Condition Black by Stu Jones

Condition Black Reviews

• 
  "Avonna

  Check out all of my reviews at:
  https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
  
  CONDITION BLACK by Stu Jones and Gareth Worthington is an intense thriller which is part techno-thriller, part medical thriller, part terrorist thriller that I could not put down! Set in the United States of the future fraught with terrorist attacks, the nation is now under a form of lockdown and the military has broad domestic powers.
  
  Evan Weyland is a brilliant research scientist working on new technologies to fight cancer. Evan is also on the autism spectrum. His wife, Marie is world renown foreign war correspondent and the light of his life. When Marie returns from Syria with an unknown bacterial disease, Evan will do anything to save her.
  
  Captain Billy Vick is in the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command and has an unwavering sense of justice. Billy still flashes back to the horrors of past deployments and the death of his best-friend, but his loving wife and sons keep him grounded and are the reasons he took a position stateside. Billy’s unit receives intel that ties the return of a sick journalist from Syria with an air-strike sanctioned by the US on Syrian civilians. He fears a military project called Omega has resurfaced and it can kill millions.
  
  Both men are pitted against each other as Evan tries to save his wife and Billy tries to stop him.
  
  WOW! This is an intense, edge-of-your-seat thriller that was impossible for me to put down. The state of the US in this book and all the ethical questions regarding both personal freedoms and bio-medical research and uses bring a scary realism to this thriller. Evan’s characteristics and depiction show the authors did their research on people on the autism spectrum. Billy is a patriot and hero who believes in doing the right thing no matter the consequences. Even as they are pitted against each other, you cheer for both of them. The plot has many unexpected twists and leaves you with many thought-provoking ethical questions with memorable characters, good and bad.
  
  I highly recommend this standalone thriller! I am looking forward to reading more from these authors.
• 
  Dianne

  Constant movement, edge-of-your-seat intrigue, ethical dilemmas and a love so desperate that the intensity of this tale explodes off every page as one brilliant, yet challenged scientist races to save the woman he loves against an unknown disease. Will Evan discover the disease is part of a manmade weapon with global impact?
  
  Enter a world of high technology and scientific wonder as a terrifying future world roars to life and one man will stop at nothing to cure the only person to understand his peculiar, autistic ways as he goes face to face against the one man who is willing to risk his own life to prevent an even greater disaster.
  
  CONDITION BLACK by Stu Jones and Gareth Worthington grabs readers by the throat and almost dares us to try to put this book down. Brilliant writing from distinct authors is blended into one rapid-fire tale that never lets up!
  
  For those who know the power of well-place words in motion, who love the thrill of intrigue, this is a must read. For those looking for something new, something that forces the mind to look ahead to a possible future where science and espionage hold the potential to become humanity’s worst nightmare, this is a must read. Bold writing, non-stop action, high-powered emotions, fabulous reading lay between these book covers.
  
  I received a complimentary copy as part of a blog tour review.
  
  Publisher : Dropship Publishing (April 13, 2021)
  Publication date : April 13, 2021
  Genre: Thriller | Medical
  Print length : 311 pages
  Available from:
  Amazon |
  Barnes & Noble
  For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow:
  http://tometender.blogspot.com
  
  
• 
  Tricia Varosky

  As scientific advancements occur in our own world, it's a bit surreal to catch a glimpse into a world we might be heading towards. While we might not end up living in a country under martial law, the medical and general scientific advancements in this story are real life goals. Medical advancements that allow us to fight cancer - and potentially any diseases that come our way? Absolutely! Better understanding the human mind and how it works? Yes, please!
  
  This story is fast paced and action packed. While a game of chess between a John Hopkins researcher and an army veteran might not seem the most thrilling, it is. When it's a fight between life and death - of not only yourself and your loved ones but everyone /everywhere/ - you can't afford to make mistakes. Every action has consequences and every step you take counts.
  
  If you're looking for a feel good book that's going to make you smile, this isn't it. But. If you're looking for a thrilling, action packed read, you should check this story out.
  
  Added to this the fact that Evan is on the spectrum, I truly believe that this book has amazing neuro-divergent representation. I cannot speak for Autistic people as I am not Autistic myself, but as a neuro-divergent person myself I definitely related to the way Evan looks at and interacts with the world. While I read I found myself nodding along to some of the ways that Evan dealt with being over stimulated and hyper fixating on things. More books need amazing representation like this.
  
  Other reviews here:
  https://phantomofthelibrarycom.wordpr...
• 
  Jason

  Excellent and thought-provoking with a hint of InnerSpace (sans humor) and a plausible conspiracy thriller angle. Plus a lead character I can really relate to. Learned a few things about microbiology and asymmetrical warfare plus had fun with the story.
  Note: I received an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Jenn (burlingtonbiblio)

  Book REVIEW
  Condition Black by Gareth Worthington and Stu Jones
  Thank you to the authors @stujonesfiction @garethworthington and @shannon_rrbooktours for the gifted copy in return of an honest review
  
  Before reading this book I was not familiar with either of the authors. It was the synopsis that drew me in, biotechnological warfare, racism, terrorism, military, and ASD.
  
  This read was faced paced and full of bated breath moments. Between the government espionage and cover ups, a weaponized virus, and a tight timeline to literally save the world I couldn’t put this book down.
  The unique perspective of Dr.Weyland added an extra element to the story. His hyper visual perception and spatial awareness (implied as part of an ASD diagnosis) allows him to see what others cannot. Instead of portraying this as a deficit the authors highlight it as a strength- Evan is the only one who can do what he does- because of his unique skillset- not in spite of it.
  
  In regards to the ASD diagnosis- I have thoughts. ASD is a spectrum- and while Evan is portrayed as having ASD his “symptoms” are mild. He has found a career, love, and acceptance where many do not.
  
  The issues raised by the authors while factitious are born in truth. Drones, biomedical warfare, ethnic cleansing, and terrorism are real. These social political issues surround us and while we may not want to acknowledge them, they persist. Only read a newspaper or watch the news and it is there.
  
  I admit I was a bit disappointed by the ending- but life isn’t all happily ever afters. A one incident doesn’t quell a war. The ending the authors offered was plausible and realistic but disheartening.
  
  Highly recommend for those who enjoy Clive Cussler and Tom Clancy.
• 
  Lily

  This book really grabs you from page one. This book not only keeps you on the edge of your seat, but makes you think. The characters had a lot of depth, and while some of the plot screams of something you'd hear from a conspirary theorist, it's somehow really believable. There's just something about the style that makes it all seem too plausible to not believe (even if it is fictional). I don't want to spoil the ending, but I loved that it was different than what I expected. Overall, a brilliant, thrilling read.
  
• 
  Jonas Saul

  Incredible novel! I absolutely loved it and totally recommend it. The plot was amazing and intricately woven with tension and suspense throughout.
  An amazing read!
• 
  Michelle, The Book Critic

  I think this book did a great job of educating people more on microbiology. The story was also pretty unique and kept me interested along the way. I wasn't that interested though, I'm guessing because I don't read that many thrillers in general. This book is still definitely worth a read-through, especially since it includes a neurodivergent character.
  
  Me being neurotypical; I'm not going to speak on the subject if, indeed, the book has good representation. I think it's pretty decent??
  
  Anyway, 4/5. I would recommend it if you're into the thriller genre.
• 
  Sherry Fundin

  “A lot of bad shit has happened throughout history in the name of ‘just following orders’.”
  
  And that raises a lot of questions. Riveting. Amazing. Terrifying. Action packed.
  
  Although Marie, the Baghdad Bureau Chief for the Washington Post, watched the beheading, that wasn’t why she was in Syria. A low block building stood out amongst the mud huts…that was her destination. Why was that more important?
  
  Evan adored his wife, Marie. She was his life…that and his work, but she would always come first. When he got the call from the CDC, he dropped everything and ran to her. Why had she been in Syria? As an autistic, he needed order, and for Marie to be somewhere other than what she’d told him, it must have been very important.
  
  Billy is way over his head. He works for the Criminal Investigation Division of the Army and known for not shirking his duty, but sometimes…doing what is right does not align with taking orders from your superiors. When do you say no to an order? It can be lethal, deadly, pitting soldier against soldier. But…again…why? What can be so important?
  
  The results of terrorism in Condition Black have led to martial law. People are ruled by fear. Lockdowns, quarantines, curfews, rationing…could this happen in the United States? Think about it…hard. Who do you want leading the country when the shit hits the fan? It’s amazing the things that go on around us that we are never aware of.
  
  The characters are amazing. Even the bad ones are filled with depth, as we learn who they really are and their motivations for their actions. I am very worried about some of the characters I have figured out are the good guys. I am very worried for them, because there are disgusting, pathetic ‘people’ doing their worst and it is like an out of control locomotive coming right at them.
  
  The ability and desire to corrupt anything, whether it’s original intent was good or bad, is always there. And it is even scarier when the government is involved. Where those who desire what you have, or want a coverup to hide their actions, which happens all too often, will stop at nothing to stop those who get in their way.
  
  Condition Black by Stu Jones and Gareth Worthington is one of those books that gets me going. Anger…because I feel this is all too possible. Feelings of disgust, desperation, terror, sadness…and always there is hope…for a better day.
  
  Stu Ones and Gareth Worthington are an unbeatable team. The depth and detail of their writing and the subject matter they cover paints a picture that makes me feel the story is all too real. I got lost in the narrative, unable to stop reading, ignoring everything around me, because there is sooooo much going on. I know there can be no happy ever after, but my main concern is…will there be a future for anyone?
  
  I could go on and on, but to get the full affect, you need to read this for yourself. I highly recommend doing so.
  
  I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Condition Black by Stu Jones and Gareth Worthington.
  
  See more at
  fundinmental
• 
  Lindy Ryan

  Man, move over Clive Clusser - Worthington and Jones are coming! CONDITION BLACK is a thrilling high-tech medical and military with incredible unlike anything I've read before. Smart, insightful, and accurate (and compassionate) neurodivergent representation.
• 
  A.R. Kingston

  Let me start off by saying that I generally don’t crosspost books I have opted to review to Goodreads for various reasons, but Condition Black was so good that I’ll just have to make an exception.
  I originally opted to read this book because it was compared to Dark Matter, which is one of my favorite sci-fi novels. This one doesn’t disappoint and hits close to home as the future depicted in Condition Black isn’t unreasonable even now.
  The book starts out simple enough, somewhere at a terrorist camp in Syria where the terrorists are doing terrorist-like things. Then we have a reporter or war correspondent as she puts it doing what they do best, sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong. (Thanks Marie, this could have all been avoided if it wasn’t for you.) Then the book quickly spirals into a dark greedy tale about technology and military power.
  So, Marie return from Syria being infected with a weaponized bio-organism (if you read Dan Browns Inferno, it’s like that, but way deadlier.) Enter Evan, her brilliant husband, and his army of nano-bots to save her. Then we throw in the United States military to oppose him and that in turn makes an amazing, page-turned that I pretty much polished of over the course of one afternoon.
  This book has everything one would need, terrorists, and my two nemesis, weaponized microorganisms, and nanobots. The idea of a bacteria that can target a specific genome for whatever dastardly reason still makes my skin crawl to this day after reading Inferno and it will continue to crawl even more after reading this book. And the nanobots… well I never much liked the idea of nanotechnology, I’ve read/watched enough sci-fi to know they can lead to nothing good. So huge thanks to the authors for giving me nightmares for the foreseeable future.
  As for the ending, well, it ends about the same way Inferno does, but on a more ominous note, which is spectacular. I also love how the book was always leading to that ending, and you knew it, you just don’t want to believe it while you are reading it. All in all, this is a spectacular read and goes on my list of the top sci-fi books. If you were a fan of Inferno or Dark Matter, I highly recommend you pick up Condition Black, you won’t be disappointed.
  
• 
  Joan

  This is an action packed novel with a plot centered on cutting edge medical research, using nanobots within the human body. The future setting is scary with restricted freedoms imposed by the government because the public is filled with fear of terrorist attacks. The most suspenseful part of the plot centers around warfare inside a human body, on a cellular level. (I appreciated the nod to the 1966 film, Fantastic Voyage.) But the rest of the plot contains lots of action too as a couple of good guys try to save humanity from nefarious villains.
  
  The novel contains a good balance of thrilling action and personal life concern. I did feel like I had missed an earlier novel as there were many references to a Project Omega that the hero had thwarted. It wasn't until just over halfway through the book we readers get the back story on that project and its relevance to this story. I would have preferred that information earlier in the plot structure. Nevertheless, the writing style and subject matter make this novel an engaging one.
  
  This is a good action packed novel revolving around one man saving humanity from powerful and evil men. You'll read about advanced biological warfare, both on a large and very small scale. You may conclude, as I did, that this future horror is all too possible.
  
  I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
• 
  Cheryl

  There was a mention of this book being compared to The Fugitive. This time I will agree. It did feel a bit like that vibe. Yet, it is a true medical thriller in all the sense. I am a fan of medical thrillers. One of my favorite authors of these types of books is Tess Gerritsen.
  
  This duo author team really bring it together. These are a powerhouse writing duo. I plan to check out more books by these authors. With Gareth's knowledge of marine biology, a PhD in Endocrinology, an executive MBA, is Board Certified in Medical Affairs, and currently works for the Pharmaceutical industry educating the World's doctors on new cancer therapies and Stu's military background; these two men really do know what they are talking about.
  
  While, this book is fiction; I could see it be reality. Which made it even more intriguing. There is a lot of action happening in this book. It moves at a fast pace. The two main characters, Evan and Billy were the guys you want to cheer for. Condition Black is a roller coaster thrill ride that you don't want to miss!
• 
  Sam

  This was a really good story! I did really enjoy it, it was the first time reading this writers work & hopefully it won't be the last! A reasonably fast paced, action thriller, with a well thought out plot & main character. Good points through out the adventure, it kept my interest start to finish & I did complete it in no time as all really! Always a good sign for a book!
• 
  Rex

  After one of the authors reached out to me I have decided to scrap my ridiculously negative review and re-think my evaluation of this title.
  
  I still think it is purposely designed to easily be converted into a screenplay full of action, stars, special effects and plot points that don't challenge the audience too drastically. But I guess we are in a new age of literature where people want to be entertained visually by their books and not have to think too hard. You will not be challenged intellectually by this book, but you will most certainly be entertained.
  
  I had a bit of a problem with how predictable many of the characters are but again, it will make the film casting choices easy. I suspect the authors have already come up with some suggestions for the Hollywood casting agent.
  
  So suspend your disbelief and jump slightly ahead in time to a world where things currently only imagined are possible. Who knows? Maybe these two guys know something we don't! Enjoy being fascinated - or dubious. You'll certainly not be somewhere in the middle!
• 
  Heather

  Wow such an amazing book. Action from start to finish. It gave me a better understanding of what it is like being on the spectrum. And it would be so fantastic if that technology really did exist. A must read!!!
• 
  Crystal DeBoard

  I honestly just could not get into this book. It took me awhile to finish. I do like the idea of the story and have no doubt it will have a huge fan base.
  A researcher is trying to find new ways to fight cancer with technology. Along the way he has to fight to save his wife from a mysterious illness she picked up in Syria. I won't include spoilers, but it does go well beyond that, so if you are a fan of medical techno thrillers this book would definitely be for you!
• 
  Sue

  Awful. Too dark. Too predictable. The characters were flat and hard to relate to. Dystopian earth where terrorist attacks are the norm. Horrible ending. Not my kind of book.