A review by essjay
Child Zero by Chris Holm

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

30ish years ago, I went through a phase of devouring medical and political thrillers, mostly because they were always available. Tattered paperbacks on sale for 25ยข at a yard sale, or stacks of Cook, Cornwell, Crichton, and Sheldon "borrowed" from my mom's friends (they usually said I could keep them cos they didn't really re-read). I can't even say that I always necessarily liked them but they were eminently readable, perfect to knock out one after the other on summer afternoons.

Child Zero reminded me so much of those thrillers I ate up in junior high, and it made me laugh to see Mateo reading one of them - at the same age I was during my obsession.

...except I actually really loved this one.  Which is no surprise, bc I've been a big fan of Holm's work since first reading his Collector series a decade ago, but still. Spending the weekend reading his newest took me back to some of the happiest moments of my childhood (honestly, memories of reading are almost all I hold dear), and I can. not. wait. to see this adapted for the big screen. 

All the stars.