This book moves along quickly and is an easy read.
I was fully willing to suspend my disbelief about a patient with magic blood that cures cancer. However, there were a handful of ethical issues that were never addressed, including choices by bodyguard Brandon and Calla’s choices in the conclusion of the book. The book was also fairly forthcoming with information until a major point toward the end that was intentionally obscured for a few chapters. I feel this hurt the intensity of the story and should’ve just been mentioned upfront. Interesting book.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy!

Thanks to the Greenleaf Book Group Press and Netgalley for this eArc. This story was a bit hard to believe, as everything was a little too convenient as in everything that can go wrong goes wrong. I would rather have more plausibility within a sci-fi novel, especially within the medical sci-fi realm.

Calla Hammond has a skin condition and a disjounted family history that makes her feel alone. But when doctors discover that her blood may cure cancer, she becomes the star of the Panacea Project. She gains a few new friends as folks from around the world try to get a piece of her - literally. But when things go too far, Calla and the world are at risk.
This book is touted as a medical thriller. I liked the action close to the end. But the actual ending was almost a letdown and not what I was expecting. Other parts, including a tentative romance, workplace tension and a kidnapping, also felt disjointed. And the story is a bit boring in the beginning and the middle. I wasn't sitting at the edge of my seat, which is usually the case in a thriller.
The short chapters do enhance the reading experience.

The Panacea Project by Catherine Devore Johnson tells the story of Calla Hammond whose blood has a miraculous ability to cure cancer. She became the focus of an intensive medical research project that required her to undergo countless lab tests and blood draws in an effort to understand how her blood and immune system works and to develop a different way to treat cancer. Her life changed drastically and she finds herself being taken advantaged of and exploited by people who are desperate to get ahold her blood for their own personal gain when the confidential details of her condition was leaked to the public.

I was drawn to the book by its title and became interested after reading the synopsis. I was afraid that the story would be too complicated for me to follow because of all the medical jargon, but the author worded it so that it was still easy to read and comprehend. Even though I had fun reading this book, I thought there wasn't enough thrill and excitement, and there were moments when I didn't feel invested in the plot. Overall though, it was a fascinating and entertaining read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for my copy of The Panacea Project.

not a bad book, but lacking the depth needed for it to really be the horrifying, heart-pounding story that i think it was supposed to be.

there were a lot of missed opportunities for exploring the moral and societal implications of the premise that this book presented, and had it really delved into these through more multifaceted characters, i think it would have been a much more fascinating read. as it stands though, this was still an entertaining, if somewhat shallow, read.

thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the arc!

⪼ 3 stars.

I really do not know what to say. It is sad, horrifying, sweet and hopeful and a thoroughly excellent read. Could not put it down and stayed up till the wee small hours to finish it.

‘The Panacea Project’ has such a unique-sounding premise that I just had to give it a go! Almost immediately, the story gets going and it’s one of those books you can fly through. The chapters are incredibly short (my favorite thing!), and the lead, Calla, is endearing and kind. I found myself so anxious for her safety as the story went on!

Unfortunately, as a whole, this one didn’t quite do it for me. While I loved the shorter chapters, I felt the characters (and the story itself) lacked some needed depth. I was also not wild about the romance. I usually need at least a little romance in my books, but I don’t feel it was necessary for this one, and I didn’t find it super believable. That might tie back to the lack of depth that I struggled with. This is also one of those books that gets really farfetched. For the most part, that didn’t bother me. There were a handful of moments that had me quirking my brow though.

As I alluded to above, Calla really was a wonderful main character. She was easy to root for, and I couldn’t help but get invested in her life. I was thrilled to see her forming new friendships – I love a good found family and I felt like she achieved that. I also, unexpectedly, cried at the end. Given that I previously mentioned a lack of depth, I didn’t realize quite how emotional I would be.

In short, if the premise sounds interesting to you, give it a shot! It’s a quick read, and I don’t regret picking it up.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Unique idea, but quickly became super far fetched and unbelievable. Characters didn't seem to really have any depth.

Take Grey's, mix it with a crazy sci-fi plot and you pretty much have this book in a nutshell.

Thank you NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group Press for my DRC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Panacea Project" by Catherine Devore Johnson is a captivating medical thriller that explores profound themes of bodily autonomy and ethical dilemmas in medical research. The story follows Calla Hammond, whose immune system holds the key to curing cancer. As she navigates a world that sees her as a mere means to an end, she finds strength in her newly formed chosen family.

Johnson masterfully blends suspense with deep emotional and ethical questions, creating a narrative that is both heartwarming and chilling. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making the story both engaging and impactful.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy intense, character-driven thrillers with a strong ethical core.

The Panacea Project will keep you glued to the page from start to finish while also slowly ripping your heart to absolute shreds. This fast-paced, emotional rollercoaster addresses the ethical quandaries that medical advancement and clinical trials often create in a way not dissimilar to that of the famed Trolley Problem. Should one be denied their right to bodily autonomy if it would mean the lives of countless others could be saved?

At its core, the book follows Calla Hammond, a young woman whose immune system holds the potential to cure cancer. Having spent most of her life alone in the shadows, she suddenly finds herself thrust into the spotlight, targeted by both desperate families and also powerful entities seeking to exploit her for profit. The narrative explores the sinister lengths to which pharmaceutical companies might go to maintain their billion-dollar treatments and therapies, raising the unsettling question: Would they intentionally prevent a cure? While the example in this book is on the extreme side, it still doesn't feel at all outside the realm of possibility and that realization is utterly chilling and disturbing.

Johnson manages to create a cast full of characters who are both likeable and easy to emphathize with. I can't recall the last time that I found myself caring so immensely for fictional characters as I did for Calla and her chosen family members. I actually almost wish that I cared less because the emotions this story led me to experience were visceral, painful, and devastating. I seldomly cry, but I was absolutely bawling by the final chapters of this one.

In summary, The Panacea Project is a powerful, tear-wrenching read that tackles heavy themes with extraordinary grace. I highly, highly recommend it to anyone seeking a cathartic, thought-provoking read. I won't be forgetting this one anytime soon.

Thanks to Netgalley & Greenleaf Book Group for the digital review copy!