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Virozone

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VIROZONE

The world as we know it has been ravaged by violence and environmental disaster, society has been split into exclusive zones to protect what little is divided by Air, Water, Soil and Fire, each zone trades what they can to survive.

Certainly life is difficult, particularly as a fifth zone the Prestige Zone regularly takes what they like to ensure their privileged life continues to thrive.

But when 16 year old Lawlie Pearce's mother is killed, it becomes clear that the tenuous peace between the zones is on the verge of unraveling.

With a thirst for vengeance, Lawlie leaves AirZone to discover the truth and seek justice for her mother. Even if she has to bring down the biggest enemy of all : Sceptre, the leader of the Prestige Zone that dominates the world that is Virozone.

232 pages, Hardcover

Published March 27, 2024

1 person is currently reading
14 people want to read

About the author

Sarah Cole

3 books25 followers
Sarah Cole has been a public Secondary teacher for 16 years. Working with teenagers to develop and encourage their love of reading inspired her to write Virozone and Virozone 2 AIRLOCK, YA dystopian novels.

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5 stars
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11 (22%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf).
918 reviews199 followers
October 23, 2021
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
I really enjoyed reading the action packed adventures and intrigue in this tale and I loved the concept and writing style. Virozone by Sarah Cole is a fast paced read.

Virozone is a YA (Young Adult) debut novel by Sarah Cole, she takes us into a dystopian world where society is divided into the exclusive zones of the elements Fire, Water, Air and Soil. It’s in this strange new world trading fire, air, water and soil is a necessity to stay alive and also a deadly risk as the people take on ‘runs’ to other zones to trade.

But then there is the prestigious fifth zone called PreZone where they have everything they need and more and don’t have to fight or kill for their personal survival.

This is the story of sixteen year old Lawlie who seeks revenge for her mother’s death. She is a strong, determined and ready to kick-ass kind of girl as we follow her adventures to seek justice. The supporting cast of characters were likeable and interesting.

I am looking forward to book two in the series as the cliffhanger was very well executed and had me wanting more!


Thank you to the author, Sarah Cole for kindly sending me a copy of the book.


Publication date 1 June 2021
Profile Image for Books.and.brews_.
258 reviews13 followers
Read
June 22, 2021
Virozone presents an interesting dystopian concept that gave me Hunger Games and Divergent vibes. In a world where society is divided up into the world's necessities (soil, water, fire and air), each zone is forced to black market trade with each other and struggle for survival while the Prestige Zone lives in luxury without restrictions. But the trades aren't as simple as a give and take, there are people who will seek to harm you, stealing your resources and threatening your safety.

When Lawlie's (our MC) mother is killed by a planned attack, Lawlie embarks on a mission with her best friend to end the terror experienced by the zones and seek revenge for her mother.

Lawlie is a gutsy and hard-headed MC who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. Meeting unlikely companions on the way, can Lawlie stop the threats before it's too late?

This was a quick and easy to read debut novel that has left me with questions that need answering in book 2!

VIROZONE is available now! Thank you so much Sarah for sending me a copy of your debut novel!
Profile Image for Tien.
2,277 reviews80 followers
May 25, 2022
Virozone is a horrible world and yet, there are survivors. Our protagonist, Lawlie, is one such strong and determined teen. She's keen to stretch the boundaries of the world and when her mother was killed, there is nothing to stop her to find her killer and while she's at it, change the world.

A very easy and fast read; especially since there's always something happening. There were twist upon twist though I must say that despite it all, things just seem to turn up good for Lawlie. She's feisty and seems to attract many a boy. She's smart though there were times that she just charges into things without thinking and I really don't know whether to laugh or grab her & shake her. All in all an easily likeable character (most of the times!).

We don't get to see all the zones but it's an interesting idea though I'm still not too clear on how it works! I also have questions on how certain things work in this world. And that ending!! It's not clear if this is a first book in a series but with the cliffhanger ending... I mean, I HAVE QUESTIONS!!

Thanks, Social Book Tours, for having me on this book tour
Profile Image for Emily.
185 reviews
October 1, 2022
sorry but this book felt like it was written by a 12 year old. the premise made no sense like how are any of the elements going to exist without the others? where do they get food? and why was everyone lawlie met a guy with a crush on her? aside from the lack of world building everything just seemed to happen with no build up and no emotion.
Profile Image for Richard Harris.
Author 1 book10 followers
October 23, 2021
I had fun and adventure reading virozone. Love the very strong lead female character. Wanted more. And looking forward to more adventures from this talented writer.
Profile Image for Emily Rainsford.
442 reviews201 followers
April 15, 2022
Virozone is a debut indie-published YA dystopia about a 16 yo girl in a world that has been divided into zones. Air, Soil, Water and Fire zones struggle for survival, while Prestige Zone has everything. When Lawlie's mother is poisoned, Lawlie sets off on a determined rampage for revenge.

The worldbuilding here is definitely really unique and interesting. The plot moves at a good pace and has lots of twists and turns.

The writing could do with some refining. The dialogue often feels unnatural and people's emotional reactions are off - for example, a character dies and no one really seems to care, not the kid who's known her all her life, not Lawlie, whose selfish actions directly cause her death.

While we're on the topic, Lawlie is a difficult character to read - and the whole thing is from her first person perspective, so we spend a lot of time with her. She's selfish, combative and reckless, with no regard for anyone else's safety or wellbeing. I don't believe in smacking children, but my 80s upbringing had me really wanting to give that snarky, self centred lil butt a good whoopin.

The whole thing could benefit greatly from a good going over by firstly an editor, and then a good proofreader. There are a lot of commas that should be full stops and confusing dialogue formatting.

The first person perspective starts to fall down in the final chapters, as it seems the story really needs an omniscient perspective. The use of bizarrely convenient TV screens and cameras to circumvent this didn't make much sense, not to mention lines that described how characters outside of the first person protagonist were feeling.

The bad guys read like Scooby-Doo villains, they felt like charactures.

The author definitely has some really interesting ideas and plotting going on, and I look forward to seeing her writing mature.
Profile Image for Sammysreads.
193 reviews34 followers
June 22, 2021
Virozone is an interesting concept, where each zone in the society is separated by an element. Theres soil, air, water and fire. The population in each zone needs to conduct runs to other zones to trade with each other in order to survive. They all need water to drink, air to breathe and soil to cultivate. Each run they take there is a significant risk to their lives, but there is no other way. Of course, there is someone wanting to control it all from the top!
The main character, Lawlie is so strong and determined and I was so hooked on her adventure navigating this society that I almost completed the entire book in one sitting! I absolutely cannot wait for book 2 and to read more of Lawlies adventures!
Profile Image for Natalie Gold.
227 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2021
3.5 stars

Thankyou to the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Virozone was a great YA dystopian and the concept of different zones being in charge of different elements (water,soil,air and fire) was really interesting! It is very fast paced and full of action. The cliffhanger was great and I wish I had book 2 so I can find out what happens next!
1 review
May 20, 2021
With such an intriguing world created, it had me hooked. I couldn't wait to find out what was to come next and read about the strength of the female lead character Lawlie.
182 reviews8 followers
May 23, 2022

Young Adult/Tween/dystopian/scifi adventure.

Set in a futuristic world where society has been separated into Zones Air, Water, Fire and Soil contained under large domes. Each zone must trade with the others to maintain supplies of these essential elements. The Prestige Zone or PreZone, take what they want and have a seemingly perfect life. Sceptre is the ruler of all Virozone and lives a privileged life in the PreZone.

Lawlie Pearce is 16 and dreams of a united Virozone, where everyone has equal share of air, water, soil and fire. When her Mother dies, she sets out on a mission of revenge that takes her and her best friend, Cobin on a dangerous adventure that may change the future of the world they live in.

Pace – fast, action-packed and exciting. Each chapter had me on the edge of my seat, with a new obstacle to overcome and moving from one dangerous situation to another. It was nail-biting and had me hooked from the beginning.

Writing – This book introduces the world of Virozone via the adventures of Lawlie, Cobin and friends. It is totally gripping and draws you into the lives and stories of the characters quickly. In this installment we get a glimpse into three of the five zones of Virozone. AirZone, where Lawlie lives, WaterZone, where Cobin's sister, Jewel lives and then to PreZone. The story moves forward quickly and each step provides more information about Virozone, how it works and the people who live there.
I particularly liked the idea the author presents of the PreZone, the perfection of the surface and then the gritty, almost primitive underworld where the rebels live. The contrast of elements such as food, where the perfect Prestige eat from colored-coded tins and the rebels have to trade with Bob the 'snake/ferret man' or choose the mystery meat at the market place is a clever illustration of how things are very different from what they appear to be.

The ending of this book was stupendous. It was full on action until the last sentence, an opening to more adventure to come and so many maybes to be discovered and possibilities for Lawlie and her cohorts.

Characters – such a great cast of note-worthy characters. Lawlie, the kick-ass young main character is strong and committed to her cause. Cobin, her best friend and partner in crime, is the ultimate best friend type, loyal and reliable. There are the exceptionally dishonourable types, those who will stop at nothing to gain power and control. It is the characters that you think are one way and then prove to be the opposite, that make up the most surprising aspects of this story. I know there are a few characters who I am not sure Lawlie can really trust. There are many more things that will be revealed in future books, I am sure.

World Building – this is a unique world and well thought out. It has a Divergent/Hunger Games feel to it and is very well developed and explained. The premise of the zones, is quite believable and presents a novel solution to issues that may face a future earth. I look forward to finding out more about the other Zones in subsequent books and to see how they fit into this fascinating world.

This was such an exciting book to read. Once began, it is difficult to put down and I quickly read it in two sittings. I can recommend it to anyone who enjoys scifi, dystopian action stories. It is a YA story, but I believe anyone in later primary school onwards will love this book. It isn't weighed down with heavy technical terms and is thoroughly entertaining and captivating. Lawlie is another of the members of my “Who would you call to save the world team
Profile Image for Jess McFarlane.
Author 6 books28 followers
December 10, 2022
Virozone by Sarah Cole is an action-packed dystopian YA debut.
The premise is unique and interesting, as Sarah shows us a world where separate populations live in different "Zones", all producing some form of basic necessity - air, water, fire and soil. However, there is another zone - the Prestige Zone - where the rich live comfortable lives while the rest of humanity struggles under the grip of the tyrant leader, "Sceptre".
A conspiracy arises when we see the main character Lawlie fight for her home (AirZone) after the tragic loss of her mother, due to poisoned water from WaterZone. Each chapter takes the reader closer and closer to the answers Lawlie seeks, meanwhile showing us the engrossing dystopian world Sarah has crafted.
Lawlie is a strong female lead and would be very relatable to the intended YA audience. She is vivacious and tough, powering her way towards justice and not taking no for an answer. The other characters are fleshed out and intriguing - I especially liked Lawlie's friendship with Cobin.
This was a fun read! I really liked how action-packed each chapter was and the lead up to the climax.
And speaking of the climax, with a twist and cliff-hanger ending, I'm looking forward to book 2!
Profile Image for Liv Evans.
Author 10 books33 followers
December 29, 2021
So, I've got to admit that I have a type.
Dystopian with a kick-butt female lead?
I'm in. Don't even need to ask me twice. These are the kinds of books that zoom straight to the top of my TBRs.
The moment I read the blurb for Virozone, I knew I had to read it. And that cover? I know we're not supposed to judge books by covers, but dang- it is gorgeous!
Reading Virozone was an absolute pleasure. It is a fantastic YA that could possibly be aimed at even younger mature readers. I know I'll be putting this straight onto my 11-year-old daughter's TBR. It's so nice seeing strong female leads that know what they want and go for it.
Lawlie was a fun character to follow. She is determined, fierce, and does not waste time. Virozone is action-packed from cover to cover. There are no slow moments in this, with each chapter either adding to the character development, world-building, overall plot, or all three. Along her journey, Lawlie meets a great range of archetypal characters that add to the intrigue, twists, and turns that her path takes.
Overall, Virozone is a fun read. I was sucked in by Cole's wonderful protagonist, and certainly hope there is a part 2!
Profile Image for Short and Sweet Reviews by Sam.
460 reviews16 followers
May 25, 2022
Virozone features, but is not limited to, the following themes:
○ Young adult
○ Strong female lead
○ Dystopian
○ Adventure
○ Revenge

My overall rating for Virozone is...

4 Stars

What an exciting little book! Right from the get go this book packed a punch with excitement and action. The dystopian setting was unique and such a scary reality to read about. I loved Lawrie, she was fierce and capable, the perfect strong female lead for young adults to look up to. I feel like the writing style is aimed more for younger young adults, but still makes for an invigorating read for us older readers. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing who's butts Lawrie will kick in the (hopefully?) upcoming sequel!
Profile Image for K.E. Barden.
Author 4 books67 followers
January 17, 2022
What an action packed adventure! I did love the story and the perseverance of lawlie. The action scenes were fun and I really enjoyed the world building that Cole created. It gave me hunger games/ divergent vibes with a bit of Logan’s run pulled in.
The only thing that fell short for me was how fast it moved. Sometimes lawlies emotions jumped too quick for me and left me a little confused. There were a lot of conclusions the protagonists jumped to without much evidence but overall, it’s a cracking good read!
I definitely want to read the next book! Cole has left me hanging!
Profile Image for J.P. McDonald.
Author 4 books47 followers
December 19, 2022
Virozone has lots of interesting concepts of a dystopian world set in the future. It's definitely a worthy read for anyone with an interest in that middle grade level. Usually, I read things targeted at a higher age group, however it's good to support an Australian author working on their craft in a sci fi setting.

The world building worked quite well and the introduction of different characters throughout gave some fresh new perspectives and the personalities seemed real within the age group setting.

Looking forward to seeing how Cole develops her craft over time after a solid debut.
Profile Image for Maxx Victor.
Author 8 books15 followers
January 7, 2022
Thank you to Sarah for the book swap with my book.

Virozone is a great dystopian read for teens. I liked the concept of different zones being in charge of different elements (water,soil,air and fire). It is extremely fast-paced, full of action and budding romance. Virozone leaves us on a cliffhanger. Looking forward to book 2 to see what happens. Also looking forward to finding out more about the Virozone world that Sarah Cole has created.
Profile Image for Nikki Minty.
Author 5 books57 followers
January 24, 2022
Virozone was a fun, action packed, YA/dystopian adventure.
The main protagonist, Lawlie, is packed with a punch! She is tough, determined, and refuses to let anyone hold her back - whether it be for her own safety or not.
This story is fast moving with interesting settings and a few unexpected surprises along the way.
The ending goes off with a bang!
If you enjoyed Divergent or Hunger Games, you should really check out Virozone.
Profile Image for Kristine Fitzgerald.
Author 5 books1 follower
February 17, 2023
Virozone is an exciting, fast-paced adventure. It is set in a world where resources are very hard to come by and the characters' biggest priority is their survival.

What I loved most about Virozone is the character Lawlie. So often, the lead character in adventure stories is male, so Lawlie becomes a strong role model for young female readers. I'm not so young, and I loved it too.

I can't wait to read the next book in this exciting series.

Well done Sarah.
6 reviews
December 2, 2021
I loved Virozone! When I skip lunch to continue reading I know I have a good one in my hands. Virozone has the feel of The Hunger Games with a unique twist on the world. An easy and enjoyable read. I cannot wait for the next book, I must know what happens next!
11 reviews
October 8, 2021
I really liked it. I think it was a little bit similar to hunger games with all the zones like prezone ,water,fire,air and soil . but overall I really enjoyed it
Profile Image for Aaron Cordy.
67 reviews3 followers
April 26, 2023
This review and rating is from my 9 year old daughter.

Virozone sucked her in always wanting to know what happened next, with the plot twists. And she loved Lawlie.
Profile Image for Molly.
27 reviews1 follower
March 26, 2024
DNF it.... IT'S SO BAD DUDE
I've genuinely read better Wattpad fanfictions than this.
Profile Image for Aj.
317 reviews2 followers
October 5, 2022
Interesting concept, poor execution. This is the author's first work though, so I'll hold off on pointing out the issues.
Profile Image for Melissa Wray.
Author 5 books94 followers
June 15, 2024
Virozone is the debut YA novel of Australian author, Sarah Cole. It takes place in a dystopian world where four zones have certain powerful elements (air, water, soil fire) that can easily be taken away by the fifth and all mighty zone, Prestige.

For sixteen year old Lawlie she has not thought much about how the worlds operate. She just knows the dangers that face her daily life. However, that all changes when her mother is killed and she sets out to seek justice from those responsible.

Lawlie is strong and determined, but also learning that not everything is as it seems. She must make decisions that affect the people she cares about, but most importantly, Lawlie must be prepared to discover more than she set out to uncover.

Sarah Cole creates a dystopian world that is easy to imagine. Her writing is easy to read with descriptive details and a high stakes, action packed storyline. Cole includes twists and turns in the story that leave the reader wanting to know more. Best of all she introduces us to a strong, female protagonist who is more than capable of getting the job done,

Strongly recommend you read this YA fiction if you like action, adventure and intrigue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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