Line #28 Literature/Virals


1	Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the ''Bones'' novels and [[Series/{{Bones}} hit TV show]]), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.
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3	As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot--if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.
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5	Fortunately, they are now more than friends--they're a pack. They are Virals.
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7	The books in the series right now are:
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9	* ''Virals''
10	* ''Seizure''
11	* ''Code''
12	* ''Exposure''
13	* ''Terminal''
14	* ‘’Trace Evidence’’, a collection of short e-book stories
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16	----
17	!!This series provides examples of:
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19	* ActionGirl: Tory, of course.
20	* AdultsAreUseless: Both played straight and averted.
21	* BadassCrew[=/=]BadassFamily: The Virals.
22	* TheBigGuy: Ben is the strongest when flaring.
23	* ContinuityCameo: "Aunt Tempe" occasionally shows up (usually by phone or email) to help Tory solve a puzzle.
24	* EvilCounterpart: [[spoiler: ''Three'' of 'em in ''Terminal'':]]
25	** [[spoiler: Will Speckman to Ben;]]
26	** [[spoiler: Cole to Hi;]]
27	** [[spoiler: and Ella to Tory.]]
28	* FakedKidnapping: [[spoiler: The Gable twins, in ''Exposure.'']]
29	* HomeBase: An abandoned Civil War bunker.
30	* MissingMom: Tory's was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver.
31	* OurWerewolvesAreDifferent: They've got different DNA from a rogue strain of canine parvovirus. While they have the strengths and senses of wolf-dogs, they don't actually transform, in fact the only visible change is that their eyes turn yellow once they flare.
32	* PapaWolf: Kit, especially in ''Code''.
33	* PoliceAreUseless: In general, yes. Justified in ''Exposure'' [[spoiler:because one of the cops on the case was the kidnapper. He's been leaking information to the media and obstructing police work from the inside.]]
34	* ShownTheirWork: Reichs often includes details and local lore from the area, such as the story about why Charleston houses are long and narrow.
35	* SuperSenses: When any of the Virals flare.
36	** It goes up to eleven when [[spoiler: Tory finds herself able to read the minds of people besides her own pack, at least before they put up mental defenses.]]
37	* TeamPet: Cooper the wolfdog, who was the original carrier of the experimental parvovirus. He doubles as an ActionPet as well.
38	* TheNoseKnows: Tory, when flaring, to the point where she can smell ''emotions.''
39	* PracticallyJoker: ''Code'''s Big Bad, the Gamemaster, has many traits evocative of the Clown Prince of Crime. He exudes a FauxAffablyEvil charm [[spoiler:(in his Simon Rome and Eric Marchant personas)]], and his PsychopathicManchild tendencies shine through his [[EvilLaugh sinister high-pitched laugh]] and MonsterClown motifs. His love for poisons, death traps, bombs and the colour purple makes him even more, Joker-like, as does his [[StrawNihilist nihilistic worldview]] exhibited in his final confrontation with the Virals. He also went mad after having ''"one bad day"'', like the Joker's portrayal in ''ComicBook/TheKillingJoke'', and his background as an ex-Marine suffering from PTSD in the Iraq War mirrors a popular fan theory about the [[Film/TheDarkKnight Joker' Nolanverse incarnation]] being an Iraqi or Afghan veteran also struggling with PTSD.
40	* PsychoRangers: [[spoiler: The Trinity.]]
41	* TheTeam: While each of the Virals obtain an upgrade to their natural abilities once they flare, some of them have better capabilities than others.
42	** Tory has the best sense of smell, so good that she can even smell whether someone is calm or anxious.
43	** Hi has the best sight, capable of spotting a bunny from 50 yards away. Actually, at first, Hi's flare comes the easiest.
44	** Shelton has the best hearing.
45	** Ben actually becomes the physically strongest when flaring.
46	* TheyWouldCutYouUp: The main justification for hiding their powers.[[spoiler: Almost actually happens in ''Terminal''.]]
47	* [[UncannyValleyGirl Uncanny Valley Boy]]: [[spoiler: Chance]] from the finale of the first book on.
48	* ViralTransformation: The entire premise, thanks to some experimental parvovirus.
49	* {{Yandere}}: [[spoiler:Hannah]] in the ending of ''Virals''.
50	** Enhanced [[spoiler:in the fifth book.]]
51	--> [[spoiler:'''Hannah''': [Fighting against security guards] Tory sent you, didn't she?!? [[AxCrazy I'll rip out your throats!]] ''No one will stand between me and Chance! NO ONE!'' [[ClingyJealousGirl We're meant to be!]]]]
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Context Literature / Virals