Cool Plot, But Needed More Action
3 out of 5 stars
The intro and build up of this story were very reminiscent of Michael Crichton (who I loved), but after a little, while it felt like it was going to be mostly build up with little action. I’m also a little confused by the “books” inside of this book. I wonder if it was originally written as shorter books — or that was the only way to separate the book into meaningful parts. Even with that, they didn’t seem to completely split it into “books” with meaningful arcs at all.
Early in the story when all of the characters were being assembled I couldn’t help but remember the intro to the movie Clue when they were all introducing themselves. Subhuman had that feel to it when everyone was talking to everyone trying to figure out who they were and why they were there. The stories aren’t really similar after that, but it made me chuckle.
McBride knows how to write and keep the reader on the edge of their seat when it comes to action — but it’s hard when that action feels like it’s not coming. When I was about halfway through the book I thought I was really enjoying it. But as soon as I hit that 55-60% mark and nothing had really happened I started to peter out. I really wanted more to happen, but I think maybe a little less towards the end (shorten the time to where stuff starts to fall apart) would have helped this book immensely.
The story itself, taking away the time it took to get to the juicy action was interesting. I liked the plot a lot and the mention of the show “Ancient Aliens” numerous times was dead on. The way it was described and written felt like it could have been plucked from numerous AA shows.
Easily my two favorite parts were the history “lesson” included about the Nazi’s and why they were supposedly researching in Antarctica and the story arc of the crop circles character. I don’t know why but those will be the two things that I remember most.
Overall, a cool plot that fizzled before the good part came. If you can get through from about 50-75% of the book, you’re in for a treat again after that.
The narration for Subhuman was done by Neil Hellegers who I thought did a pretty nice job. I didn’t have any issues with his narration. It definitely helped move the story along.
Book Description:
Subhuman by Michael McBride
Narrator: Neil Hellegers
Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins
Series: Unit 51 #1
Published by Tantor Audio on October 31st 2017
Genres: Horror, Science Fiction
Pages: 400
Format: Audiobook
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They are not human.
At a research station in Antarctica, five of the world's top scientists have been brought together to solve one of the greatest mysteries in human history. Their subject, however, is anything but human....
They are not natural.
Deep beneath the ice, the submerged ruins of a lost civilization hold the key to the strange mutations that each scientist has encountered across the globe: A misshapen skull in Russia. The grotesque carvings of a lost race in Peru. The mummified remains of a humanoid monstrosity in Egypt....
They are not friendly.
When a series of sound waves trigger the ancient organisms, a new kind of evolution begins. Latching onto a human host - crossbreeding with human DNA - a long-extinct life form is reborn. Its kind has not walked the earth for thousands of years. Its instincts are fiercer, more savage, than any predator alive. And its prey are the scientists who unleashed it, the humans who spawned it, and the tender living flesh on which it feeds....
I received this book for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Also by this author: Snowblind, Unidentified, Subterrestrial
- Muted (Silence Jones #10 by Erik Carter (Narrated by Gary Bennett) - December 4, 2023
- New and Notable Audiobook Releases for the Week of December 3rd on Brian’s Book Blog - December 3, 2023
- Disease X by N.J. Croft (Narrated by Joshua Saxon) - December 1, 2023
