QOTD: How are you going to die in a pandemic outbreak?

I wanted the question of the day to slightly lean into the plot of this book…and it yet seems accomplishing with the plotline. Post Covid-19, a few people from the character line are stuck with the inevitable virus like Covid in India. They need to learn lessons from the previous outbreaks of the pandemic. Primarily set in South India, the novel has a smaller group of people as its cast line. They are stuck in different precariously deadly situations, from many strata of the society. Each one sidelining the momentum of life and going away as the new virus penetrating stronger than ever! Now comes out in the light are Vikas, Navya, and Aditi. The first two are couples, with no child. The man is an IT guy, Navya is a novelist working on her horror masterpiece. Aditi is spinster, in love with some guy.

Vikas and Navya are secluded in an estate far from the city. Their chemistry and internal chores make up the most of the dialogues in the book, eventually nudging the plot to the extremes of climaxes. Godly enough, there aren’t many characters with multiple point of views. Well, I was seeing the twists coming all of sudden from each one’s life. Nice summing up of their circumstances in the pandemic that created doubts in their hearts for one another. Yet the will to love them but surviving for oneself keeps the plotline vibrant. Sprinkle in the horrors of a virus running rampant and things that virus can mutate…then you’re seeing the exact type of thrillers I enjoy. What I like in that…probably these elements: high stakes survival, deadly situations, red herrings.

Don’t let the light horror parts set you back. This is more than that with its elements surrounding human nature, survival, and revenge. A thriller at its heart with pre/post-pandemic, “end of life as we know it” feeling that makes you sit back and wonder what you’d do in their shoes.

There are some areas that are a little slow or confusing as you’re juggling people, places, timelines and scenarios. However, this is so cleverly put together that I enjoyed just about every aspect.

I’d recommend this hard-to-put-down novel to those who enjoy horror/thriller hybrids with a pandemic touch. Hold on tight and brace yourself for a pandemic thriller like no other. Thank you Kevin Mallik for providing a gifted copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts are my own!