Pandemic

Chaos is Bleeding

Fiction - Thriller - Terrorist
280 Pages
Reviewed on 12/17/2021
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

As far back as she can remember, Cynthia has been listening to exciting stories told by her mother. She grew up reading books from Edgar Allan Poe, H. P. Lovecraft, and Philip K. Dick, among others.

It was Cynthia’s mother who inspired her to start telling—and writing—her own stories.

Ms. Fridsma’s writing career started after a handicap in 2014—she has a tremor in her right hand, numbness in the fingers, and pain in her wrist. She had to give up her other creative outlets, such as photography, computer programming, and gave up on juggling, so focused on what she could do rather than what she couldn’t do.

Besides writing, she sometimes plays guitar—in Jimi Hendrix style.

Cynthia lives with her husband and pet rabbit Max

    Book Review

Reviewed by Nicholus Schroeder for Readers' Favorite

Pandemic: Chaos Is Bleeding is a book in the modern horror/action genre by Cynthia Fridsma. The book is set in Boston in the year 2021. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Sybil Crewes, a former ATU agent (an organisation that tackles terrorism), receives a threatening call from a man that has her lover Harry Brown captive. She is to run some errands for this mystery caller/abductor if she wants Harry to be set free. Her first errand involves retrieving a briefcase from a mansion but upon entry in the building, she’s greeted by a lifeless corpse, a zombie. What was supposed to be a simple job turned out to be a lot more dangerous and, as she ventures farther into the mansion, she encounters a zombie without any skin, as if it had been flayed. Why were there zombies in this mansion, and who created the skinless zombie? These are questions that Sybil ponders as she barely escapes with her life from the monstrosity with no skin. Will Sybil uncover the truth behind this new breed of zombies? Can she prevent the zombie apocalypse? Or will the world be overrun with these abominations?

Pandemic: Chaos Is Bleeding was a blast to read! Everything with zombies tends to have some pretty decent action, but this book in particular had loads of blockbuster action scenes. One thing I really loved about these scenes was how grounded they were, as even a handful of zombies can be a bit of a challenge for Sybil. The originality of the plot was also another huge positive for me, as I’ve never read nor come across any other form of entertainment with skinless zombies; they’re unique and interesting. There was a steady buildup of tension as the plot progressed before the grand scene/climax and the book’s ending was satisfying, as it didn’t end awkwardly or on a cliffhanger. Our main character Sybil was well-written and the same can be said for the other characters. Sybil is one of my favourite female protagonists right now and I hope she returns in a sequel or two. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to readers that love the action genre. Readers that have watched films such as Resident Evil are sure to enjoy this one.

Pikasho Deka

Pandemic: Chaos is Bleeding by Cynthia Fridsma is an action-packed supernatural thriller set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sybil Crewes, a vampire who works for the Anti Terrorism Unit (ATU), is tricked by her friend Harry Brown into joining their team once again after she locked herself in her apartment when the pandemic broke out. Tired of watching a section of the population not taking the virus seriously, Sybil's life turns upside down when she finds herself embroiled in a grand conspiracy. Random people were turning into skinny zombies after being injected with a mutant strain of the COVID-19 virus. As Sybil and the rest of the ATU team investigate further, a mole within their ranks puts everyone's lives in danger. Additionally, Sybil's thirst for blood makes things further complicated.

Author Cynthia Fridsma seamlessly incorporates the current political climate and events relating to the COVID-19 pandemic to weave an absorbing supernatural thriller that hooks you in from the first page and refuses to let go until the end. The plot moves at a brisk pace, with numerous twists and turns that keep you guessing where it's all going. I found the characters likable and easy to root for. Despite the large cast, Pandemic: Chaos is Bleeding is a plot-driven thriller. As such, there are many characters you don't spend much time with but have a significant impact on the story. If you're in the mood for a fast-paced, action-packed, supernatural thriller, Pandemic: Chaos is Bleeding is the book for you.

Tammy Ruggles

Pandemic: Chaos is Bleeding, by Cynthia Fridsma, is an exciting thriller with a malevolent COVID-19 variant as the centerpiece. COVID-19 has kept Sybil in her home for about a year. She quit the Anti-Terrorism Unit, aka ATU, but the kidnapping of her friend Harry urges her from her home and back into activity again. This is when she realizes that a lab-invented variant of COVID-19 transforms victims into skinless zombies. She is determined to return to the ATU as an agent, but can she prevent it from destroying life as we know it? The intriguing thing is, Sybil is a vampire.

This quick-moving plot is ideal for today's horror fans. You will instantly connect with the pandemic themes, fear, and confusion surrounding it. What I like most is the character of Sybil herself--a vampire that handles the supernatural. After the pandemic, it's she who becomes the hero as she tries to save her kidnapped boyfriend. This forces her out of her house, gives her a reason to keep fighting, but then finds herself needing to save people who are being used in experiments that render them zombies. It's a challenge trying to unravel the mystery, and a big hurdle to put an end to them.

There are a lot of zombie fans that will love this unique spin. Fridsma has a talent for being single-minded in her approach to the plot. She sticks to the story and lets it play out in a satisfying way. She also doesn't leave you guessing as to the details, and the descriptions add so much to the mood, setting, and characters. She explains, but it doesn't really bog the story down--it keeps moving at a steady pace. It's easy to be caught up in the story, thanks to the dynamic dialogue and unexpected events. If you're looking for something new in zombie horror, Pandemic: Chaos is Bleeding by Cynthia Fridsma is an entertaining choice.