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Virulent #1
The Release
Lucy King is only an hour away from embarking on the most incredible vacation of her life: White sandy beaches in a tropical paradise, snorkeling and sunbathing in peaceful tranquility. But as Lucy looks forward to her trip, a sinister plot is unfolding that will demolish the world as she knows it. An unknown bio-terrorist group unleashes a virus that virtually wipes out the earth’s population—leaving Lucy, and a small faction of survivors, trapped inside her high school to wait out the apocalypse.
As war, looting, and death wreak havoc outside, inside, the students must contend with a tyrannical and paranoid principal and their own struggles of being orphaned, frightened, and unsure of what the future will bring.
What begins as a basic fight for survival turns into a search for answers that will challenge everything Lucy has ever known about her life and her family.
As war, looting, and death wreak havoc outside, inside, the students must contend with a tyrannical and paranoid principal and their own struggles of being orphaned, frightened, and unsure of what the future will bring.
What begins as a basic fight for survival turns into a search for answers that will challenge everything Lucy has ever known about her life and her family.
312 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
87 people are currently reading
1581 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
January 29, 2013
I am not one to normally read Post- Apocalyptic Novels or really even partake in any actual discussions on the theories that arise from people’s minds. When I first heard about the book, I was hesitant, but after the third page I was automatically hooked. Lucy is just a typical teenager in high school, who is planning on taking a vacation, but unfortunately never gets that far. An accidental forget homework assignment along with her mom’s persistence that it be completed upon return home leaves Lucy trapped inside her school, unknowing of the outside world. A virus has been released that is rapidly killing of the earth’s population. People are feeling the impact all over the world. Connections are unavailable, news stations only remain in existence until their in no one left to give the news, not that there is anyone left to hear about it, and the internet quickly becomes a thing of the past. The crazy principal Spencer claims that he wants to protect his remaining students and teachers from the harm going on, but doesn’t live up to the promises in his actions. As more and more die off Lucy, her best friend Salem, and a boy Grant, who Lucy didn’t even know that she knew her name, were the only ones left locked alone in the school with Spencer. Spencer wanted the safety of the school all to him-self and made sure that was clear. The students were locked in a small area of the school, Salem in mourning of her family and Lucy still hopefully awaiting her brother’s arrival. The three of them fight through their own problems and each other’s through the disaster, but remain together nevertheless. This book tells of a world ending disaster that does not involve some typical answer that anyone could come up with. And it seems real. The fear and the sadness in the book carries to the reader, as a good book should, it makes the reader wonder what they would do and feel if this situation were to ever happen.
March 16, 2017
This book consisted of heavy emotion which was brought out primarily through the character's dialogue. This was the interesting part because most books appeal to emotions through actions but where the actions were fairly basic in this book (collecting food, making plans, etc.), it was made up completely with the emotion in the dialogue of Lucy and her friends. This book still does deliver with some action and high intensity moments. It is interesting to imagine what the situation would be like if it actually happened, and the story taking place close to head gives that idea a head start. The ending of this book was interesting to say the least and I am intrigued to see what the sequels have to offer.
July 23, 2014
Synopsis:
Lucy King is only an hour away from embarking on the most incredible vacation of her life: White sandy beaches in a tropical paradise, snorkeling and sunbathing in peaceful tranquility. But as Lucy looks forward to her trip, a sinister plot is unfolding that will demolish the world as she knows it. An unknown bioterrorist group unleashes a virus that virtually wipes out the earth’s population—leaving Lucy, and a small faction of survivors, trapped inside her high school to wait out the apocalypse.
As war, looting, and death wreak havoc outside, inside, the students must contend with a tyrannical and paranoid principal and their own struggles of being orphaned, frightened, and unsure of what the future will bring.
What begins as a basic fight for survival turns into a search for answers that will challenge everything Lucy has ever known about her life and her family.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading this although it didn't draw me in completely. It kept me curious and wondering, though and that was one of the things I appreciated most about the book. The other thing I appreciated was that Lucy wasn't overly whiny. I think she reacted pretty well considering what all was going on. She freaked out and she got upset, but not in a way that annoyed me. She actually handled it pretty well. I'm not sure how I would have handled everything. Maybe not as well as Lucy did. Some of her decisions did make me want to shake her. I'm not sure what she could have done had she decided differently about staying in the school with that crazy principal, but I still think that was nuts. That man obviously couldn't handle the situation and that was just dangerous. I guess she's just lucky that Grant and Salem were with her.
Speaking of Salem, I wanted to smack her around a little. Being upset was certainly her right, but I don't like the way she came on to Grant. For his part, Grant handled things pretty well, too. He stuck around with Lucy when he didn't have to. He didn't fall apart, but he had his moments when he just needed to grieve as well. Really, these kids actually took pretty decent care of themselves. It was when Darla showed up to trade Lucy for whatever she had that things started to get more interesting. As soon as Darla mentioned a vaccine, I had an idea about some of what was going on. That creepy prologue definitely came back into play. At first, I thought Lucy's father was someone else, but then I figured he must have been someone else. Lucy isn't ready to accept his role in things, but soon enough she won't be able to ignore it, I'm sure.
She and Grant are on their way to try to find her family now, but I'm sure it won't be that easy. Even if she does find them, how will she let Ethan and Darla know? Even if she can let them know, what then? I wonder if the engineers of the virus will finally come forward and do whatever it is they put all of this in motion for. Why did they do it? That's what I want to know most and it's why I'll be reading book 2.
Lucy King is only an hour away from embarking on the most incredible vacation of her life: White sandy beaches in a tropical paradise, snorkeling and sunbathing in peaceful tranquility. But as Lucy looks forward to her trip, a sinister plot is unfolding that will demolish the world as she knows it. An unknown bioterrorist group unleashes a virus that virtually wipes out the earth’s population—leaving Lucy, and a small faction of survivors, trapped inside her high school to wait out the apocalypse.
As war, looting, and death wreak havoc outside, inside, the students must contend with a tyrannical and paranoid principal and their own struggles of being orphaned, frightened, and unsure of what the future will bring.
What begins as a basic fight for survival turns into a search for answers that will challenge everything Lucy has ever known about her life and her family.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading this although it didn't draw me in completely. It kept me curious and wondering, though and that was one of the things I appreciated most about the book. The other thing I appreciated was that Lucy wasn't overly whiny. I think she reacted pretty well considering what all was going on. She freaked out and she got upset, but not in a way that annoyed me. She actually handled it pretty well. I'm not sure how I would have handled everything. Maybe not as well as Lucy did. Some of her decisions did make me want to shake her. I'm not sure what she could have done had she decided differently about staying in the school with that crazy principal, but I still think that was nuts. That man obviously couldn't handle the situation and that was just dangerous. I guess she's just lucky that Grant and Salem were with her.
Speaking of Salem, I wanted to smack her around a little. Being upset was certainly her right, but I don't like the way she came on to Grant. For his part, Grant handled things pretty well, too. He stuck around with Lucy when he didn't have to. He didn't fall apart, but he had his moments when he just needed to grieve as well. Really, these kids actually took pretty decent care of themselves. It was when Darla showed up to trade Lucy for whatever she had that things started to get more interesting. As soon as Darla mentioned a vaccine, I had an idea about some of what was going on. That creepy prologue definitely came back into play. At first, I thought Lucy's father was someone else, but then I figured he must have been someone else. Lucy isn't ready to accept his role in things, but soon enough she won't be able to ignore it, I'm sure.
She and Grant are on their way to try to find her family now, but I'm sure it won't be that easy. Even if she does find them, how will she let Ethan and Darla know? Even if she can let them know, what then? I wonder if the engineers of the virus will finally come forward and do whatever it is they put all of this in motion for. Why did they do it? That's what I want to know most and it's why I'll be reading book 2.
April 15, 2013
I am an English teacher and I had by 9th grade students read this book and they loved it. These are kids who HATE to read, but they begged me everyday to continue reading. They loved the characters and the foreshadowing; it kept them hooked. The only thing that they are annoyed about is that the next book in the series isn't out yet.
April 19, 2018
Loved this book! And each book in the series gets better! What a great book for students who like the Hunger Games or Divergent. I'm always looking for engaging books and I have one student who cannot put this down! I'm excited to continue reading more from this author!
April 15, 2013
I'm a sucker for a good apocalyptic, dystopian or speculative novel. I love reading about someone's vision of what the future could be. I love books that make me think and keep me on my toes. I love a book that shows realistic reactions to crazy situations. I love a book that can make me feel like I'm watching a movie because the imagery is so vivid. The Release was all of these things. This is a fantastic entry to a series that I expect will only get better.
Lucy is an average teenager about to leave on vacation with her family. Realizing she has left her homework behind, she returns to the school only to find that it is in lockdown and some of her fellow classmates have died horrible deaths. A virus is sweeping the earth and killing everyone. Lucy and a small group of survivors are trapped inside the school by the principal who has become paranoid and won't let anyone in or out. What follows is the story of how Lucy and the others survive, how they deal with the loss of their families and friends, how they plan to escape, and what the heck is going on outside the school.
The imagery in this book is stunning in a very bleak and sometimes gory kind of way. The descriptions of the bodies, the symptoms of the virus, the descriptions of the rooms they are confined to - everything is described in a way that not only makes you see it, but also smell and hear and feel what the characters do. She weaves in details that really round out the picture as well: what they eat, how they use the bathroom, how they sleep, etc. Ms. Wescott did a wonderful job of really pulling the reader into her settings and situations.
The characters were also very well done. They read like real people instead of stereotypes of typical teenagers. Their reactions to their situation vary widely from person to person - some going into shock, some crying, some comforting, some in denial, etc. - just as they would in real life. There''s really no romance in this book and while I know some people may be disappointed in the lack of swoon-worthy moments, I really didn't miss it. I think romantic elements would have taken away from the overall feel of the book and gravity of the situation. It was refreshing for me to read a book where the author didn't feel the need to add romantic elements just because they are expected to be there. Don't worry, though. There are hints that romance could develop later on in the series.
The plot itself was exciting and suspenseful enough to keep me wanting more. There are a lot of dystopian and post-apocalyptic books out that deal with environmental and societal issues but the idea of bio-terrorism is one that I haven't seen explored all that much in YA fiction. Although the origin of the virus is not revealed in this first book of the series, the virus itself is insidious enough to be the villain while hinting at a bigger conspiracy to be revealed as the series continues.
There were a few minor things in this book that didn't sit well with me. The first is the principal. After the virus hits he becomes a psychopath who demands complete control and has extreme reactions to the increasingly disturbing events. I see what the author was doing with this character (I don't want to spoil anything so I won't elaborate) but I find it hard to believe that someone with a personality like his would have been hired for a position in a school. Then again, we hear about horrible things happening with teachers in schools all the time now, so what do I know? Another thing that seemed a little off to me was the school's security system. This school has the most advanced security system I've ever heard of in a school including security gates that seal off sections of the school. Again, this may be more of a personal thing because I don't know of any schools in my area with security like that. In other areas maybe this is the norm. The extreme security in the school caused a little bit of inconsistency, though. When Lucy is returning to the school for her homework, she thinks it will be easier to sneak in rather than go through the security checks and such. The pool has been closed due to budget cuts and there's a supply closet with an exit to the outside. Kids use it as a secret way to enter/exit the school. It seems to me that a school with such a focus on security would not have overlooked this door. None of these things were major things and none of them really detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and found it to be an original take on the post-apocalyptic genre. Great characters, amazing descriptions, suspense and the beginnings of a great conspiracy mark this beginning to a series that I look forward to following. I can't wait for book two.
Lucy is an average teenager about to leave on vacation with her family. Realizing she has left her homework behind, she returns to the school only to find that it is in lockdown and some of her fellow classmates have died horrible deaths. A virus is sweeping the earth and killing everyone. Lucy and a small group of survivors are trapped inside the school by the principal who has become paranoid and won't let anyone in or out. What follows is the story of how Lucy and the others survive, how they deal with the loss of their families and friends, how they plan to escape, and what the heck is going on outside the school.
The imagery in this book is stunning in a very bleak and sometimes gory kind of way. The descriptions of the bodies, the symptoms of the virus, the descriptions of the rooms they are confined to - everything is described in a way that not only makes you see it, but also smell and hear and feel what the characters do. She weaves in details that really round out the picture as well: what they eat, how they use the bathroom, how they sleep, etc. Ms. Wescott did a wonderful job of really pulling the reader into her settings and situations.
The characters were also very well done. They read like real people instead of stereotypes of typical teenagers. Their reactions to their situation vary widely from person to person - some going into shock, some crying, some comforting, some in denial, etc. - just as they would in real life. There''s really no romance in this book and while I know some people may be disappointed in the lack of swoon-worthy moments, I really didn't miss it. I think romantic elements would have taken away from the overall feel of the book and gravity of the situation. It was refreshing for me to read a book where the author didn't feel the need to add romantic elements just because they are expected to be there. Don't worry, though. There are hints that romance could develop later on in the series.
The plot itself was exciting and suspenseful enough to keep me wanting more. There are a lot of dystopian and post-apocalyptic books out that deal with environmental and societal issues but the idea of bio-terrorism is one that I haven't seen explored all that much in YA fiction. Although the origin of the virus is not revealed in this first book of the series, the virus itself is insidious enough to be the villain while hinting at a bigger conspiracy to be revealed as the series continues.
There were a few minor things in this book that didn't sit well with me. The first is the principal. After the virus hits he becomes a psychopath who demands complete control and has extreme reactions to the increasingly disturbing events. I see what the author was doing with this character (I don't want to spoil anything so I won't elaborate) but I find it hard to believe that someone with a personality like his would have been hired for a position in a school. Then again, we hear about horrible things happening with teachers in schools all the time now, so what do I know? Another thing that seemed a little off to me was the school's security system. This school has the most advanced security system I've ever heard of in a school including security gates that seal off sections of the school. Again, this may be more of a personal thing because I don't know of any schools in my area with security like that. In other areas maybe this is the norm. The extreme security in the school caused a little bit of inconsistency, though. When Lucy is returning to the school for her homework, she thinks it will be easier to sneak in rather than go through the security checks and such. The pool has been closed due to budget cuts and there's a supply closet with an exit to the outside. Kids use it as a secret way to enter/exit the school. It seems to me that a school with such a focus on security would not have overlooked this door. None of these things were major things and none of them really detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and found it to be an original take on the post-apocalyptic genre. Great characters, amazing descriptions, suspense and the beginnings of a great conspiracy mark this beginning to a series that I look forward to following. I can't wait for book two.
April 16, 2013
My name is Esmeralda and am currently a freshman. In my English class we read Virulent: The Release and this is what I have to say about it .In the book Virulent by Shelby Westcott, Virulent is a realist fiction book. Shelbi Westcott did a really good job on putting lots of details and really good imagery. In my opinion at first when I started to read virulent I thought It was really boring , but then in chapter 3 it started to get really interesting , like when they find out about the virus that’s killing everyone and also when one of the main characters dies .
I got to say I didn't think Salem would be the first one to die. My favorite character in Virulent is Lucy, there just something about her that makes her character in the story so good. For example when Salem tells Lucy that she’s outside the school Lucy says, “I’m coming! Okay Okay I’m coming’’ (38). This shows Lucy is really caring, because she’s going to find a way to get Salem inside the school and keep her in a safe place. Another of my favorite quotes is when Lucy is being really inpatient “She gulped okay, what? Just tell me what you know tell me everything.’(124). this shows Lucy being inpatient because she wants to know where her mom is and what’s happening to everyone?
My least favorite character was principle Spencer .For example when everyone was trapped in the cafeteria Principal Spencer says “I want everyone out of this building. Do you hear me?” (50). this shows principle Spencer is being really dramatic about everything, and his talking his anger out at everyone.
This whole story is just so good it has so many surprises that you will be like did that really just happen. Trust me you won’t regret reading Virulent: The Release. I recommend all English teachers to read this book to their class. The kids will have fun with it and so will the teachers. That’s how good the book is. I also hope there’s another book coming out because Shelby Westcott can just finish the book like that. I hope that her other books are amazing as Virulent.
I got to say I didn't think Salem would be the first one to die. My favorite character in Virulent is Lucy, there just something about her that makes her character in the story so good. For example when Salem tells Lucy that she’s outside the school Lucy says, “I’m coming! Okay Okay I’m coming’’ (38). This shows Lucy is really caring, because she’s going to find a way to get Salem inside the school and keep her in a safe place. Another of my favorite quotes is when Lucy is being really inpatient “She gulped okay, what? Just tell me what you know tell me everything.’(124). this shows Lucy being inpatient because she wants to know where her mom is and what’s happening to everyone?
My least favorite character was principle Spencer .For example when everyone was trapped in the cafeteria Principal Spencer says “I want everyone out of this building. Do you hear me?” (50). this shows principle Spencer is being really dramatic about everything, and his talking his anger out at everyone.
This whole story is just so good it has so many surprises that you will be like did that really just happen. Trust me you won’t regret reading Virulent: The Release. I recommend all English teachers to read this book to their class. The kids will have fun with it and so will the teachers. That’s how good the book is. I also hope there’s another book coming out because Shelby Westcott can just finish the book like that. I hope that her other books are amazing as Virulent.
April 30, 2014
I've started reading this book a few times during the last year, and every time I never got further then the first chapter. It seemed every time I started, a new book from one of the many ongoing series I'm reading came out. So I'd set it aside and forget about it. Fortunately for me, I read through all the books I'd brought with me on a long road trip, so I pulled out my iPhone, re-downloaded the kindle app, and started reading "The Release" at ten last night. I finished it by nine this morning, and would have finished it even sooner had it not been for this thing called "sleep", something I didn't get a lot of because I couldn't put the book (phone) down.
The plot is suspenseful and keeps you guessing to the end. There's plenty of action, but not so much it becomes redundant and boring. I really appreciated the character development, and actually found myself emotionally attached to some of them, unlike some of these other Young Adult books. (The Maze Runner, to name one)
I liked how the book takes place during the crisis, not several years after. It was a nice change of pace.
All together, I'd say it's definitely one of the better books I've read in a while, somewhere near "The Hunger Games", and "Divergent".
So if you're weary about starting another Young Adult Post-Apocalyptic trilogy, worry no more; Unless you hate good writing and an excellent plot, you won't be disappointed!
The plot is suspenseful and keeps you guessing to the end. There's plenty of action, but not so much it becomes redundant and boring. I really appreciated the character development, and actually found myself emotionally attached to some of them, unlike some of these other Young Adult books. (The Maze Runner, to name one)
I liked how the book takes place during the crisis, not several years after. It was a nice change of pace.
All together, I'd say it's definitely one of the better books I've read in a while, somewhere near "The Hunger Games", and "Divergent".
So if you're weary about starting another Young Adult Post-Apocalyptic trilogy, worry no more; Unless you hate good writing and an excellent plot, you won't be disappointed!
April 16, 2013
If you like realistic fiction books, that are suspenseful and leave you guessing, then you will enjoy this; Virulent: The Release, by Shelbi Wescott. It reveals many secrets you couldn’t imagine. She has some good settings, and very interesting characters. Shelbi Wescott includes very descriptive writing, most of which are gruesome (this is a warning); “Many of these victims had thrown-up prior to collapse. They bled from their eyes, noses, and mouths; under the bright florescent lights of the high school, their skin took a green tint”. Didn’t I say she was descriptive? Although what I admire about her wording is the mood Shelbi Creates.
In the book, there’s a character that just takes away all the tension, and gives you a heartwarming feeling. In other word this character is cheerful. For example they could be talking about negative things and this character will come in saying, “Pancake time,” and imagine him with a bright cheery smile. For Shelbi to put this character in, this shows that she was trying to even out the mood, and she succeeded. This is also showing that for a small character, without him you would have no relieving moments. As a result giving this character a part gives a time to get rid of all the tension in the story, only for an instant.
So like I said before, if enjoy this type of book then I recommend Virulent: The Release.
In the book, there’s a character that just takes away all the tension, and gives you a heartwarming feeling. In other word this character is cheerful. For example they could be talking about negative things and this character will come in saying, “Pancake time,” and imagine him with a bright cheery smile. For Shelbi to put this character in, this shows that she was trying to even out the mood, and she succeeded. This is also showing that for a small character, without him you would have no relieving moments. As a result giving this character a part gives a time to get rid of all the tension in the story, only for an instant.
So like I said before, if enjoy this type of book then I recommend Virulent: The Release.
January 16, 2016
I had a terrible dream one night. In my nightmare, the entire human population died due to an illness except me. The day after I had this dream, I discovered VIRULENT: THE RELEASE by Shelbi Wescott. I took it as a sign. Not really, but it was good enough for me to one-click the book.
In VIRULENT: THE RELEASE, high school student Lucy King is about to leave for vacation in the Seychelles with her family. A terrible, fatal virus hits quickly while she is at school and people die left and right. In the chaos, Lucy becomes trapped at the school with her best friend, Salem, and a boy named Grant. The rest of the book chronicles Lucy, Salem, and Grant’s quest to get out of the school and reunite with their families (if there is anyone left outside the school).
I am a sucker for YA post-apocalyptic/dystopian novels. This is definitely one of the good ones. The action starts pretty early on in the novel and doesn’t let up. The author doesn’t shy away from the gory details when the virus takes its toll, nor does she shy away from the emotional impact it has on the main character and other survivors. I recommend this book to any fan of YA post-apocalyptic/dystopian fiction.
In VIRULENT: THE RELEASE, high school student Lucy King is about to leave for vacation in the Seychelles with her family. A terrible, fatal virus hits quickly while she is at school and people die left and right. In the chaos, Lucy becomes trapped at the school with her best friend, Salem, and a boy named Grant. The rest of the book chronicles Lucy, Salem, and Grant’s quest to get out of the school and reunite with their families (if there is anyone left outside the school).
I am a sucker for YA post-apocalyptic/dystopian novels. This is definitely one of the good ones. The action starts pretty early on in the novel and doesn’t let up. The author doesn’t shy away from the gory details when the virus takes its toll, nor does she shy away from the emotional impact it has on the main character and other survivors. I recommend this book to any fan of YA post-apocalyptic/dystopian fiction.
February 9, 2013
Browse the YA section of any bookstore, and post-apocalyptic novels seem to be a dime a dozen. If you're looking for a story with well-developed characters, a compelling premise and a page-turning plot, Virulent has it all. The author's experience as a high school teacher is apparent in her realistic portrayal of teenagers and school life. (Though I certainly hope there aren't any principals out there like Spencer!) Too often, YA characters are one-dimensional or stereotypes stolen from The Breakfast Club. Virulent is a refreshing break from the mold and deserves to rise to the top of reading lists for both young adults and adults. It's a fun read, and I can't wait to find out what the next book has in store for Lucy, Grant and the future for society.
April 10, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It was nice to finally be able to read something different than the stereotypical YA books that seem to be covering every shelf. There wasn't any vampires, or epic love story, it was realistic and original. One of my favorite things about this book is the development of the school and Ms. Johnston (who happens to be my English teacher)it was fun being able to actually see everything as it happened. The character development is great and I ended up loving all of them, even the ones who were only in it for a short time- like her mom. The ending was fantastic, I really didn't see it coming. The last few chapters set up the next book and left me wanting to know what happens. I will definitely be reading the next one!
June 7, 2018
I liked this book, and I think sort of knowing the author made it better for me, but in my opinion the plot left something to be desired. This book didn't seem to go anywhere, and so I read it fast mostly because it was an easy read, and less because I was really drawn into it. The characters are pretty simple and mostly likeable, but I didn't feel very connected to them . I will probably finish the series because McFaul likes it, and also because I want to see it get better. Maybe if it was fantasy instead of science-fiction I would have liked it better.
August 18, 2015
Wescott! I loved this book so much!! It was really great, I couldn't put it down. I don't think that I will ever be able to look at the high school the same way after reading this book. Seriously Wescott, this was awesome. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!! :D
June 12, 2013
Very much enjoyed. Now I'm ready for the next book in this series!!! Please hurry.
July 18, 2013
I'll be posting a review over at Dragonfly Reads, but I will say it was a decent book and if you like this genre, you will enjoy the simplistic take.
June 13, 2017
I am friends with the author and have had this book for years but never read it until now. I wish I wouldn't have waited so long to read The Release! First, I waited because I didn't want to start until I owned all 3 books. Then, I waited because I wanted to read the entire series all at once. To be honest, my smart phone has seriously detracted me from my lifelong voracious reading habit... Sorry, back to the point... I loved this book! I was hooked in less than 5 pages. The story felt very realistic and I liked that even though it is a YA book, the author did not 'dumb down' her word choice, literary references, concepts, etc. As a high school teacher, she knows what teens are capable of and doesn't underestimate them. I remember past social media posts of Shelbi's in which she wrote about the research she did for her writing. This gave me an interesting perspective as a reader because I was able to see the results of that research in the book. She is not an author who goes into things unprepared.
June 23, 2019
A New take on an overworked premise
This book contains a novel and believable take on a viral apocalypse as seen through the eyes of a few young survivors who are horrified to find it may all have been brought about purposefully...We are taken along as they set out to track clues for answers. An interesting and all too frightening possibility of what the future may hold!
This book contains a novel and believable take on a viral apocalypse as seen through the eyes of a few young survivors who are horrified to find it may all have been brought about purposefully...We are taken along as they set out to track clues for answers. An interesting and all too frightening possibility of what the future may hold!
June 3, 2022
I loved this book, great dystopian novel with intriguing characters. Lucy King the main character was about to go on vacation with her family. Until everything changed. students around Lucy were dropping like flies, she has no idea whats going on. No one knows whats going on. Except maybe someone who's very close to Lucy, someone who would want to save her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2019
New to me author but won’t be anymore.
This is an excellent story. I’m 62 and it held me all the way. So, grab it.
Characters are well defined. You are on the edge of your seat through a lot of the book.
This is an excellent story. I’m 62 and it held me all the way. So, grab it.
Characters are well defined. You are on the edge of your seat through a lot of the book.
Read
November 18, 2017An enjoyable read.
January 8, 2018
Interesting read. Moved along quickly.
October 6, 2018
Alright for teens
This book was written for teenagers. As an older adult, it was a hard slog to finish reading it.
Teens, you'll probably love it.
This book was written for teenagers. As an older adult, it was a hard slog to finish reading it.
Teens, you'll probably love it.
July 21, 2019
Ready to start book 2!
February 25, 2022
Okay. Not great. Won't bother with book 2.
March 17, 2017
Overall, the book was pretty predictable. There where no surprises or plot twists but is was an enjoyable easy read. It also did not get much emotion from me. I can tell that the book was supposed to make you sympathize with the main character and pet mad at the antagonist, but it just was not that effective.
March 12, 2017
Cool series
April 2, 2014
Lucy King has just been thrust into a world where everyone around her is dying. Someone has let loose a deadly virus on the entire world that started off by killing the dogs. One day she got up and all of the dogs were just gone. At that point some of the elderly and very young children were getting sick with flu-like symptoms, but death came quickly. Then everyone else started dying. People were just dropping left and right. The bad thing is that all of the chaos starts on the day that Lucy and her family are supposed to be going on a vacation given to her dad, who is a scientist. He had been working on some major project for a long time and his job was now giving them a vacation. They had their vaccinations and their bags were ready to go out somewhere close to Madagascar. But that day Lucy had forgotten her homework at the high school in her locker and Ethan, her big brother, had to drive her back real quick. When she gets there though the school is on lock down. Once she is in, she can't get back out to her brother. What she sees inside will forever change her. There are bodies in the hallway and classrooms of fallen classmates and teachers, and everyone is in the auditorium awaiting instructions from their dictator principal. Even though death comes quickly to those falling ill, it is gruesome with vomiting and bleeding from their eyes, nose, and mouth. Many families outside of the school have been wiped out at this point. And now Lucy is stuck here. What she doesn't know? It is safer inside the locked down school than outside where looting and illegal activities have started. The only thing she must deal with inside is the crazy principal that is now showing his true colors. Lucy is determined to get out and to her family. But she will need the help and support of her friends, Salem and Grant. That is, if they live long enough to get out.
"Have you thought that maybe we're just taking longer...to die."
If someone actually let loose such a virus on the Earth, I would imagine things would go something like this should it be at a time when school was in session. It is a rather graphic book in some ways, but it shows a side to humanity that is rarely seen, especially where I live in the United States. War, chaos, and death is not familiar to many areas around the globe. A virus that wipes out humanity this fast would create a panic unlike any we had ever seen. Lucy King has to live through some absolutely horrifying circumstances during this book. The reality of nothing being safe to eat or drink anymore if it isn't packaged, is a harsh reality indeed. They cannot even use the toilets because they are overflowing with contaminated water. Everything is poisoned with the virus: the crops, the water, the people. Even when they do get out of the school, almost everyone is dead. The few that are alive do what they must to survive, and they are dangerous. The real surprise comes when Lucy learns more about the time frame of the virus and how her family is more connected to it than she knows. This nightmare could be even worse than what is going on outside.
"Have you thought that maybe we're just taking longer...to die."
If someone actually let loose such a virus on the Earth, I would imagine things would go something like this should it be at a time when school was in session. It is a rather graphic book in some ways, but it shows a side to humanity that is rarely seen, especially where I live in the United States. War, chaos, and death is not familiar to many areas around the globe. A virus that wipes out humanity this fast would create a panic unlike any we had ever seen. Lucy King has to live through some absolutely horrifying circumstances during this book. The reality of nothing being safe to eat or drink anymore if it isn't packaged, is a harsh reality indeed. They cannot even use the toilets because they are overflowing with contaminated water. Everything is poisoned with the virus: the crops, the water, the people. Even when they do get out of the school, almost everyone is dead. The few that are alive do what they must to survive, and they are dangerous. The real surprise comes when Lucy learns more about the time frame of the virus and how her family is more connected to it than she knows. This nightmare could be even worse than what is going on outside.
April 18, 2013
*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Lucy is almost on her way to the vacation of her life when animals and humans start dying, just like that. Panic all around and the school goes into lockdown. She has any idea to what is going on, while everyone around her starts dropping like flies. The teachers won't talk about it and the principal has gone into tiran mode.
Now stuck in school, Lucy and her friends have to try to survive, while the principal has gone loco. There is no way in and no way out. They try to come up with a plan, but they are mostly waiting for someone to come save them. Since the world is pretty much ending, they have no way to communicate with anyone outside. Trying to avoid being caught, more and more questions start rising about what is happening.
Honestly, I'm not a big fan of Lucy. She is very much a daddy's girl and with everything that is happening, she keeps thinking of what her dad or mom would do in that situation. In the beginning she also immediately starts panicking, there is no attempt at staying calm or brave. So she's a very unlikely hero, if she is in fact a hero? Slowly in the story, her calmness returns, but she keeps burning with questions.
The character I liked the most was Grant, he's a fellow student of Lucy. He stays by her side, but there is absolutely nothing romantic going on between them. What I liked the most about him was that he keeps surprising you. Bit by very slowly bit you get to know his story, still most remains a mystery.
And then there is Salem. She's Lucy's best friend and also stuck with her and Grant in the school. Now Salem is more the opposite of Lucy. First of all, she loves drama, so even though there is this major tragic event going on, most of the time she can keep her cool. Salem was also one of the first characters who witnessed first hand all the misery and tragedy, which gives her an extra edge.
The story takes mostly place inside the school and not that much happens actually. All the action is taking place outside the school, so it's a very calm beginning of a saga (relatively speaking). As they say in the book, inside their is only one threat, outside is the unknown. Unfortunately this means they can't seem to come up with a plan to save themselves, it's mostly them waiting around to be saved.
Virulent is said to be a Young Adult book, but I find it more suited for Middle Grade readers. The lack of real violence, even though the theme is apocalypse, almost no romance, the very easy and clear use of language, makes that it lacks necessary complexity for me. Not a bad read, but sometimes a bit too tedious to keep my interest. I need some more action, which will hopefully be the case in the second book.
For more reviews and other book news you can always visit my blog :)
Lucy is almost on her way to the vacation of her life when animals and humans start dying, just like that. Panic all around and the school goes into lockdown. She has any idea to what is going on, while everyone around her starts dropping like flies. The teachers won't talk about it and the principal has gone into tiran mode.
Now stuck in school, Lucy and her friends have to try to survive, while the principal has gone loco. There is no way in and no way out. They try to come up with a plan, but they are mostly waiting for someone to come save them. Since the world is pretty much ending, they have no way to communicate with anyone outside. Trying to avoid being caught, more and more questions start rising about what is happening.
Honestly, I'm not a big fan of Lucy. She is very much a daddy's girl and with everything that is happening, she keeps thinking of what her dad or mom would do in that situation. In the beginning she also immediately starts panicking, there is no attempt at staying calm or brave. So she's a very unlikely hero, if she is in fact a hero? Slowly in the story, her calmness returns, but she keeps burning with questions.
The character I liked the most was Grant, he's a fellow student of Lucy. He stays by her side, but there is absolutely nothing romantic going on between them. What I liked the most about him was that he keeps surprising you. Bit by very slowly bit you get to know his story, still most remains a mystery.
And then there is Salem. She's Lucy's best friend and also stuck with her and Grant in the school. Now Salem is more the opposite of Lucy. First of all, she loves drama, so even though there is this major tragic event going on, most of the time she can keep her cool. Salem was also one of the first characters who witnessed first hand all the misery and tragedy, which gives her an extra edge.
The story takes mostly place inside the school and not that much happens actually. All the action is taking place outside the school, so it's a very calm beginning of a saga (relatively speaking). As they say in the book, inside their is only one threat, outside is the unknown. Unfortunately this means they can't seem to come up with a plan to save themselves, it's mostly them waiting around to be saved.
Virulent is said to be a Young Adult book, but I find it more suited for Middle Grade readers. The lack of real violence, even though the theme is apocalypse, almost no romance, the very easy and clear use of language, makes that it lacks necessary complexity for me. Not a bad read, but sometimes a bit too tedious to keep my interest. I need some more action, which will hopefully be the case in the second book.
For more reviews and other book news you can always visit my blog :)
April 16, 2013
My name is Kyle and I like to play baseball and read sometimes. The reason I read the novel Virulent: The Release by Shelbi Wescott is because we were reading it as a class. I am glad we read this book because it was a very fun interesting book it kept me on my feet the whole time. What I liked about the book was that there we’re only a hand full of people that survived, also one of my favorite characters survived, and later Lucy might get to see her dad again and those were some of the things I liked about the book. I wish that they would have showed if __________ (spoiler!) would have died because it feels like something was missing. I recommend this book for everyone and really recommend this for schools because I think that this is a greatly written book for kids that don’t like to read also.
My favorite character is teddy his type of characterization would be flat because he comes in at the end of the book. A character trait word for Teddy would be happy because he is always happy no matter what happens. For example, when Teddy was waiting for pancakes he gets very impatient he says ”pancake time came a cry from inside and the sound of Teddy’s little feet pitter-pattered over to the screen on the kitchen door and the little boy pressed his face against the netting”(143). Teddy is getting really happy about pancakes, it shows that even know everyone is dyeing he is excluding everyone that’s dying and he try’s it only think about the positive and the positive would be pancakes. Another character trait word for Teddy would be excited. For example, when Teddy got really happy about telling Ethan about Disneyland he said “my mommy took me to Disneyland when I was four. They had rides there and I when on a fast one that went zoom-zoom-zoom. Do you know which one?”(135). This shows that teddy was excited talking to Ethan about his Disneyland trip.
Another character trait word for Teddy at the end of the book would be sad. For example, when Teddy gets really sad because he can watch real TV he says”with a full lower lip, Teddy huffed. My imagination is too tired” (137). This shows that Teddy is too tired of using his imagination he wants to watch real TV he doesn’t want to use his imagination anymore.
My least favorite character is spencer. The type of character that Spencer is would be an antagonist and a character trait word would be rude. For example, when Spencer gets mad because there are people in his school he says “and if you don’t believe me I’m suriuse about protecting this place… my health… my building a shot rang out”(57). This shows that Spencer is a threatening to kill them and last time I look that’s not being very nice. So this shows Spencer being rude.
Therefore I recommend this book to schools or people that like action books.
My favorite character is teddy his type of characterization would be flat because he comes in at the end of the book. A character trait word for Teddy would be happy because he is always happy no matter what happens. For example, when Teddy was waiting for pancakes he gets very impatient he says ”pancake time came a cry from inside and the sound of Teddy’s little feet pitter-pattered over to the screen on the kitchen door and the little boy pressed his face against the netting”(143). Teddy is getting really happy about pancakes, it shows that even know everyone is dyeing he is excluding everyone that’s dying and he try’s it only think about the positive and the positive would be pancakes. Another character trait word for Teddy would be excited. For example, when Teddy got really happy about telling Ethan about Disneyland he said “my mommy took me to Disneyland when I was four. They had rides there and I when on a fast one that went zoom-zoom-zoom. Do you know which one?”(135). This shows that teddy was excited talking to Ethan about his Disneyland trip.
Another character trait word for Teddy at the end of the book would be sad. For example, when Teddy gets really sad because he can watch real TV he says”with a full lower lip, Teddy huffed. My imagination is too tired” (137). This shows that Teddy is too tired of using his imagination he wants to watch real TV he doesn’t want to use his imagination anymore.
My least favorite character is spencer. The type of character that Spencer is would be an antagonist and a character trait word would be rude. For example, when Spencer gets mad because there are people in his school he says “and if you don’t believe me I’m suriuse about protecting this place… my health… my building a shot rang out”(57). This shows that Spencer is a threatening to kill them and last time I look that’s not being very nice. So this shows Spencer being rude.
Therefore I recommend this book to schools or people that like action books.
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