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Reichs, Kathy - Virals (Virals #1) - Informal Buddy Read - Start Date April 24, 2017
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I'm almost 10% percent done. I'm really liking the writing style. I feel like I really am talking to a modern teenager. I'm still not where I understand the plot, but I'm interested enough to keep going.
A bit ahead of you (chapter 8 somewhere - I'm listening to the audiobook and it doesn't give all the chapter heading).We can start discussing to where you are.
You hadn't read anything from the Bones series, right? I have read all of that series (except the last book) and the writing style in this one is definitely different - you recognize the author and there is definitely some similarities between Tory and her aunt (who is the MC in the other series).
What is your first impression of Tory?
I haven't read any of Reichs' other books, but I do appreciate her writing style. It's as if I'm listening to a real Tory.I appreciate Tory. She seems like a nerdy tomboy who is more in touch with her thoughts and logic than with her feelings. She tries to find enjoyment and peace where she can, and she appreciates what she has. She's rough around the edges but it's because of circumstances. It makes her a very believable character.
What did you think?
So far I like her. I appreciate the similarities to her great aunt Temperance from the other series. They have the same matter-of-fact approach and scientific mindset. I can definitely picture Tory growing up to be very much like Tempe.
Starting chapter 12 (view spoiler)
The story moves a little slowly but I have a feeling it will pick up speed soon!
MelanieJoy wrote: "Starting chapter 12[spoilers removed]
The story moves a little slowly but I have a feeling it will pick up speed soon!"
I agree! I definitely remember having similar reactions when I was a teenager.
Starting Chapter 18What do you think about all the characters so far? I do like Tory's little group of friends - I enjoy books with this type of group dynamics rather and I'm hoping we will see this evolve as the story progresses.
What do you think about what's going on at the research institute?
Starting Chapter 18 I agree with you on group dynamics. They each have a role to play. I kind of hope that either there is no romance between (view spoiler) or they hold off until a few books in to the series. They should use their logical brains right now and just be good friends, lol. I haven't gotten a feel for Shelton but I really like Hi and Ben seems important. It's good so far.
As far as the research institute, I know (view spoiler)
Starting Chapter 23 (view spoiler) ok that's all my questions! Good story so far, and good pace!
What are your thoughts on Chance and Jason?
Starting Chapter 30 wow. Interesting stuff. Still no answers to my last questions, so the plot thickens without resolve, but it's still early. Definitely enjoying the group dynamic, the parents are actually pretty believable, and I'm definitely sucked in to the story.
MH, any thoughts?
Sorry, just got back from my walk.I do think the plot is quite intriguing and I'm enjoying it so far. I did really like the scene with all the parents.
I'm not a big fan of the narrator. I prefer the two or three that have narrated the audiobooks for her other series.
All good!! I figured you were listening, lol
Finished chapter 52 (view spoiler)
(view spoiler)
I'm trying to decide if I'm going to keep reading or let you catch up and try to work on it tomorrow night my time. I don't usually read a lot during the weekends but I might be able to try since this one is pretty low key.
I haven't read your spoilers, because you're further ahead of me, but continue to read! Then I can catch up during the weekend.
Finished! Finishing thoughts?
MelanieJoy wrote: "Finished! Finishing thoughts?"Sorry, I've finished, I just didn't have any time to actually write down my thoughts.
But less discuss! Start with some general things and then we can dig into more details...
Overall, I did like the book, but not as much as her other series. I think I would read the next book if I came across it when I had nothing else to read or if it filled a requirement for a team challenge that I had no other option for, but I wouldn't actively search it out to read it, if that makes sense? I guess I'm kind of indifferent to it.
There were a few things that bothered me a bit. Sometimes I found Tory's and the other's reactions to be a bit annoying (maybe not the right word, but I can't put my finger on exactly how to describe it right now). Several times I had to remind myself that she is only 14, and then that kind od made it more reasonable.
I do tend to mostly read mysteries and thrillers where the MC is an adult, but I occasionally read young/new adult and the age of the MC's usually don't bother me. For some reason, I had a hard time placing the characters in their correct age bracket. (Or maybe I don't remember how things felt when I was 14...) It felt a bit weird that I had to keep reminding myself about the age of the MC.
(I have to go back to work so I'll stop here for now, but I have lots more to say later...)
As far the MC age and age appropriate conversation goes, I definitely had a feel for it because I've recently watched Disney shows. I would forget that they were 14 when they were in the boat heading to LIRI or when they were discussing the evidence and trying to logically come up with good suspects or motive, etc. I felt like the author did a good job reminding us by their dialogue and parents' actions and Tori's thought process that they were all freshmen in highschool. I do, however, see that you could naturally forget that fact in just reading the plot and trying to solve the mystery. 14 year olds can be annoying, but I definitely wanted to side with Tori from the beginning, so that made her more likeable for me. I appreciated her humor and comments and likes and dislikes. But yeah, it's all definitely modern 14yr old dialogue. I can see why you wouldn't like it and refer to stick to adult books.I liked the multiple subplots and the fact that they all tied together in the end. Reichs did a great job with the story-craft and pace. That being said, I think the ending needed a little work. It was hard to envision Chance and Hannah doing what they did and playing the roles they played. Hannah wasn't very believable, but maybe it was because I didn't pay attention to her description in the beginning settings. I guess it fits. I just can't see a 14 year old plotting murder and everything else with her future father in law. It's too creepy and gross. We can talk about it more in detail, but I think if I'm dissatisfied with anything, it's that.
I have more to say, but I'll stick with mentioning those things for now.
But I agree, overall, I enjoyed the book and the story itself. If I don't continue the series, I won't feel like I'm missing out, but if others want to buddy read again or if I'm in the mood for a young adult mystery, I may come back to it.
The ending was my biggest problem. The lack of foreshadowing made me feel like everything was too easily wrapped up and that the big reveal at the ending came completely out of the blue. I also don't think it was in line with how Chance and Hannah had been portrayed (especially for Hannah, I felt that it was not believable at all, even more so given their age).I don't mind surprising endings - I love it when I cannot figure out the details of a mystery until the end, but you should be able to think back on the story and see how it all makes sense and the hints that you might had overlooked when you read it. In that aspect, I think Reich's series about Temperance Brennan is better crafted - the reveals towards the resolution of each case there is believable and makes sense based on the clues the MC has uncovered during the story. There are often twists and turns, but they make sense.
Book summary
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.