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Accidental Evolution: Viral
Have you ever been asked "if you can have any superpower, what would it be and why?"
Accidental Evolution is the story of six teenagers, each faced with their own unique, and sometimes challenging lives, from different backgrounds and upbringings. On their sixteenth birthday, which are just days apart from one another, they awaken feeling different in ways they cannot comprehend. As the day progresses, they each discover that they have a remarkable new ability; seemingly related to how they feel about themselves, their insecurities or desires manifesting into special gifts.
Through each of their own individual struggles, Erin, Brodie, Blade, Kyla, Noah and Medina must find each other to solve the question of why they have been gifted with these abilities, whilst harnessing and learning to control their new and sometimes, dangerous powers.
Viral follows the six teenagers as they try to find each other whilst there is a plague that sweeps the globe at an alarming pace, trapping the host within their bodies turning them into the living dead. Can they find each other and stop the plague before it destroys the world? One of them holds the secret to the cure.
Accidental Evolution is the story of six teenagers, each faced with their own unique, and sometimes challenging lives, from different backgrounds and upbringings. On their sixteenth birthday, which are just days apart from one another, they awaken feeling different in ways they cannot comprehend. As the day progresses, they each discover that they have a remarkable new ability; seemingly related to how they feel about themselves, their insecurities or desires manifesting into special gifts.
Through each of their own individual struggles, Erin, Brodie, Blade, Kyla, Noah and Medina must find each other to solve the question of why they have been gifted with these abilities, whilst harnessing and learning to control their new and sometimes, dangerous powers.
Viral follows the six teenagers as they try to find each other whilst there is a plague that sweeps the globe at an alarming pace, trapping the host within their bodies turning them into the living dead. Can they find each other and stop the plague before it destroys the world? One of them holds the secret to the cure.
285 pages, Paperback
Published November 13, 2024
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Adam Sayward
2 books5 followersI've always dreamed of writing teen and young adult fiction—it just took me a little while to realize I could actually do it. The idea for Accidental Evolution first sparked over ten years ago. I've always been fascinated by stories about superpowers, but I often found myself wanting more—wanting to understand why powers develop in the first place. That question stuck with me.
It wasn’t until the 2020 lockdown that I finally sat down to write. That strange, still moment in time gave me the final push to create Viral, the first book in the Accidental Evolution series. At the heart of the series is a concept I love: that special abilities are tied to each character’s deepest insecurities or strongest desires.
One day, my aspiration is to write horror/thriller type books...
A bit about me: I grew up in England as one of seven boys—yes, all boys! We moved around quite a bit when I was younger, but I’ve now settled in a small market town in the Midlands. I’m an avid reader and will devour almost anything, though my favorites are stories about people with powers (obviously), as well as science fiction and crime thrillers. When I’m not writing or reading, I’m usually out in the countryside walking my cocker spaniel, Cora.
I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I’ve loved writing them.
Instagram: adamsayward83
It wasn’t until the 2020 lockdown that I finally sat down to write. That strange, still moment in time gave me the final push to create Viral, the first book in the Accidental Evolution series. At the heart of the series is a concept I love: that special abilities are tied to each character’s deepest insecurities or strongest desires.
One day, my aspiration is to write horror/thriller type books...
A bit about me: I grew up in England as one of seven boys—yes, all boys! We moved around quite a bit when I was younger, but I’ve now settled in a small market town in the Midlands. I’m an avid reader and will devour almost anything, though my favorites are stories about people with powers (obviously), as well as science fiction and crime thrillers. When I’m not writing or reading, I’m usually out in the countryside walking my cocker spaniel, Cora.
I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I’ve loved writing them.
Instagram: adamsayward83
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 5, 2025
For a debut novel I think Adam Sayward has done a great job, and written something that feels relevant both in terms of pop culture – with the superhero genre across all media being massively popular – as well as within real life – given how we've all recently experienced a pandemic. Characters felt fleshed out, and there is a lot of heart in their dynamics, stumbling through these intense situations as teenagers would and bringing their own strengths and weaknesses into the fold. Teenage me would have LOVED this, for sure, but I'm probably a little outside the target age range for this right now. I think readers who enjoy teenage protagonists will connect with at least one, if not all, of the characters. If I had to pick a favourite, I'd say Blade.
I enjoyed the world building, and you can see a lot of thought has been put into this, but this mixed with some extensive exposition and a lot of recapping events from each character point of view did impede the pace of the plot and slowed things down a lot, especially leading into Parts 3 and 4 when the pace should have been ramping up.
Overall, it's an eay read, and a solid foundation for a growing narrative. It's a tale of friendship and found family, and the insecurities and responsibilties that come with growing up with a likeable cast. As someone that grew up reading X-men comics and watching the cartoons, the vision for this book is very clear, and it's the sort of story I can picture working well as a TV show, something similar to Heroes. This is a good start for Sayward's writing journey!
I enjoyed the world building, and you can see a lot of thought has been put into this, but this mixed with some extensive exposition and a lot of recapping events from each character point of view did impede the pace of the plot and slowed things down a lot, especially leading into Parts 3 and 4 when the pace should have been ramping up.
Overall, it's an eay read, and a solid foundation for a growing narrative. It's a tale of friendship and found family, and the insecurities and responsibilties that come with growing up with a likeable cast. As someone that grew up reading X-men comics and watching the cartoons, the vision for this book is very clear, and it's the sort of story I can picture working well as a TV show, something similar to Heroes. This is a good start for Sayward's writing journey!
June 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 stars!!!!
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
6 teens wake on there 16th birthday each having a special gift-powers. A mysterious virus breaks out in New York and it’s up to them to save the people.
Now for my thoughts- At first it was slow but that’s just because we were learning about each individual teen and the struggles they face in life. But then
🧨 bam!! The book picks up and you are thrown into the action, the twist had me so invested and I had a hard time putting the book down. My favourite powers were definitely Kyla and Medina if I woke up with a special gift it would definitely be there’s. The ending left us on a crazy cliffhanger I don’t want to say much as I don’t want to spoil it but omg so curious to see how is plays out. I can’t wait for the next book. Bravo Adam Sayward on a great book! 🫶🏻
If you could have any superpower what would it be?
6 teens wake on there 16th birthday each having a special gift-powers. A mysterious virus breaks out in New York and it’s up to them to save the people.
Now for my thoughts- At first it was slow but that’s just because we were learning about each individual teen and the struggles they face in life. But then
🧨 bam!! The book picks up and you are thrown into the action, the twist had me so invested and I had a hard time putting the book down. My favourite powers were definitely Kyla and Medina if I woke up with a special gift it would definitely be there’s. The ending left us on a crazy cliffhanger I don’t want to say much as I don’t want to spoil it but omg so curious to see how is plays out. I can’t wait for the next book. Bravo Adam Sayward on a great book! 🫶🏻
December 3, 2025
This was such a good read! Here's the blurb....
Six gifted teens. A deadly Secret. Humanity's last hope.
On their sixteenth birthdays, six strangers wake to find themselves… changed. By the end of the day, each has unlocked an extraordinary power—abilities bound to their fears, insecurities, or dreams.
But a deadly virus is sweeping New York City, trapping its victims in their own bodies with blood-red eyes and no escape. As the outbreak spreads, Erin, Brodie, Kyla, Blade, Medina, and Noah must find each other, master their powers, and uncover why they were chosen—before the world runs out of time.
This book had it all. Suspense, twists, superhuman powers! If you love x men and marvel type films you will absolutely love this.
I loved all the science in it and really connected with each character. There was one part in this story set in Central Park, NYC that blew me away. I read it and visioned it on the big screen. Absolutely epic.
Book 2 is going top of my January pile as I cannot wait to see where Adam goes with the characters. Kyla is my fave 🫶🏼
Has anyone else read this? You adding it to your list?
Definitely my fave YA book I've ever read!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Six gifted teens. A deadly Secret. Humanity's last hope.
On their sixteenth birthdays, six strangers wake to find themselves… changed. By the end of the day, each has unlocked an extraordinary power—abilities bound to their fears, insecurities, or dreams.
But a deadly virus is sweeping New York City, trapping its victims in their own bodies with blood-red eyes and no escape. As the outbreak spreads, Erin, Brodie, Kyla, Blade, Medina, and Noah must find each other, master their powers, and uncover why they were chosen—before the world runs out of time.
This book had it all. Suspense, twists, superhuman powers! If you love x men and marvel type films you will absolutely love this.
I loved all the science in it and really connected with each character. There was one part in this story set in Central Park, NYC that blew me away. I read it and visioned it on the big screen. Absolutely epic.
Book 2 is going top of my January pile as I cannot wait to see where Adam goes with the characters. Kyla is my fave 🫶🏼
Has anyone else read this? You adding it to your list?
Definitely my fave YA book I've ever read!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 29, 2025
I may be a little bit biased but I love this book… 📕
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews