The Fever King by Victoria Lee
Review by Lauren
Source: copy borrowed from Karen of For What It’s Worth; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads): In the former United States, sixteen-year-old Noam Álvaro wakes up in a hospital bed, the sole survivor of the viral magic that killed his family and made him a technopath. His ability to control technology attracts the attention of the minister of defense and thrusts him into the magical elite of the nation of Carolinia.
The son of undocumented immigrants, Noam has spent his life fighting for the rights of refugees fleeing magical outbreaks—refugees Carolinia routinely deports with vicious efficiency. Sensing a way to make change, Noam accepts the minister’s offer to teach him the science behind his magic, secretly planning to use it against the government. But then he meets the minister’s son—cruel, dangerous, and achingly beautiful—and the way forward becomes less clear.
Caught between his purpose and his heart, Noam must decide who he can trust and how far he’s willing to go in pursuit of the greater good.
Review: The Fever King was on my wish list of books to read for a long time, so I’m really thankful that Karen sent me a copy to borrow. I really should have read this one quicker, but alas, life and other books get in the way. I’ve read it now though and I cannot wait for the sequel!!
Victoria Lee has crafted a really fascinating world, where the United States we all know of today no longer exists. There’s a magical virus that kills most people it infects, except for those few that survive, like Noam. His parents are undocumented immigrants, he lives in an old bookstore with other tenants, and when the virus doesn’t kill him, he becomes a technopath and his old life seems to shun him.
Once Noam has his powers, and starts learning how to use them, the book really becomes intriguing. Noam can’t forget where he came from, and all the refugees that are dying on his doorstep, so he’s determined to use his new power to help people like he used to be. There is a lot of secrets and intrigue in this new nation called Carolinia. I wasn’t able to fully guess everything that was revealed throughout, and I loved that because it keeps you guessing and wondering about people and events. One of the things that I love about the book is the morally gray characters – most of them can’t be considered a hero or a villain. They are more of an in-between.
The Fever King does have a lot of talk about science, but I feel like Lee did a good job explaining these intricacies. It might have taken me a little bit to understand certain things, but I never felt so frustrated that I wanted to quit reading the book. I’m definitely excited for the sequel and one plus of me taking forever to read The Fever King, is that the sequel, The Electric Heir, comes out on March 17th, 2020.
It is the first I am hearing about this book, but it does sound intriguing. You read it at the right time seeing that the sequel is being released this month.
This one is on my list due to the main character being Jewish!
This has my attention, I’m such a sucker for dystopian style novels. The concept of this one is really unique and different sounding to me! I’ll have to check it out and I’m excited to hear there is a sequel coming out because I love books that become series!
I’ve not heard of this book before but I am so drawn to the cover. I’m going to add this to my list and give it a read!
A technopath! That sounds intriguing and I totally want to read this.
Sounds like an original concept and a read! Nice that the next book will be out soon!
This sounds fascinating, Lauren. Also kind of like going to science school while reading 🙂 Thanks for sharing as I often find new authors due to your reviews!
It sounds like a really interesting book, although I’m not sure I’d enjoy it as it does sound very fantasy based 🙂 Thanks for sharing though!
Hope that you are having a wonderful weekend 🙂 We had a date night last night which was awesome 🙂
Isn’t Karen the best? Love her! <3 I've had this one on my TBR for ages, but like you… other books get in the way. I should definitely read it this month so it counts towards my Read the Alphabet Challenge, haha.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
Ahhhh yay! I’m just so happy to hear you finally read and loved this book, yay! It’s one of my favorites for sure, I loved how complex the world and characters were and I just… was fascinated by it all. Can’t wait for you to read the sequel 😀
Wow! This book sounds really interesting. I’ve not heard of it, but your review makes me want to read it. I also love when it’s a series, so that’s exciting that there’s a sequel.
I was thinking that this book sounded really familiar so I checked my Kindle library and I actually own it. It does sound really good and I am glad to hear that you enjoyed it. I will have to bump it up on the tbr a bit.
I’ve seen this around but had never looked to actually see what it’s about. It sounds really interesting.
This is such a cool premise — and I like how the author has waved magic into the story.
I think I picked this one up when it was in the Kindle lending but I need to double check. I liked how unique it sounded. Glad it was a good read for you!
With the news seemingly full of little other than the Coronavirus I’m kind of sick of hearing the word virus. That said I love the idea of morally grey characters so maybe just maybe this is a read for me after all.
I’m not a big sci-fi girl but it looks good
Aren’t we all a little gray? I love the premise of this story, too. I’m putting together a time capsule today and I wonder what kind of world there will be when it’s opened in 100 years. I love that you were able to come back to this book and enjoy it so much that you can’t wait for the sequel to come out!
I really enjoyed this one too even if it’s not my normal genre. I’m curious what you think if book #2.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
it sounds really interesting!
This sounds SO good and like it would be right up my alley! And the fact that you’re eager for the sequel makes me even more excited to read it! Great review, so glad you enjoyed it!
Yes, it’s really good!!!