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Book Review of Virals (Tory Brennan, Bk 1)

Virals (Tory Brennan, Bk 1)
GeniusJen avatar reviewed on + 5322 more book reviews


Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com

Tory and her father live on an island reserved for the faculty who work at the remote research facility on a nearby island. She and her friends often explore the research island. One day, she convinces them to break into the facility to use their equipment in rejuvenating a dog tag ID they found in the woods.

While they have no problems cleaning the dog tags, they discover a missing wild puppy locked in a cage. Outraged, they immediately break Coop out and hide him in their secret cavern.

Tory and her friends take turns caring for the puppy while also trying to unravel the mystery surrounding the dog tags. They search the library, where they uncover clues to the identity of the man. Unfortunately, their search triggers a reaction. Someone doesnt want that information uncovered, and theyll do almost anything to keep Tory and her friends from learning and sharing the truth.

Coop is sick, sick with a strand of virus that infects Tory and her friends. Suddenly, theyre having hot flashes, blacking out, and using bursts of adrenaline to execute inhuman feats. These feats occur in times of extreme danger being followed, chased, shot at, or while breaking into secure buildings.

VIRALS is Kathy Reichs' first foray into the young adult world, and she knocks it out of the park. After a slow start, the tension, drama, danger, mystery, and the strange virus pulsing through the characters' bodies make this book extraordinarily hard to put down. Im already waiting for the next book in the series.