse-pounding, hair-raising, utterly terrifying novel is the first in a duology from the critically acclaimed author of the Taken trilogy.
After receiving a distress call from a drill team on a distant planet, a skeleton crew is sent into deep space to perform a standard search-and-rescue mission.
When they arrive, they find the planet littered with the remains of the project—including its members’ dead bodies. As they try to piece together what could have possibly decimated an entire project, they discover that some things are best left buried—and some monsters are only too ready to awaken.
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR CONTAGION:
“Gripping, thrilling and terrifying in equal measures, Contagion is the perfect intersection of science fiction and horror—I couldn’t look away.”—Amie Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of Illuminae and Unearthed
“Few understand the true horror that lies in the empty unknown of space, but Erin Bowman nails it in Contagion. Read this one with the lights on!”—Beth Revis, New York Times bestselling author of the Across the Universe series and Star Wars: Rebel Rising
“Erin Bowman’s Contagion is everything I want in my science fiction: a cast of smart characters on a desperate rescue mission forced to confront an elusive and unstoppable enemy. I absolutely loved this layered and thrilling adventure and can’t wait to dive back into this world again.”—Veronica Rossi, New York Times bestselling author of the Under the Never Sky series

I loved everything about this book. Seriously, I can’t think of anything I dislike (except a character, but that’s not a bad thing). So, don’t mind me while I gush about all the amazing things in this book. 

The first thing I thought of after finishing this was that Contagion is what I thought Illuminae was going to be. Illuminae claimed to be about a deadly plague but ended up being a book that had too many ideas within and it got lost. The trilogy tricked you with character deaths so many times that by the end of it, I just didn’t feel anything when someone died. If you can’t tell, I wasn’t a fan (you can read my full review here). Then in rolled Contagion, fulfilling all my hopes and dreams for a book with space zombies.

Anyways, let’s talk about the characters. It follows a rag tag team sent on a rescue mission to a planet that’s already known to be dangerous. The team sent are mostly amateurs – a novice pilot, a high school intern, a commander who only has the job because of her father’s position, etc. All of them clash in some way with one another and that distrust/dislike for each other creates an interesting dynamic throughout the story. No one trusts anyone fully. Every one does something that screws another person over. It’s hard to root for anyone, yet you will. Except Dylan. Who is a terrible person and she cannot redeem herself.

Also, without giving away spoilers, if you like any of the characters, your heart will most likely break for them.

Then comes the plot and, oh boy, does Bowman know how to hook me in. She wastes no time getting into the story while still building the world and characters you’re reading. No info dump yet you still get immersed in the story? Yes, please. Most importantly, it had what are essentially zombies (it’s the easiest way to explain it without giving away too many spoilers). Where Illuminae failed to really focus on this, create the tension, continue that tension, and bring me along with their characters, Contagion succeeded. You could cut the tension with a butter knife. The way the story would go back and forth between POVs and the way Bowman writes had me on the edge of my seat. 

Ok, with all that said, I guess I lied, I can critique some areas. There is some lack of character development but with a story like this, I didn’t care. The characters are developed enough to form an interest, and frankly, I just wanted my spacey zombies, ok? Also, it switches POV often, which I didn’t mind, but if you don’t like that, then it might bother you.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It’s probably blasphemy to some of you to say it was better than Illuminae, or even compare it to that since they are not the same story. Yet, for me, it was about my expectations and this one met them. It’s very fast paced, has a good mystery, great action scenes, and it ends with hope and tragedy that there’s no way I wouldn’t love this book. So, bravo Erin Bowman, you continue to be one of my favorite authors!

Have you read this one? Thoughts?

Rating Report
Plot
Characters
Writing
Romance
Overall:	5 / 5