Pandemic: Chaos is Bleeding

by Cynthia Fridsma

Since the pandemic, Sybil Crewes hasn’t left home. She stopped her duties as an ATU agent (Anti-Terrorism Unit). But then, she got a disturbing phone call. Her friend, Harry Brown, has been kidnapped, and this forces Sybil out of her house.

While doing so, she uncovers an illegal lab where they created a deadly COVID-19 variant that turns its victims into skinned zombies . She contacts the ATU to resume her duties as an ATU agent to stop the new threat and save the world from its undoing.

Chaos is Bleeding is a fast-paced modern horror/thriller novel, and partly based on true events.

Genres: Thriller

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2021

About the author

As far back as she can remember, Cynthia has been listening to exciting stories told by her mother. She grew up reading books from Edgar Allan Poe, H. P. Lovecraft, and Philip K. Dick, among others.

It was Cynthia’s mother who inspired her to start telling—and writing—her own stories.

Ms. Fridsma’s writing career started after a handicap in 2014—she has a tremor in her right hand, numbness in the fingers, and pain in her wrist. She had to give up her other creative outlets, such as photography, computer programming, and gave up on juggling, so focused on what she could do rather than what she couldn’t do.

Besides writing, she sometimes plays guitar—in Jimi Hendrix style.

Cynthia lives with her husband and pet rabbit Max in Amsterdam

Reviews

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pandemic: Chaos is Bleeding is the latest novel to come from the mind of Cynthia Fridsma. This book blends the fantasy elements of vampirism with the suspense that comes with a good thriller novel. What really struck me about Pandemic: Chaos is Bleeding is that it is the first fantasy novel I've read set during the pandemic. What a wild realization!

Sybil Crewes works as part of an Anti-Terrorism Unit. Or rather, she did. She hasn't been able to work since the pandemic started for obvious reasons. Sybil may have been content to stay in her home, taking this extended break one day at a time, had something not occurred to change her plans.

An alarming phone call reveals that Harry Brown has been kidnapped, and Sybil isn't going to sit around and do nothing while her friend is missing. So this vampire is gearing up and going hunting. Those that get in her way better not expect mercy.

"Or press the red button when it reaches the red zone."

To say that there was a lot that surprised me in Pandemic: Chaos is Bleeding would be the understatement of the year. I have never read a novel following a vampire that is a member of the ATU. Likewise, until now, I hadn't read any fantasy novel that was set during the pandemic. And the surprises don't stop there.

It made for an exciting read. I never knew what would happen next, and that alone was enough to keep me turning the pages. I did get the feeling that Pandemic: Chaos is Bleeding is not the first Sybil novel, so at some point, I should really look into that and see if there is more I can read.
In general, I know that people either love or hate it when a fantasy novel brings in real-world elements.

So I know that including COVID-19 isn't something that all readers will love. On that note, I should mention that there are some relevant politics that go alongside this plot (it should be reasonably easy to predict what sort of politics I'm referencing here). So if that isn't your jam, consider yourself warned.

Personally, I really enjoyed the grounding element that these real details brought into the story. It made everything else feel more plausible and vibrant, which I appreciated. It was easy to connect with Sybil's character when she's dealing with the same stress and anxiety that so many of us have felt (and that was before throwing a kidnapping into the mix).

Thanks to Cynthia Fridsma and #Reedsy for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Casey Colahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Sybil Crewes, a vampire who works as an agent for an anti-terrorist unit. Out of fear since the Covid-19 pandemic hit though, she and her pet rabbit, Max have not left the house. When she receives an anonymous call informing her that Harry Brown, her boyfriend, has been kidnapped, everything changes and she is spurred into action again. While carrying out the tasks set for her by the threatening caller, she unmasks an illicit laboratory where they have manufactured a strain of the virus that converts people into bloody zombies with no skin.

This book moves at a dynamic pace. The author has managed to combine adventure, fiction based on present-day events, and suspense. This all leads to gripping modern horror, like you’ve never seen it before! The characters are well-developed and intriguing, each with their own unique quirks and traits, and I thoroughly enjoyed how well thought out the storyline was.

Overall, I found this book to be a great read! I was fully engrossed in it from the moment I started reading. I definitely recommend it!

[Kat Gracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sybil is a vampire and member of the ATU, a task force that deals with the supernatural. Since the pandemic hit, she hasn't left her house and her business is suffering, but when her boyfriend is kidnapped, she has no choice. Someone is experimenting on people and turning them into zombies. Sybil needs to figure out who and stop them.

While a fiction book, the story does touch on world events like Covid-19 and a certain president. Sybil is forced back outside despite staying home for nearly a year. The zombies she faces are quite horrible sounding and it is a new take on an old horror trope.
I do think at times the author explains things like how some equipment works, when it isn't really needed. I don't think it adds much to the story and it did slow it down in places. Aside from that the story was enjoyable and Sybil is an interesting character. I would read more of a series.
I would recommend it.

[S.K. Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sybil is back in a new book from author Cynthia Fridsma. After hiding away for a year from Covid, Sybil isn't dealing well with the stress. Her friends are worried about here, but one phone call sends her back into the fray. Zombies, strange experiments and a kidnapping are a lot for anyone to deal with, but it might be enough to send Sybil over the edge.
The story moved at a decent pace and there was plenty of action. I liked the new take on the zombie creatures.
At times there was some repetition that didn't need to be there, but I enjoyed the story overall. The story could be read as a standalone, but there are other books in the series to be enjoyed. Anyone who is a fan of urban fantasy/horror books will enjoy these.
I would definitely recommend it.

[Michele Rice Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A First

This is the first book I've read that is set during the Covid-19 pandemic. Cynthia Fridsma writes well. The characters are interesting, and the story is engaging. I not only enjoyed reading it, but I've already told friends about it. If you enjoy, vampires, zombies, and an adventure, mystery, this book is for you.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Anna Burton · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not my favorite book, but I won it on Goodreads so felt I needed to finish and give an honest opinion. It was good that I kept with it as it did get a little better by the end. I felt the writing was pretty amateur. It had moments of me laughing out loud at the ridiculousness and also scratching my head, like what is happening? Props to this author for having an over 4 star rating, so people must like it, but I certainly won’t be reading this or probably her again.