Reviewed by Jen: Seizure by Kathy Reichs.

Product details:
Publisher: Arrow.
Release date: January 5th 2012.
Hardcover, 464 pages.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Ages: 12+
Series: Virals #2
Other books in series: Virals
Source: Received from publisher for review.
Reviewed by: Jen

Ever since Tory Brennan and her friends rescued Cooper, a kidnapped wolf pup with a rare strain of canine parvovirus, they've turned from regular kids into a crime-solving pack. But now the very place that brought them together - the Loggerhead Island Research Institute - is out of funding and will have to shut down. That is, unless the Virals can figure out a way to save it.

So when Tory learns of an old Charleston legend about a famous she-pirate, Anne Bonney, whose fortune was never found, she can't believe her luck - buried treasure is exactly what she needs to save the Institute on Loggerhead! Trouble is, she and her friends aren't the only ones looking for it. And this time, the Virals' special powers may not be enough to dig them out of trouble . . .

Please note: There may be spoilers for previous books in the series in this review.

The Virals are back and this time it is their pack that is in danger of being destroyed.  In Seizure, the sequel to Kathy Reichs 2010 hit Virals, teen sleuth Tory Brennan has finally settled into her new life in South Carolina when suddenly everything she loves is threatened.  Not one to back down from a challenge Tory decides that she and her fellow pack mates: Sheldon, Ben, and Hi, must act quickly before it is too late.

The state of South Carolina was hit hard by the latest economic downfall and the most logical way to climb out of debt is to sell the costly Loggerhead Island Research Institute.  After the unsavory things uncovered there recently (read Virals to find out exactly what illegal things were transpiring) it seems to be the most logical solution.  Unfortunately for Tory and the boys it also means splitting up the pack as their parents will have to scatter across the world looking for new jobs.  Just as the pack is beginning to understand and harness their powers, which they gained from being exposed to a mutated form of parvovirus, the idea of being broken up is unthinkable.  They know that it is up to them to save Loggerhead Island.  Their plan is quite simple really; find the hidden treasure of female pirate Anne Bonney.  If only it were that simple!  The Virals are not the only ones on the hunt for the treasure and as the bodies start to pile up they will be lucky to escape with their lives. 

Reading Seizure was definitely an adventure.  I loved the pirate aspect to the plot and thought it was quite original.  The mystery was fast paced and kept me wanting more.  Although the story is not mired in romance there is definitely some romantic tension between Tory and one of the boys in her pack.  This added another aspect to the series that I hope gets explored in the next book, although I think Tory is a bit too naïve that she hasn’t figured it out herself. 

One thing I would like to see as the series progresses is the character’s maturing a bit more.  Currently they come across as very young, yet they are entering their sophomore year in high school (although Tory is actually a year younger than her fellow pack mates, having been promoted a grade in school).  Some of the dialogue can come off as a bit unauthentic.  Voice is one of the most important aspects of a young adult novel and aspects of Tory’s narration bothered me, but the plot is so well executed that this is just a minor complaint. 

While there is a touch of fantasy in both Virals and Seizure, the kids having super human powers, the overall genre of these books is mystery and that is what I love about them.  These are fun books definitely worth reading for anyone who loves a good adventure!