Virals

Virals by Kathy Reichs

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book has overtones of the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson. It is about a witty, intelligent girl, Tory Brennan, who is getting used to living with her estranged father after her mother's death. Her father is a marine biologist working on an isolated barrier island. She has become friends with an eclectic group of boys with similar interests, who also live on the island. When she discovers on the island an old dog tag (military ID), and sets out to discover who the tag belongs to, she and her friends are led into a unsolved missing person's case. The missing person case also indirectly leads them to the discovery of a stolen wolf-dog being used as a guinea pig for tests of a parvovirus, which should only affect dogs. The mutated virus affects the teenagers, however, and that's where overtones of Maximum Ride come in. After getting over the initial illness, they are left with amazing powers, which help in the solving of the case. The book was quite a fun read, actually, in spite of the sometimes overdone story. The characters were likable and believable. Students who have read the story grabbed the sequel, Seizure, so it looks like a hit.



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Icefall

Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Matthew Kirby is a great storyteller. This book,although not really following the current trends that I see students picking up in the library, I think it is a book they will truly enjoy. It is the story of Solveig, the daughter of a king, who is waiting patiently for her father's return with her crown prince younger brother and her older sister in a hidden fortress surrounded by mountains and a frozen sea. Although her father has sent men to protect the royal children, it soon becomes apparent that someone evil is part of the group. Suspense builds as they wait through the long winter. Through the problems, Solveig finds out her true self. Young or older readers will warm to this well-written tale of Solveig. Kirby hints a sequel may follow.



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Tiger's Curse

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Although the writing was weak, this book had an interesting story. 18-year-old Kelsey takes a temporary summer job at a circus. Her job is to help feed the white tiger. In caring for the tiger, she finds herself strangely attracted, and spends a lot of time next to his cage, writing and drawing in her journal. The tiger is soon sold to a businessman from India, and Kelsy finds herself accompanying the tiger back to India in another temporary employment opportunity. Once in India, Kelsy learns that the tiger is really a 300-year-old prince, who has been cursed. The tiger is able to turn into a man for 24 minutes every 24 hours. Kelsy is even more attracted to the man she calls Ren, (the tiger's name is Dhiren). Ren is able to convince Kelsey that only Kelsey can help him undo the curse. So, off they go into the jungle to solve the mystery of the curse. Naturally, there is attraction between the two, which adds to the story. Middle school girls and some boys really love this book. I read it at their recommendation, and I think I could safely recommend it to lovers of Twilight who are looking for something new.



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Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I always seem to enjoy a good dystopian thriller, and this one didn't disappoint. With reminiscences of Hunger Games, this society is divided into 5 factions: Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Each faction represents a desirable quality, with the idea that if each desirable quality is nurtured, society will function as it should. Beatrice is raised in the Abnegation faction, but when she is old enough to choose a faction after a period of tests to determine her strengths, she chooses Dauntlesss. But, Tris, (her new Dauntless name), is not able to reveal what her true faction is, even as she goes through the grueling physical and mental tests that are part of becoming a Dauntless.

Although the book had a little too much violence for my taste, I still really enjoyed the story. It had a nice touch of romance which lightened things up a bit. This book is for the more mature middle schooler, 8th or 9th grade, but definitely one to recommend.



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