H5N1 Code Name: Greed

by Jacqueline Druga

With increased cases of human to human infection, scientists try to spearhead a Bird Flu Pandemic by merging the H5N1 virus with a similar synthetic strain, one for which there is a cure. The hybrid germ is a success. The results disastrous. The vaccine is ineffective on the new strain and an airborne route of transmission sends the hybrid out of control. The world spirals into a super pandemic. Scientists scurry and find and antidote using the blood of those who show natural immunity. A cure is found, however, the synthetic antidote turns those saved from the virus into raging maniacs void of human qualities.

Lisa Marshall is immune. Her blood is part of the ‘save the world’ project. She is placed in a Savior tank to ensure her survival and safety from a world gone chaotic. When she finally emerges, she faces a world void of everything she remembers. Every day is a fight for her survival and sanity. Trapped in the desolate city of Cleveland with only the mutated humans, Lisa maps her escape in hopes of someday finding someone, anyone, who is alive and well.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Fiction

Nook

First published May 17, 2006

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Brenda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an awesome read especially with it being written in 2011 and the Covid-19 virus pandemic occurring now. The one thing I did not like was the jumping back and forth in time. I have read many of her earlier books the thru do the same but she is such a good writer it is worth putting up with it.

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with most of her books, this author finds a clever and unique twist to a fairly common post-apocalyptic event of a pandemic. It is also the case that the cure is worse than the original disease, if that is even possible. The mysterious machinations of the government personnel holding the main character and her companions started to drag quite a bit as did the fact we mostly only see what is happening in the lab. It was still a good story and, as is other the case with other of her books, it is undercut by constant grammar, writing and editing issues. The main government scientist Pongraz/Pongracz had his name spelled differently throughout the book. This good story deserved better editing.

[Peter Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably a 3.5 star for me but have opted higher given that for the last three books by the author I opted down - and this one was a step above those other books. There were still a few too many editorial issues for my liking, but the characters and story were still engaging, and the ending was satisfying. I spent a fair bit of time reading this one in various hospitals which made it even spookier for me.

Do not let the start of the book put you off when reading. It very much had a 'The Last Man on Earth' feel to me but only in the beginning. However, while the book might tip its hat to 'The Last Man on Earth' it still firmly cuts its own story path.

A delightful Jacqueline Druga tale.

[Kelly Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it a vision of the future?

This was written several years ago but it's scary how close it is to things happening today. I really enjoy reading books written by this author and recommend this book.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasric

This author is so creative. I love her out of the box thinking This book had so much adventure, creepiness, and the characters were so vivid. Love how they connect to each other. My new favorite author!

[Carol Jacobi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting read for the world we live in.

Thoroughly engaging. I'm not normally a fan of books that jump back and forth from present to past but Ms Druga pulled it off.

[Cathy Gudger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm loving Druga's books! This is another one!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very close to home. Part Will Sith movie and part today.

[Sena]

Great Twist

This was a new version of the apocalypse. Realistic and feasible. The genuine characters make for a great read .

[Deedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I love Ms Drugas characters.They have such personality.Narration was also good. I hope there is a sequel.

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

I came across this book and I totally loved it. Another riveting read from this author. I definitely recommend reading it.

[Matschmomma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. (It does need an editor here and there but the story is well written).

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

H5N1 Code Name: Greed by Jacqueline Druga is a novel about the day-to-day existence of a woman, Lisa, who is the last person alive in Cleveland. Lisa spends her days in a fortified house which she jokingly calls "The Palace." She survives by foraging for food and killing the half-dead infected who are the only other inhabitants of the city. Naturally immune to the virus which ravaged America and caused people to lose rational thought, Lisa has made it her mission in life to kill as many of the infected as she can. They stalk and taunt her, laying in wait for her to make a mistake or for a weakness to appear in her defenses. Lisa is an interesting, believable, and sympathetic character. Her story is told via a series of flashbacks in the form of a journal, and tension builds as things get worse and worse for her. This well-written story reminded me of "I am Legend" with a female protagonist. It completely pulled me in; the scenario that plays out is believable and scary. The infected are not really zombies; they are somewhere between live and dead, and still retain some thought and feeling. As Lisa, the character in the book, writes: "I hate them. I hate them all. They are not who I am, or those who have died. They are somewhere in between. I can recall being scared of the fact that I could become one of them. When I knew that wasn�??t going to happen, my entire attitude changed. From fear to contempt. From tolerance to loathing. I could care less if they all died, or if I killed them. The reaper of destruction chased them down, but they escaped its clutches only slightly. Now, it seems they run from my clutches. Life as I knew it ended over the course of a summer. We are what�??s left, and that�??s a shame. I fear they will be the next generation. A tomorrow, filled with �??them�??." So, the story is especially chilling because the "zombies" are plausible; it is also chilling because the character is a normal person, not some superhero. It is easy to relate to her and get caught up in the events that occur (to the extent that I stayed up all night reading). And because Lisa is such a likeable and plausible character, I felt personally vested in her survival. I want her to make it! My only complaint is that the story ended. Hoping a sequel is forthcoming!

[Dodger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books containing apocalypses of the world--zombie, alien, contagions, meteors striking earth and massive earthquakes or volcanoes, and Jacqueline Druga is supplying my need for these types of books.
This is my third book to read from this author, and I can't wait to read all her extensive library of books.
The title of this book is a giveaway what the story is about, and it is told from the prospective of one woman who believes she may be the last woman on earth. As she fights loneliness and the crazies who are on the loose trying to kill her, she thinks back on how it all began and how she came to now.
Great book.

[Tabatha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read as always

I really like this author! I'm sort of fascinated with apocalypse books and I love her take on how the world ends,it's great to find something that's not about zombies although I see she has written a few zombie books! It's also a huge plus she's a Stephen King fan and references my favor book a few times!

[Cherye Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

H5N1

Ms. Druga writes two kinds of books. Heart wrenching and kick butt apocalypse books. Oh yeah. This one is absolutely fantastic. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I if that is possible.

[Tamalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!! it finished too quick for me, it was a great apocolyptic read. Am off to read some more books now. anyone who likes the end of the world as we know it will love this book

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

H5N1Code Name:Greed

Wow what a story at least there was no Zombies.
To find that only some lived, to be fighting to Live,
I am so glad that Lisa was found and saved