Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Entheophage by Drema Deoraich is a timely, thrilling, unique scientific story. Dr. Isobel Fallon is a pharmaceutical research scientist trying to discover a drug to halt the progression of the fatal neurological condition Milani Syndrome; her son is afflicted and will almost certainly die within a few years. Desperate to harvest a species of coral she believes could play a vital role in developing a new drug, she is somewhere in the Coral Triangle of the South Pacific trying to convince the local islanders to give their team permission to harvest the coral. Back in the United States, a previously unknown virus is striking down children with alarming regularity. CDC research team leader Nadine Parker and her team have been tasked with discovering the nature of this virus and finding ways to combat it. As Isobel's and Nadine’s paths intersect, this virus may not be like any other yet discovered; it may be changing the makeup of humanity, generation by generation. 

Entheophage is not only a well-written, easy-to-read mystery with twists and turns but its basic premise is so unique and unusual. The storyline reflects two issues of the past decade, pandemics and climate change, and combines them into a thrilling tale that will keep readers glued. I particularly appreciated that almost all the lead characters were strong, well-educated, resourceful, and confident women. In a political environment that daily seeks to denigrate and limit women’s roles in society, it is important to read literature that celebrates women’s achievements and abilities. I also loved the concept that all life, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant, is part of one giant consciousness; eternally linked and reliant on the other parts. That nature, in the form of a virus, should be the central character in addressing the imbalance in the universe, created by one small part of that environment, humanity, was an inspired and unique direction taken by this author. I can’t speak highly enough about how much I enjoyed this story and I recommend it to all readers.