Review: This Vicious Cure (This Mortal Coil, #3) by Emily Suvada
When I first dove into This Mortal Coil, I was captivated by the brilliant fusion of technology and humanity in Emily Suvada’s dystopian world—where gene-hacked pigeons mingle with intricate coding. The journey through this trilogy has been nothing short of adventure, and as I cracked open This Vicious Cure, I felt both excitement and a hint of trepidation. With a series that began with such promise, I hoped this final installment would seamlessly tie together the intricate threads of its narrative tapestry.
This book picks up the pace in leaps and bounds, propelling us back into the chaos of gene editing, viruses, and existential dilemmas. Jun Bei and Cat take center stage as they grapple with their intertwining fates and identities. The mind-bending plot twists that made the earlier books riveting unfortunately spiral into bewildering territory in this final chapter. While the relentless pace kept me on my toes, it also left me feeling somewhat gasping for breath.
Suvada’s writing retains its vivid charm, balancing intricate world-building with high-stakes drama. The exploration of the ethics of technology — how far we should go in modifying life — echoes throughout, prompting deeper reflections on our current realities. The concept of identity, particularly as it relates to the transformative experience of Jun Bei and Cat, felt poignant yet not fully fleshed out in this volume. The dual perspective, while intended to enrich the narrative, muddled moments where clarity was crucial, leaving me uncertain about whose voice I was immersed in at times.
The stakes are undeniably high, and the pacing relentless, but occasionally it felt overwhelming. At times, the plot twists seemed to pile upon one another without pause, almost like Suvada crammed every fascinating idea she had into the narrative, leading to confusion rather than tension. Characters that once felt so vivid stumbled under the weight of this convoluted plot. I found myself yearning for the simpler but more impactful emotional moments that characterized the earlier installments. A hint of longing for quieter dialogues and personal revelations lingered as the characters raced against time.
One of my major qualms revolves around major plot developments that felt forced or convoluted. For instance, the reveal of Agnes as the Viper left me feeling unsatisfied—as if it was merely an obvious choice rather than a well-earned twist. The memory wipe plot device, which should have layered depth, instead eroded beloved character dynamics. Imagine the emotional weight of Cole and Cat’s evolving relationship, only to see it fizzled at a pivotal moment. Moments where they could have explored vulnerability were largely glossed over amid all the chaos.
That said, for readers who relish gut-wrenching twists or are entangled in the technosocioethical dilemmas of dystopian fiction, This Vicious Cure may still very well strike a chord. For fans of the series, it combines familiar characters in an exhilarating narrative, albeit with a tendency to drown them in plot complexity.
As I turned the last page, I felt a bittersweet nostalgia. While this book may not have met the high expectations set by its predecessors, the series overall remains an intriguing exploration of technology and morality. As I ponder the experience, I find myself desiring a new adventure for these resilient characters—one that emphasizes connection over chaos.
For those new to this trilogy, start with This Mortal Coil for an astonishing introduction, but be prepared for a whirlwind journey where the stakes are as high as the emotions are low. This Vicious Cure may invite some head-scratching, but ultimately it offers a thrilling, albeit tumultuous, ride through a brilliantly crafted world.
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