Virals by Kathy Reichs

Tory Brennan isn't your usual high school pupil. She's adventurous, cunning and just slightly brilliant. Now living on an island with her dad and four best friends, Tory doesn't expect much adventure to come her way... That is until she finds a dog tag, a crusty, old, forgotten tag belonging to someone back in the past. During her research into the dog tag, Tory and her friends stumble upon an unsolved mystery, but as soon as they start snooping, they are faced with dangers greater than ever expected. Someone out there is trying to keep them quiet, does that mean killing them just to keep their secret?

Not only is it hard enough to solve a mystery, but when they find a sick wolfdog in a secret, closed off lab they know they have to help. Not soon after saving the wolfdog each of them start to feel slightly strange. What's happening to them? Now they have two mysteries to solve, but can they do it?

Genre: Adventure, Forensic Science, Mystery.
Recommended Age: 13+
Notes: Use of mild language.
Rating: 5/5

This book is plain brilliant, a lovely change from all the romance novels that I've been reading lately! Viral is based around forensic anthropology which, I feel, is a nice touch to a mystery novel.
One of many likeable factors in this book, are the characters. Each individual sets off the book perfectly, and I think I would feel some part of the book was missing if one of them wasn't there. It is really hard to pick a favourite character in a book, this one especially. I love all of them. The main four just a tad more. Oh yeah, and the little wolf pup! The main character, Tory Brennan is niece to famous forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (the main character in Reich's books for adults) and so she has some skills for anthropology. She is quite tomboy-ish and confident and I like that about her. She doesn't care for flowery dresses or sparkly necklaces, she thrives on adventure. I don't really want to go into more detail about any of the other characters incase you want to find out about them yourself but I feel I have to tell you about one more. Hi, short for Hiram is one of Tory's best friends and he has a love for gadgets. At some parts in the book, I found him quite comical - he was the only one that put a smile on my face.
I'm recommending this book for teenagers for the simple reason it contains some use of mild language (but nothing too bad!).

Rachel xx :)

PS: I would also like to apologise again for the wait but I really will try to post more often! :D