The Fireman

by Joe Hill

[kimbacaffeinate]

Holy shitake mushrooms can Hill weave a story. He made events feel completely realistic from an overall worldview to the daily crumbling of Harper's little world. We learn a lot about Dragonscale thanks to Harper's time at the hospital, including the fact that the womb seems to protect the unborn child from the infection, and that a child was successfully delivered before the mother burst into flames. Harper and her husband made a pact to end it if they became infected and when scales begin appearing on him he wants to carry through with it. Only Harper is pregnant and that simply will not do.

Harper is determined to carry her baby to term. As we spiral into madness, Harper is forced to run and fate has her crossing paths once again with the Fireman. The tale that unfolds was original, complex and addictive as we find ourselves amongst people living and controlling Dragonscale.

A combination of horror, science-fiction, and psychological thriller I could not stop listening. Whether you listen to Hill or read his works you'll find his stories to be well paced, addictive and thought-provoking. He realistically captured humanities response to fear, change, and our desire to survive. The community Harper soon finds herself in, takes on an almost cult-like feel as the Dragonscale worked its way through its host. Danger, betrayal, and searches for provisions added suspense.

The characters are unique, well developed, complex and Hill highlighted their strengths and weaknesses. Harper is a powerful, level-headed protagonist who I came to admire. The Fireman while a bit of a mystery emulates the aspects one expects from a fireman from strength to a desire to save lives. From Harper's descriptions of him, I think you'll find him easy on the eyes. As we get to know the characters, even secondary ones we begin to feel part of the group and root for their survival. The author does a good job of giving us mundane moments, tender moments and a touch of normalcy reminding us that the world does go on, even as madness descends.

Kate Mulgrew narrates and does so brilliantly. She nailed the voice of Harper and the Fireman from their nuances to fears. We meet quite a few characters and she managed to give them all a unique voice. At over twenty-two hours, it was delightful to immediately recognize a character from the pitch of their voice.

Hill gave us plenty of villains including an overzealous hunter, mad husband, and power-seeking opportunists. He wove fear, horror, and heroism into the tale as he developed characters, and made Dragonscale a living breathing thing. Have you ever looked at a virus under a microscope? Some of them are beautiful and Hill shows us all sides of this fire-breathing virus.  He will make you think and perhaps wonder if somewhere beneath the Earth's surface, this virus lies dormant waiting to strike. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer