The Surrogate

A Young Woman Trapped in the Greed and Power of the IVF Industry (Dangerous Doctors Series Book 2)

Fiction - Thriller - Medical
534 Pages
Reviewed on 11/20/2019
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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Surrogate is a work of medical thriller fiction subtitled “When the Promise of IVF Goes Terribly Wrong”, and was penned by author Dimitri Markov. The second volume in the Dangerous Doctors series, the book is recommended for adults due to its highly graphic content, explicit language, and sexual situations. The story revolves around Marina Bonnaserra, whose life so far has been plagued by violent and unfulfilling relationships. When Marina considers the possibility of having a child through IVF, the process seems simple enough at first. But when not all of her eggs can be accounted for, so begins a dangerous investigation that could put her, and her pregnancy, at risk.

Author Dimitri Markov takes a really fascinating look at the darker side of doctoring in this intriguing and well-arranged mystery novel. The character development of Marina Bonnaserra is solid, endearing audiences to her at once for her kind nature and tragic past. The use of dialogue cleverly brings us straight into her world and her home life and, throughout the novel, readers will be invested in the trials and tribulations that she has to endure at the hands of the more sinister characters of the plot. As a reader, I can say that overall the plot is well delivered, accomplished and surprising right up to its final and devastating conclusions. The Surrogate is a truly chilling thriller with a unique concept that many medical fiction readers and thriller fans are certain to be intrigued by from cover to cover.

Ruffina Oserio

The Surrogate: A Young Woman Trapped in the Greed and Power of the IVF Industry by Dimitri Markov is the second book in the Dangerous Doctors Series, a medical thriller with very strong themes and exceptional characters. In this entry, the reader encounters Marina Bonnaserra, a trim, pretty thirty-two-year-old nurse and an amateur artist, a woman who has had her fair share of pain, including sexual assault as a teenager. As a nurse, she doesn’t feel connected with herself and the man in her life doesn’t seem to be keen on fatherhood. She is determined to have her own child, so she considers IVF. What happens in the process is something she never bargained for. She is able to produce more fertilized eggs than is accounted for. She needs to locate them and that means pitting herself against the corporate world of IVF. Can one woman survive against the power and greed of the IVF corporate world?

This is a spellbinding thriller with a fascinating protagonist that explores IVF corporate greed. We encounter a female protagonist who is genuinely flawed, a young woman who has been emotionally and physically hurt, and whose desire to have a child is so strong it ushers her into a world that can destroy her. She is intelligent and intuitive, driven by a strong passion. When the obsession to locate her fertilized eggs sets in, readers definitely want to see what happens to her. Dimitri Markov is a great storyteller and he crafts a plot that is unpredictable. It is hard to guess what happens next and the suspense keeps the reader turning the pages. The novel stands out in its originality. The narrative voice is confident and the prose contains a fluidity that makes for an enjoyable read. The Surrogate is a captivating story with strong themes of parenthood, corporate greed and intrigue, and the quest for a deeper human connection.

Rabia Tanveer

The Surrogate: A Young Woman Trapped in the Greed and Power of the IVF Industry is the second book in the Dangerous Doctors Series by Dimitri Markov. Marina Bonnaserra is a SINK, Single Income With No Kids, and is a fighter who works as an administrative nurse. Throughout her life, she faced challenges that very few people experienced. Her relationship with Charlie is going nowhere and she is desperate to start a family of her own. All she wants is a child so she takes the IVF route, hoping to get a child and a chance at happiness. However, the more she delves deeper into the world of IVF, the more she realizes that all is not as it seems. It appears that the medical staff has not been honest with her about her eggs and how many of them have been fertilized. She needs to stand up for her rights, but can she do it all on her own?

I am blown away by the talented way this author writes his novels. Author Dimitri Markov has a way with words that not only makes the story interesting but makes you a part of it as well. This medical thriller is simply phenomenal, the character building was amazing, the plot was impressive and the execution of the story was great. I enjoyed how Marina was portrayed, she was desperate but she always had her presence of mind. She had a hold on her wits and she made use of her intelligence in the best way possible. The author brings some very serious yet real issues to light, making sure that the world is aware of what is happening and what could really happen. I applaud the author for making sure that society is aware of these atrocities. This is yet another brilliant story, one that everyone will enjoy!