Sunday, August 5, 2012

Virals by Kathy Reichs


narrator: Cristin Milioti
  • Hardcover: 464 pages
  • Publisher: Razorbill; First Edition edition (November 2, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1595143424
  • ISBN-13: 978-1595143426
  •  Rating: 3stars (3.6)

  • From Goodreads:
    Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

    As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

    Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They are Virals.


    My Review:
    Tory Brennan is the niece of Temperence Brennan of the Bones books and the TV show of the same name. Tory is a smart and headstrong 14 year old teenage girl. A different tone than many of the YA books out right now, Virals is not about a teenage romance (though she does have a crush). This book is about 4 smart kids who live on an secluded island near Charleston, SC. Together they try to solve the mystery of a dog tag. Finding the dog tag leads to a 40 plus year old cold case that someone will kill to keep the truth buried. Finding the dog tag also leads to find a sick puppy (Copper) who has been illegally experimented on. While resucing and caring for the ill puppy the group contracts a new hybrid parvovirus. Between trying to solve the cold case and their new DNA mutalition their lives will never be the same.

    Can you tell I really liked this book. It is written in the first person, very conversational. I liked that this was not a teen romance. Romance is great but it's nice to take a break from it. My favorite character is Tory's friend, Hiram. His character actually had me laughing out loud several times. Read this if you love a good mystery. If you like YA minus the romance. If you love Scooby-doo. LOL I mean "jinkies... they would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for those meddling kids."

    Plot: 4  Characters: 4  Writing: 3 Other: 3*  Overall Feel: 4**

    *setting was average. narrator was average as far as differences in characters voices (definitely a good choice though).
    ** fast paced and interesting. I wanted to know what happened next. I will take a break but looking forward to getting to book 2.

    Fun and Games 2012:
    Bunnita Reading Travel Buggie

    Reading Challenges 2012:
    2012 Support Your Local Library
    2012 Young Adult Reading Challenge
    2012 50 State Reading Challenge

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