Ejecta

by William C. Dietz

Professor Paul McCracken's final message to parasitologist Dr. Sara Devlin is brutal, but he'd rather die than let the alien parasite within him live. For Devlin, the shock of McCracken's suicide is quickly replaced by the horror it reveals—the existence of a microscopic extraterrestrial organism with the ability to infect and control its human hosts. McCracken wasn't the first person to be infected. There are others. Many others, extending back to the dawn of mankind.

At first, Devlin believes the authorities are slow to recognize the alien threat and respond to it. But the truth is far worse—rather than stop the parasite, there are those seeking to replicate it, control it...and even weaponize it. Working with McCracken's research and a fractured network of allies, Devlin must outmaneuver secret government organizations, foreign military agencies, and the growing legion of infected hosts to thwart an extraterrestrial invasion thousands of years in the...

282 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2010

About the author

New York Times bestselling author William C. Dietz has published more than fifty novels, some of which have been translated into German, Russian, and Japanese. He grew up in the Seattle area, served as a medic with the Navy and Marine Corps, graduated from the University of Washington, and has been employed as a surgical technician, college instructor, and television news writer, director and producer. Before becoming a full-time writer Dietz was director of public relations and marketing for an international telephone company. He and his wife live near Gig Harbor, Washington.

Reviews

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excitingly suspenseful thriller which I found very apropos in the current Coronavirus Pandemic climate, EJECTA grounds itself in Science [geology, biology , exobiology] while remaining true to human nature, failings, and emotions. A parasitologist meets a geologist who hunts meteorites, and the premise is based on Meteorites. As Space objects that fall to Earth, possibly they contain germs, viruses, bacteria, or Parasites which are literally out of this world. If the drive of all Life forms is to expand the species, then wouldn't such exolife strive for this as well? Deserves consideration.

[Tasula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A scientist (Sara Devlin) returns to USA after death of her mentor, who asked that she be present at his autopsy. The autopsy reveals a strange growth on his spine, and then people start to die. It's a sort of alien/pathogen thriller, not inspired, but pleasant.

[Tara Agnerian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The underlying idea, that of a extraterrestrial parasite, is a good one, but there are so many plot holes as to make it completely ridiculous. I've read Dietz's "Legion of the Damned" series, so I'm used to his style, but it works better when you know you're reading a kind of popcorn series than a standalone novel. My theory is that Dietz has a checklist of "Novel Essentials" that he's been using for years. Makes up a plot, creates bullet point notes for each chapter, and slowly checks off each item on the list. Sexy male protagonist, check. Sexy female protagonist who will absolutely have sex with the male protagonist, check. Slimy male secondary character who manages to redeem himself by the end, check. And so on. The writing is simplistic, but he does manage to keep the plot pace moving.

This was an okay quick read while I waited for other books to come in, maybe something fun for the beach or to read on the bus. The ending, however, made me want to throw my iPad! I checked to see if there was going to be a sequel to rectify things, but it appears there is nothing.

*SPOILER*

You're going to drag me through the entire book wondering what happens if the parasites actually mate, and then not reveal the outcome?! Dude. Not cool.

[Jim Edmonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another alien invasion

One of Dietz's most original plots. An alien invasion that is both plausible and frightening. We've got it all; clandestine government agencies, a romantic triangle, hobos, meteorites, action, science and a surprise ending.