Endemic by Robert Chazz Chute follows Ovid Fairweather as she tries to navigate a world ravaged by a disease that turns people essentially braindead. As with any collapse of society, a power vacuum develops, and various individuals group together to seize that power. The Memory Keepers are no different, as they seek to weaponize information necessary for all to survive. Can Ovid find a way to survive in a world that aims to take whatever she has left? And can she do it while reconciling with her troubled past?

Other reviewers have it right when they say that this story is not one that neatly falls into the post-apocalyptic or dystopian genres, thanks in large part to the level of realism it maintains. This is a considerable strength of the story and will keep readers interested from chapter to chapter.

The structure of the story, while this could have been action-packed or dripping with tension from scene to scene, we are instead interrupted by flashbacks from Ovid as she attempts to deal with the trauma of her past, both with her parents and her therapist. Some readers may find these enlightening, giving readers a look into Ovid’s past and gaining a better understanding of why she does the things she does.

Ovid endures a great deal in her past and present life. The author does a fantastic job incorporating her past experiences into the main plot points, thus keeping readers guessing and gasping as they read. I would be happy to read more from this setting, and its characters in the future, so here’s hoping there’s a sequel on the way soon.

Endemic is a suspenseful and thrilling science fiction novel with a dystopian twist. Readers will be drawn into the world that at times is almost too real and plausible and left with an eerie feeling of could this happen to me.

Pages: 412 | ASIN : B09KMDMBGC