Review of VIRALS by Guest Blogger Clare, Age 12


Virals is a mysterious and fast paced science fiction novel by Kathy Reichs, author of the highly acclaimed Temperance Brennan series. This is her first young adult book. It follows Temperance's great niece, Tory Brennan as she and her friends discover secret testing facilities, strange experiments, and a deep set mystery in her new hometown. They are forced not only to rethink the world they live in, but also themselves as they become infected with a strange virus that gives them canine reflexes and senses.
 
I enjoy the main character for her dry humor and intelligence. She is given lacey gifts and signed up for classical dance lessons by her distracted and characteristically aggravating step-mother. These painfully tedious experiences make you relate to her, and make you feel like you're the one in the story. She also shows her scientifically inclined personality by adventuring on a neighboring island and befriending a wolf pup. It is introduced early on that Tory would rather categorize seashells than text, showing that she does not necessarily fit in the with the popular crowd. I felt that it added to the story and made the book extremely interesting.
 
It is a perfect book for people interested in science fiction and equally good for mystery lovers. It draws in readers of all ages, with a compelling plot and complex story.
 
My favorite books are: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, The Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody, and The Immortals Series by Tamora Pierce. I go to Nueva School and am in 6th grade.