Invasive Procedures

By Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston

Book Overview

George Galen is a brilliant scientist, a pioneer in gene therapy. But Galen is dangerously insane - he has created a method to alter human DNA, not just to heal diseases, but to "improve" people - make them stronger, make them able to heal more quickly, and make them compliant to his will.Frank Hartman is also a brilliant virologist, working for the government's ultra-secret bio-hazard agency. He has discovered how to neutralize Galen's DNA-changing virus, making him the one man who stands in the way of Galen's plan to "improve" the entire human race.This taut thriller takes the reader a few years into the future, and shows the promise and danger of new genetic medicine techniques.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 076531424X
• ISBN13: 9780765314246
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 351 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Biological Thriller

I loved this book and could not put it down. I thought it was a very fast paced thriller with a genetics focus. I loved the science behind it because it is a world we could be entering soon. Some of the science was far fetched now but soon it may not be. This book was written with a style similar to "Homebody". It was different from his regular series books but I still loved it.

Couldn't put it down!

I had never read OSC before, but I had read Hot Zone, which is mentioned in the preface/acknowledgements. I am an incredible fan of this genre and happen to think that OSC and Johnston did splendidly to deliver a thought provoking (perhaps alluding to larger issues of genetic tampering and the like) and entertaining novel (seriously, I read it in a day, loved it). I hope that all of you will give this a shot. It's slightly reminiscent of Dan Brown, who is incredibly good at books that are fast reads. You will get lost in this book, in a good way. You'll feel for the characters and not be able to wait to read before you have to turn the page and find out what happens next. It's really an exciting, albeit far-fetched book. However, the fact that it's far-fetched shouldn't necessarily count as a negative. That's what science fiction is, is it not? I truly enjoyed this book. I hope the duo write collaborate again soon, so I can become engrossed in yet another great story.

Great Read!

I'm not a huge reader but so far every Orson Scott Card read has been well worth the time and money. I had been looking for either a sci-fi or possibly medically related book to read on my recent vacation and when I stumbled upon Invasive Procedures I thought, perfect! It's both! And it really is. The best way I can think to describe it is a medical thriller that constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat. I am a veterinary student so I especially loved the genetics spin on everything and the excellent descriptions of the various diseases mentioned (the terminology was great). It's also a pretty easy read. I definitely recommend this book!!

Two Thumbs Up

I've been a fan of Orson Scott Card for a long time and read most of his books. He is best known for his science fiction, but this new collaboration is a thriller (with some science fiction elements thrown in). It is fast paced and well written. I hope to see it on the big screen in the future.

Fabulous!

George Galen is a brilliant (but insane) geneticist, black-listed for unethical and illegal genetic tampering. He has created a method to alter human DNA to heal diseases, but uses it to also "improve" those who receives his treatment. Galen makes his patients stronger, faster, able to heal quickly, and compliant to his will. Dr. Monica Owens is one of the best thoracic surgeons in her field. Needing Monica to make his plans work, Galen has Wyatt, her six-year-old son, kidnapped. To keep Wyatt from harm, Monica must accompany Galen and his goons to an abandoned and forgotten nursing home. It is there that Galen has set up an impressive genetic lab, along with some unwilling test patients. Hating herself for what she is forced to do, Monica begins altering the DNA of the prisoners. Lieutenant Colonel Frank Hartman is a brilliant (and sane) virologist. Working for the government's biohazard agency (BHA), he has discovered how to neutralize Galen's DNA-changing virus, V16. Needless-to-say, Galen is not happy. ***** This began as a short story titled MALPRACTICE which was published in a sci-fi magazine around 1977. After years of emails to each other, Card and Johnston expanded the tale to novel size. Although this is a combination of sci-fi and medical thriller, with a little government military thrown in, it is labeled as simply fiction. If you expect to find a fantasy or sci-fi story in the lines of ENDER'S GAME, then you are going to be disappointed. This book proves that author Orson Scott Card has the rare ability to cross genres with his writing. So begin reading with an open mind and be prepared to be blown away! ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.