Virals

By: Kathy Reichs

Narrated by: Cristin Milioti

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

The thrilling young adult debut from the #1 New York Times- best-selling author.

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.

©2010 Kathy Reichs (P)2010 Penguin

Sound Effects

I had to read this book for a class so I thought listening to it would be more enjoyable. Was I wrong. Bless her heart, but this woman’s southern ‘accent’ was just stereotypically horrible. Luckily it wasn’t needed very often.
And the sound effects that was used to represent when the pack ‘flared’ was just as horrible if not worse.

Good Story - But Sound Effects Hurt It

How could the performance have been better?

Sound effects in an audio book greatly diminish the experience. Every time they happened, it was just painful.

very disappointing

I really wanted to like this book. I enjoy reading YA fiction but this book seemed young and/or unpolished. I didn't feel like the characters had much depth. I was surprised and distracted by weird sound effects throughout the story. spoiler alert: I wasn't expecting the characters to develop wolf-like characteristics. it just seemed odd and out of place.

It was a delight

I really enjoyed taking a break from the usual Kathy Reichs fare for a teenage story. Absolutely “kid stuff”. With two thumbs up.
Some immaturity to the story line and interactions. But it’s nice to have some sweetness and innocence with a plain ole make believe story. Love the young adult mind to inhabit for a good story.

If only...

Kathy Reichs' adult books were as interesting! I hope she continues this young adult line of books, even writing more about the "Virals". I really enjoyed this book and it was nice to have a book that I could play with my kids in the car on our vacation. I have listened to this book at least 4 times!

Good story for families to hear together

We are often on a quest to find a recently-published book that our entire family finds enjoyable. This story kept us all interested until the end and has the children especially (preteens) hoping there will be a sequel. We enjoyed the characters and the storyline. (There is some mild cursing, FYI.) I actually stumbled across this book after hearing the narrator, Cristin Milioti, read The Apothecary. I hope that Ms. Milioti is engaged for numerous future Audible works. While her imitation of a lowcountry South Carolina drawl is not 100% accurate, she creates numerous different, believable voices that add interest to the story.

definitely a teen book.

I bought this thinking it was like the temperance Brennan novels. it is, but for teens. not really adults.

review

loved the story can't wait to listen to the rest of them. great work author

Awesome!

Reichs! Great captivating story & excellent reader! Hard to lause, and I pined for quiet time to continue the story.

Was expecting so much more.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This was an okay read. Just found the story lacking in cohesiveness. There seemed to be several loose ends left dangling, unexplained plot twists and poor believability.

If you’ve listened to books by Kathy Reichs before, how does this one compare?

I think she tried to sell it simply based on the fact that the main character, Tory Brennan, is the niece of the forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan - who's got an interesting storyline. Tory seems to be the typical only child, who is ignored by her hardworking distant father. Finding solace in her group of friends who seem to be easily bullied or coerced into committing felony after felony. The ending was a let down and the punishment these kids get, for all the crimes they committed is just preposterous.