The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey (Some Spoilers)

[TheBashfulBibliophile]

This book is about Melanie, (given, there are other characters that play an important role in it, but Melanie is the main focus) a genius, super strong, super human Zombie. As we learn we also know that she has photographic memory (comes with the genius title I guess) and can experience a wide range of emotions. She develops a deep infatuation with Helen Justineau, a “teacher” at Melanie’s “School.” At this school for genius zombie kids is also a scientist, Caroline Caldwell and a mean Sergeant whom Melanie doesn’t like. Each day the kids are chained and bound to a wheelchair to attend their “lessons.” Sometimes, they get wheeled away to Caroline Caldwell’s lab and don’t come back.

Something happens at the school one day that changes all of this (I’ll try not to give too much away, but beware this review will contain some spoilers) and Melanie, Miss Justineau, Sergeant Parks, Doc. Caldwell and a soldier named Gallagher are on their own trying to survive. They all learn to trust each other (except Caldwell) and try and fight to stay alive.

In the end though, when it’s just Melanie and Miss Justineau we are told exactly how Ophiocordyceps works… and that Melanie was born as she was, not made. The book doesn’t need a sequel, because we find out that before, Ophiocordyceps was only transferable through blood and saliva. However, events lead to Melanie releasing the virus which has adapted to be airborne… this will turn the remainder of humanity into “hungries” which will eventually adapt and become more like Melanie.

It’s a really interesting take on Zombies, and I enjoyed it a lot. I highly recommend reading!

[gali]

Duplicated topic

The Girl with all the Gifts