Viral Nation by Shaunta Grimes
Genre: YA Dystopian/Sci-Fi
Series: Untitled (but it IS a series!)
Publication Date: July 2nd 2013
ISBN: 9780425265130
Page Count: 320
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Janice
Synopsis: 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.
Genre: YA Dystopian/Sci-Fi
Series: Untitled (but it IS a series!)
Publication Date: July 2nd 2013
ISBN: 9780425265130
Page Count: 320
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Janice
Synopsis: 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:
Simply Amazing
When I read the blurb for VIRAL NATION, I was intrigued. YA dystopian and sci-fi, together in one book? Sounds good to me! Then I read the sample chapters (you can find them here). After I got over my initial "holy wow" reaction, I practically fell over myself in my haste to add the book to my TBR list.
It was every bit as good as I hoped it would be. Better, in fact.
VIRAL NATION begins sixteen years after a devastating virus swept the country and destroyed the world as everyone knew it. Survivors are few, conditions are harsh, and almost every aspect of life is controlled and regimented. It's a bleak existence for many, to say the least, and some of what I read shocked the hell out of me. There were several points in the story when I was so appalled and pissed off on the characters' behalf, I was ready to start a revolution myself.
But for every dark tunnel, there is a light, and in VIRAL NATION, that light is Clover, West and Jude.
Let's start with Clover. The blurb describes her as "brilliant". I have a different word for her. AMAZEBALLS - and trust me, my friends, she is. She's one of those characters who grabs your hand and doesn't let go until you've turned the very last page of the book - and even then, she stays with you. There was so much about her that impressed me, from her genius mind, to her indomitable spirit, to her courage in the face of near-impossible odds. She just blew me away.
Clover's older brother, West, is equally impressive. When the story begins, he is torn between brotherly duty and a young man's natural desire to strike out on his own. Clover's acceptance into the prestigious Academy grants him a new lease on life - until everything goes wrong, and suddenly, he and Clover are thrown into the deep end of a shark-infested pool. West's whole world is turned upside down, and the way he handles it, well, it speaks volumes. He's a keeper, folks. One of the good ones.
Speaking of brother and sister, the authentic interaction between Clover and West deserves a special mention. Yes, they squabble like any siblings do, but the love between them shines through in every scene. Their relationship is, in many ways, the beating heart of this story, and Shaunta Grimes conveyed it beautifully.
Last but not least, there is Jude. When he first appeared in the book, my reaction was, "hmmm, I wonder...", and when he showed up again, a little later, I was completely bowled over. I mean, DAMN, could he get any more awesome? There's something so wonderfully understated about him, a quiet but commanding "presence" that makes you sit up and take notice every time he is on the page. He's amazing with Clover - with everyone, really - and I spent the whole book crushing on him.
The action of the story is on the subtle side. You won't find any big explosions or crazy chase scenes within its pages, but don't worry, there are more than enough twists, turns, and surprising developments to keep your heart pumping. And it's only the beginning. This is a series, after all, and I am beyond excited to see where it goes.
VIRAL NATION is not a book you want to miss, my friends. Take my advice and add it to your list today.
4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by:
Check out the rest of the VIRAL NATION blog tour at these sites:
6/15/2013 All Things Urban Fantasy
6/17/2013 Moosubi Reviews!
6/18/2013 Mom With A Kindle
6/19/2013 Books, Bones & Buffy
6/20/2013 The Demon Librarian
6/21/2013 YaReads
6/22/2013 Fantasy Book Addict
6/23/2013 The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia
6/24/2013 The Reading Diaries
6/25/2013 Curling Up With A Good Book
6/26/2013 Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
6/27/2013 Jessabella Reads
6/28/2013 Chocolate Coated Reviews
6/29/2013 Reading with ABC
6/30/2013 BookHounds YA
GUEST POST: Shaunta Grimes
A: I have a lovely writing area in my house. We recently moved from a teensy apartment (900 square feet with three adults and an 8-year-old, two cats, a hamster, and a goldfish. Oh, my.) where I got in the habit of writing in bed. When we moved, my one requirement was that it had to have somewhere for me to write. Not a room necessarily (although someday, that would be awesome), but space. So, I have space now, but I still end up writing in bed a lot, or in the living room. Or a coffee shop. Seriously, if I waited for the right time and space to write, I'd do a lot more waiting than writing!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shaunta Grimes has worked as a substitute teacher, a newspaper reporter, a drug court counselor, and a vintage clothing seller. No matter which direction she strays, however, she always comes back to storytelling. She lives in Reno with her family, where she writes, teaches, and perpetually studies at the University of Nevada. Viral Nation is her debut traditionally-published novel.
How to Connect with Shaunta:
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @shauntagrimes
Blog: www.shauntagrimes.com
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/yEc11
GIVEAWAY
So are you ready to meet Clover, West and Jude yet? Want to win a copy of their AMAZING story? Here's your chance! Enter the RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY below to receive one of 5 finished copies of VIRAL NATION! (*US/Canada only)
No comments:
Post a Comment
We love to hear your comments!