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The ''Virals'' series began as a teen companion piece to Reichs’ successful and quirky forensic anthropology crime -fighting series ''Bones'' which has spawned over twenty books and a popular TV series. To create something completely different, aimed at a young adult market, Kathy collaborated with her son Brendan who used real -life experience to add an engaging fantasy element to the plot. His eureka moment came about through his discovery of the canine parvovirus, as he explains: ''A puppy I'd just adopted came down with the nasty little virus. That experience led to the central conceit of the ''Virals'' books. The science-fiction angle of a weaponized canine virus infecting our main characters was the missing piece.'' This resulted in an exciting blend of Science fiction adventure, mystery, forensic criminology and techno -geek humour with teen angst, jealousy and a pinch of social media thrown in.

Each book’s plot involves cold case cracking, mystery -solving and super human superhuman abilities. The reader is encouraged to invest in sassy, quirky characters whose genetic makeup has been suffused with powers connected to the five senses. The Virals are led by 14 -year -old Tory, the smart, pretty grandniece of Tempe Brennan (who is the female protagonist of ''Bones''). She is joined by hot -tempered, attractive, moody Ben, who is of Indian heritage, witty techno -wizard geeks Hi and Shelton and loyal Wolf dog Coop. The supporting cast includes Kit, Tory’s marine biologist father, irritating Southern belle Whitney who is determined to make tomboy Tory into a lady, and cool, mysterious, wealthy, handsome, duplicitous society scion Chance who is pivotal to the plot in many of the Virals adventures.

Added to this formula is a love letter to Charleston, South Carolina as the Reichs map the Virals’ action -packed stories around top tourist spots with the added fictional locations of Loggerhead and Morris Island. A map is included at the start of each adventure so that readers can chart the characters’ exploits as they pitch from one crisis to another in Ben’s Boston whaler runabout.

After genetic mutation, treasure hunting, dangerous mind games, kidnapping and countless plot twists, the finale of the ''Virals'' series needed to be mind -blowing. The Reichs have not disappointed. From the glowing red eyes on the front cover to the sense of mystery and tension throughout, ''Terminal'' takes off at a run as Tory’s pack is stalked by a mysterious presence and they are faced with a difficult choice. They need to rely on their combined forces and separate talents of hypersensitive smell and hearing, mind control, super eyesight, super speed and agility and strength, increased spatial perception, awareness and the links of their pack through a shared consciousness more than ever before. Stunning set pieces include a dramatic chase at Fort Sumter and a showdown on the USS Yorktown at the Patriot’s Point Naval and Maritime Museum. Just who can the Virals trust, what is happening inside their bodies, can Tory finally make a choice in the love stakes, will the Tripod of Bitch at Bolton Prep get off her case and who are the new genetic mutations on the block? All these questions are addressed in ''Terminal'' and what is so great about it is that it reassembles the villainous casts of previous adventures and ties up every strand. There is even another twist at the end after the denouement. Hopefully , the Reichs will collaborate again soon. Top marks.

To experience the world of these enterprising, gifted teens you should start with [[Virals by Kathy Reichs]] which will introduce you to the exciting sci -fi concept fused with forensic criminology and technology.  We also have a review of [[Exposure (Virals 4) by Kathy Reichs and Brendan Reichs|the previous book]] in the series  If teens endowed with special powers appeals appeal you should also try the fantastical universe of [[The Invisible Girl by Laura Ruby]] or for a paranormal slant [[Out Of This World by Ali Sparkes]], [[Unleashed: A Life and Death Job by Ali Sparkes]] and [[Unleashed 2: Mind Over Matter by Ali Sparkes]]. For something more sophisticated and thought -provoking which looks at a technological teen hybrid as opposed to exploring animal hybrids try [[Being by Kevin Brooks]]. There's also [[Dark Matter by Blake Crouch]].