I kept reading through the end, but I didn't love it. ( )

Embryo (Embryo: A Raney & Levine Thriller, Book 1) by J.A. Schneider captivated me. I gave this book five stars, start to finish. It is a fascinating suspense-filled thriller. It is an excellent start to a series.

Jill Raney & David Levine came to life in this book. They are riveting characters & I eagerly look forward to the rest of the books.

"They ran down the hall & past the nurse's station. At the far end they pulled open a steel door, & pounded down five flights of stairs as if somebody's life depended on it." It did.

I was a nurse so I could certainly relate to this method of eating. "They took turns bolting their food & telling each other not to bolt their food."

"'Nature, always indifferent, does not care where fertilization takes place. Given the correct temperature, the right egg & sperm will mate in a teaspoon!' In her notebook, Jill typed 'life in a teaspoon', & stared down at the glowing words."

"'How'd you know where I was?' He sat down beside her, & gazed out at the view. 'It's where I used to come,' he said. 'When things got bad.' She met his gaze. He had said it so simply, yet his words spoke volumes. He had been here: same place, same pain. Three or four years ago, maybe, but still...it was hard to think of him having ever been as vulnerable as she felt now." ( )

Three stars seems a bit mean.. maybe a three and a half stars. Why do authors try to over-hype their works?? The last book I read advertised itself as "the best thriller ever" - and it wasn't. This one has "the ultimate medical thriller" emblazoned across the cover - Robin Cook it isn't. That given, my rant is over. It was an interesting read - despite the fact that it took an intern rather than someone more qualified to uncover this web of lies, illegal experiments etc. and TWO well-qualified Doctors undertaking illegal experiments at the same time without knowledge of the other?? hmm.. But it did have an unexpected ending, which I do enjoy.. I love to be "out-thunk" :) ( )

The first of a series of two doctors still in training. In this case one discovers some genetic engineering which has gone awry. It was a bit like a Robin Cook novel. I will be curious to see which way the sequels go. There are many possibilities. A good read, hard to put down. ( )

"Embryo" is a medical mystery with a side of romance.

The story does contain medical jargon; however, it is fairly well explained even for the layperson.

Story pace starts off normal then accelerates with the action.

The characters are well written and realistic. No one character is too perfect or too evil.

Without giving away any plot points, the plot carries well throughout the book and ties together well.

Overall, definitely an enjoyable read. ( )