5 Star Review: PODS (Michelle Pickett)

Paperback, 312 pages
Published June 4th 2013 by Spencer Hill Press

ARC Provided by Publisher for Honest Review

Seventeen-year-old Eva is a chosen one. Chosen to live, while others meet a swift and painful death from an incurable virus so lethal, a person is dead within days of symptoms emerging. In the POD system, a series of underground habitats built by the government, she waits with the other chosen for the deadly virus to claim those above. Separated from family and friends, it's in the PODs she meets David. And while true love might not conquer all, it's a balm for the broken soul.

After a year, scientists believe the population has died, and without living hosts, so has the virus. That's the theory, anyway. But when the PODs are opened, survivors find the surface holds a vicious secret. The virus mutated, infecting those left top-side and creating... monsters.

Eva and David hide from the infected in the abandoned PODs. Together they try to build a life--a new beginning. But the infected follow and are relentless in their attacks. Leaving Eva and David to fight for survival, and pray for a cure. 

I'm a wife, mother, author, reader, although not always in that order. I've been an avid reader since a young child. I began writing for personal enjoyment in college, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in accounting. Why I chose a degree that didn't encourage creativity is a mystery to me.
I'm addicted to Reese's peanut butter cups and eat way too many while I write. I have a weird obsession with hoodies and can't write without wearing one. I hate to cook, but love to watch cooking shows.

I'm an unabashed romantic and love swoon-worthy happy endings that give me butterflies for days.
Born and raised in Flint, Michigan, I now reside in a small community outside Houston, Texas with my incredibly supportive, not to mention gorgeous, husband, three amazing school-aged children, a 125-pound lap dog, and a cat that thinks she's queen.
I write adult and young adult Sci/Fi, urban fantasy and paranormal romances.
I love to hear from readers and other authors, so drop me a note and say "Hi!"

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads 

I discovered the book Pods when searching through goodreads. I love anything zombie, post-apocalyptic, dystopian, and young adult so I knew this was for me. I received the book from the publisher and immediately dived into it. 

The story begins with the world basically being overrun by a virus that kills humans within 24 hours of infection. The scientists and Dr's have no idea how it is transmitted and have no idea how to stop it. The only decision they can come up with to help the human race not get exterminated ....is to hold a lottery and place the people who win in what they call PODS. These are basically underground bunkers that are created and stocked with enough food, water, and other materials to allow the few that are picked to survive for years. Which in turn they are hoping these people can outlive the virus and eventually come out and start over. 

Evangelina Mae Evans (Eva) is the main character in this story. She is a 17 year old high school student whose world is turned upside down when she is chosen for the PODS and must give up everything to survive. I absolutely love Eva. I connected with her character immediately. Everything about her made me want her to survive. She was strong, heroic, and yet had a tenderness about her that just made her personality. 

Once she is placed in the PODS she meets the people that she will have to live with over the next year. She makes friends and even discovers a new relationship. She discovers David. Now for me, this is where the story begins...I absolutely love the relationship between David and Eva. They are meant for each other...true soul mates. Their fight to be together and to overcome this terrible disease is phenomenal.

There is so much that happens in this amazing book. I read this book in three days. I just could not put it down. I kept turning the pages to find out what happened next! If you love a good survival story mixed in with an amazing romance then this book is for you!! 

The author Michelle Pickett is now going on my favorite author list!! She writes incredible books and cares what her readers think. She interacts with her fans and responds to their posts! It truly means something when an author wants to interact with her/his fans!!!! So 5 Stars for this book and 5 Stars for the author!!!!

"The Infected, a PODs novel, available November, 2014

This time things get grittier, sexier and a whole lot deadlier."