Plague Land by Alex Scarrow

A new virus has hit Earth. It is unlike anything we have ever seen. The virus kills people within hours of contracting it. No doctor on Earth knows what to do or how to combat it. Leon and Grace have recently moved to London, after their parents divorce. Leon is a sullen teenager, while Grace is sociable preteen. The virus moves quickly out of Africa and hits London hard. They are on the train with their mother trying to get to Norwich, where their maternal grandparents live. Along the way they figure out that the virus is moving on its own. Leon takes on a parental role after their mother is killed by the virus. Leon and Grace feel that they have found a safe place to live once they get rescued by Freya and taken to the Park. While there they experience several months of peace away from the Virus. They also learn why they seemed to be immune to the virus. Things do not continue so good for the kids. The virus evolves.

This book had me hooked from page one. We are introduced to a dying dog on page one, and a little girl who comforts the dog. The girl contracts the virus from the dog. This is the start of the plague. There is no other word for that happens except devastation to the entire Earth. It was great reading different points of view from around Earth as this was happening. The doctors are what intrigued me the most. I also loved the old man from the train. It was very sad to see him not make it. 

The environment of the Park was also interesting. To quote the book, we are all three meals and no wifi away from disaster. The older men in the park were really holding it together for everyone. The young men were always butting heads. This is quite how I would imagine life would look like. Things are held together by a tiny thread and if that thread is cut, complete chaos will ensue. 

All the characters were very well done. I really enjoyed Leon very much. Freya was very good as well. Grace seemed to tiny and cute.