Review: Immunity by Erin Bowman

Title: Immunity (Contagion #2)
Author: Erin Bowman
Genre: Science Fiction, Horror
Source: Copy sent by Publisher
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: July 2nd 2019
Hardcover, 448 pages

Summary: 

Survivors of a deadly planetary outbreak take on a new, sinister adversary in the white-knuckle sequel to Contagion, which New York Times bestselling author Amie Kaufman called “gripping, thrilling and terrifying in equal measures.” They thought their nightmare was over, but Thea, Coen, and Nova’s rescue was only the beginning. After being imprisoned on a ship they thought was their ticket to safety, it’s clear that the threat they left behind isn’t as distant as they’d hoped—and this time the entire galaxy is at risk. Now that threat is about to be unleashed as an act of political warfare. To prevent an interstellar catastrophe, the survivors must harness the evil they faced on the planet Achlys and learn to wield the only weapon they have left: themselves. The first installment in Erin Bowman’s duology earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, who called the plot “intricate and action-packed,” and fans of Jonathan Maberry, Rick Yancey, and Madeline Roux will relish in Bowman’s tense, high-stakes conclusion to the events of Contagion.

>>Check out my review of Contagion (Contagion #1) here!<<

After the ending of Contagion I was screaming for the next book because: THAT ENDING! There were so many unanswered questions, things that happened and so many "what the hell" moments that it was almost painful to wait for Immunity. But I can tell you that that wait was worth it. Immunity was everything I hoped for it to be and more and was a perfect ending to an amazing series.

Thea, Coen and Nova thought their nightmare was over, having been rescued from a deadly planetary virus outbreak on Achlys, but really its only beginning of a bigger problem. Instead of being rescued they are actually imprisoned upon a derelict space station on the fringes of their galaxy and being used to test the virus and it effects. Coen and Thea are both immune to the virus and the doctors aboard the space station are desperate to know more. What are the perfect conditions? What are their capabilities? Soon they learn that the horrors on Achlys is the beginning of something much bigger then what they thought. The threat they left behind is a lot closer then they thought and now it isn't a matter of just saving themselves. It is saving the galaxy from an interstellar catastrophe. 

Immunity is told in four point of views: Thea, Coen, Nova and Amber. Amber is a medic student on board the space station, her father is the head of the team of doctors that are experimenting on Thea and Coen. She is tasked with taking care of Nova who in the first few chapters of the book is in a coma. I ended up liking Amber a lot more then I was expecting to. She didn't just blindly follow her father, she questioned him and resisted his orders. She knew between right and wrong and the things that were moral and ethical. Amber proved her character to be strong, resilient and knowing that sometimes the sacrifice of one saves the lives of many. 

At the end of Contagion I was curious if there was going to be a future between Thea and Coen. After all, Coen infected Thea with the virus. Through their point of views we see them go through vigorous exercises, horrify experiments and inhumane treatment as the doctors desperately search for the answer to the Hosts. (Hosts are people who have been infected with the virus and now are immune.) Their bodies are weapons and the doctors want to know how to recreate that. But through out their sections we see how their feelings change and begin to shift. The romance aspect of Immunity wasn't used at the forefront of the story though, which was nice. Sure, I routed for them to be together and I may have thought "Yo Coen, go get your woman" once or twice. But so much more happened in this book then just the romance. 

There is so much more I wish to say but I won't because of spoilers. But considering this book was published yesterday I won't have to wait to long before talking about it with other readers. Bowman wrapped up this duology amazingly. All the loose ends were tied up and as the reader I was content. BUT that last chapter has stuck with me and is giving me lingering hope...