Adrenaline [Paperback]

 

 

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Adrenaline is a doubly appropriate name for John B. Olson's first solo novel, for not only does adrenaline hold an integral place in the medical foundation of the plot, the novel itself rushes from first page to last at an adrenaline-pumping pace. The action gets a little repetitive from time to time, but it never slows down. I have to admit that I did have a little trouble settling down into this fictional world of Olson's making. On the one hand, you have a modern-day medical thriller involving the search for a cure to a dread disease. On the other hand, you have a character haunted, either figuratively or literally (you don't know early on) by a mysterious and possibly quasi-human Dark Man, and the streets of this world are sometimes populated by almost surreal drug users of a slightly fantastic nature. Thus, the story resides somewhat uncomfortably in a modern, scientific setting; perhaps this was intentional on the part of the author - it did, after all, force me to think more deeply about these characters and the story unfolding before my eager eyes.

James Parker is a much-heralded graduate student in biochemistry. He is desperately seeking a cure for muscular dystrophy, a disease that not only he, but his sister also, suffers from. Already confined to a wheelchair, James figures he has about four years left to fight, but his sister Jenny is already in the final throes of the disease. Finally, James seems to be on the brink of a breakthrough, as a certain chemical derivative of adrenaline has induced motion in his MC-afflicted test mice. In the throes of hopeful joy, he heroically barrels into a crowd of Glass-heads (drug addicts) threatening a young woman outside the chemistry building, and the mysterious character of Darcy Williams enters his life. Darcy is a difficult character to decipher early on; she is incredibly paranoid, seeing agents of a mysterious Dark Man all around her, refusing to let anyone know where she lives, and keeping all manner of secrets from those who would befriend her. She begins to help Parker with his experiments, bringing along, somewhat reluctantly, a young suitor of hers named Jason. There is a lot of romantic tension between Parker and Darcy from the beginning, one that builds into a lot of "does he like me? - does she like me?" material -almost too much, actually.

Confident that he has discovered a cure but knowing his sister Jenny will never live long enough to benefit from it as it plods its way through years of testing and approval, James violates everything he knows is right and medically ethical and begins testing the drug on himself (despite the fact that the drug caused incidents of extreme aggression in his test mice). It has quite an effect on him, initially setting him on fire internally, causing spasms of immense agony, and similar nasty side effects. It also, however, begins working. In short order, he regains the ability to walk; eventually, he acquires a degree of unnatural strength and agility. He also experiences disturbing nightmares and unsettling blackout periods, often waking up later in the unhealthiest of places and conditions. As the work proceeds, mysterious men begin following our heroes, destroying their labs, attacking them, and seemingly going after the medical secret Parker seems to hold. Although a lot of the action gets repetitive, and one wonders where everybody else in Berkeley is all the time, Olson makes it difficult to figure out exactly what is going on. Is it the obvious? Is it Darcy's Dark Man? What about the fictional professor Jason created in order to publicize the research, a scientist who seems rather well-known for a nonexistent person? The ultimate conclusion is surprisingly satisfying, although I just can't accept a couple of the conclusions I'm apparently supposed to accept here.

James and Darcy are engaging characters you will be rooting for with great enthusiasm. On a few occasions, however, they do or say things that struck me as cliched or a bit overdrawn, reminding me that this is in fact a novel about people who don't really exist. The action also seems a tad repetitive in places, but these are small complaints on my part. Olson has no trouble whatsoever in terms of pace, suspense, and action. You have to stop and take a breath between chapters because Olson doesn't slow down for a second; he maintains the energy of this story all the way to the end, an accomplishment that is really quite remarkable.

Adrenaline opens with biochemistry student James Parker on the verge of a cure for muscular dystrophy, a disease that has debilitated he and his sister. In a clever rescue attempt, he meets Darcy Williams, another dedicated biochemistry student.

When Parker tells Darcy about his experiment, she and her overzealous boyfriend Jason eagerly volunteer to assist him with his research. Parker is overjoyed but it doesn't last long when he discovers his sister is running out of time.

He decides that he cannot wait on the normal refinement and testing process that his drug must go through. Influenced by his sister's worsening condition, Parker desperately takes matters in his own hands. Then things really start to go wrong.

Darcy is paranoid and running from someone or something that she won't reveal to anyone. Jason seems obsessed with the possibility of the drug making lots of money and his genuineness is questioned as he witnessed hanging out with some questionable characters. Creatures with incredible strength are creeping up everywhere and terrorizing the college campus, causing massive fear and bloodshed. Eventually all the secrets, schemes, identities and motives are revealed.

John B. Olson is no stranger to science and stories of suspense. He received a doctorate degree in biochemistry and has co-authored Oxygen and The Fifth Man.

Grant recipient post graduate biochemistry student James Parker is euphoric. Mouse 87, suffering from muscular dystrophy and barely able to move for several months, suddenly is running around like a marathon runner after an injection of adrenaline 355. However, when he calls his mother with the good news, he learns his sister Jenny, who suffers from the debilitating disease like James does, is back in the hospital with a very weak heart. However, something weird has occurred. The metal bars to the cage containing Mouse 87 have been bent and the test rodent escaped.

Still feeling like he is on a natural high, James, wheelchair and all, rescues graduate student Darcy Williams from glass heads. His discovery excites the campus and medical community bringing hope to muscular dystrophy sufferers while James and Darcy fall in love. However, the "Invisible Man," leader of the glass heads wants this incredible find; he increases the assaults on the campus with the prime targets being James and Darcy.

Fans will feel they are on ADRENALINE with this action-packed medical research thriller that never slows down until the bridge forms a final surprising coupling. The story line is at its best when it concentrates on James, Darcy and his sister. Jenny is a role model as never stopped believing that God will take care of her in some fashion. When the plot switches to the Invisible Man, it loses a bit of its momentum though he is the key to much of the adversarial moments. John B. Olson deftly provides sub-genre fans with a fabulous terse tale that will excite readers who will search for his co-authored Martian works.

Harriet Klausner

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5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-pumping Action
James Parker is in a race against death.

Confined to a wheelchair with muscular dystrophy, biochemistry grad student, James Parker, found a cure for this crippling disease. Read more

Published on Feb 6 2004 by Joyce Handzo

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book For Preteens Too
I am a twelve year old kid and I love adventure books. My mom had just read a book by one of her favorite authors and said I needed to read it. I read it and I loved it. Read more

Published on Dec 15 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazon
This book is thrilling, romantic, and shows a real comprehension of what it's like to live with a disability. Read more

Published on Dec 11 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book Read Since "The Fifth Man" !
Romance? Intrigue? Futuristic? Adventure? I guess I would best say an exciting adventure with an intertwining plot of romance, intrigue and a touch of unreality. Read more

Published on Dec 11 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Action-packed medical research thriller
Grant recipient post graduate biochemistry student James Parker is euphoric. Mouse 87, suffering from muscular dystrophy and barely able to move for several months, suddenly is... Read more

Published on Dec 4 2003 by Harriet Klausner

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