First allow me to say that I am sick unto death of the “virus-created zombie” plot device.
Fortunately for author JG Hicks, Jr., these are not that.
Omega Protocol: The Beginning
I actually started the sequel first and realized I needed to back up to get a full grasp of the plot. I enjoy survival stories and this is a great appetizer, so to speak, for the further development in the sequel. The idea of a virus being tailored for military purposes isn’t a new one, but the author takes it in a totally unexpected direction. Good stuff–if you’re into zombies (though this isn’t a zombie tale!) or plagues and pathogens, you should give this a read.
Omega Protocol: Mayhem
The trek begun by Jim Matthews and his family in the first installment continues here. Along the way they pick up compatriots, deal with multiple sorts of enemy, and do lots and lots of shooting 🙂 We’re also given quite a bit of backstory on the raging SCAR virus, which could command a book all its own.
This installment builds tremendously on the first and is action-packed from the beginning. My only quibbles are that the proofreading slips quite a bit toward the end (hi! I proofread!), and that the ending is (understandably but frustratingly!) a cliffhanger. Can’t wait to see how this continues.