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Virulent #2
The System
Lucy King’s saga continues as she searches for her family and for the truth in Book Two of the Virulent trilogy.
It took one week to demolish the world and obliterate the earth’s population. And it took two weeks to solidify the ties of friendship and build-up a small society of survivors who must rely solely on each other to navigate the future’s unknown terrain.
As Grant Trotter and Lucy King make their journey to Brixton, Nebraska in search of answers, the Oregon contingent must deal with Ethan’s failing health and resentful, mysterious newcomers. Each group faces new challenges as they adjust to their new terrifying realities.
It took one week to demolish the world and obliterate the earth’s population. And it took two weeks to solidify the ties of friendship and build-up a small society of survivors who must rely solely on each other to navigate the future’s unknown terrain.
As Grant Trotter and Lucy King make their journey to Brixton, Nebraska in search of answers, the Oregon contingent must deal with Ethan’s failing health and resentful, mysterious newcomers. Each group faces new challenges as they adjust to their new terrifying realities.
350 pages, Paperback
First published July 2, 2013
41 people are currently reading
346 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
April 3, 2017
As stated by McFaul, this second book really did pick up the speed of the series. Typically, sequels will make or break the rest of a series and I'd say this second book certainly didn't cease to provide enjoyment while reading. More intense scenes, filled with dialogue to stir things up. And, us as readers finally get to visualize more things outside of a single school setting! And the chapter featuring the whole water cube torture process, hardcore stuff! Overall, definitely an improvement to a series that already started off well.
January 16, 2016
First, a story. It’s relevant, I swear…
In the 1960s a Yale psychologist wanted to find out how much pain the average individual would inflict on someone just because an authority figure ordered it. The experimental design was simple: an experimenter ordered a “teacher” to shock a “learner” for every wrong answer (s)he gave. For each wrong answer, the voltage was ratcheted up by 15 volts. Unbeknownst to the “teacher,” the “learner” was actually an actor and no electric shocks were really distributed. So the teacher was the real focus of the experiment. If a teacher expressed apprehension at continuing the experiment at any time, the experimenter would prompt the teacher to continue the experiment until the learner was “shocked” with the maximum 450 volts.
How far do you think the teachers were willing to obey the experimenters? Psychologists polled predicted that only 1 in 1000 would deliver the maximum 450 volt shock. The real results? 65 percent of “teachers” used the maximum voltage! Variations of this test have been repeated since the 1960s and the results still stand no matter the time or culture tested. Stanley Milgrim, the psychologist who conducted the original study, concluded that, “ordinary people, simply doing their jobs, and without any particular hostility on their part, can become agents in a terrible destructive process. Moreover, even when the destructive effects of their work become patently clear, and they are asked to carry out actions incompatible with fundamental standards of morality, relatively few people have the resources needed to resist authority.”
THE SYSTEM reminded me a lot of this experiment (which is real, just Google “Milgrim experiment”). Quick recap: a virus had destroyed humanity. Lucy and her friend and fellow survivor, Grant, travel to Nebraska to locate The group responsible for the virus. Throughout THE SYSTEM, Lucy struggles greatly with the realization that her father was complicit in The System’s plan to destroy humanity. She really cannot understand why he agreed to become part of the plan and why he continues despite the obvious immoral, unethical, despicable acts he is instructed to perform.
I personally think the Milgrim experiment sheds some light into how and why her father got tangled up in this horrible plan. The System’s leader, Huck, is dictatorial. Dissention and insubordination are not tolerated. In the face of this level of authority, coupled with the fact that Lucy’s father doesn’t directly witness the destruction of humanity, I think it’s very believable that he would obey Huck despite his moral misgivings. Lucy, in rebelling despite authoritative commands to conform and obey, is a member of the minority. I hope that I would be like Lucy and refuse to take part in something like this. However, as Milgrim’s experiment and its variants have shown, I probably have more in common with Lucy’s father than I do with Lucy.
So why does Lucy’s dad agree to work for Huck and The System? It seems like he is motivated by fear: fear of what Huck will do to his wife and children should he disobey an order. This doesn’t mean that Lucy’s dad agrees with what The System is doing or that he enjoys his work. It does mean that he is willing to obey orders even when ordered to do terrible things. Despite his apparent moral weakness, I find it hard to judge him. As Milgrim said, “values are not the only forces at work in an actual, ongoing situation. They are but one narrow band of causes in the total spectrum of forces impinging on a person.” THE SYSTEM does an excellent job of showing just that.
In the 1960s a Yale psychologist wanted to find out how much pain the average individual would inflict on someone just because an authority figure ordered it. The experimental design was simple: an experimenter ordered a “teacher” to shock a “learner” for every wrong answer (s)he gave. For each wrong answer, the voltage was ratcheted up by 15 volts. Unbeknownst to the “teacher,” the “learner” was actually an actor and no electric shocks were really distributed. So the teacher was the real focus of the experiment. If a teacher expressed apprehension at continuing the experiment at any time, the experimenter would prompt the teacher to continue the experiment until the learner was “shocked” with the maximum 450 volts.
How far do you think the teachers were willing to obey the experimenters? Psychologists polled predicted that only 1 in 1000 would deliver the maximum 450 volt shock. The real results? 65 percent of “teachers” used the maximum voltage! Variations of this test have been repeated since the 1960s and the results still stand no matter the time or culture tested. Stanley Milgrim, the psychologist who conducted the original study, concluded that, “ordinary people, simply doing their jobs, and without any particular hostility on their part, can become agents in a terrible destructive process. Moreover, even when the destructive effects of their work become patently clear, and they are asked to carry out actions incompatible with fundamental standards of morality, relatively few people have the resources needed to resist authority.”
THE SYSTEM reminded me a lot of this experiment (which is real, just Google “Milgrim experiment”). Quick recap: a virus had destroyed humanity. Lucy and her friend and fellow survivor, Grant, travel to Nebraska to locate The group responsible for the virus. Throughout THE SYSTEM, Lucy struggles greatly with the realization that her father was complicit in The System’s plan to destroy humanity. She really cannot understand why he agreed to become part of the plan and why he continues despite the obvious immoral, unethical, despicable acts he is instructed to perform.
I personally think the Milgrim experiment sheds some light into how and why her father got tangled up in this horrible plan. The System’s leader, Huck, is dictatorial. Dissention and insubordination are not tolerated. In the face of this level of authority, coupled with the fact that Lucy’s father doesn’t directly witness the destruction of humanity, I think it’s very believable that he would obey Huck despite his moral misgivings. Lucy, in rebelling despite authoritative commands to conform and obey, is a member of the minority. I hope that I would be like Lucy and refuse to take part in something like this. However, as Milgrim’s experiment and its variants have shown, I probably have more in common with Lucy’s father than I do with Lucy.
So why does Lucy’s dad agree to work for Huck and The System? It seems like he is motivated by fear: fear of what Huck will do to his wife and children should he disobey an order. This doesn’t mean that Lucy’s dad agrees with what The System is doing or that he enjoys his work. It does mean that he is willing to obey orders even when ordered to do terrible things. Despite his apparent moral weakness, I find it hard to judge him. As Milgrim said, “values are not the only forces at work in an actual, ongoing situation. They are but one narrow band of causes in the total spectrum of forces impinging on a person.” THE SYSTEM does an excellent job of showing just that.
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April 19, 2018Even better than the first! I can't tell you why - it would give things away, but the story line gets even better. I love the way the characters develop and the additional information you gain as you continue the series.
September 11, 2013
In "The System: Virulent Book 2" the thrilling sequel to "Virulent" the reader begins to unravel the mystery behind the conception of the virus that has almost decimated the world's population as well as getting a glimpse into the malicious mind that funded it through Elektos Corporation. This story is jammed packed with twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing as to what will happen next to Lucy, Salem, Ethan and Grant.
In this story Grant and Lucy travel across country to Brixton, Nebraska where they discover an underground dome filled with people Huk Truman has chosen to exist in the Utopian world he's creating. Can the two survive the testing, physically and emotionally? Can they save Ethan and the other survivors they left behind? These questions and more are answered as their path leads them into danger and self-discovery.
In the analogous story Ethan suffering a grievous injury stays behind to recuperate with the raider Darla and her son Teddy, but their problems only increase after an emergency operation. Tensions run high as Ethan's family of survivors begins to grow, most of them paranoid about the future. What Ethan comes to realize is that they'll do anything to survive including using him as a bargaining chip.
As the tension mounts and fear escalates, the personalities of the characters become more complex; Lucy changes from a malleable daughter into one that's defiant and stubborn, seeing her parents through new eyes. With the help of a new friend she not only uncovers the reality of the System under Huck Truman's autocratic control but seeks an escape route for those unhappy with the enforced system of rule. Grant Trotter gains a new maturity as he deals with a new threat, the testing making him ill. In this story the reader begins to grasp the extent of Grant's love and undying loyalty to Lucy as he struggles to put her welfare ahead of his own. Ethan emerges as a heroic figure who fights not only a poisonous infection, but his own anxieties and loss. He struggles to bring a kind of normalcy to their lives especially Ainsley's, the insecure but responsible young woman forced into nursing a man she fears loving.
Even the minor characters hold a fascination; Lucy's mother Maxine, loving and kind, confused by her husband's actions but willing to sacrifice anything to save her family, Scott King the brilliant but weak -willed scientist easily manipulated by a dictator. Huck Truman, the charismatic founder and leader of the System who hides his evil intent behind a polite but shrewd facade. Like the main characters the reader becomes enthralled by personalities that grow more multifaceted as the plot progresses.
I enjoyed this well-written and captivating dystopian novel and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
In this story Grant and Lucy travel across country to Brixton, Nebraska where they discover an underground dome filled with people Huk Truman has chosen to exist in the Utopian world he's creating. Can the two survive the testing, physically and emotionally? Can they save Ethan and the other survivors they left behind? These questions and more are answered as their path leads them into danger and self-discovery.
In the analogous story Ethan suffering a grievous injury stays behind to recuperate with the raider Darla and her son Teddy, but their problems only increase after an emergency operation. Tensions run high as Ethan's family of survivors begins to grow, most of them paranoid about the future. What Ethan comes to realize is that they'll do anything to survive including using him as a bargaining chip.
As the tension mounts and fear escalates, the personalities of the characters become more complex; Lucy changes from a malleable daughter into one that's defiant and stubborn, seeing her parents through new eyes. With the help of a new friend she not only uncovers the reality of the System under Huck Truman's autocratic control but seeks an escape route for those unhappy with the enforced system of rule. Grant Trotter gains a new maturity as he deals with a new threat, the testing making him ill. In this story the reader begins to grasp the extent of Grant's love and undying loyalty to Lucy as he struggles to put her welfare ahead of his own. Ethan emerges as a heroic figure who fights not only a poisonous infection, but his own anxieties and loss. He struggles to bring a kind of normalcy to their lives especially Ainsley's, the insecure but responsible young woman forced into nursing a man she fears loving.
Even the minor characters hold a fascination; Lucy's mother Maxine, loving and kind, confused by her husband's actions but willing to sacrifice anything to save her family, Scott King the brilliant but weak -willed scientist easily manipulated by a dictator. Huck Truman, the charismatic founder and leader of the System who hides his evil intent behind a polite but shrewd facade. Like the main characters the reader becomes enthralled by personalities that grow more multifaceted as the plot progresses.
I enjoyed this well-written and captivating dystopian novel and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
June 9, 2016
The System was great. I loved watching the development of the two separate but connected stories. I all the small plot twists and the descriptions of how The System worked. One thing I would change in this book would be the way Huck uses Lucy as a symbol of compassion and humanity. To me this was too similar to how President Snow in The Hunger Games uses Katniss and her mocking jay pin as a symbol for the revolution. Nevertheless The System was a read book and I look forward to reading The Variables.
August 1, 2013
The second in a three-book series, this book picks up where the other left off, both plot-wise and suspense-wise.
Two storylines intertwine to pique the reader's interest. Both contain enough adolescent angst for YA readers to relate and enough conspiracy theory for adult readers to hypothesize about what will come next.
Looking forward to reading book three!
Two storylines intertwine to pique the reader's interest. Both contain enough adolescent angst for YA readers to relate and enough conspiracy theory for adult readers to hypothesize about what will come next.
Looking forward to reading book three!
January 24, 2017
It keeps getting better
To be honest, I did wonder what kind of plot a series of books could track when the last survivors are so few, but these books keep getting better - the author holds no sympathy for characters - there are those you see as heroes and villains, but the lines are blurry and they could just as easily get knocked into the next life as survive
To be honest, I did wonder what kind of plot a series of books could track when the last survivors are so few, but these books keep getting better - the author holds no sympathy for characters - there are those you see as heroes and villains, but the lines are blurry and they could just as easily get knocked into the next life as survive
June 7, 2017
really amazing for creating tension in for the second book
June 4, 2022
This book is a great sequel to Virulent:The release. This book dives more into how the spread of the deadly disease started and the background behind it. The book goes back and forth between present time with Lucy and Grant and the past with her dad. You learn how really involved Lucy's dad is in all of this and what his part in the company was. I love this book because It's very interesting to learn about how all this started because the first book it just happens and then we follow their lives.
June 26, 2019
Another superlative "end of the world" series...
I chose a 5 star rating because it was the highest rating available. The characters all lived and breathed... And in the authors magical writing this all came together and their emotions were truly felt by the reader! On to Book #3!
I chose a 5 star rating because it was the highest rating available. The characters all lived and breathed... And in the authors magical writing this all came together and their emotions were truly felt by the reader! On to Book #3!
June 19, 2017
Couldn't wait to dive into this! I could definitely tell how Wescott grew as an author. She has a knack of making your opinions of characters change - whether from revulsion to indifference or misunderstanding to compassion. I can't wait to see how she ends the series.
February 17, 2017
Excellent
I have really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series .
I have really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series .
July 28, 2019
I enjoyed book 2 alot!
July 14, 2013
I have so much good to say about this series and this book in particular! I will say right now that I may have some spoilers here! I will try not too, but I am putting it under spoiler alert just in case! Ok, so this is the next book after The Release. Every one is dead. Just a few are still alive in Oregon. You have Lucy and Ethan who are brother and sister. They have been vaccinated and are safe from the virus. Then Lucy's friend from school Grant. Grant is sort of a marvel. He is immune. Ethan traveled home as you read in the last book with a woman named Darla and her very young son Teddy. A young man named Joey, Principal Spencer, Doctor Krause and her daughter Ainsley, and later they find Grants father Dean is alive as well. They are all survivors that made it after the first day and were vaccinated, accept for Dean who is immune like Grant, by what was left for the King children in case something would have went wrong and they missed their vaccinations. The book begins 4 years prior to the "release" date. Scott King is meeting with a new "employer" and meets the "crazy-train" Huck Truman, his daughter Blair, and his son Gordy. At first Mr. King thinks all of this is a huge joke at his expense. He is totally not hearing what Huck is saying at all. He believes it is a joke, at first. Then he understands that Huck is dead serious. And he initially wants nothing to do with this insane man and his plot to murder the world! But Huck is resourceful. He wants King because he knows he is smart, and a top class scientist. Knows that Scott King will invent a virus that will do what he needs done. He will not fail. So he uses Scott Kings family, his wife and SIX children, as a bargaining tool against him. He has live feed of them being watched in the park and he makes Scott understand that he has a choice to either save his family or watch them die. Scott knows this man means business, that he is going to succeed where others have failed with bio terrorism. So, with no real other choice Scott King agrees to do this heinous thing to save his family in the end.
Flash forward from where the last book left off and you find that Lucy and Grant have made it to Yellowstone National Park and they are taking a rest. Through their journey they have not seen a single other person alive. They are amazed at how quickly everyone has succumbed to this virus. So quickly, that most have died before they even understood what was happening. Leaving everything undisturbed. Nothing really looted much, because not many lived after the first day. And none made it to day six accept Grant and his father, who is alive but Grant does not know that as of yet. Ok I feel like I am divulging WAY to much already..lol! Lets just say from here on things get a bit sticky for everyone. Ethan is not doing very well. He has had to have his leg amputated and his health is failing fast. Principal Spencer has been trying to make a few important points valid. Like the fact that maybe Lucy and Grant should have stayed put. And that these people, if they come for Ethan, they are prolly not going to be a big group of "saviors". Everyone wants to put him off as just paranoid, but Grants father Dean agrees. They try to tell the group that hey, these people already tried to kill us once, they may not be too happy to learn that they didn't succeed! Which to me sounds pretty darn right! Lucy and Grant make it to Nebraska and find something that neither of them could imagine. I quiet enjoyed this read and I am very anxious to read the next book to see if Lucy and Grant can survive the System. And to see if anyone else in this System has thoughts of rebelling. It is a definite MUST READ for those of us that love the dystopian genera. What makes this even better is that it is a realistic story. So terrifying in that way that it catches you off guard at times! I think any book that can illicit such responses is truly a sign of an amazing author! Good Work Mrs.Wescott! Keep us all posted and up to date on how book 3 is coming Please!
Flash forward from where the last book left off and you find that Lucy and Grant have made it to Yellowstone National Park and they are taking a rest. Through their journey they have not seen a single other person alive. They are amazed at how quickly everyone has succumbed to this virus. So quickly, that most have died before they even understood what was happening. Leaving everything undisturbed. Nothing really looted much, because not many lived after the first day. And none made it to day six accept Grant and his father, who is alive but Grant does not know that as of yet. Ok I feel like I am divulging WAY to much already..lol! Lets just say from here on things get a bit sticky for everyone. Ethan is not doing very well. He has had to have his leg amputated and his health is failing fast. Principal Spencer has been trying to make a few important points valid. Like the fact that maybe Lucy and Grant should have stayed put. And that these people, if they come for Ethan, they are prolly not going to be a big group of "saviors". Everyone wants to put him off as just paranoid, but Grants father Dean agrees. They try to tell the group that hey, these people already tried to kill us once, they may not be too happy to learn that they didn't succeed! Which to me sounds pretty darn right! Lucy and Grant make it to Nebraska and find something that neither of them could imagine. I quiet enjoyed this read and I am very anxious to read the next book to see if Lucy and Grant can survive the System. And to see if anyone else in this System has thoughts of rebelling. It is a definite MUST READ for those of us that love the dystopian genera. What makes this even better is that it is a realistic story. So terrifying in that way that it catches you off guard at times! I think any book that can illicit such responses is truly a sign of an amazing author! Good Work Mrs.Wescott! Keep us all posted and up to date on how book 3 is coming Please!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2017
Axel Nielsen
McFaul
Period 1
23 February 2017
The System by Shelbi Wescott
Overall The System was a much more satisfying and interesting book then Virulent. The book was a lot less predictable despite the cliffhanger that capped the story leading into the third book. The struggle in Portland that Ethan has is really sweet, and despite losing his leg the reader feels the rush of joy when the struggling group comes together to put on a date between Ethan and Ainsley, making the characters feel normal again. One of the biggest surprises for me was when Lucy successfully convinced Huck to free Grant, and save Ethan. This all came as a surprise to me because his character seemed to only care about his well being, and did not want to be seen as a bad guy. Lastly, Shelbi Wescott was able to successfully make the chapters flow together despite the change in perspectives that was a change from the first book. All in all I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
McFaul
Period 1
23 February 2017
The System by Shelbi Wescott
Overall The System was a much more satisfying and interesting book then Virulent. The book was a lot less predictable despite the cliffhanger that capped the story leading into the third book. The struggle in Portland that Ethan has is really sweet, and despite losing his leg the reader feels the rush of joy when the struggling group comes together to put on a date between Ethan and Ainsley, making the characters feel normal again. One of the biggest surprises for me was when Lucy successfully convinced Huck to free Grant, and save Ethan. This all came as a surprise to me because his character seemed to only care about his well being, and did not want to be seen as a bad guy. Lastly, Shelbi Wescott was able to successfully make the chapters flow together despite the change in perspectives that was a change from the first book. All in all I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2014
I had to think and think about how to review this.
I loved this book. The story isn't one of non-stop action, it more or less builds and builds. It progresses naturally and with a pace so you feel everything along with the characters.
This books starts off a few days after the last. Lucy and Grant have landed and Lucy is nervous about continuing. Unsure of what she will find. Grant doesn't push but encourages her. When they get to the coordinates they are in for more than they planned for.
Meanwhile, Spencer has found Ethan a doctor, albeit against her will. The doctor is forced to take the vaccine because they inject her daughter. I really enjoyed this part of the story more. To me this book flipped from Lucy's story to Lucy and Ethan's stories and I was more into Ethan's. I loved the progression with Ainsley.
I had a few "huh?" moments.
I loved this book. The story isn't one of non-stop action, it more or less builds and builds. It progresses naturally and with a pace so you feel everything along with the characters.
This books starts off a few days after the last. Lucy and Grant have landed and Lucy is nervous about continuing. Unsure of what she will find. Grant doesn't push but encourages her. When they get to the coordinates they are in for more than they planned for.
Meanwhile, Spencer has found Ethan a doctor, albeit against her will. The doctor is forced to take the vaccine because they inject her daughter. I really enjoyed this part of the story more. To me this book flipped from Lucy's story to Lucy and Ethan's stories and I was more into Ethan's. I loved the progression with Ainsley.
I had a few "huh?" moments.
July 16, 2013
I love the Virulent series. I bought the first book on a lark and devoured it in less than a day. To my utter dismay, the second one wasn't out yet. I found Shelbi on Facebook and to my relief, the second one was coming soon. Now I'm dying for the third!
In the second installment, Lucy and Grant have lost just about everyone that they love. Lucy's brother isn't doing well and Lucy and Grant are on the way to Nebraska in search of Lucy's father. When they finally make it, Lucy and Grant are separated in a dire situation, as the Nebraska survivors will not accept Grant. The second book follows them on this journey of discovery and the sacrifices it takes to reunite.
This book was just as good, if not better, than the first book. The characters are so lovable and intense. It is like they are real people that could walk off the pages into your living room and you would instantly connect with them. I think Shelbi did a fantastic job with the end-of-the-world scenario, hitting the feelings and emotions just right. If you haven't read the first book, it is a must read and you better have you one-click finger ready to buy the second as soon as you close the last page!
In the second installment, Lucy and Grant have lost just about everyone that they love. Lucy's brother isn't doing well and Lucy and Grant are on the way to Nebraska in search of Lucy's father. When they finally make it, Lucy and Grant are separated in a dire situation, as the Nebraska survivors will not accept Grant. The second book follows them on this journey of discovery and the sacrifices it takes to reunite.
This book was just as good, if not better, than the first book. The characters are so lovable and intense. It is like they are real people that could walk off the pages into your living room and you would instantly connect with them. I think Shelbi did a fantastic job with the end-of-the-world scenario, hitting the feelings and emotions just right. If you haven't read the first book, it is a must read and you better have you one-click finger ready to buy the second as soon as you close the last page!
June 22, 2014
It has been a week since the virus was released that killed the world. Well, most of it. There are very few survivors. Lucy and her brother Ethan were vaccinated against the virus. You see, their father is the one who created the virus. Scott left a few backup doses of the vaccine and Ethan has used them to save others. But Ethan is in trouble. He had an accident and is danger of losing his life to infection. Lucy and her friend Grant have set off for Nebraska in a hot air balloon. This is where they believe Lucy's father is. They believe that he will send rescuers to help Ethan and protect the rest of their small survivors group. Meanwhile in the underground System, Huck is moving forward on his plans to wipe out all life on earth and start again in his own utopia. When Lucy and Grant arrive at the System, they are greeted with mixed emotions. Lucy is allowed to join her family but when Huck learns that Grant survived the virus, he instructs Scott to develop a new virus to kill those who survived the first strike. He must kill Grant. And what about Ethan and the others back in Portland? Will he allow them to live?
May 27, 2015
The System, the second and admittedly better addition to the Virulent trilogy. This one started off a little slower for me, and I couldn't quite get into. It probably sat on my desk for a month before I decided to keep going. And, man, was I glad I did. After the initial lull at the beginning that most second books have, all of the recounting of information the author puts in to remind readers of the first novel, this book picked up steam quickly. Hot air balloons, and Nebraska, and tanks, OH MY!! This book, kindly, kicks ass in comparison to its also amazing first addition. I couldn't put it down, and when I had to, it was the only thing on my mind. Is Grant gonna be okay? What happens next? How can people follow a stranger so blindly? How can fear make so many step into line? This book went by far too fast, and I intend to make it a quick addition to my collection. Avidly gobbling up the third as I type.
February 18, 2016
I know, I know. Four stars for the first book, three stars for the second? The series got worse, then?
Well.
Not really.
I think the story is getting more interesting, to be honest. The System is an amazing situation. I'm interested in Blair and Cass. Darla remains the supreme badass.
Why three stars?
Because Lucy spent the whole book whining about Grant. Girl. You've met him like two, three weeks ago. There's an apocalypse-ish thing happening right now. Get a grip.
And, if that hadn't been enough, we had Ethan being all "I'm suffering. People are taking care of me. I don't want you to take care of me. Instead, get me a date with that girl".
SERIOUSLY!?
So yeah. Those two things cost this book a star. Almost two stars. I like romance. I like reading those books cause I want to see how people will react. BUT IT HAS TO BE REALISTIC. THIS WAS NOT REALISTIC, OKAY!?
Well.
Not really.
I think the story is getting more interesting, to be honest. The System is an amazing situation. I'm interested in Blair and Cass. Darla remains the supreme badass.
Why three stars?
Because Lucy spent the whole book whining about Grant. Girl. You've met him like two, three weeks ago. There's an apocalypse-ish thing happening right now. Get a grip.
And, if that hadn't been enough, we had Ethan being all "I'm suffering. People are taking care of me. I don't want you to take care of me. Instead, get me a date with that girl".
SERIOUSLY!?
So yeah. Those two things cost this book a star. Almost two stars. I like romance. I like reading those books cause I want to see how people will react. BUT IT HAS TO BE REALISTIC. THIS WAS NOT REALISTIC, OKAY!?
March 22, 2014
This book was even better than the first book and I loved the first book. This book alternates point of view from Lucy and Grants story to her brother Ethan and his newfound friends. Lucy and her family are finally reunited, but it's Grant she is so desperate to save. I enjoyed reading about how Grant and Lucy's relationship grew in this book. We also meet Cass, a new friend and ally to Lucy, I really enjoyed Cass and her friendship with Lucy.
As far as Ethan's story, I really felt for him and his struggles to deal with his injury. Meeting the new characters and how they interacted together to survive was so riveting and emotional. I also loved Darla and her son Teddy. I cannot wait to see how this story ends. 5 out of 5 stars.
As far as Ethan's story, I really felt for him and his struggles to deal with his injury. Meeting the new characters and how they interacted together to survive was so riveting and emotional. I also loved Darla and her son Teddy. I cannot wait to see how this story ends. 5 out of 5 stars.
July 18, 2013
Bio terrorists have wiped out 99% of the world's population. In this sequel to "Virulent", Lucy sets out with her friend Grant to find her family who have suspiciously survived the attack because they were unknowingly inoculated. But the answers they seek could prove to be their worst nightmare as they come face to face with true evil.
Ms. Wescott has spun a harrowing tale of survival that will definitely make you think. Just what would you do to survive- at what cost to morals and family values? How far would you go?
As edgy and disturbing as "the Hunger Games", but more realistic and current. A definite must read!
Ms. Wescott has spun a harrowing tale of survival that will definitely make you think. Just what would you do to survive- at what cost to morals and family values? How far would you go?
As edgy and disturbing as "the Hunger Games", but more realistic and current. A definite must read!
July 24, 2013
So far I’m really liking this story. I’m still a bit conflicted about Lucy’s father…whose side is the guy really on? Grant seems a little too good to be true, but hey, the end of the world could probably bring about some pretty miraculous changes in a person. Cassandra is a fun new character addition! The ending is soooo unsettling! Talk about a cliffhanger! I can’t wait to see what happens to the Oregon crew. Darla is about to kick some arse and take some names! Great continuance of a VERY exciting story. Can’t wait for book three!
July 23, 2014
Great read.
Great read.
In this second book of the series, you learn more about the characters and their families. The main characters are more fleshed out and you really want them to be together; Lucy and Grant, Ethan and Ainsley. You get to better understand why the families in the System are there. Is Huck good or evil? Is he delusional? Throughout history there have been people like Huck who thought they were right and everyone else was wrong or misguided. Read the book and see for yourself. Is he right or wrong? Let me know what you think.
Great read.
In this second book of the series, you learn more about the characters and their families. The main characters are more fleshed out and you really want them to be together; Lucy and Grant, Ethan and Ainsley. You get to better understand why the families in the System are there. Is Huck good or evil? Is he delusional? Throughout history there have been people like Huck who thought they were right and everyone else was wrong or misguided. Read the book and see for yourself. Is he right or wrong? Let me know what you think.
June 6, 2015
Excellent trilogy
The second book of a most enjoyable trilogy leaves you with an immediate desire to reach for the third/end of the Virulent series. It is nice to read a doomsday series that doesn't involve flesh eating zombies. The characters are interesting likable good guys, despicable bad guys, questionable bad/good guy, leaving you with the hope that (bad/good) guy gets his act together before all is lost. Simplistic review not wanting to give away anything from the plot. I am looking forward to the third book.
The second book of a most enjoyable trilogy leaves you with an immediate desire to reach for the third/end of the Virulent series. It is nice to read a doomsday series that doesn't involve flesh eating zombies. The characters are interesting likable good guys, despicable bad guys, questionable bad/good guy, leaving you with the hope that (bad/good) guy gets his act together before all is lost. Simplistic review not wanting to give away anything from the plot. I am looking forward to the third book.
December 26, 2013
For a high school language arts teacher, this author leaves much to be corrected. What red pen wouldn't love lines like "she rose the glass to her mouth..." as well as an illogical love of the needlessly hyphenated-word. It's an interesting story, but as to the moral complexity involved in unleashing a deadly virus engineered to kill everyone on the planet except you and your little group... we're barely scratching the surface. Much more must be explored in the next installment. Count me in.
October 10, 2015
This is the second book in the Virulent series by Shelbi Wescott. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I did the first one but it was still an amazing book. I would highly recommend it. It is the second part of Lucy's journey and how she handles it when she finally does find her family. I do think that Lucy becomes self-centered a little bit and that did not appeal to me very much. All in all a good book.
June 24, 2013
MUCH stronger and tighter writing. Not a disappointing sophomore slump book either!!! The cliffhanger ending is to be expected, but left in a way that satisfies the reader--which is also challenging. The reader gets closer to the characters, and they are shaped and developed and exposed even more than book one. REALLY loved this. REALLY.
August 10, 2013
Lucy sets out on a journey to find her parents and help for her brother what she gets is a facility that is not what she expects. im not really sure how I fell about this one. The introduction of new characters is a little off putting because they take up a lot of the actual story. ok read but i wont be reading the next one.
December 10, 2013
2nd book and equally hard to put down.I didn't think the story could get more intense boy was I wrong. equal parts heart pounding and nail bitting amazing story telling. And what's going to happen next ending I cant wait to continue the saga
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