William Morrow, 2022. 304 pages. Sci-Fi
Follow a cast of intricately linked characters over hundreds of years as humanity struggles to rebuild itself in the aftermath of a climate plague. Beginning in 2030, a grieving archeologist arrives in the Arctic Circle to continue the work of his recently deceased daughter, where researchers are studying long-buried secrets now revealed in melting permafrost, including the perfectly preserved remains of a girl who appears to have died of an ancient virus. Once unleashed, the Arctic Plague will reshape life on earth for generations to come, quickly traversing the globe, forcing humanity to devise a myriad of moving and inventive ways to embrace possibility in the face of tragedy.
I love how complex and intricate this story was. I'm generally not a fan of nonlinear, sweeping storylines, partly because it's hard for me to keep everything straight. However, Nagamatsu presents what feels like a collection of disparate short stories -- until you realize that they're all thoroughly interconnected. It was a fun realization to have as a reader because it was executed so expertly that it felt effortless.