Rating: 
Summary: COMPLEX AND INCOHERENT BUT INTERESTING
Review: That about says it for Jeff Long's "Year Zero." I found this to be a very depressing novel, though. The gloom permeates the novel and while that is probably necessary for this particular book, it's not the kind of book to read on a rainy day or stormy night. Nathan Lee, poor guy, goes through hell to make it to the Los Alamos site where scientists are working feverishly to come up with a cure for a centuries old plague released by a greedy Greek millionaire. The plot's been described elsewhere, so in to avoid redundancy, I shall refrain from any more on this. Long's pacing is very slow at times and you just want him to get on with things. There are some marvelous scenarios though, one of which is the time devoted to Nathan's working with the clones to "humanize" them. The relationships between he, Izzy and the clones is touching and interesting. The character of David Ochs is rightfully despicable and there is one cruel segment where he urges Nathan to find his missing daughter. His suggestion when this happens typifies the nastiest of villains in some time.
This is a truly apocalyptic novel, and I hope mankind never has to deal with this type of plague and that if he does, he behaves a little better.
My biggest concern centers on the clone for Cavendish, the mad scientist. He disappears from the book for pages and pages, and yet figures very prominently in the book's denouement. More of him might have made his acts at the end more understandable?
RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS.
Rating: 
Summary: A real let down
Review: I really enjoyed Long's previous book, and was looking foward to reading this with great anticipation. I was shocked at the poor level of quality of Year Zero. Long writes a simplistic good vs. evil story with no shades of gray and, concequently, no tension or intelligence. If you want to read a great doomsday novel, try The Stand by King or We All Fall Down by Caldwell. Both are intelligent and gripping- two characteristics that this book do not have.
Rating: 
Summary: Totally disappointing
Review: After my euphoria following reading Descent, I expected a family resemblance. I don't know who wrote all those "words of praise" you find inside the front cover, but maybe alternate employment can be suggested.
The first third was OK, because the author was leading up to something. Just OK. The second third was so-so, because the protagonist stumbled across something potentially big. Really slowed down for no apparent reason. There was so much potential to construct a really good story.Then it totally fell apart. The author had various exciting options to pursue, but rather decided to go downhill with a grammar school rendition about good guys and bad guys across the river from each other. The book did eventually come to a boring end, thank God, but I'm still not sure who came out the best. An entirely unsatisfying reading experience.
Shame on the author. Something like this should be banned after previous quality has been demonstrated in at least one earlier book.
Rating: 
Summary: Perfect Companion to SARS
Review: I read this novel a year ago, and I still think about it. It's that damn good. It's also the perfect companion to the new SARS pandemic. You read the novel and wonder "Wow! How would I respond to such a situation." Then you can open your newspaper, read the latest alarming reports on the seemingly upstoppable SARS pandemic, and wonder no longer. After reading both this novel and "The Descent," which I highly recommend, I've come to believe that he is truly Michael Crichton's heir apparent. "Year Zero" is certainly far better than Crichton's latest novel, "Prey." I agree with many readers that the ending does not quite meet your expectations, but the novel as a whole seizes such hold of your imagination that it is a minor drawback. In any case, I look forward to Mr. Long's next opus with great anticipation.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I picked up Year Zero because the back-of-the-book plot description caught my eye. The idea of a Jesus-clone was new, original, and I liked it. Unfortunately, the book was more about the struggle to save the world and the side-stories of the main characters than it was about the Jesus-clone, as I had expected. That's not to say it wasn't a good book, because I did enjoy reading it, but it was a big let-down. I wanted to see more done with the idea of Jesus being accidentally cloned, by pure coincidence. There was very little mention of it at all. A scene in which the thoughts of the real Jesus-clone are revealed, and brief mentions of a false Jesus clone who had been coached. Other than that, nothing. Over all, I found Year Zero to be a VERY disappointing book. The back-of-the-book promised, but didn't deliver. ...
Rating:
Summary: Not Science Fiction
Review: I am sorry but this book is no more Science Fiction than "The Stand". Unexplained details about the plague and the cloning leave a Science Fiction reader wanting. Also, the villain was contrived and the ending was vague and lacked closure. I cannot recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A voice like no other
Review: I happened upon Jeff Long's previous novel, The Descent, completely by accident and was immediately enthralled by the concept, and overwhelmed by the writing. A happy accident to be sure. Long writes in a style that is both entertainingly smooth and deeply poetic. He has a rich grasp of language and inventive metaphors - two signs of a natural writer. In Year Zero, I was once again absorbed by Long's colorful prose and passionate characters. There was a point where the hero, Nathan Lee Swift, is travelling the ocean on an iceburg, loosing himself while avoiding a plague, that was so fresh and involving that I knew I would be a life-long fan of Long's work. When I read the way he describes the Northern Lights as a "rainbow dreaming", the image sent a chill through me, for in today's world of fiction where every chapter over 5 pages seems extreme, this attention to imagery touched me in a way I cannot explain efficiently. As for the story, it is not to all taste, but the cover synopsis will tell you that. I will not go into plot details here, as the story is a joy to discover through the eyes of the characters. Following on the heels of The Descent, I doubted this one could match it, and it certainly comes close. The last few chapters seem a tad rushed and, on the surface, a little vague (in retrospect, everything is clearly explained through clues left earlier - for "Ben" is more than he lets on), but the writing never sags or looses its depth. Overall, an impressive achievment and a beautifully written story. I mean, just that opening line! When you finish, go back and read it again. So much subtext in this work, so little time. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Good SciFi, no matter what they say
Review: It irritates me no end when publishers, or whoever decides that a book is in some category or another and thus readers of a certain genre may over look it. For some reason Year Zero is in simple fiction as opposed to Science Fiction; believe me, this is Science Fiction at it's very best. I bought this because it was on a table with 'new in paperback' and I was headed out for a week in Central America. I'm sure glad I did; this is one terrific read. I was absorbed in it the first 4 days and then my son took it for the rest of the week and was just as delighted. I haven't read anything else by Jeff Long, but I'm looking forward to it. This book has big, bold themes and while the 'science' may be a bit weak, it is good enough. The moral lesson is not a ball-bat to the head, but it's there for you if you want. I really recommend this book and wish that publishers did not, as Kurt Vonnegut once observed, put all SciFi in one drawer and then use that drawer as a urinal. Good SciFi is good fiction; plan and simple.
Rating:
Summary: Overall a good book
Review: This book is a good read. However at sometimes the book got boring, and at the end just like another reviewer said, it just leaves to much up at the end. Still if you into this genre you would like this book, if not do not read it.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing!!!
Review: I agree with the other comments listed earlier. The story line concept is good and the first 200 pages were captivating. Once you past the half way mark, the whole story just collapses. I found the character developement extremely weak. You cant feel for any of the characters. It took me 2/3 into the book to realize who the main characters are. Overall disappointment!
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