Mutation A Unit 51 Novel by Michael McBride was received directly from the publisher and I chose to review it. I have read this established author in the past, from the Darkfuse days, and will continue to do so. Mutation is obviously, per the title, part of a series, though it is the first I have read. UFO/alien encounters books have not been common in recent years, though due to US government declassifications, they seem to be picking up in popularity. This book is not particularly a UFO book, more what I would call a "creature feature," with a viral background. The book jumps around from person to location though in a way that it doesn't get annoying, all the while not dragging the reader down with unnecessary, inane dialogue.

If you, or someone you buy gifts for, is interested in a creature book that spans all corners of the globe and incorporates almost all government agencies, certainly give this book a read. The series seems to be real promising.

4 stars.

Thriller, science fiction, horror, action....I love books that fall into this category. This book was such an intense ride.I read it in one sitting. I just could not put it down. Ancient civilizations with aliens thrown in... This was awesome! I would recommend it to anyone who loves and action filled read!!!

This is part of a series, something that I didn't pay attention to when requesting the book. Nonetheless, I was at first confused as hell and while getting my bearings and jumping onto Goodreads to read a summary of the first one, Subhuman.

All in all, there's plenty of action in Mutation and I quite enjoyed it. Addictive violence, crazy action scenes, antagonists that made me want to play an old game called Area 51 just to feel that I'm vaguely in their shoes, I'll be keeping a look out for any other novels from this author.

Creature feature and alien invasion combined: I had to finish reading Forsaken before starting this one and I'm glad I did because these should be read in order. This series, which starts with Subhuman, is getting really good. I love all the cheesy cliche action scenes, great monsters and an interesting story arc. I'll definitely be buying a copy to complete my set. Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for gifting me an advanced copy of Mutation, which drops Sept 29th. @kensingtonbooks #netgalley #mutation #michaelmcbride #goodreads #favoriteauthor #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #books #newbooks #advancereaderscopy

This review has been posted on Instagram in multiple places, Facebook in the Books of Horror group as well as my own page, Twitter and will be on Goodreads.

Michael McBride is one of the few men on Earth who can scare me. Many writers can give me thrills and chills and get my heart beating, but McBride can do this and so much more. McBride can transport me into his world for a short time and leave me to enter the real world again by checking under the bed to make sure that nothing crossed over. It had been a little while since I had read one of his books but I was happy to receive a copy of Mutation and wasted little time in jumping in.



The discovery of an ancient tomb may be the beginning of a new horror for the modern world. Why is it that this tomb so closely resembles others from around the globe? There have long been theories as to why the religions of the world have many similarities even though they are continents apart with no communication when they were formed. Many think this is due to similarities in the mind of every man and culture that creates its unique but similar myths. The members of Unit 51 are about to learn that the reason is far more sinister and poised to threaten the world.



As the puzzle of the tombs begins to come together, Unit 51 scientists in Virginia begin to examine an ancient virus that seems to cause its victims to mutate into something other than human. This, along with an inhuman monster known as Subject Z that has gained the ability to think and plan, leads the Unit 51 group on a chase around the planet to discover the end goal of Subject Z‘s plot. Using generations-old clues, the team uncovers a plot that was foiled centuries earlier. It was halted, not defeated, and Subject Z may be the reemergence of an ancient race that was once considered gods until their cold rule over humanity became too cruel. The time has come for their ascendance and the human race is nothing more than bugs to be stepped upon while traveling the road to godhood for these monsters. Bugs can bite, though, and Unit 51 is hoping that its bite will prove lethal to the self-styled gods and save mankind.



I realized when I first started the novel that I had missed the first two books of the series. Shame on me, I guess. I said it had been a little while since I had read one of McBride’s novels but sometimes life gets in the way. What I also realized it that it did not really matter as I was able to get into the book right away. And what a way to start. Mutation had its claws in me immediately. The opening discovery of the tomb was creepy but then McBride whisks the reader around the world to introduce the different elements of the story with each being more horrifying than the previous one. Aliens, mutants, and a virus all come together to form an explosive plot that builds toward the final, explosive conclusion. I did not want to put this book down and I honestly did not feel as if I missed anything by not having read the previous books. Maybe there are things that I would have picked up on, but it is definitely not required.



Mutation is more of a thriller than a horror novel but there are plenty of scares to satisfy horror fans. The plot is very tightly wound and McBride takes ample time to explain things and fill out the story while never missing a beat. The story also just seemed almost relevant to what is happening in the world right now so that I could almost feel as if the events were really occurring. The villain is scary, the virus is terrifying, and the heroes are almost too good to be true to human enough to seem real. What more can a reader ask for in a thriller? I have read two very good thrillers in the past month but Mutation stands out as the best thriller I have read this year. I would highly recommend the novel to anyone as well as doing what I will do and go back to read the first two books. Mutation is still a little way away, so there is still time.



I would like to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for this review copy. Mutation is scheduled for release on September 29, 2020.

This is part of a series, so I had to read those first! This was a wild ride!! From page to page it keeps you on your toes. Loved it, loved the series too!

Thank you to Net Galley for an adavnce reader ebook of this book.
This was the third book in the Unit 51 series following, Suhuman and Forsaken. Is it the last Unit 51 novel? I guess we have to wait and see. For one, I am really hoping it isn't these books were fun. A little fantastic at times but entertaining as all get out and isn't that why we read. To get away from the real world? To many authors today keep interjecting theirn politics, etc, into their works, therefore putting a damper on my enthusuasm to read more of their work.
McBride is pure entertainment. If you like books that just move and have science, archeology, ancient mysteries and some pretty scary creatures. This is the book for you.
A word to the wise though, you really need to start at the beginning with Subhuman. McBride shows a deft hand at moving all the parts and locales while building and growing his characters. What is at stake in Mutation? Nothing less than the end of the world as we know it. From the Great Pyramid at Giza to the rainforrests of Mexico and the ruins of La Venta to an abandoned air force base that is much more than it seems. Monsters, pandemics, and ancient mysteries galore are in these books.
You will love them.

Unique premise and well-drawn characters, with plenty of "left turns" along the way to keep the reader intrigued. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and would recommend it to all readers searching for top-rate writing. Perfect summer read!

*I received this book as an ARC from the author/publisher in return for my honest review.*

Michael McBride proves he knows how to "stick the landing" with Mutation. Too often, it is difficult to sustain a great narrative over the course of a trilogy. Fortunately, this is not the case here. Each Unit 51 novel from McBride builds upon what came before and ups the ante. It's a successful formula and should delight every reader. The thrills and chills we've come to expect from Unit 51 are here. McBride has soared to the top of the sci-fi/thriller list with this satisfying, suspenseful conclusion to this Unit 51 storyline. #Mutation #NetGalley

This is a masterful blend of genres - thriller, science fiction, horror, and action. There are several threads driving this epic novel, all complexly woven together but also uniquely entrancing stories in their own right. As a huge fan of anything to do with ancient civilizations, especially when blended with aliens, I was not surprisingly drawn into that part of the story, gripping to every word. Seeing places I've studied woven into such a heart-pounding narrative made it even more intense.

Characters that you can both love as well as despise where breathed to life as I followed the clues with them, my hands holding the kindle tight enough to snap it. Did I mention it was intense? Just brilliantly wound to the point of breaking, then a slight intake of air, and the winding would start again, in a dance of story art. There were even parts where I chuckled, Maddox, the name, brilliant.

Best of all, there will be more. I'm eagerly awaiting the next part in this series. You don't want to miss this.