Review - Deadline (Newsflesh, Book 2) by Mira Grant (5/5 stars)

Reading level: Adult

Genre: Science Fiction/Post-Apocalyptic
Size: 624 pages
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: June 1, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0316081061
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Newsflesh Trilogy
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 5/5 stars


This is the second book in the Newsflesh trilogy by Mira Grant.  The third book, Blackout, is schedule for a May 2012 release.  This was an absolutely excellent continuation of this series.  Things that happen in this book will absolutely take your breath away; it is absolutely engaging and really makes you think.

After the death of his sister, Shaun is at a loss as to what to do with his life.  Then a doctor from the CDC shows up with some really interesting data and Shaun is drawn into a plot that is bigger than him and his sister ever dreamed.  Now Shaun and he fellow bloggers are trying to unravel the plot around the virus before someone stops them, like terminally stops them.  

This book was absolutely engrossing and just full of awesomeness!  If you enjoyed the first book you will enjoy this one.  This book is told from Shaun's perspective, although Georgia is present as a voice in Shaun's head.  There are a wonderful cast of characters, some new, most of them old favorites from the first book. 

The book alternates between heart-pounding action scenes and periods where the characters are trying to piece together the conspiracy and mystery surrounding Georgia's death.  There is definitely some heartbreak in this book, people die as to be expected in a zombie book.  But this is so much more than a zombie book.  There is discussion on disease, conspiracy, blogging, and conditioning humanity as a whole to live in fear.  Grant does an excellent job discussing these things and obviously has done a lot of medical research as well as techie research.

As with the last book each chapter opens with blog entries from the characters involved; included are some previously unpublished blog entries from Georgia.  The plot has many twists and turns and is well-woven and completely unpredictable at times.

For the most part I absolutely loved this book but there are a couple things that might bother readers.  Grant does a lot of recapping throughout; I personally like this because it's been a while since I read the first book, Feed.  I think readers who have recently read Feed might find the amount of recapping frustrating.  Also having Georgia as a voice in Shaun's head is weird, I think it does really tie into the story later, but in this book it was just kind of strange at times.

Those who have decided not to read this series because it is a "zombie" series, should really give it a try.  It is about so much more than zombies.  It is about searching for the truth, empowering humanity to make their own decisions, conspiracy, and disease control.  There is a lot about blogging in here too, which I love because obviously I blog a lot :-)

Overall an absolutely steller addition to this series.  I loved Feed and I loved this book too.  If you haven't read these books you should they are awesome.  I love the characters, love the plot, love the accuracy of detail, and loved the fact that I couldn't put this book down.  Everyone should check this book out!  I can't wait to read Blackout next year.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:

- Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge
- 100+ Reading Challenge
- Zombies! Reading Challenge