Bookstagram Review: The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang

Today, we are joining the Bookstagram tour for medical thriller The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang! Check out this thriller, learn about the author & be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post too!

 

​Book Title:  THE REGRESSION STRAIN (A THRILLER) by Kevin Hwang
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  344 pages
Genre: Medical Thriller
Publisher: Normal Range Press
Release date:  May 2025
Content Rating: PG-13 + M because of s-words, f-words, suicide, violence, and references to sexual abuse (but not dramatized on the page)

 

"With tight pacing, visceral horror, and sharp psychological insight, The Regression Strain explores what happens when science, instinct, and morality collide..." — K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite

Awards
First Place, 2025 Independent Author Network (IAN) Book of the Year Award, Thriller category
Gold Medal, 2025 Readers' Favorite, General Thriller category
Medical Thriller of the Year, 2025 Best Thrillers Book Awards

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.  

about the book

Nobody’s safe when the inner beast awakens...

Dr. Peter Palma joins the medical team of the Paradise to treat passengers for minor ailments as the cruise ship sails across the Atlantic. But he soon discovers that something foul is festering under the veneer of leisure. Deep in the bowels of the ship, a vile affliction pits loved ones against each other and shatters the bonds of civil society. The brig fills with felons, the morgue with bodies, and the vacation becomes a nightmare.

One by one, the chaos claims Peter's allies. His mentor spirals into madness and the security chief fights a losing battle against anarchy. No help comes from the captain, who has an ego bigger than the ocean.

With the ship racing toward an unprepared New York, the fate of humanity hinges on Peter's deteriorating judgment. But he's hallucinating and delirious...and sometimes primal urges are impossible to resist.

The Regression Strain is a fast-paced medical thriller laced with psychological suspense, perfect for fans of Michael Crichton and Blake Crouch.

 

my review

The Regression Strain pulls readers into a very plausible setting and scenario. Medical thrills and psychological drama takes center stage in Regression Strain. Regression Strain pulls you into a story that feels just believable enough to make you pause and think. The science is there, but it never feels overwhelming, and the pacing keeps things moving. You might have to roll with a few moments, but overall it’s an easy, immersive read with a cool, slightly eerie edge.

 

Expect a relatable main character. The characters are engaging--and easy enough to identify with. Especially the main character, who feels real in how he reacts to the growing situation under pressure. Character decisions and struggles keep the story grounded, even when things get intense. The side characters add some different perspectives, though a few could’ve been explored a bit more. Still, the character dynamics definitely help keep you invested as the story progresses.

 

Would I Recommend The Regression Strain? Overall, I’d recommend this to fans of fast-paced medical thrillers with a bit of a “what if?” twist. If you like books that mix science, suspense, and just enough depth to make you think—but still keep you turning pages—this one’s worth checking out.

 

buy the book

Amazon ~ B&N ~ Bookshop.org
​add to goodreads

 

meet the author 

Kevin Hwang, MD, is an internal medicine physician and professor at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, where he sees patients, teaches residents, and leads research and quality improvement projects. Nothing excites him more than chicken enchiladas, index cards, and appropriately sized packaging.

Connect with the Author: website ~ instagram ~ X ~ substack ~ goodreads

---

enter the giveaway

REGRESSION STRAIN Book Tour Giveaway