Adrenaline
by John B. Olson
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Book Summary Information
Author: John B. OlsonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-11
ISBN: 0764228196
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Book Reviews of Adrenaline
Book Review: "Christian" thriller is disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
Wheelchair-bound James Parker is a Cal Berkeley researcher studying muscular dystrophy. Both he and his sister (who is on the verge of death) suffer from the disease, making him desperate to find a cure. He discovers a breakthrough drug, "Adrenaline 355", which gives lab mice super strength but also violent behavior. In spite of the side-effects, James begins experimenting on himself. Sinister forces soon learn of the drug and its properties, putting James and his friends in peril.
Olson does a good job of creating sympathetic characters, especially Parker and Darcy. Sometimes their behavior was a bit melodramatic, but overall they felt like real people.
Despite this, the story never drew me in. First, the novel's setting was confusing. It seems to take place in the present day, but the city around the college campus is infested with drug addicts hooked on "Glass", a drug that currently does not exist. Does the story take place in the near future instead of the present?
I also found the plot repetitive. Stand around the lab and talk. Get chased by some bad guys. Go back to the lab and talk some more. Get chased again. Lather, rinse, repeat.
The cover blurb alludes to "the limits of medical ethics", but it's never a real issue in the story. I had hoped for something deeper, especially from a "Christian" novel. In fact, there's precious little Christian content at all. Toward the end, Parker declares himself a follower of Christ, but this revelation comes out of the clear blue. Up to that point we never see him read his Bible, pray, or attend church. He eagerly pursues Darcy without discussing matters of faith, so apparently witnessing isn't high on his agenda either.
I had also hoped that Olson's biochemistry background would give the novel a "Chrichton-esque" feel, but the author doesn't spend much time on the science behind the science fiction.
Despite an interesting premise and likable characters, "Adrenaline" was disappointing.
Summary of Adrenaline
Set in the not-so-distant future, Adrenaline introduces James Parker, a biochemistry grad student who discovers a cure for muscular dystrophy, the disease confining him to a wheelchair. However, the cure that began as his salvation appears to have bizarre side effects that open the door to an existence he never imagined. Darcy Williams, an attractive, intelligent, and delightfully quirky fellow grad student joins forces with James, but it is clear she is haunted by a dark secret. When they publish James's findings, their campus community is turned upside down by something they had never anticipated. Will discovery of the truth be too devastating to face? From the award-winning author of Oxygen.General Books
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