Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* EvilFeelsGood: Giving in to the Wrath -- the physiological HorrorHunger compelling the healthy to kill those infected with Hydra and eat their flesh -- provides a sense of elation and euphoria. This causes some to fall into it permanently, and become the [[AlwaysChaoticEvil Lurkers]].
Added DiffLines:
* PlagueZombie: Unusually {{Inverted|Trope}} -- the nightmarish Hydra virus causes ''healthy'' people to succumb to [[HorrorHunger the Wrath]] when they encounter the infected, killing and cannibalising them to gain temporary immunity. Some unlucky folks [[AlwaysChaoticEvil get stuck in the Wrath permanently]].
Added DiffLines:
* PopGoesTheHuman: The final stage of Hydra involves becoming a "blower", whereby the victim ''explodes'' and drenches the surrounding area in virus-laden particles.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* HorrorHunger: Exposure to a carrier of Hydra will overpower any unprotected human with a desire to kill them and consume their immunity-granting flesh. Cat calls this "the Wrath", and certain unlucky folks can be permanently afflicted with it, degenerating into bands of AxCrazy savages known as "Lurkers".
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* GoodAllAlong: [[spoiler:Played with. While Cartaxus does have a strict policy on non-approved gentech and [[WellIntentionedExtremist often uses very harsh tactics]], they are genuinely trying to protect humanity from Hydra, and haven't been trying to TakeOverTheWorld and turn it into some sort of a {{dystopia}}]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* UnstoppableRage: Played with. Cole and Leoben are both Cartaxus "black-out agents" with a suite of augmentations designed to make them into the ultimate bodyguards. When something threatens their {{Protectorate}} (which in Cole's case is Cat), the gentech floods their system with massive amounts of adrenaline and causes them to hyper-focus on the threat, [[EyeColourChange turning their eyes black]]. As a result, they ''will not stop'' until the threat is eliminated, one way or another.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* TheUnfettered: [[spoiler:'''Lachlan''']]. [[PunctuatedForEmphasis So. Much.]] To him, morals are the purview of the weak and foolish, and it shows -- there's literally ''nothing'' he won't do to further his [[VisionaryVillain ultimate goals]]. For instance:
** [[spoiler: He mixes human and virus genetic material together to [[ArtificialHuman create five children]] born of unholy mad science. He then [[WouldHurtAChild tortures said children for years on end]] to further his sinister research]].
** [[spoiler: He then overwrote the genetic code of one of said children and [[DeathOfPersonality completely wiped her memories]] to essentially ''make her into his biological daughter'' (which is quite simply ''[[ThisIsWrongOnSoManyLevels all kinds of wrong]]''). Then, he wrote malicious code to make this {{Mind Rape}}d 'daughter' believe she has a dangerous and painful allergy, to conceal the fact he's [[LivingMacGuffin using her as a tool]] in his EvilPlan]].
** [[spoiler: He creates a vaccine which could be used to save everyone from [[ThePlague Hydra]]. Then he takes advantage of this to essentially install a Trojan into the entire human population, which can be used to activate a HatePlague on command, amongst God knows what else]].
** [[spoiler: And it's heavily implied that his ultimate aim is to [[EvilutionaryBiologist forcibly rewrite the DNA]] of ''everyone on Earth'' to eliminate an innate capacity for violence he believes is present in all humanity]].
** [[spoiler: He mixes human and virus genetic material together to [[ArtificialHuman create five children]] born of unholy mad science. He then [[WouldHurtAChild tortures said children for years on end]] to further his sinister research]].
** [[spoiler: He then overwrote the genetic code of one of said children and [[DeathOfPersonality completely wiped her memories]] to essentially ''make her into his biological daughter'' (which is quite simply ''[[ThisIsWrongOnSoManyLevels all kinds of wrong]]''). Then, he wrote malicious code to make this {{Mind Rape}}d 'daughter' believe she has a dangerous and painful allergy, to conceal the fact he's [[LivingMacGuffin using her as a tool]] in his EvilPlan]].
** [[spoiler: He creates a vaccine which could be used to save everyone from [[ThePlague Hydra]]. Then he takes advantage of this to essentially install a Trojan into the entire human population, which can be used to activate a HatePlague on command, amongst God knows what else]].
** [[spoiler: And it's heavily implied that his ultimate aim is to [[EvilutionaryBiologist forcibly rewrite the DNA]] of ''everyone on Earth'' to eliminate an innate capacity for violence he believes is present in all humanity]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* TragicVillain: [[spoiler:[[DeadlyDoctor Marcus]]. A formerly-renowned surgeon who is forced to remain on the surface due to one of his daughters having a medical condition which requires unauthorised gentech, who ends up hacking Cat's augmentations out of her arm in a vain attempt to save his wife from a gentech 'cure' GoneHorriblyWrong. Though it was kind of a dick move to steal the solar panels from Cole's car]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 35 (click to see context) from:
* PlotAllergy: Cat has "hypergenesis", a rare condition which manifests as extreme sensitivity to the {{Nanomachines}} that power gentech, rendering her able to use only the most bare-bones BioAugmentation. [[spoiler:Except the whole thing's a lie, and Lachlan made her ''think'' she had hypergenesis as part of his elaborate scheme]].
to:
* PlotAllergy: Cat has "hypergenesis", a rare condition which manifests as extreme sensitivity to the {{Nanomachines}} that power gentech, rendering her able to use only the most bare-bones BioAugmentation. [[spoiler:Except the whole thing's a lie, and Lachlan made her ''think'' she had hypergenesis as part of his elaborate scheme]].scheme -- it was essential to stop her from poking around in her implants' systems and discovering she was a LivingMacguffin too early]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* PlotAllergy: Cat has "hypergenesis", a rare condition which manifests as extreme sensitivity to the {{Nanomachines}} that power gentech, rendering her able to use only the most bare-bones BioAugmentation. [[spoiler:Except the whole thing's a lie, and Lachlan made her ''think'' she had hypergenesis as part of his elaborate scheme]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* VisionaryVillain: [[spoiler:Lachlan Agatta's grand plan is to unify humanity by eliminating the latent capacity for violence and evil he sees as lurking inside every man, woman and child... And [[TheUnfettered there's no line he will not cross]] in pursuit of this goal]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 13,14 (click to see context) from:
The stage is set for a rather dark journey showcasing the consequences of biotech gone bad [[BodyHorror in exceptionally gory detail]] as Cat discovers the significance of her father's enigmatic plans, Cole's DarkAndTroubledPast, and even the truth about her own upbringing...
to:
The stage is set for a rather dark journey showcasing the consequences of biotech gone bad [[BodyHorror in exceptionally gory detail]] as Cat discovers the significance of her father's enigmatic plans, Cole's DarkAndTroubledPast, and even the hidden truth about of her own upbringing...
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
* AmbiguousSituation: [[spoiler:Given that the first outbreak of Hydra was contained, it's unclear exactly how the apocalyptic pandemic of the virus occurred -- the containment may have been broken, a sample may have been unearthed somewhere else, or it may have been released on purpose, perhaps by terrorists, or Cartaxus itself if it actually ''did'' want to TakeOverTheWorld. There's nothing in particular pointing towards any one explaination]].
to:
* AmbiguousSituation: [[spoiler:Given that the first outbreak of Hydra was contained, it's unclear exactly how the apocalyptic pandemic of the virus occurred -- the containment may have been broken, a sample may have been unearthed somewhere else, or it may have been released on purpose, perhaps by terrorists, as part of Lachlan's expansive EvilPlan, or by Cartaxus itself if it actually ''did'' want to TakeOverTheWorld. There's nothing in particular pointing towards any one explaination]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
* AmbiguousSituation: [[spoiler:Given that after the initial discovery of Hydra (it was an ancient pathogen preserved in permafrost) the first outbreak was contained, it's unclear exactly how the apocalyptic pandemic of the virus occurred -- the containment may have been broken, a sample may have been unearthed somewhere else, or it may have been released on purpose, perhaps by terrorists, or Cartaxus itself if it actually ''did'' want to TakeOverTheWorld. There's nothing in particular pointing towards any one explaination]].
to:
* AmbiguousSituation: [[spoiler:Given that after the initial discovery of Hydra (it was an ancient pathogen preserved in permafrost) the first outbreak of Hydra was contained, it's unclear exactly how the apocalyptic pandemic of the virus occurred -- the containment may have been broken, a sample may have been unearthed somewhere else, or it may have been released on purpose, perhaps by terrorists, or Cartaxus itself if it actually ''did'' want to TakeOverTheWorld. There's nothing in particular pointing towards any one explaination]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* AmbiguousSituation: [[spoiler:Given that after the initial discovery of Hydra (it was an ancient pathogen preserved in permafrost) the first outbreak was contained, it's unclear exactly how the apocalyptic pandemic of the virus occurred -- the containment may have been broken, a sample may have been unearthed somewhere else, or it may have been released on purpose, perhaps by terrorists, or Cartaxus itself if it actually ''did'' want to TakeOverTheWorld. There's nothing in particular pointing towards any one explaination]].
Added DiffLines:
* DugTooDeep: [[spoiler:The first outbreak of Hydra occurred when researchers excavated a body preserved in the Arctic permafrost, which, unbeknownst to them, was infected with an ancient pathogen which came to be known as Hydra. However, given this outbreak was successfully contained, it's unclear where the current, world-ending pandemic of the virus has come from]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* TheChessmaster: [[spoiler:[[EvilAllAlong Lachlan]], who sets up an elaborate series of {{Batman Gambit}}s to ensure that Cat doesn't discover that she's a LivingMacGuffin until the time is right, she will submit to a HeroicSacrifice to decode the vaccine, and that Cartaxus and the Skies will force its installation to everybody on Earth, allowing him to infect everyone with his sinister Trojan in one fell swoop. {{Lampshaded}} by Cat, who concedes that from his perspective, people are just "chess pieces being pushed around a board".]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* HeroicBSOD: [[spoiler:Cat, rather understandably, has a breakdown after discovering that Cartaxus was (mostly) GoodAllAlong, and [[CosyCatastrophe the people inside their bunkers have comfortable and peaceful lives]], meaning all the [[HorrorHunger cannibalism]], near-starvation and general misery she had to go through was utterly pointless]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* BioPunk: The book is overwhelmingly focused on the setting's super-advanced 'gentech' BioAugmentation technology, and all of its potential applications and implications, for good and for bad. ''Technically'' it's not a straight example of the trope, given that gentech is powered by {{Nanomachines}} which generate [[{{Cyborg}} cybernetic components]] inside the body, as well as enabling almost-unlimited genetic modification capabilities.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
* BodySurf: Certain gentech augmentations can be used to turn people into 'puppets' who can be controlled remotely by another individual, but the technology is so dangerous and so vulnerable to abuse that, pre-apocalypse, even the {{transhuman}} bio-hackers in favour of limitless genetic self-experimentation [[EveryoneHasStandards wanted nothing to do with it]], and it was prohibited by international law. [[spoiler:In the book, it's used by two Cartaxus scientists to communicate with Novak, and by Lachlan to [[FakingTheDead fake his death]] ''again'']].
Changed line(s) 26 (click to see context) from:
* MegaCorp: Played with regarding [[EvilInc Cartaxus]], which isn't quite a corporation nor a governmental entity, instead a "massive international amalgam of technology and violence", according to Cat anyway. [[spoiler:But as it turns out, it's a (debatably) BenevolentConspiracy created with the intention of preventing the collapse of civilisation -- they knew about Hydra before the epidemic occurred]].
to:
* MegaCorp: Played with regarding [[EvilInc Cartaxus]], which isn't quite a corporation nor a governmental entity, instead a "massive "[[NGOSuperpower massive international amalgam of technology and violence", violence]]", according to Cat anyway. [[spoiler:But as it turns out, it's a (debatably) BenevolentConspiracy created with the intention of preventing the collapse of civilisation -- they knew about Hydra before the epidemic occurred]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
* DepletedPhlebotinumShells: Cole's WeaponOfChoice is a high-tech Cartaxus rifle which fires nanite-infused rounds, [[PowerNullifier nullifying]] any HealingFactor biotech the target might have equipped. This becomes a problem when a Lurker wrestles the weapon off of him [[HoistByHisOwnPetard and shoots him in the chest with it]].
to:
* DepletedPhlebotinumShells: Cole's WeaponOfChoice weapon of choice is a high-tech Cartaxus rifle which fires nanite-infused rounds, [[PowerNullifier nullifying]] any HealingFactor biotech the target might have equipped. This becomes a problem when a Lurker wrestles the weapon off of him [[HoistByHisOwnPetard and shoots him in the chest with it]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
* DepletedPhelbotinumShells: Cole's WeaponOfChoice is a high-tech Cartaxus rifle which fires nanite-infused rounds, [[PowerNullifier nullifying]] any HealingFactor biotech the target might have equipped. This becomes a problem when a Lurker wrestles the weapon off of him [[HoistByHisOwnPetard and shoots him in the chest with it]].
to:
* DepletedPhelbotinumShells: DepletedPhlebotinumShells: Cole's WeaponOfChoice is a high-tech Cartaxus rifle which fires nanite-infused rounds, [[PowerNullifier nullifying]] any HealingFactor biotech the target might have equipped. This becomes a problem when a Lurker wrestles the weapon off of him [[HoistByHisOwnPetard and shoots him in the chest with it]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* DepletedPhelbotinumShells: Cole's WeaponOfChoice is a high-tech Cartaxus rifle which fires nanite-infused rounds, [[PowerNullifier nullifying]] any HealingFactor biotech the target might have equipped. This becomes a problem when a Lurker wrestles the weapon off of him [[HoistByHisOwnPetard and shoots him in the chest with it]].
Added DiffLines:
* MegaCorp: Played with regarding [[EvilInc Cartaxus]], which isn't quite a corporation nor a governmental entity, instead a "massive international amalgam of technology and violence", according to Cat anyway. [[spoiler:But as it turns out, it's a (debatably) BenevolentConspiracy created with the intention of preventing the collapse of civilisation -- they knew about Hydra before the epidemic occurred]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 15,16 (click to see context) from:
Heavy spoiler tags are required, since the book features many a PlotTwist, a Troperiffic BigBad and a massive [[TheReveal Reveal]] near the end.
to:
Heavy spoiler tags are required, since the book features many a PlotTwist, a Troperiffic BigBad BigBad, and a massive [[TheReveal Reveal]] near the end.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 15,16 (click to see context) from:
Heavy spoiler tags are required, since the book features many a PlotTwist and one '''massive''' [[TheReveal Reveal]] near the end, serving to {{Deconstruct}} and [[SubvertedTrope Subvert]] a number of the genre's tropes along the way.
to:
Heavy spoiler tags are required, since the book features many a PlotTwist PlotTwist, a Troperiffic BigBad and one '''massive''' a massive [[TheReveal Reveal]] near the end, serving to {{Deconstruct}} and [[SubvertedTrope Subvert]] a number of the genre's tropes along the way.end.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* AlwaysChaoticEvil: The "Lurkers" are people with the misfortune to have a natural vulnerability to the Wrath (an InSeriesNickname for Hydra's HorrorHunger), and as such devolve into animalistic packs of marauders, gleefully killing and eating everyone they come across [[NoZombieCannibals apart from each other]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* WarriorPoet: Cole is an arguably-human SuperSoldier jacked up on as many bio-modifications and implants as his body can possibly take... But also a skilled artist who was planning for a much more peaceful life before the apocalypse occurred.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 11,12 (click to see context) from:
[[TeenGenius Catarina 'Cat' Agatta]] has been living alone in the mountains of North Carolina for two years, ever since her father -- the [[WorldsSmartestMan hyper-genius gentech scientist extraordinaire]] Lachlan Agatta -- was abducted by Cartaxus to 'help' them work on a cure for Hydra. But suddenly, Cole, a Cartaxus SuperSoldier, turns up at Cat's cabin -- not to finish the job, but bearing grim news. Lachlan is dead, and he's left behind an impossible task for his daughter: to [[FindTheCure unlock the Hydra vaccine he's developed]], encoded within Cole, before the virus can mutate and render it worthless, or Cartaxus catches up to them and ensures the cure is distributed only to the population already under their thumb.
to:
[[TeenGenius Catarina 'Cat' Agatta]] has been living alone in the mountains of North Carolina for two years, ever since her father -- the [[WorldsSmartestMan hyper-genius gentech scientist extraordinaire]] Lachlan Agatta -- was abducted by Cartaxus to 'help' them work on a cure for Hydra. But suddenly, However, Cole, a Cartaxus SuperSoldier, turns up one day at Cat's cabin -- not to finish the job, but bearing grim news. Lachlan is dead, and he's left behind an impossible task for his daughter: to [[FindTheCure unlock the Hydra vaccine he's developed]], encoded within Cole, before the virus can mutate and render it worthless, or Cartaxus catches up to them and ensures the cure is distributed only to the population already under their thumb.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 11,12 (click to see context) from:
[[TeenGenius Catarina Agatta]] has been living alone in the mountains of North Carolina for two years, ever since her father -- the [[WorldsSmartestMan hyper-genius gentech scientist extraordinaire]] Lachlan Agatta -- was abducted by Cartaxus to 'help' them work on a cure for Hydra. But suddenly, Cole, a Cartaxus SuperSoldier, turns up at Cat's cabin -- not to finish the job, but bearing grim news. Lachlan is dead, and he's left behind an impossible task for his daughter: to [[FindTheCure unlock the Hydra vaccine he's developed]], encoded within Cole, before the virus can mutate and render it worthless, or Cartaxus catches up to them and ensures the cure is distributed only to the population already under their thumb.
to:
[[TeenGenius Catarina 'Cat' Agatta]] has been living alone in the mountains of North Carolina for two years, ever since her father -- the [[WorldsSmartestMan hyper-genius gentech scientist extraordinaire]] Lachlan Agatta -- was abducted by Cartaxus to 'help' them work on a cure for Hydra. But suddenly, Cole, a Cartaxus SuperSoldier, turns up at Cat's cabin -- not to finish the job, but bearing grim news. Lachlan is dead, and he's left behind an impossible task for his daughter: to [[FindTheCure unlock the Hydra vaccine he's developed]], encoded within Cole, before the virus can mutate and render it worthless, or Cartaxus catches up to them and ensures the cure is distributed only to the population already under their thumb.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mortalcoil_53.jpeg]]
%%[[caption-width-right:350:some caption text]]
%%->''Page quote goes here''
%%-->-- '''Character'''
''This Mortal Coil'' is a [[AfterTheEnd post-apocalyptic]] BioPunk [[YoungAdultLiterature YA]] novel and the debut work of author Emily Suvada.
InAWorld Where staggering advances in [[{{Nanomachines}} nanotechnology]] and [[LegoGenetics genetic engineering]] allow anyone to [[BioAugmentation modify their own DNA as though it were code]] through forearm 'panels' implanted at birth, the [[ThePlague Hydra virus]] has devastated humanity. This nightmarish pathogen causes its victims to linger for two painful weeks before they [[PopGoesTheHuman go off like a firecracker]], while everyone else is ''physiologically compelled'' by the virus to [[HorrorHunger kill and eat the infected]] -- the only known way to gain immunity, and even then only for a matter of weeks. Society has all but collapsed, save for the [[NGOSuperpower sinister Cartaxus organisation]] and its network of underground bunkers where survivors are rumoured to languish in [[{{Dystopia}} hellish 1984-style conditions]], and a disparate group of stragglers on the surface, struggling to stay alive and avoid roving packs of [[AlwaysChaoticEvil Lurkers]] who have gleefully embraced the chaos and cannibalism.
[[TeenGenius Catarina Agatta]] has been living alone in the mountains of North Carolina for two years, ever since her father -- the [[WorldsSmartestMan hyper-genius gentech scientist extraordinaire]] Lachlan Agatta -- was abducted by Cartaxus to 'help' them work on a cure for Hydra. But suddenly, Cole, a Cartaxus SuperSoldier, turns up at Cat's cabin -- not to finish the job, but bearing grim news. Lachlan is dead, and he's left behind an impossible task for his daughter: to [[FindTheCure unlock the Hydra vaccine he's developed]], encoded within Cole, before the virus can mutate and render it worthless, or Cartaxus catches up to them and ensures the cure is distributed only to the population already under their thumb.
The stage is set for a rather dark journey showcasing the consequences of biotech gone bad [[BodyHorror in exceptionally gory detail]] as Cat discovers the significance of her father's enigmatic plans, Cole's DarkAndTroubledPast, and even the truth about her own upbringing...
Heavy spoiler tags are required, since the book features many a PlotTwist and one '''massive''' [[TheReveal Reveal]] near the end, serving to {{Deconstruct}} and [[SubvertedTrope Subvert]] a number of the genre's tropes along the way.
!! ''This Mortal Coil'' provides examples of:
* AutomatedAutomobiles: Autonomous driving is standard issue on pretty much all vehicles in the setting, from Agnes' clapped-out old car to the top-of-the-line [[AwesomePersonnelCarrier Cartaxus 'Jeeps']].
* TheBadGuyWins: [[spoiler:[[EvilAllAlong Lachlan's]] EvilPlan to install a Trojan into the panels of everyone left on Earth (as part of his [[EvilutionaryBiologist grand goal of 'improving' humanity]]) goes off without a hitch, before anyone can realise what he's up to or even that [[FakingTheDead he's still alive]]]].
* EvilGenius: [[spoiler:Lachlan Agatta is a peerless gentech programmer, who also happens to be an [[TheUnfettered Unfettered]] EvilutionaryBiologist who is determined to 'improve' humanity, and is willing to perform countless horrifying acts to achieve this]].
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Cat manages to find that Jun Bei's panel ID, encrypted, has been connected to the Skies' network. [[spoiler:Of course, that's because she ''is'' Jun Bei, and has been using the very same network herself]].
* FutureCopter: The four-rotor Cartaxus Comox. It's essentially a very oversized drone with a pilot's seat (in case of emergencies).
* MeaningfulName: [[spoiler: Lachlan's PlayingWithSyringes ArtificalHumans project was called the ''Zarathustra Initiative''. If you're aware [[Creator/FriedrichNietzsche where the name 'Zarathustra']] comes from, you might have some inclination as to [[{{Ubermensch}} what sort of person Lachlan is]]]].
* MySensorsIndicateYouWantToTapThat: Cat is painfully aware that Cole's superhuman sensory perception means it's nigh-impossible to conceal her InconvenientAttraction to him. Of course, the feelings are actually mutual, and it doesn't take long to become rather less inconvenient.
* PlayingWithSyringes: [[spoiler: The purpose of the Zarathustra Initiative. Five human embryos were [[ArtificialHumans successfully created]] using genetic material from the Hydra virus in a frantic attempt to develop a cure. The resulting children were [[WouldHurtAChild experimented on in all sorts of horrible ways]] to determine the potential utility of [[MagicGenetics their mutations]]. The whole thing was arguably NecessarilyEvil from the whole 'creating-a-cure' standpoint, but Lachlan's ultimate goals for the project [[EvilutionaryBiologist went much further than that]].]]
----
%%[[caption-width-right:350:some caption text]]
%%->''Page quote goes here''
%%-->-- '''Character'''
''This Mortal Coil'' is a [[AfterTheEnd post-apocalyptic]] BioPunk [[YoungAdultLiterature YA]] novel and the debut work of author Emily Suvada.
InAWorld Where staggering advances in [[{{Nanomachines}} nanotechnology]] and [[LegoGenetics genetic engineering]] allow anyone to [[BioAugmentation modify their own DNA as though it were code]] through forearm 'panels' implanted at birth, the [[ThePlague Hydra virus]] has devastated humanity. This nightmarish pathogen causes its victims to linger for two painful weeks before they [[PopGoesTheHuman go off like a firecracker]], while everyone else is ''physiologically compelled'' by the virus to [[HorrorHunger kill and eat the infected]] -- the only known way to gain immunity, and even then only for a matter of weeks. Society has all but collapsed, save for the [[NGOSuperpower sinister Cartaxus organisation]] and its network of underground bunkers where survivors are rumoured to languish in [[{{Dystopia}} hellish 1984-style conditions]], and a disparate group of stragglers on the surface, struggling to stay alive and avoid roving packs of [[AlwaysChaoticEvil Lurkers]] who have gleefully embraced the chaos and cannibalism.
[[TeenGenius Catarina Agatta]] has been living alone in the mountains of North Carolina for two years, ever since her father -- the [[WorldsSmartestMan hyper-genius gentech scientist extraordinaire]] Lachlan Agatta -- was abducted by Cartaxus to 'help' them work on a cure for Hydra. But suddenly, Cole, a Cartaxus SuperSoldier, turns up at Cat's cabin -- not to finish the job, but bearing grim news. Lachlan is dead, and he's left behind an impossible task for his daughter: to [[FindTheCure unlock the Hydra vaccine he's developed]], encoded within Cole, before the virus can mutate and render it worthless, or Cartaxus catches up to them and ensures the cure is distributed only to the population already under their thumb.
The stage is set for a rather dark journey showcasing the consequences of biotech gone bad [[BodyHorror in exceptionally gory detail]] as Cat discovers the significance of her father's enigmatic plans, Cole's DarkAndTroubledPast, and even the truth about her own upbringing...
Heavy spoiler tags are required, since the book features many a PlotTwist and one '''massive''' [[TheReveal Reveal]] near the end, serving to {{Deconstruct}} and [[SubvertedTrope Subvert]] a number of the genre's tropes along the way.
!! ''This Mortal Coil'' provides examples of:
* AutomatedAutomobiles: Autonomous driving is standard issue on pretty much all vehicles in the setting, from Agnes' clapped-out old car to the top-of-the-line [[AwesomePersonnelCarrier Cartaxus 'Jeeps']].
* TheBadGuyWins: [[spoiler:[[EvilAllAlong Lachlan's]] EvilPlan to install a Trojan into the panels of everyone left on Earth (as part of his [[EvilutionaryBiologist grand goal of 'improving' humanity]]) goes off without a hitch, before anyone can realise what he's up to or even that [[FakingTheDead he's still alive]]]].
* EvilGenius: [[spoiler:Lachlan Agatta is a peerless gentech programmer, who also happens to be an [[TheUnfettered Unfettered]] EvilutionaryBiologist who is determined to 'improve' humanity, and is willing to perform countless horrifying acts to achieve this]].
* {{Foreshadowing}}: Cat manages to find that Jun Bei's panel ID, encrypted, has been connected to the Skies' network. [[spoiler:Of course, that's because she ''is'' Jun Bei, and has been using the very same network herself]].
* FutureCopter: The four-rotor Cartaxus Comox. It's essentially a very oversized drone with a pilot's seat (in case of emergencies).
* MeaningfulName: [[spoiler: Lachlan's PlayingWithSyringes ArtificalHumans project was called the ''Zarathustra Initiative''. If you're aware [[Creator/FriedrichNietzsche where the name 'Zarathustra']] comes from, you might have some inclination as to [[{{Ubermensch}} what sort of person Lachlan is]]]].
* MySensorsIndicateYouWantToTapThat: Cat is painfully aware that Cole's superhuman sensory perception means it's nigh-impossible to conceal her InconvenientAttraction to him. Of course, the feelings are actually mutual, and it doesn't take long to become rather less inconvenient.
* PlayingWithSyringes: [[spoiler: The purpose of the Zarathustra Initiative. Five human embryos were [[ArtificialHumans successfully created]] using genetic material from the Hydra virus in a frantic attempt to develop a cure. The resulting children were [[WouldHurtAChild experimented on in all sorts of horrible ways]] to determine the potential utility of [[MagicGenetics their mutations]]. The whole thing was arguably NecessarilyEvil from the whole 'creating-a-cure' standpoint, but Lachlan's ultimate goals for the project [[EvilutionaryBiologist went much further than that]].]]
----
