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The Regression Strain
Genres: Thriller
Age Groups: 16-18, 18+
Formats: Ebook, Paperback, Hardback
Nobody’s safe when the inner beast awakens...
Dr. Peter Palma joins the medical team of the Paradise to treat passengers for minor ailments as the cruise ship sails across the Atlantic. But he soon discovers that something foul is festering under the veneer of leisure. Deep in the bowels of the ship, a vile affliction pits loved ones against each other and shatters the bonds of civil society. The brig fills with felons, the morgue with bodies, and the vacation becomes a nightmare.
One by one, the chaos claims Peter's allies. His mentor spirals into madness and the security chief fights a losing battle against anarchy. No help comes from the captain, who has an ego bigger than the ocean.
With the ship racing toward an unprepared New York, the fate of humanity hinges on Peter's deteriorating judgment. But he's hallucinating and delirious...and sometimes primal urges are impossible to resist.
The Regression Strain is a fast-paced medical thriller laced with psychological suspense, perfect for fans of Michael Crichton and Blake Crouch.
Reviews
Reader Views
"Hwang has done an excellent job creating a propulsive book that is unputdownable. Between the heart-pumping chaos of a crew and passengers on the verge of lunacy, and the depth of character development of Peter in particular, the novel should be at the top of your reading list. What’s more entertaining than a luxury cruise gone feral and in charge of it all is a doctor battling delusions and inappropriate impulses? (I can’t think of anything.) If you love fast-paced, high-stress series like The Pitt, then The Regression Strain will appeal to your inner medical nerd!"
The Book Commentary
"This is one of the best medical thrillers I have read this year—well-plotted, presenting exceptional storytelling, and nuanced characters. Kevin Hwang employs a narrative voice that is gripping, and he slowly introduces the conflict in the form of a strain, capturing the details of the cruise ship and building tension with the flawed relationships amongst the characters and the crew. The characters are sophisticated and fully developed—Peter is the new doctor trying to find his footing; Luisa is the experienced nurse; Mandy is the compassionate ICU nurse; and Elizabeth Hartley is the chief physician whose behavior becomes increasingly erratic. Passengers and crew are also central, with their interactions revealing tensions, secrets, and hidden struggles. The setting is the cruise ship itself, a floating city that feels both glamorous and suffocating. The Regression Strain blends mystery with suspense to make this story a hard-to-put-down read, a page-turner with strong hints of horror. I found myself racing through the pages. Then, when I turned the last page, I wanted to go back and start over again, thanks to the gorgeous writing and the suspenseful plot. Fans of The Last Cruise by Kate Christensen will delight in the pages of this book."
Savor Your Reads
"Dr. Peter Palma is the kind of protagonist you root for even as you watch him unravel. He’s smart, driven, and deeply human, which makes his slow descent into hallucination all the more gripping. The supporting cast is equally layered—nurses, officers, passengers—each affected differently by the “regression strain.” What makes the characters work is how real their reactions feel: denial, fear, protectiveness, rage. It’s like watching humanity through a cracked mirror. The moral grey zones in this book are what really hit. Who are we when the rules fall away? And what would you do if your loved ones turned into something… primal?"