The Revived by Peter Szabo

The Revived grabbed my attention from the first chapter with an interview of famous Australian pop star, Mandy Reeves, who is one of fifty influential people recently emerged from a coma. Labeled as the Revived, they have a message for humanity. Mandy’s young adult son, Hutch, has a strained relationship with his mom, but he’s concerned that some of the Revived have gone missing. And when his mom says she loves him and will be all right before getting into a black limo, Hutch wonders if he will ever see her again. And so, the intrigue begins.

I loved the premise of a group of people chosen to save the world and a son tasked with protecting his mother. Hutch’s initial unease about his mother’s disappearance grows as he receives messages from a mysterious source. Spooky and haunting, with a touch of realism, the story kept me on edge as Hutch travelled the world in search of answers. Revelations are nicely timed and suspense builds, with urgency in the moment.

The background story of Hutch’s dad’s death is seamlessly woven into the plot as Hutch tries to piece together how the past, present, and future affect each other. Vivid descriptions of scenes through Hutch’s eyes add to the ambience of uncertainty. Who to trust becomes the main question as the plot progresses. Tension builds as time is running out, and it’s difficult to ascertain who is the hero and who is the villain.

Shocking events keep the novel moving at a fast pace, and suspense turns to horror as Hutch digs for the truth, putting himself in danger. Author Peter Szabo’s sci-fi thriller will appeal to readers who enjoy international intrigue with high stakes.