Jeffrey Caston -Featured Author - Immunity - June 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023

[Graeme]

I find it believable. Good world building.

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "I find it believable. Good world building."

Great! I'm very happy to hear that. Thanks, Graeme. Some of the horror only works if it is believable.

[Graeme]

Essential I would think. Lack of believability would render horror into farce.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

41% into the storyline.

I feel (view spoiler)[so sorry for Sarah as she just seems to be in a state of bewilderment of what is going on and worrying about what to expect from these people that are holding her. (hide spoiler)]

[Jeffrey]

Marie wrote: "41% into the storyline.

I feel [spoilers removed]"

So you are at--what, Chapter 31 or so, Marie?

My hope was to (view spoiler)[create a tension and atmosphere (up to this point where even if the reader thought Sarah was "acting like a teen," or even a "bratty teen," she's still sympathetic because no one should have to go through that kind of stuff that she's going through. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Jeffrey wrote: "Marie wrote: "41% into the storyline.

I feel [spoilers removed]"

So you are at--what, Chapter 31 or so, Marie?

My hope was to [spoilers removed]"

Yep - on chapter 31.

(view spoiler)[I don't really feel that Sarah is "bratty" - she just feels confused by what all what is taken place. Any one of us at that age would probably be freaking out and raising some holy hell with what has taken place. I do feel sympathy for her and as with anyone that would have to endure what she is enduring. You did well with grabbing sympathy from the readers as it is working! lol (hide spoiler)]

[Jeffrey]

Marie wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Marie wrote: "41% into the storyline.

I feel [spoilers removed]"

So you are at--what, Chapter 31 or so, Marie?

My hope was to [spoilers removed]"

Yep - on chapter 31.

[spoile..."

Great! Mission accomplished then! Thanks.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I am up to 84% - getting ready to go into Chapter 57.

Random thoughts:

(view spoiler)[Culver - was happy to see that he bit the dust finally after being an ass to Sarah - couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Sarah found out she has the power to kill which can be a good thing and a bad thing but only good thing with escaping the clutches of baddies. :)

At least Sarah broke free and was able to get away, however, more baddies are wanting to recapture her so Sarah is just going to have to be elusive. (hide spoiler)]

[Jeffrey]

Marie wrote: "I am up to 84% - getting ready to go into Chapter 57.

Random thoughts:

Hi Marie:

1. Glad you (view spoiler)[approve of Culver's gruesome death. My typical goal is to make the bad guys utterly hatable and that jerk was one of them. (hide spoiler)]

2. I hope that (view spoiler)[Sarah's efforts to remain elusive are satisfying in the story. (hide spoiler)]

Now -- Marie -- I have a question for you! Have you (view spoiler)[figured out who the secretary Susan Stewart is? Or maybe I should say who she also is? (hide spoiler)] I can give you a hint if you want it.

[Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem)]

Hahaha. You guys! These spoilers are so tempting to click on. But I won't. I'm taking longer than expected with the book I'm reading now. I usually finish a 300-some-odd page book in less than a week. But this book is The Kite Runner and I had no idea how hard it would hit me on an emotional level. I need to take a break for a day or two between readings. I need something back in my horror wheelhouse when I finish. I may go ahead and jump into Immunity on my "down" days from The Kite Runner. Hmm ... there's a thought! Consider me reading along with you all as of today!! 😁

[Graeme]

I'm hooking back into this now that I've finished HP. This is only book I'm reading at the moment, so I'll have full reading focus on it now.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Jeffrey wrote: "Marie wrote: "I am up to 84% - getting ready to go into Chapter 57.

Random thoughts:

Hi Marie:

1. Glad you [spoilers removed]

2. I hope that [spoilers removed]

Now -- Marie -- I have a quest..."

Well for that last spoiler I was thinking (view spoiler)[maybe the biker chick? lol (hide spoiler)]

My brain hasn't been functioning too well on figuring things out and I am usually in the clueless department which is where I stay most of the time. lol It is a good place to be sometimes. lol

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "Hahaha. You guys! These spoilers are so tempting to click on. But I won't. I'm taking longer than expected with the book I'm reading now. I usually finish a 300-some-odd page book in less than a we..."

Whoo-hoo! Theresa is in the building! :) Awesome to see you on this thread! :)

[Jeffrey]

Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "Hahaha. You guys! These spoilers are so tempting to click on. But I won't. I'm taking longer than expected with the book I'm reading now. I usually finish a 300-some-odd page book in less than a we..."

Wonderful, Theresa. Glad to have you here.

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "I'm hooking back into this now that I've finished HP. This is only book I'm reading at the moment, so I'll have full reading focus on it now."

Very good, Graeme! I hope you enjoy the rest of it and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

[Jeffrey]

Marie wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Marie wrote: "I am up to 84% - getting ready to go into Chapter 57.

Random thoughts:

Hi Marie:

1. Glad you [spoilers removed]

2. I hope that [spoilers removed]

Now -- Marie -..."

No worries, Marie. It has been a while since you have seen the clue. But (view spoiler)[in the future, the bully, Jennie Ransom is going to become "the Biker Chick" once she "acquires" an advanced motorcycle built by the Alions. But Susan... Susan will have a major role in the work I'm writing now. If you want to see a glimpse, when you have a moment, go and take a look at the description of "the Angel" in "How the Raven Met the Angel." :) (hide spoiler)]

[Angel]

My apologies for not posting sooner. I’m so glad that I am reading this story again. I think I have an even deeper appreciation for it now after reading all of your other books, Jeffrey, and experiencing the incredible futuristic world you’ve created. It’s almost like having a blueprint that provides glimpses into what’s to come.

I have to say, in the beginning when there was that food poisoning incidence, I initially highlighted the word Sick, thinking that it was erroneously capitalized. Yet, I realized that you (or Sarah, really) were regarding the illness as an entity—something malevolent. You did such an amazing job demonstrating Sarah’s immense fear of getting her blood drawn. I could almost hear her heart racing with the ” [t]hud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud thud” description and feel her anxiety over the Needle Serpent that invaded her body. Just brilliant!

Later on in the book, during the meeting with Sarah’s parents, you did an exceptional job having the officials explain the nature of the foodborne contaminants. Did you have to conduct a lot of research to determine which illnesses to use and to accurately discuss their attributes and effects?

I’m about 40% into the book now and have some more comments/questions that I will soon ask—but it’s after 4:00 a.m. now and my brain is begging for sleep!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

96% complete - in the epilogue section now. Kind of in the middle of it. :)

I had forgotten how(view spoiler)[graphic the scene was where Sarah dies - that whole scene of her having black splotches pop out all over her body was wild and the way she died. The descriptions of her being consumed by her Sickness was extreme. I felt bad for her all the way up to the end. The emotional trauma she went through during the whole book was really heartbreaking to read. I don't remember all those emotions when I read it the first time, however, reading it for the second time I could actually seemed to feel more what she was feeling and going through. (hide spoiler)]

[Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem)]

Marie wrote: "Whoo-hoo! Theresa is in the building! :) Awesome to see you on this thread! :)"

Thanks, Marie! :) I'm about 10% in and I'm hooked!

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "Marie wrote: "Whoo-hoo! Theresa is in the building! :) Awesome to see you on this thread! :)"

Thanks, Marie! :) I'm about 10% in and I'm hooked!"

"Hooked" is a magical word! Happy reading! :)

[Jeffrey]

Angel wrote: "My apologies for not posting sooner. I’m so glad that I am reading this story again. I think I have an even deeper appreciation for it now after reading all of your other books, Jeffrey, and experi..."

Hi Angel,

No apologies necessary. I'm thrilled you have joined this great group. Thank you for the compliments! That is high praise coming from someone so accomplished.

Yes, that was the intention to sort of anthropomorphize illness into a sort of corporeal entity that she has to fight as much as anyone else. Hence, "Sick." I (view spoiler)[ also tried to do the same idea with reterrences to " Needle" arith e "Needle serpent." (hide spoiler)]

Yes, there was a fair amount of research. I also kind of brushed up, also a bit of my high school and college biology. I just figured that if I am going to do a book about disease and microbiology, it might be a good idea not to completely screw up the science. A good bit is made up, obviously, but the core of it has (I hope) a good foundation in real science.

I am glad to hear you are still enjoying it.

[Jeffrey]

Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "Marie wrote: "Whoo-hoo! Theresa is in the building! :) Awesome to see you on this thread! :)"

Thanks, Marie! :) I'm about 10% in and I'm hooked!"

Glad to hear that, Theresa!

[Jeffrey]

Marie wrote: "96% complete - in the epilogue section now. Kind of in the middle of it. :)

I had forgotten how[spoilers removed]"

I'm so glad (view spoiler)[ you found it moving, Marie. To me good horror has to have a good psychological component to it. My hope was that a reader gets to that bit and is not only grossed out, but also upset with the thought of this stuff that happens to Sarah and visualizing its impact on them as if it had been their kid or friend on significant other or sibling. Seems to me that it I can get the human vs. human cruelty to hit you in your heart, then I'm doing my job right.

So, I'm glad to hear that scene worked for you. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

I finished the book last night and I revised my review on here since this was my second reread of the book. :)

Awesome story! I loved it the second time around! :)

[Graeme]

Just completed ch 18. That's a crack up what happened to Abel & co...

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "Just completed ch 18. That's a crack up what happened to Abel & co..."

Interesting. Would you mind elaborating? You've got me curious now.

[Graeme]

Jeffrey wrote: "Graeme wrote: "Just completed ch 18. That's a crack up what happened to Abel & co..."

Interesting. Would you mind elaborating? You've got me curious now."

How they got the (view spoiler)[shits! (hide spoiler)]

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "Graeme wrote: "Just completed ch 18. That's a crack up what happened to Abel & co..."

Interesting. Would you mind elaborating? You've got me curious now."

How they got the [spoile..."

Oh, okay! HA! Now I see! You may or may not (view spoiler)[see more images like that that channeled my inner 12 year old sensibilities! (hide spoiler)]

[Angel]

I feel somewhat badly for Abel—he seems to be caught in the middle and struggling to balance morality with obligation. He justifies his actions by believing that the ends justify the means. Is it ever okay to subject people to questionable actions for the greater good? I can’t think of any circumstances where it would be warranted, honestly. I am a strong believer in informed consent!

[Kasia, il Barbaro]

Makes you question the idea of "the greater good" sometimes.

[Graeme]

It's a common excuse used by scoundrels.

"Let us do this evil to stop some greater evil from occurring some time in the future.... it's for the greater good."

All we're left with is the evil that is done and no good is achieved.

[Jeffrey]

These comments make me quite happy if you don't mind me saying. That pretty well sums up what I aimed for with Dr. Abel.

[Sally, The Ninja Clown]

I'm so sorry I'm late y'all! But I'm starting now! I've got my paperback (it's gorgeous) and I'm ready to go!

[Jeffrey]

Sally wrote: "I'm so sorry I'm late y'all! But I'm starting now! I've got my paperback (it's gorgeous) and I'm ready to go!"

Cool and no worries! I'm honored and genuinely touched that you're reading it. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, Sally!

[Graeme]

Ch 19. This is really bringing back memories of high school - the horror!

[Graeme]

Reading this slowly as super flat out with two projects.

[Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem)]

I've been quite slow with it as well. For some reason I thought I could get through The Kite Runner in a week or two at most, given the page count. But the subject matter was so heavy and depressing that it practically took all the will to read out of me! 😶 I finally finished it yesterday and I can devote my ENTIRE reading attention to Immunity. As of right now, I'm at Chapter 19 with Graeme and I'm feeling those old high school vibes coming back strong as well. Haha.

[Graeme]

Just completed ch 20.

I'm also not keen on needles and I have regular blood tests too.

I can relate to Sarah.

[Graeme]

Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "I've been quite slow with it as well. For some reason I thought I could get through The Kite Runner in a week or two at most, given the page count. But the subject matter was so heavy and depressin..."

Hi Theresa, great to see you here.

[Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem)]

Graeme wrote: "Hi Theresa, great to see you here."

Hey Graeme! :) I just went to have bloodwork done last week and thought of that scene! Haha. I tried to hold very still.

I'm now up to chapter 24. It's strange knowing what's going on, but not REALLY knowing fully what's going on. I feel much of Sarah's apprehension as she's trying to understand what's happening to her. I love the way this is all set up.

[Graeme]

Hi, Theresa, there's a lot of moving parts in the first 30% of the story. I just about need a cheat sheet!

[Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem)]

I was reading before bed last night and I started to drift off while I was reading. I had to finally give up when I realized there were no bears involved in the story! Or were there? 😂 I think I was sleep-reading! Now I need to backtrack and figure out where things stopped making sense.

[Graeme]

I sometimes have experiences where I'm not sure if I dreamt, read, or lived it...

Now I'm looking for bears too.

[Marie, Coffee-Chocolate-Book Lover]

Graeme and Theresa! You two are keeping me in stitches! LOL

So is this where that saying comes in "Lions, Tigers, Bears...."

[Angel]

Marie wrote: "Graeme and Theresa! You two are keeping me in stitches! LOL

So is this where that saying comes in "Lions, Tigers, Bears....""

Oh, my! 😂

Whoops! Meant to apologize for letting so many days slip away. Of course when I do plan to post here, Goodreads had be down—for hours!

Is anyone else hating Stant as much as I do? He is so pompous and callous. Worse, he’s not unrealistic—I can think of so many people who are very much like him...!

[Angel]

“The idea behind it was to create a biological weapon that certain Asian countries could release against neighboring nations, primarily China, that would still look like a natural yet deadly flu.”
Jeffrey, did I ever mention that I thought of this during the pandemic? I don’t mind admitting that out of all the looming threats—terrorism, random violence, nuclear war, chemical warfare, etc.,—biological weapons scare me the most.
This story seriously chills me to the bone because I don’t think what’s happening to Sarah is far-fetched—at least as far as her exploitation goes.

[Angel]

The way that Sarah is restrained, (view spoiler)[ basically encased in plastic wrapping after her attempt to escape (hide spoiler)] disturbs me greatly. I love how we are treated to Sarah’s perspective—her thoughts and fears, her uncertainty—the writing is just brilliant!

[Jeffrey]

Graeme wrote: "Just completed ch 20.

I'm also not keen on needles and I have regular blood tests too.

I can relate to Sarah."

I have a relative deathly afraid of needles that I used as inspiration once when I saw them reacting to an immunization. Me, personally, whenever I give blood or get a shot or get blood tests, I try to convince the phlebotomist to let me have a go at jabbing myself...

I've yet to have any of them take me up on it. Sigh...

[Jeffrey]

Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "Graeme wrote: "Hi Theresa, great to see you here."

Hey Graeme! :) I just went to have bloodwork done last week and thought of that scene! Haha. I tried to hold very still.

I'm now up to chapter ..."

Thank you, Theresa!

[Jeffrey]

Theresa (mysteries.and.mayhem) wrote: "I was reading before bed last night and I started to drift off while I was reading. I had to finally give up when I realized there were no bears involved in the story! Or were there? 😂 I think I wa..."

Ha! Very funny, Theresa. I've been there a time or two myself!