Contagious (Hardcover)

by Scott Sigler (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Alien invaders threaten humanity in Sigler's over-the-top thriller, the sequel to Infected. In the near future, U.S. president John Gutierrez goes straight from his inauguration to crisis management when his national security team informs him that he must focus his attention on Project Tangram, a secret government program to stave off an epidemic caused by alien parasites, which form itchy blue triangular patches on the skin. Victims eventually become paranoid and violent. As the infestation spreads, Gutierrez must decide whether the outbreak can be contained without the use of tactical nukes on American soil. Meanwhile, the creatures responsible for the parasites get a foothold in Michigan through a seven-year-old girl, who manifests possession by drawing blue triangles on her dolls. While lacking the psychological sophistication of Jack Finney's The Body Snatchers or David Gerrold's War Against the Chtorr series, this page-turner builds inexorably to an explosive ending. 5-city author tour.(Jan.)
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From Booklist
*Starred Review* In Infected (2008), Sigler crafted an intense thriller in which an alien species infects humans, inflicts them with nasty triangular growths, and turns them into murderous creatures. Apparently that was just the beginning. In this sequel, which, thanks to some nifty backfilling can be read as a stand-alone, the aliens are changing their attack plans, sending down to Earth a new version of the infection, one that can be transmitted by humans from host to host. The heroes of the first novel return: epidemiologist Margaret Montoya, gung-ho CIA man Dew Phillips, and Perry Dawsey, who, in the previous novel, dealt with his alien infection in a unique and somewhat grisly manner. Now Perry is attuned to the aliens, able to overhear their “chatter” and lead pursuers to their centers of activity, where the aliens appear to be building portals designed to let the first wave of invaders come to our planet. This is a gutsy, ambitious, and completely seductive novel, B-movie horror of the highest order, told with conviction and gusto. The characters are appropriately larger than life (but still recognizable as real people), and the author is clearly a talented storyteller who knows how to write scenes that are graphic, frightening, and memorable. Many veteran horror writers will be grinding their teeth in envy. A definite must-read, whether you’ve read Infected or not. --David Pitt

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Crown (December 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307406318
• ISBN-13: 978-0307406316
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (115 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,004 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I could NOT put this down, January 5, 2009

By	N. J. Steere (Sunny Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a big fan of Scott's books, I was excited for the release of this book. This is the first time one of his books has been available in print before being released as a podcast, so it was my first time being able to read one of his stories at my pace instead of waiting on new episodes to be released.

Big Mistake.

I inhaled this 400+ page monster in two days, and could not put it down. The novel is intense, thrilling, terrifying, and action packed. The book is a sequel to his novel Infected which (for the most part) took place in the incredibly small setting of an apartment living room. The sequel pulls out all the stops, moving to a few truly memorable setpieces on the rushing ride to an over-the-top finale that boggles the mind in its intensity and scale. Great characters, humor, gore, and a story based on actual science and technology that's terrifying in it's near-believeability.

Buy this book and read it. If you're on the fence, at least visit the author's website, where you can listen to a VERY high production value audio version on the first book, or read it as a pdf. If you like what you see of Infected, this book will get its hooks in you bad. Don't say you weren't warned, and say hello to Chauncey for me.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hold on to your seat..., December 30, 2008

By	M. Kimberlin (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

True to form, Scott Sigler skips the on-ramp and barrels straight into the speedway. Contagious picks up Perry Dawsey "post-recovery". The problem is this: Perry still hears the voices of the things that invaded his body and this mountain of rage is not going to take it sitting down. Using the information he gains, Perry fights back. So, the disease changes tactics and the infection is spreading.

Scott Sigler pulls the reader on to the next page and does not let them stop until they hit the end. Great book...I look forward to much, much more from this author.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm stuck!!!, December 30, 2008

By	R. Derks (J.C., MO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What an amazing story!! I will admit I read the prequel 'Infected' and could not wait for the followup. Contagious is a great read that will keep you glued to the pages. The book is a stand alone story on itself but for the full, mind blowing, world domination attitude Scott provides, it would be worth it to take the 2 fer deal and buy both 'Infected' and 'Contagious'.