Virals, by Kathy and Brendan Reichs | Series Review

Gi Hallmark | The Children’s Book Review | August 21, 2014

The Virals Series

What to expect: Science Fiction, Forensics, Technology, Action, Humor, Animals, Geocaching, High School, Mystery, Suspense, Friendships

In Virals, acclaimed mother and son writing duo Kathy and Brendan Reichs have created a captivating and enthralling series by incorporating science fiction and crime with a contemporary perspective, via 4 teens who are navigating an unusually adventurous adolescence. Tory, Hi, Shelton and Ben (“the pack”) have been infected with canine parvovirus and as a result, they have seemingly been permanently altered. Though their secretive altered state breeds uncertainty and fear, the pack finds they can use it to their advantage as they solve mysteries, avenge justice, dodge violent criminals, and navigate high school.

The series, which currently includes titles Virals, Seizure, Code, and Exposure, is complete with all the elements that make YA Fiction compelling; Tory, Hi, Shelton and Ben are humorous, relatable, and passionate characters and the plots and subplots in each of the books are suspenseful and inventive. The pack, who consider themselves underprivileged high school outcasts in a privileged town, demonstrate admirable resilience and inspiring loyalty while faced with significant challenges and uncertainty. Though each member of the pack has a distinct personality that is as equally entertaining as the crime fighting plots themselves, the Reichs leverage the pack’s intelligence, skills and logic to construct the framework of the story, which is a refreshing approach, and makes for an intellectual and thrilling read. Virals serves as a beacon for young adult readers interested in STEM who are looking for entertaining fiction characters and plots to feed those interests.

Virals, Seizure, Code, and Exposure build upon each other with interlaced storylines but can be read non-sequentially; Terminal, the eagerly awaited 5^th and final book in the series, is due in spring 2015. Though the publisher recommends the series for the 9-12 age range, this series will best suit the 12 and up range and will appeal across genders.

Virals

By Kathy Reichs and Brendan Reichs

Publisher’s Synopsis: Adventure is in Tory Brennan’s blood. After all, she’s the grandniece of world-famous forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. Always up for a challenge, Tory and her science-geek friends spend their time exploring the marshlands of Loggerhead Island, home to the very off-limits Loggerhead Island Research Institute, where something strange is going on. After rescuing a stray wolfdog pup from a top-secret lab, Tory and her friends are exposed to a rare strain of canine parvovirus, changing them–and their DNA–forever. Now they are more than friends. They are a pack. They are Virals. And they’re dangerous to the core.

Ages 12+| Puffin Books | 480 pages | August 2011 | ISBN 978-1-59514-426-3

Seizure

By Kathy Reichs and Brendan Reichs

Publisher’s Synopsis: Tory and her friends are just starting to get a handle on their super-heightened wolf-like capabilities—contracted during a medical experiment gone horribly wrong—when they find out funding is being pulled from the institute where their parents work. The pack now faces its greatest fear—separation. So when Tory stumbles across ancient lore hinting at a lost pirate treasure, the Virals devise a risky plan that pits them against fiendish traps, headless corpses, and deep underground tunnels. But they’re not the only ones looking, and the competition could be lethal.

Ages 12+ | Puffin Books | 512 pages | March 2013 | ISBN 978-1-59514-486-7

Code

By Kathy Reichs and Brendan Reichs

Publisher’s Synopsis: Tory and the rest of the Virals are put to the ultimate test when they find a geocache containing an ornate puzzle box. Shelton decodes the cipher inside, only to find more tantalizing clues left by “The Gamemaster.” A second, greater geocache is within reach—if the Virals are up to the challenge. But the hunt takes a dark turn when Tory locates the other box—it contains a fake bomb, along with a sinister proposal from The Gamemaster. Now, the real game has begun: another bomb is out there—a real one—and the clock is ticking.

Ages 12+ | Puffin Books | 432 pages | December 2013 | ISBN 978-1-59514-572-7

Exposure

By Kathy Reichs and Brendan Reichs

Publisher’s Synopsis: When twin classmates are abducted from Bolton Prep, Tory and the Virals decide there’s no one better equipped than them to investigate. But the gang has other problems to face. Their powers are growing wilder, and becoming harder to control. Chance Claybourne is investigating the disastrous medical experiment that twisted their DNA. The bonds that unite them are weakening, threatening the future of the pack itself.

Ages 12+ | G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers | 432 pages | March 2014 | ISBN 978-1-59514-530-7

Readers May Also Enjoy:

These Virals short story e-books:

Shift

By Kathy Reichs and Brendan Reichs

Publisher’s Synopsis: Tory’s great aunt, Temperance Brennan, visits just in time to investigate a robbery at the Loggerhead Island Research Institute. As a renowned forensic anthropologist, Tempe is obviously qualified to figure out whodunit, but Tory and her Virals pack want to crack the case on their own. Yet the crime is puzzling. Who could have accessed the labs at LIRI, and how could they have gotten the equipment off the island?

Ages 12 + | G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers | 80 pages | March 2013 | ISBN 978-1-10163-059-4

Swipe

By Kathy Reichs and Brendan Reichs

Publisher’s Synopsis: Having Temperance Brennan for a great-aunt comes with a few perks—including an invite to the famous forensic anthropologist’s book signing at Comic-Con. But while Tory and the Virals are taking in the legendary convention in all its nerdy glory, a priceless Terminator robot is stolen from the crowded exhibition hall. When the bot-napper threatens to destroy it unless a hefty ransom is paid, Tory leaps at the chance to help her aunt Tempe with the investigation.

Ages 12 + | G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers | 48 pages | December 2013 | ISBN 978-0-69816-077-4

About the Authors

Kathy Reichs, like her iconic character Dr. Temperance Brennan, is a board-certified forensic anthropologist. The creator of the Fox television hit Bones, now in its ninth season, Reichs has written sixteen books in the Temperance Brennan series, all New York Times bestsellers, including #1. Learn more about Kathy at www.kathyreichs.com. 

Brendan Reichs was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. He graduated from Wake Forest University in 2000 and The George Washington University School of Law in 2006. After three long years working as a litigation attorney, he abandoned the trade to co-write the Virals series. He lives in Charlotte with his wife, Emily, daughter, Alice and son, Henry. He plans to keep writing novels until they drag him from his desk. Learn more about Brendan at www.brendanreichs.com.

Read our interview with Brendan Reichs.

The Virals series, by Kathy and Brendan Reich, was reviewed by Gi Hallmark. Follow along with our Science Fiction Books tag to discover more great books in this genre.