Virals (Virals, Book 1) [Hardcover]

Kathy Reichs (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 2, 2010 | Age Range: 10 and up | Series: Virals (Book 1) | Lexile Measure: 480L (What's this?)

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.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Amazon Best Books of the Month, November 2010: Kathy Reichs, creator of the hit television show and mystery series, Bones, brings her bestselling blend of science and suspense to teens with the first in a new series, Virals. Tory is the science-obsessed niece of a famous forensic anthropologist, Temperance Brennan (star of the Bones program and novels), living on a remote island off the coast of South Carolina. An old military ID tag leads Tory and her best friends, Ben, Hi, and Shelton--all self proclaimed “sci-philes”--to an illegal research lab, where they are exposed to a mutant strain of canine parvovirus. When the teens begin experiencing preternatural physical changes, their search for answers brings them in contact with cold-blooded killers. Reichs’s characters are realistically drawn modern teenagers, and the state-of-the-art forensic details give this thriller an added edge. Short, heart-pounding chapters move the action forward at breakneck speed and the satisfying conclusion sets the tone for the next installment (coming in summer of 2011). --Seira Wilson

From School Library Journal

Gr 6-10–Tory Brennan, 14, lives on an island off the coast of South Carolina. Her newly discovered father works in science research for the University of Charleston, which is why she and her friends with similar pedigrees attend the ritzy prep school in town with the local aristocracy. Tory and her three friends, all boys, are science geeks and love to explore the outer islands where monkeys and other wildlife abound. While exploring a supposedly deserted lab complex, they discover the caged offspring of a wolf and German shepherd that has been diagnosed with parvovirus. Tory's concern leads the group to rescue the pup with the notion of curing and saving it from science experiments. Tory knows that parvo cannot infect humans, but once the treatment begins the four teens start to experience symptoms that make them doubt her initial belief. Along the way, they also stumble upon a murder mystery dating back to the Vietnam War era that quickly becomes linked to the mysterious science experiments that are being kept hidden on the islands. What starts as a science mystery thriller takes a sharp right turn into the realm of science fiction with genetically altered DNA and superhuman senses that may cause more savvy readers to scoff. However, the fast-paced thrills, cool science, and great characters will create a flood of fans waiting for the next installment.–Jake Pettit, Thompson Valley High School, Loveland, CO. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Razorbill; First Edition edition (November 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595143424
• ISBN-13: 978-1595143426
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (163 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #216,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kathy Reichs, like her fictional creation, Temperance Brennan, is forensic anthropologist for the province of Quebec. She is Vice President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, serves on the Canadian National Police Services Advisory Council, and is one of only fifty-six forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. A professor of anthropology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Dr. Reichs now divides her time between Charlotte and Montreal. Deja Dead, her debut novel, brought her fame when it became a New York Times bestseller and won the 1997 Ellis Award for Best First Novel. In 2007 Break No Bones was short- listed for the Ellis Award for Best Novel. Kathy Reichs is the inspiration for the television drama Bones; her latest novel featuring Temperance Brennan is Devil Bones. Her newest release, 206 Bones, is due out in the summer of 2009

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

(What's this?)

#98 Overall (See top 100 authors)

#15 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

#18 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#24 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers

#27 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers

#30 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction

#15 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery

#18 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#24 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Thrillers

#27 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Thrillers

#30 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too November 5, 2010

By TeensReadToo

Format:Hardcover

Gold Star Award Winner!

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 doesn't want that information uncovered, and they'll 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, they're 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. I'm already waiting for the next book in the series.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing July 26, 2011

By Marit Strand

Format:Hardcover

I was really looking forward to this book, and thought that it would be fun to follow some young protaganists for once - but these "super kids" just were not that believable as characters, and the plot went from thin to well, nothing, and the book just fell apart. I see some reviews are very positive, so maybe that says more about what the alternatives are than anything else. I think young readers deserve better!

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Virals - Kathy Reichs July 10, 2011

By Catbatty

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Wasn't sure about this book when I started it - in fact I read the first chapter and then had to put it down for a while as it isn't her usual style, but once I started reading again I couldn't put it down - excellent read and very different from her usual books. I look forward to more of these characters in the future - please.