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Viral
"In my first battle, I made fourteen thousand dollars in five minutes."On a remote planet, human explorers make first contact with extraterrestrial life. Without warning, the aliens attack, ripping the exploratory team to shreds. Humanity is at war.Back on Earth, Sam is just another jobless graduate, drifting aimlessly while she lives off of the government's monthly stipend. When war breaks out with the aliens, she sees a way out of her life of she signs up to be a "deathstreamer," a new breed of mercenary chasing fame and fortune by streaming combat footage from the front lines. If she can go viral, wealth and celebrity are within Sam's grasp. But she'll need to survive long enough to enjoy it.
- GenresScience Fiction
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2018
61 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Piers Platt
21 books73 followersI grew up in Boston, but spent most of my childhood in various boarding schools, including getting trained as a classical singer at a choir school for boys. I joined the Army in 2002, and spent four years on active duty, including a year-long deployment to Iraq in 2004 as a tank and scout platoon leader.
When I’m not spending time with my lovely wife and daughter, I’m frantically working on my next book.
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Also available on Kobo, Scribd, Oyster, and more!
When I’m not spending time with my lovely wife and daughter, I’m frantically working on my next book.
To be the first to hear about new releases - and get a free e-book! - sign up for my newsletter HERE
You can find my books here:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords
iTunes
Google Play
Also available on Kobo, Scribd, Oyster, and more!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 27, 2023
DNF 15%
С одной стороны, автор как белый мужик заслужил ачивку за мимикрию под унылый сьюшный янгэдалт.
С другой стороны - нахуй.
С одной стороны, автор как белый мужик заслужил ачивку за мимикрию под унылый сьюшный янгэдалт.
С другой стороны - нахуй.
December 19, 2018
Ender's Game meets Starship Troopers in this action packed Sci-fi thriller. The characters are well developed with many layers of motivations and the plot is complex and satisfying. I listened to the audiobook.
June 7, 2018
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
I loved Viral. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this story as much as I did. I thought it would be fun and entertaining, but I didn't realize I would absolutely love every minute of it. To me it was like some of my favorite sci fi. A future war story and what it could be like that still shows what it is like to be a soldier now. What it is like to be in this situation even though there are obviously better weapons and different things going on. This story was amazing.
If you are familiar with this author already then Viral is a bit different from his previous works in the way it is set up. In this story we follow Sam on her way to try and find where she fits in. She lives in a world where there is universal basic income and machines have taken over most of the jobs so she doesn't know what to do with her life. She went to college, but her degree is pretty useless, and she doesn't feel like she fits in anywhere. She doesn't do anything all day and it just existing. Then one day she watches some deathstreamers, soldiers that stream their battles with the alien bugs and make good money from that if they can go viral. Then she find somewhere she may be able to fit in. Something that might be worth her time and effort.
I really enjoyed watching Sam on her journey through this story. She starts off as a total newbie. She doesn't know how to shoot guns or fight or anything, and yet she signs up for this incredibly dangerous job fighting these really deadly alien bugs to try and save the human race. The battles were a bit intense and I can't imagine doing what she does. Just as I can't imagine being a soldier now. This story definitely resonated with me more than I thought it would. The discussions around the alien bugs and how they are not intelligent and we need to wipe them out in case they come to earth were interesting. It wasn't a main focus of the story, but I enjoyed watching the characters deal with what was going on and why they were even there. Sure they can make a lot of money if they can get enough viewers (and stay alive long enough), but is that really why they all joined? Is that the only reason why they are fighting? It is an interesting situation and it did make me wonder how well this would actually work if they tried implementing something like this now. It seems like it could work which is kind of crazy to think about.
Besides Sam we get to know some really awesome secondary characters and my absolute favorite was that the author included a character that was genderfluid. I may have yelled "No way! That is awesome!!" when I got to that part and definitely was telling my husband all about that person as I haven't seen a character like them in a book before. And I loved it. I loved how the author treated the whole situation and everything that happened in this story. It was super fun, intense at times, made me really think about war and the ramifications of it on soldiers, and where the future could go. This story was not exactly what I was expecting going into it, it was so much better. I thought it would be more focused on the deathstreaming and trying to get the audience to watch you almost die in battle, but it was more about Sam and her figuring her life out. Deathstreaming was a part of it, but not the main focus. I really enjoy everything this author has written, but this is definitely my new favorite. It was a story I didn't want to put down once I started and I am still thinking about after finishing it. I loved every minute of it.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration
I loved Viral. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this story as much as I did. I thought it would be fun and entertaining, but I didn't realize I would absolutely love every minute of it. To me it was like some of my favorite sci fi. A future war story and what it could be like that still shows what it is like to be a soldier now. What it is like to be in this situation even though there are obviously better weapons and different things going on. This story was amazing.
If you are familiar with this author already then Viral is a bit different from his previous works in the way it is set up. In this story we follow Sam on her way to try and find where she fits in. She lives in a world where there is universal basic income and machines have taken over most of the jobs so she doesn't know what to do with her life. She went to college, but her degree is pretty useless, and she doesn't feel like she fits in anywhere. She doesn't do anything all day and it just existing. Then one day she watches some deathstreamers, soldiers that stream their battles with the alien bugs and make good money from that if they can go viral. Then she find somewhere she may be able to fit in. Something that might be worth her time and effort.
I really enjoyed watching Sam on her journey through this story. She starts off as a total newbie. She doesn't know how to shoot guns or fight or anything, and yet she signs up for this incredibly dangerous job fighting these really deadly alien bugs to try and save the human race. The battles were a bit intense and I can't imagine doing what she does. Just as I can't imagine being a soldier now. This story definitely resonated with me more than I thought it would. The discussions around the alien bugs and how they are not intelligent and we need to wipe them out in case they come to earth were interesting. It wasn't a main focus of the story, but I enjoyed watching the characters deal with what was going on and why they were even there. Sure they can make a lot of money if they can get enough viewers (and stay alive long enough), but is that really why they all joined? Is that the only reason why they are fighting? It is an interesting situation and it did make me wonder how well this would actually work if they tried implementing something like this now. It seems like it could work which is kind of crazy to think about.
Besides Sam we get to know some really awesome secondary characters and my absolute favorite was that the author included a character that was genderfluid. I may have yelled "No way! That is awesome!!" when I got to that part and definitely was telling my husband all about that person as I haven't seen a character like them in a book before. And I loved it. I loved how the author treated the whole situation and everything that happened in this story. It was super fun, intense at times, made me really think about war and the ramifications of it on soldiers, and where the future could go. This story was not exactly what I was expecting going into it, it was so much better. I thought it would be more focused on the deathstreaming and trying to get the audience to watch you almost die in battle, but it was more about Sam and her figuring her life out. Deathstreaming was a part of it, but not the main focus. I really enjoy everything this author has written, but this is definitely my new favorite. It was a story I didn't want to put down once I started and I am still thinking about after finishing it. I loved every minute of it.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration
August 27, 2018
( Format : Audiobook )
"War is a helluva drug."
Mid 2230s and most occupations are now done by robots, better and far more reliable. So jobs are few and bored psychology student, Sam, spends much of her time playing computer games and drinking with, or without, her friends, not that she has enough money from government handouts to become an alcoholic. She wants to do something with her !ife and doesn't know what; there doesn't seem to be anything left.
Then a young man tells her that machines will never be able to do his job: there is one thing that they can never do - die. And Sam is recruited to join the Death Streamers, men and women sent on the war ship, Final Hope, to fight the alien race discovered as Earth expanded to become a multiplanetary species. Each soldier wears a camera which streams back to the vast earth audience everything that the wearer can see and experience. Build up a good fan base, and the future holds wealth and fame - if the player can last long enough. Viral follows Sam as she tries to ma!e a difference in her life and in the war to save humanity.
Although it might sound like it, and there are several intensive human-alien battles charted, this is not quite the usual military space campaign story. Instead it also looks at perceptions and societal interaction, fears, hopes and jealousies as well as links between individuals, including a very gentle romance. All is sympathetically narrated by Natalie Duke who takes on the persona of Sam who, in the book, is recording her story in the first person, with chapter introductions by assorted quotations. Ms.Duke is an excellent choice, her voice p!peasant and able to give separate character interpretations as well as feeling her way into Sam's personality and project this for the reader. Clear, articulate and we'll modulated, hers is a good performance.
Viral is a book that I recommend to anyone who enjoys military S.F. or is interested in possible futures generally and the effect of media on society. It was a very compelling and enjoyable listen.
.
"War is a helluva drug."
Mid 2230s and most occupations are now done by robots, better and far more reliable. So jobs are few and bored psychology student, Sam, spends much of her time playing computer games and drinking with, or without, her friends, not that she has enough money from government handouts to become an alcoholic. She wants to do something with her !ife and doesn't know what; there doesn't seem to be anything left.
Then a young man tells her that machines will never be able to do his job: there is one thing that they can never do - die. And Sam is recruited to join the Death Streamers, men and women sent on the war ship, Final Hope, to fight the alien race discovered as Earth expanded to become a multiplanetary species. Each soldier wears a camera which streams back to the vast earth audience everything that the wearer can see and experience. Build up a good fan base, and the future holds wealth and fame - if the player can last long enough. Viral follows Sam as she tries to ma!e a difference in her life and in the war to save humanity.
Although it might sound like it, and there are several intensive human-alien battles charted, this is not quite the usual military space campaign story. Instead it also looks at perceptions and societal interaction, fears, hopes and jealousies as well as links between individuals, including a very gentle romance. All is sympathetically narrated by Natalie Duke who takes on the persona of Sam who, in the book, is recording her story in the first person, with chapter introductions by assorted quotations. Ms.Duke is an excellent choice, her voice p!peasant and able to give separate character interpretations as well as feeling her way into Sam's personality and project this for the reader. Clear, articulate and we'll modulated, hers is a good performance.
Viral is a book that I recommend to anyone who enjoys military S.F. or is interested in possible futures generally and the effect of media on society. It was a very compelling and enjoyable listen.
.
August 16, 2018
Piers Platt is clearly a hetero-normative whyte male trying to check all his "politically correct" boxes, and this book is absolute grade-A shit.
I'm not sure why a biracial, supposedly bisexual woman in SPACE in the damn 2230s has to have gender identity explained to her, but I guess she fucking does! And who does the explaining?
A whyte savior, of course!
Yes, thank you Whyte Avery (or Piers. Ew.) for explaining to a double minority queer woman(Sam, the cover chick who somehow has relaxed hair in space.. Because you KNOW her hair isn't that straight naturally) about equality, being gender fluid/queer, and what is and is not an appropriate question to ask someone. (Oh, and Avery has four dads because he grew up in a blended gay home. HAVE YOU CHECKED ALL THE FUCKING BOXES YET, PIERS???)
Actually, I'm not even sure Sam is actually bisexual because her interest in women was hinted at once (I'm guessing that's who "Lucy" was?) before she started running after some knuckle headed man with a Louisiana accent... At least it was once by the time I stopped listening 40% through.
The action in the book was good. Platt knows action. It's easy. What Platt does not know is how to not pander to minority groups just to sale more books.
I guess this book is good for Colonizers because it was written by Colonizers. But for marginalized people? It's shit.
Should have keep the character whyte instead of this pandering mess.
FYI, African woman and an Asian man are the LEAST likely to date, let alone marry. There are literal statistics on this.
I'm not sure why a biracial, supposedly bisexual woman in SPACE in the damn 2230s has to have gender identity explained to her, but I guess she fucking does! And who does the explaining?
A whyte savior, of course!
Yes, thank you Whyte Avery (or Piers. Ew.) for explaining to a double minority queer woman(Sam, the cover chick who somehow has relaxed hair in space.. Because you KNOW her hair isn't that straight naturally) about equality, being gender fluid/queer, and what is and is not an appropriate question to ask someone. (Oh, and Avery has four dads because he grew up in a blended gay home. HAVE YOU CHECKED ALL THE FUCKING BOXES YET, PIERS???)
Actually, I'm not even sure Sam is actually bisexual because her interest in women was hinted at once (I'm guessing that's who "Lucy" was?) before she started running after some knuckle headed man with a Louisiana accent... At least it was once by the time I stopped listening 40% through.
The action in the book was good. Platt knows action. It's easy. What Platt does not know is how to not pander to minority groups just to sale more books.
I guess this book is good for Colonizers because it was written by Colonizers. But for marginalized people? It's shit.
Should have keep the character whyte instead of this pandering mess.
FYI, African woman and an Asian man are the LEAST likely to date, let alone marry. There are literal statistics on this.
August 20, 2018
After thoroughly enjoying the adventures of Rath and Falken in Platt's other books, when Viral came out I was excited to delve into a whole new world of sci-fi goodness!
Well, after reading this book I can safely say I was not disappointed.
The story had me hooked from the start and didn't let up until I had finished.
Once again the character and world building is great and sucks you into the story.
What I found to be interesting is the whole Deathstreaming concept, it seems like a plausible extension of the current Twitch video game streaming phenomena.
I could go on but, actually go read the book! you will not be disappointed.
Piers Platt is fast becoming one of my favourite authors!
One thing I will declare is that whilst Mr Platt did give me a free code for the audio book I was actually nearly 75% the way through and already well and truly hooked. So much so I am now reading it again via audible..
Well, after reading this book I can safely say I was not disappointed.
The story had me hooked from the start and didn't let up until I had finished.
Once again the character and world building is great and sucks you into the story.
What I found to be interesting is the whole Deathstreaming concept, it seems like a plausible extension of the current Twitch video game streaming phenomena.
I could go on but, actually go read the book! you will not be disappointed.
Piers Platt is fast becoming one of my favourite authors!
One thing I will declare is that whilst Mr Platt did give me a free code for the audio book I was actually nearly 75% the way through and already well and truly hooked. So much so I am now reading it again via audible..
June 13, 2018
This one is a bit outside of my normal reading comfort zone. Without the Kindle special discount and knowing the author's other work, I probably wouldn't have bought this based on the description. So going in I had low expectations, and was very pleasantly surprised.
I found it compelling reading. After a slow start, the plot moved well. The backstory to the war streaming concept is well constructed, and the protagonist is flawed and self-aware enough to be likeable. It's a little light, YA style, and like another reviewer here, I found the ending to be a little contrived.
Overall it's definitely worth a read for sf fans if you're looking for some light, easy reading. If you're more of a Greg Bear, Alastair Reynolds fan, steer clear.
I found it compelling reading. After a slow start, the plot moved well. The backstory to the war streaming concept is well constructed, and the protagonist is flawed and self-aware enough to be likeable. It's a little light, YA style, and like another reviewer here, I found the ending to be a little contrived.
Overall it's definitely worth a read for sf fans if you're looking for some light, easy reading. If you're more of a Greg Bear, Alastair Reynolds fan, steer clear.
December 14, 2018
Super fun quick sci-fi romp that explores what the future intersection of social media, war, and artificial intelligence could hold for us all. Great writing and character development. If you like the authors Rath series, you will love this book.
I especially liked the integration of a gender fluid strong main character...bravo to Piers Platt for integrating that into the story so well.
I hope we see more from Sam and Avery in the future!
I especially liked the integration of a gender fluid strong main character...bravo to Piers Platt for integrating that into the story so well.
I hope we see more from Sam and Avery in the future!
June 7, 2018
4.5
This was an extremely well written story as was his previous series. The build up felt a little too long but the setup for the conclusion about knocked me out of my chair. The ending was a little too contrived so I couldn’t give it a full 5, but it was still a most satisfying journey.
This was an extremely well written story as was his previous series. The build up felt a little too long but the setup for the conclusion about knocked me out of my chair. The ending was a little too contrived so I couldn’t give it a full 5, but it was still a most satisfying journey.
June 14, 2018
Another homerun
This is another great read from Piers Platt. I have read all his published books and this is right up there with the Janus Group series. Some parts hit close to home and you feel like some of the characters are speaking what you are thinking.
This is another great read from Piers Platt. I have read all his published books and this is right up there with the Janus Group series. Some parts hit close to home and you feel like some of the characters are speaking what you are thinking.
September 30, 2018
I've seen the future, and it's a lazy clone of today but with space ships.
The concept is good, gamers with a subscriber base fighting an alien war - but it's a lazy cut and paste of every current day trope.
Afro-asian gamer girl hooks up with fluid gender guy/girl. Twitch streams to a paying audience while she and the rest of her gamer buddies dispatch seemingly mindless aliens. Self obsessed Kardashian types, 'noob' gamers - it's all here. There's even an obligatory jibe to the incumbent president with an aside about starting a war in Korea because of some offensive remarks.
The action scenes are okay and in better hands this could have been a good book but the finale is predictable and clumsy.
12 year old kids will love it.
The concept is good, gamers with a subscriber base fighting an alien war - but it's a lazy cut and paste of every current day trope.
Afro-asian gamer girl hooks up with fluid gender guy/girl. Twitch streams to a paying audience while she and the rest of her gamer buddies dispatch seemingly mindless aliens. Self obsessed Kardashian types, 'noob' gamers - it's all here. There's even an obligatory jibe to the incumbent president with an aside about starting a war in Korea because of some offensive remarks.
The action scenes are okay and in better hands this could have been a good book but the finale is predictable and clumsy.
12 year old kids will love it.
May 4, 2020
A lot of great action and I really enjoyed this one. One thing I did not enjoy though was the whole woke gender fluid story line. It felt out of place and unnecessary and just plain annoying to be honest. I wish Piers Platt would stop trying to write in every woke topic he can think of.. It feels forced, like he's got a quota and is ticking them off as he goes. I really love his books and the way he writes, but this is all just getting a bit much for me.
September 14, 2018
It was a fun and exciting read that I would recommend, but it wasn't award winning and I don't think it was meant to be.
October 22, 2018
A good story with a relatable protagonist but the end comes too quickly and neatly winds everything up without any real lead up into it through the story.
May 17, 2019
Well written with an interesting concept to explore and an unexpected ending. Worth a read. I'm starting to like this author more and more with each book I read from him :)
October 29, 2023
WOW. just WOW.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews