Viridian

by Susan Gates

Leon is supposed to be looking after his little brother Danny when he starts big school. But some kids tell Danny that there's a wolf in the cupboard and now he won't go back to school. Can Leon sort out his crazy brother without getting in trouble with Mum - or looking like an idiot in front of gorgeous Lily Mae?

Genres: Science Fiction

211 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[Antonia Childs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since the description above isn't for this book, and I have no idea how to change it, I figured I'd post the actual description for those who might come across this review:

Humanity is overrated.
A virus is turning people into human/plant hybrids. But the new species, the Verdans, are calm, happy, and peaceful. Everyone wants to go Verdan, and soon people are queuing up to be infected. The only humans left are Immunes like Jay, and a few obstinate hold-outs like his dad.
Then the Cultivars rise. Bred from the most dangerous plants on the planet, they are aggressive, powerful warlords. Their leader is the ruthless Viridian - Jay's blood brother and worst enemy. And Viridian won't stop until he's wiped out the last remnants of humanity...

I'm not too sure which age group this is aimed at, though the main character, Jay, is fourteen, the book isn't highly detailed and is pretty short. But it is really interesting and is a good read anyway, and as it isn't obviously for kids, it's easy to pick up and get into.

I'm pretty sure there was no swearing, if there was, then it was minor and I must have just skipped over it, but I'm fairly sure there wasn't any. The violence was minor, with a few chases and a few fights against the Verdans, but there wasn't really anything.

I think the author did stick pretty close to the plot on this one, which is why I think it wasn't longer, instead focusing on the growing Verdan population and the threat that comes with it, and then trying to overcome it.

But overall, good book, and looking forward to the sequel, Venus Angel.

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jay and his dad aren’t like the others. They are still human, and avoiding the virus that turns humans to Verdans – Plant based people who look human except they are green, inside and out and breathe oxygen instead of CO2. The Verdans are peaceful and require nothing but sunlight, water and nutrients – but then come The Cultivars. These are Verdans bred from deadly plants like the venus fly trap, and they want to eradicate humans all together.

Something different. Writing not so flash, but good story.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

What it's about: A plant virus is infecting humans, causing them to become plant-people called Verdans. But there is a group separate to the Verdans that wish to take over the world, and all the remaining humans.


What I thought: This story had so much potential. A infectious virus from plants. A new race of people called Verdans. A very different dystopian world. Yet what I read just didn't do it justice. Sure, it's a middle grade book, and needs to be written for the right audience. That wasn't it though, the fact that it was written for kids half my age. It wasn't the writing. It was the story.

Jay is an immune. He can't contract the plant virus, even through multiple attempts. His dad doesn't believe in the 'green freaks' and wants to stay far away from that problems. Viridian is a verdan that they meet by accident - and now he's the leader of a ruthless group called the Cultivars - and Viridian know's Jay secret, and is willing to kill him to uphold his groups standards.

I think middle-graders will love the story, but it just wasn't for me.


The Good: A fantastic story with plenty of potential.


The Bad: It fell flat for me.


Rating: 3 Bookstacks

[Bec · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was alright.

[Morpheyy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, with information about plants neatly woven in. Though the ending part was a bit abrupt, the book is short enough and the action frequent enough to make this a page-turner.