Science Fiction
22% into *Quarantine* and I’m still mainly there for the opening setup. Massive school explosion is a decent way to get my attention, frankly.
The question now is whether it keeps that pressure on or starts drifting into generic dystopian business. That stuff can get very samey, very quickly. If the characters hold up, though, I’m willing to stay with it. Atmosphere and a nasty premise can do a lot of heavy lifting.
The question now is whether it keeps that pressure on or starts drifting into generic dystopian business. That stuff can get very samey, very quickly. If the characters hold up, though, I’m willing to stay with it. Atmosphere and a nasty premise can do a lot of heavy lifting.
A school setting can do a lot of work before the plot even starts moving. If the book leans into that pressure-cooker feel, it’s got a better chance than if it just swaps in the usual bleak-dystopia wallpaper.
I’m usually more patient with horror-thriller setups than with generic worldbuilding for its own sake. The real test is whether the characters feel like people under strain, or just pieces being pushed around.
I’m usually more patient with horror-thriller setups than with generic worldbuilding for its own sake. The real test is whether the characters feel like people under strain, or just pieces being pushed around.