Jul 30, 2014

Review: Viral Nation by Shaunta Grimes

Title: Viral Nation
Author: Shaunta Grimes
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Publication Date: 7.2.2013
Pages: 315
Genre: Young Adult, SciFi
Series: Viral Nation #1
Source: Finished copy from publisher

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):
After a virus claimed nearly the entire global population, the world changed. The United States splintered into fifty walled cities where the surviving citizens clustered to start over. The Company, which ended the plague by bringing a life-saving vaccine back from the future, controls everything. They ration the scant food and supplies through a lottery system, mandate daily doses of virus suppressant, and even monitor future timelines to stop crimes before they can be committed.

Brilliant but autistic, sixteen-year-old Clover Donovan has always dreamed of studying at the Waverly-Stead Academy. Her brother and caretaker, West, has done everything in his power to make her dream a reality. But Clover’s refusal to part with her beloved service dog denies her entry into the school. Instead, she is drafted into the Time Mariners, a team of Company operatives who travel through time to gather news about the future.

When one of Clover’s missions reveals that West’s life is in danger, the Donovans are shattered. To change West’s fate, they’ll have to take on the mysterious Company. But as its secrets are revealed, they realize that the Company’s rule may not be as benevolent as it seems. In saving her brother, Clover will face a more powerful force than she ever imagined
and will team up with a band of fellow misfits and outsiders to incite a revolution that will change their destinies forever.

Review:

How doesn't love an end of the world book that's perfectly plausible? Something as simple as a virus could be the near end of life as we know it. And then add in a bit if time travel and you have an awesome set up for possible survival and knowledge of the future.

Viral Nation was outstanding. It full of adventure and mystery that leave to guessing until you turn the page. The characters have some depth that you only learn more about as their journey continues. Clover, West, and Jude are the center of this story and you follow right along with them.

I loved how much detail Grimes went into with the layout and description of the walled city. It gave a perspective point for different events and I thought that was important. Not only was the description of the city on point, the suppressant, clothing, identity traits and even the Veronica were all detailed enough that I wasn't just thinking about a person where clothes or a general vaccine.

Honestly, what I honk made this story was Clover. She is an amazing girl who has learned how to deal with herself and not let to get the best of her. Even though she depends on her brother a lot, she takes pride in herself for being able to do somethings on her own. Her dog Mango, a service dog, adds his own importance to her and this the story. He is just as important as she is. Clover has Autism. And her quirks and analytical thinking about everything, sometimes more than necessary, adds to this more then you can imagine. Her mind and how she works makes this story. And I loved it.

I cannot wait for Rebel Nation. I have to have more of Clover and her amazing self.  This was full of adventure, some love, a little heart break and a yearning for more that I can't quite explain.

4 comments:

  1. This series is awesome and I feel like it isn't getting g the hype it deserves. Like you, I love Clover, but overall the characters are amazing. Book two is even better!

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  2. As long as the dog doesn't die... he doesn't, does he? I love stories that really *could* happen. That's what makes them so creepy-good.

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  3. End of the world books that are realistic and could actually happen (and written with convincing world building) are the best! They're the most scary and the most compelling to me. Plus a great MC can also make or break a book like this, and Clover sounds like one I would really like! I haven't read this one yet but I have it on my Kobo and you have just bumped it up oh my TBR - this is the first review I see on it, too! :)

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