Official Review: Omega Pathogen by J.G. Hicks, Jr.
-
minderly
- Posts: 18
- Joined: 07 May 2015, 12:41
- Currently Reading: Prototype
- Bookshelf Size: 11
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-minderly.html
- Latest Review: "Omega Pathogen" by J.G. Hicks, Jr.
Official Review: Omega Pathogen by J.G. Hicks, Jr.
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Omega Pathogen" by J.G. Hicks, Jr..]
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
I would rate Omega Pathogen by J.G. Hicks, Jr., a 3 out of 4. An excerpt from the book was provided. It was about 23 pages long. I believe the book is still in-progress and not yet finished.
The author has a background that could prove extremely useful to this genre and this book. As in World War Z, the author used his own life experience with anxiety and obsession over safety, to produce a great, unique tale about a zombie outbreak. There is the same potential for this author to harness his real world experiences in order to deliver what so many zombie books are missing-the human element. What does fear feel like? What does it mean to react? How did these characters learn to prepare? I believe this author has the answer to these questions and many more. I would like to see him expand on his story and provide the missing element.
This is a great start to the book. The premise is interesting. However, edits definitely need to be made for grammar, typos, and sentence structure. At first it was somewhat difficult to read due to the unique writing style, run on sentences and overuse of pronouns. After a couple of passes, I understood the message though. With very small tweaks, this could be vastly improved in order to create a suspenseful story more accurately conveyed.
I think that we need more background and feeling in the book. The author suggests a “fight or flight” motivation, but why not enhance this observation by describing what the character is feeling. Is there a gnawing anxiety that pushes him to stock up on ammo and check and recheck the security of the house? I would like to see a few days before the zombie outbreak. Just to get things set up and really establish Jim’s background with his family. I would love some memories of Jim teaching his older children about the importance or preparation and gun handling. It is implied in the current story, but it could develop the characters more to see how this message was relayed.
I also wanted to see more to the story about meeting and pursuing Arzu. What happened when he first went to visit? What drove him to that visit? Why was he so enraptured with her after they had met? Tell me the story of how they first got to know each other on his mission. What did he think of her then? Why was he attracted to her? She is the weakest character so far. She needs to be developed through these memories of Jim’s time in Turkey.
I loved the Russian scenes. Really great work here. I would like to see more though. What else does the Doctor know about the program? I understand there may come a time where he is put through a moral dilemma finding out what he has been doing, but I think he could fill in more about the project without sacrificing this storyline. As a reader, I needed more about why Russia was doing this. How is it changing warfare? What are the true benefits? Why doesn’t Azarov have a conversation with the Doctor to let the reader in on more. I think this has huge potential for a hook that reels the reader in and ensures they stick with the book. Beyond what the author provides, this part of the story provides a vastly different view for the zombie genre. Expand on it.
This is a great draft and exciting foundation for a zombie book that takes place in a small outlying city near Houston, Tx. This is the story of a modern day family. Truly a modern family with second marriages, half-siblings, migration to the US. There is so much potential to illuminate family bonds in a changing world. I cannot stress enough that the story needs to be fleshed out and edited. It truly has the potential to be a great book if the grammar is cleaned up and the characters are developed further.
******
Omega Pathogen
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Like minderly's review? Post a comment saying so!
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
I would rate Omega Pathogen by J.G. Hicks, Jr., a 3 out of 4. An excerpt from the book was provided. It was about 23 pages long. I believe the book is still in-progress and not yet finished.
The author has a background that could prove extremely useful to this genre and this book. As in World War Z, the author used his own life experience with anxiety and obsession over safety, to produce a great, unique tale about a zombie outbreak. There is the same potential for this author to harness his real world experiences in order to deliver what so many zombie books are missing-the human element. What does fear feel like? What does it mean to react? How did these characters learn to prepare? I believe this author has the answer to these questions and many more. I would like to see him expand on his story and provide the missing element.
This is a great start to the book. The premise is interesting. However, edits definitely need to be made for grammar, typos, and sentence structure. At first it was somewhat difficult to read due to the unique writing style, run on sentences and overuse of pronouns. After a couple of passes, I understood the message though. With very small tweaks, this could be vastly improved in order to create a suspenseful story more accurately conveyed.
I think that we need more background and feeling in the book. The author suggests a “fight or flight” motivation, but why not enhance this observation by describing what the character is feeling. Is there a gnawing anxiety that pushes him to stock up on ammo and check and recheck the security of the house? I would like to see a few days before the zombie outbreak. Just to get things set up and really establish Jim’s background with his family. I would love some memories of Jim teaching his older children about the importance or preparation and gun handling. It is implied in the current story, but it could develop the characters more to see how this message was relayed.
I also wanted to see more to the story about meeting and pursuing Arzu. What happened when he first went to visit? What drove him to that visit? Why was he so enraptured with her after they had met? Tell me the story of how they first got to know each other on his mission. What did he think of her then? Why was he attracted to her? She is the weakest character so far. She needs to be developed through these memories of Jim’s time in Turkey.
I loved the Russian scenes. Really great work here. I would like to see more though. What else does the Doctor know about the program? I understand there may come a time where he is put through a moral dilemma finding out what he has been doing, but I think he could fill in more about the project without sacrificing this storyline. As a reader, I needed more about why Russia was doing this. How is it changing warfare? What are the true benefits? Why doesn’t Azarov have a conversation with the Doctor to let the reader in on more. I think this has huge potential for a hook that reels the reader in and ensures they stick with the book. Beyond what the author provides, this part of the story provides a vastly different view for the zombie genre. Expand on it.
This is a great draft and exciting foundation for a zombie book that takes place in a small outlying city near Houston, Tx. This is the story of a modern day family. Truly a modern family with second marriages, half-siblings, migration to the US. There is so much potential to illuminate family bonds in a changing world. I cannot stress enough that the story needs to be fleshed out and edited. It truly has the potential to be a great book if the grammar is cleaned up and the characters are developed further.
******
Omega Pathogen
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Like minderly's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "Omega Pathogen" by J.G. Hicks, Jr.
