Review: Virals by Kathy Reichs

Virals by Kathy Reichs

Publication Date November 2nd, 2010

Published by Razorbill Penguin

Hardcover, 464 Pages

Source: New York Comic Con, Penguin Publishing

Summary 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."



Review: *****+ = 5+ Stars

This is the first book of this length that I have read in one day. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I haven't read any of Kathy's previous books, but I will definitely be picking up her Bones series (the lead character in Virals is the niece of the lead character in that series).

Tory Brennan is the main character. She becomes the leader of a group of science geeks who accidentally stumble on to an experiment with parvo virus (a very deadly disease for puppies). Tory and her friends find some dog tags and on the way to clean them off rescue a wolf/puppy from the lab. They are then exposed to a new strain of the disease. Tory, Hi (Hiram), Ben and Shelton realize they have been infected. Soon they are all very sick, vomitting, dizzy, feverish and strange things begin happenning to them. Things start getting really interesting when  the dog tags they found lead them to a cold case murder.

This ties into the Bones series a lot, because Tory's Aunt Temperance uses science as well to solve crimes. Using the enhanced gifts that the parvo virus leaves them with, the team, also known as The Virals, works their way through the cold case, solving the crime.

I really loved each of the characters. They all brought something unique to the pack. This has become one of my all time favorite YA books and I look forward to Kathy's other books.

This comes out tomorrow and I definitely recommend it to everyone!

To learn more about Kathy, and her adult series, check out her webpage:

Kathy Reichs

Jackie :)