200709231509

With the more recent advances of nanotechnology there has been a new strain of “end-of-the-world” scenarios in Science Fiction/Fantasy fiction.


From the Cover:

The nanotechnology was designed to fight cancer. Instead, it evolved into the Machine Plague, killing nearly five billion people and changing life on Earth forever.

The nanotech has one weakness: it self-destructs at altitudes above ten thousand feet. Those few who’ve managed to escape the plague struggle to stay alive on the highest mountains, but time is running out-there is famine and war, and the environment is crashing worldwide. Humanity’s last hope lies with a top nanotech researcher aboard the International Space Station-and with a small group of survivors in California who risk a daring journey below the death line…

Thoughts after reading:

It was an entertaining short read that was somewhat predicable.  Instead of beginning the story before the disaster, with developed characters, the story begins well into or after the disaster.  Maybe it was for this reason that it took me a while to get into and identify with the story.

The nano altitude destruction trigger was a new hook for the story and made for some interesting thoughts and story angles.  I didn’t feel the story was terribly technical which for some may be a plus but for me seemed to make it a little shallow.  The books weakest point was the lack of character development.

If you like these types of stories and approach this one as just a couple of hours of escape entertainment you’ll probably enjoy the read.

Title:  Plague Year
Author: Jeff Carison
Pages:  292
Amazon Customer Reviews: 4/5 stars

Technorati Tags: jeff carlson, plague year, reading list