VLK249@bookwyrm.social reviewed Children of the Yew by Tony Torzillo
Review of 'Children of the Yew' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Super viruses that make people immortal, but not invincible. Wesley so happens to be one of those blessed/cursed with this condition that makes him one of the Children of the Yew. He outlives those around him, including friends and family. The events of the story begin when he meets up with a virologist daughter of a recently-deceased friend who helps garner insight into this mysterious condition and the even greater plot that surrounds it.
Torzillo is a confident storyteller of virology and senses of place. The pacing however is a whirlwind. Starts off slow, goes faster, and faster, and faster and leaves the reader breathless and gasping by the end. Moments of respite and human connection are absent, but here's a kitten! Everyone is a comical and random failure, the good guys and the bad ones, to the point where one of the characters putzed themselves into a door, George …
Super viruses that make people immortal, but not invincible. Wesley so happens to be one of those blessed/cursed with this condition that makes him one of the Children of the Yew. He outlives those around him, including friends and family. The events of the story begin when he meets up with a virologist daughter of a recently-deceased friend who helps garner insight into this mysterious condition and the even greater plot that surrounds it.
Torzillo is a confident storyteller of virology and senses of place. The pacing however is a whirlwind. Starts off slow, goes faster, and faster, and faster and leaves the reader breathless and gasping by the end. Moments of respite and human connection are absent, but here's a kitten! Everyone is a comical and random failure, the good guys and the bad ones, to the point where one of the characters putzed themselves into a door, George of the Jungle swinging into it. To say the least, I was constantly surprised, and the various incompetencies of the characters made guessing the outcome of the story a veritable dice throw of possibilities.
If you're the type who likes being left guessing and going on wild, unpredictable rides, this story is great. If you want consistent pacing and deep character interactions, this story isn't the best fit for you.