Viral Nation (Viral Nation #1)

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Author(s)

Shaunta Grimes

Publisher

Berkley Trade

Genre(s)

Age Range

13+

Release Date

July 02, 2013

ISBN

978-0425265130

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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.

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Good genre bender

September 18, 2013

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3.7

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The thing with Viral Nation is that it blended different genres - time travel, a virus apocalypse and dystopia - seamlessly. When I first read the blurb I wondered how these different plots could be mixed. You have a virus epidemic that spread, and it naturally leads you to a post-apocalyptic like future where the land is dystopic. Time travel usually doesn't figure in such stories but here, it gave a nice addition to the story. The prologue was kept short and informative but it gave a lot of insight into the story ahead. When the book started, the world-building did get a bit confusing, especially when they came to the stopping-crime-before-it-happens part. I admit the time loops and paradoxes were giving me a headache - not to mention the swift pace of the book. Things happen very fast and I was left wondering - is that even possible?

The story towards the middle did get a bit off track and I had a lot of questions, some of which fortunately were resolved towards the end. The way Clover was 'drafted', Bennett and Kingston's reactions - these were haunting me till they were explained. The Freaks banding together felt so natural, though and them meeting up with Waverly and his subsequent backstory cleared quite some doubts. It wasn't really unpredictable but I liked the way the story was moved forward - the characters and their relationships with other drive the story more or less. If you are into romance, well, this book doesn't offer much of it but it is sweet nevertheless - the way they don't have to speak their feelings - you just know.

What I would have loved was more explanation of the virus epidemic and how the portal works. It seemed short and cut off - and I expect that it would be explained in further books. Some things did seem too coincidental - like what was Bennett doing near the lake? Why does the Revolution rest on the shoulders of mere kids? All in all, a good read for science-fiction fans.