Seizure by Kathy Reichs (Virals #2)

Ever since Tory and her friends had their DNA warped by a powerful virus, the four kids have had superhuman powers. The problem? They have no idea how to use them, and their control over the strange abilities is minimal. Things take a turn for the worst as budget cuts and bad publicity lead to the research faculty Tory's father works at being threatened. If the labs close, not only will Tory have to move, she'll be leaving behind her friends. And for a lone Viral, everyday life without the pack is frightening. It will take a miracle to save the island. When Tory comes across a legend about a lost pirate treasure, she enlists her friends, Ben, Hi, and Shelton, to hunt it down with her. As the group digs for clues of the treasure's whereabouts, they start to attract attention from other, less friendly treasure hunters.

I did see character development in Tory, which was nice. She regrets having to lie to her father, Kit, about her abilities, even if it's necessary. Now, I wouldn't say that Tory is a very honest person. B and E, theft, assault, etc. She's committed more than her fair share of crimes. However, she has a strong conscience and doesn't enjoy lying. Tory breaks the law because she feels like it's for the best, and I admire that. She has her own sense of right and wrong. The idea of being alone and without her lifelong friends also scares her, something I can sympathize and relate with.

Overall, I enjoyed this sequel. Other than with Tory, I didn't see much character development. I also didn't learn what happened to Tory's mother, a detail that has evaded me. Even so, I really did enjoy Seizure. There was as much action, creativity, and adventure as there was in Virals with interesting developments and impressive plot twists along with hints of a developing romance. I think this is a worthy series for sci-fi fans looking for some suspense, but also for a healthy dose of laughs and lightheartedness. 4/5 stars.

#scifi #friendship