Immunity Index by Sue Burke

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Immunity Index 
Author: Sue Burke 
Release Date: 5.4.21
Publisher: Tor


Publisher's Summary
Sue Burke, author of Semiosis and Interference, gives readers a new near-future, hard sf novel. Immunity Index blends Orphan Black with Contagion in a terrifying outbreak scenario.

In a US facing growing food shortages, stark inequality, and a growing fascist government, three perfectly normal young women are about to find out that they share a great deal in common. Their creator, the gifted geneticist Peng, made them that way—before such things were outlawed. Rumors of a virus make their way through an unprotected population on the verge of rebellion, only to have it turn deadly. As the women fight to stay alive and help, Peng races to find a cure—and the cover up behind the virus.

My Review
So much potential and a few great gems but overall a difficult story to follow. I was willing to be a bit lost at the beginning with the alternating chapters for each of the main characters because this type of outline tends to weave together as a story progresses. Unfortunately, the storylines and characters did not come together until the very end and then I felt like it was still jumpy and rushed. I was expecting the clones / "dupes" to meet up with each other and/or their creator or to fight the virus on some sort of unified front, like the Orphan Black reference in the main summary blurb. That reference was what initially drew me to this novel and I believe why I was so let down. I did love the realistic portrayal of the Prez and the "patriots" who believe they can fight the virus by simply hanging a flag. The idiocy was both humorous and sadly relatable to this US citizen.