On the first few pages, an ancient virus is released to the world. Then people start dying.

This is not so much a novel as a collection of short stories that are connected by the world, and sometimes share some of the characters. All stories deal with different aspects of how a pandemic plays out if it is really bad. There is no cure, no real treatment, people suffer, die, lose friends, family and hope, grieve. For 300 pages.

This might sound bleak, because it really is. Some of the stories messed me up a lot. But at the same time, the stories, how they relate, most of the characters, are fascinating and beautiful. So I do recommend this, but be warned that it can be tough.