The Atlantis Plague (The Origin Mystery Book 2) Literary Elements

Contemporary, science fiction, thriller

The novel takes place in the modern twenty-first century, but its setting is nearly impossible to pin down - the characters travel the world in an effort to achieve their goals.

Third-person limited point of view following Dr. Kate Warner, a brilliant geneticist, as well as various other characters such as David Vale, Dorian Sloane, and Dr. Paul Brenner.

Tense, anxious, action-packed

Protagonist: Dr. Kate Warner, a brilliant geneticist who must go on the run while attempting to discover a cure for the terrible plague that is devastating the world. Antagonist: the forces of the Immari, who are trying to take over the world, as well as the philosophy of the Atlantean Ares, who wants the experiment to proceed as well.

Humans have a particular gene, called the Atlantean gene, that is in everyone but is only active in some people. The Immari inadvertently released a plague on the world that kills those with a dormant Atlantis gene but evolutionarily improves those with an active one. This plague kills billions, and Kate must find a way to stop it before humanity is destroyed.

At the end of the novel, Kate and David find out that the ark on Malta is the source of the disease while actually providing a radius of safety for the island itself, and they resolve to go there to find the cure for the Atlantis plague.

The prologue, depicting two Atlanteans landing on Earth, and one of them saving the lives of dying humans, foreshadows the rest of the novel, wherein these two Atlanteans are identified and revealed as inhabiting major characters in the novel.

“I’d like to check it out.”
Her companion gave her a questioning look.
“Just to take some samples.” - Janus (Prologue)

The novel alludes to real-world places, people, and organizations, such as the UN, Malta, Greek and Roman mythological figures, ancient civilizations, and Spain.

As the title implies, there is an alien plague plaguing the world, killing billions and leaving some alive and even stronger than before being affected by the disease. This disease has terrible side effects for most, though, and there are many descriptions of dead and dying people, with blood and other nasty bodily fluids and odors on full display. This portrayal of the deadly effects of disease is unpleasantly effective.

The Immari are advocates of allowing the plague to continue unimpeded and taking advantage of the natural selection to ally themselves with the strong and establish a new world order. Paradoxically, statistically speaking, most of the Immari themselves probably won't survive the plague.

The characters of Kate and Dorian parallel those of the Atlanteans Janus and Ares, who are actually inhabiting them, making their parallel characteristics and conflicts understandable.

“Alpha Lander One, I’m reading abnormal vitals.” (Prologue)

“Above her, the low whine of an electric motor broke the silence as the tiny video camera panned away from the woman to face Kate, prompting her, saying: file your report.” (Ch. 1)