Jenn's Review: Code

 Blurb:  The Virals are put to the ultimate test when they find a geocache containing an ornate puzzle box. Shelton decodes the cipher inside, only to find more tantalizing clues left by "The Gamemaster." A second, greater geocache is within reach—if the Virals are up to the challenge.

But the hunt takes a dark turn when Tory locates the other box—a fake bomb, along with a sinister proposal from The Gamemaster. Now, the real game has begun: another bomb is out there—a real one—and the clock is ticking.

Review:  It's been a while since I visited with the Virals on Loggerhead Island. Code has been sitting on my shelf for far too long. Things were pretty neatly wrapped up at the end of Seizure, so it was interesting to see where things were headed.

Code was a return to everything I loved about the first book in the series, Virals.  I enjoyed Seizure, but I couldn't help feeling it was a little wild as plot lines go, even for a pack of genetically altered super hero kids. Code starts off on a whimsical jaunt and pulls you in to something dark and twisted so fast you aren't even sure how it happened.  Once into it, it was very hard to put down.

The mystery is killer and I must admit, I fell for the red herring in the book.  I love when I don't know the whodunnit of it all, and this one really threw me for a loop.  It was fast paced and thrilling.  I was shocked by the ending and a little disappointed in a few of the characters whom I've really grown to love over the series.  There were times when I wanted to shake them; I still feel like shaking some of them. (Tell tale sign that I love the book, when I'm talking about the characters like they're real.)

What I love about this series is that it's YA thrillers with some sci-fi on the side.  It's not too heavy, it's not gender specific, it's full of solid characters and fascinating mysteries.   I'd say Code is my favorite so far ~and there is an open ended little tag on the end of this book so I can't wait to see where the Virals are headed next.

Final Take:  4.75/5


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