Review! Viral Nation by Shaunta Grimes

Today's review is on Viral Nation by Shaunta Grimes

From Goodreads:

"After a virus claimed nearly the entire global population, the world changed. The United States splintered into fifty walled cities where the surviving citizens clustered to start over. The Company, which ended the plague by bringing a life-saving vaccine back from the future, controls everything. They ration the scant food and supplies through a lottery system, mandate daily doses of virus suppressant, and even monitor future timelines to stop crimes before they can be committed.

Brilliant but autistic, sixteen-year-old Clover Donovan has always dreamed of studying at the Waverly-Stead Academy. Her brother and caretaker, West, has done everything in his power to make her dream a reality. But Clover’s refusal to part with her beloved service dog denies her entry into the school. Instead, she is drafted into the Time Mariners, a team of Company operatives who travel through time to gather news about the future.

When one of Clover’s missions reveals that West’s life is in danger, the Donovans are shattered. To change West’s fate, they’ll have to take on the mysterious Company. But as its secrets are revealed, they realize that the Company’s rule may not be as benevolent as it seems. In saving her brother, Clover will face a more powerful force than she ever imagined… and will team up with a band of fellow misfits and outsiders to incite a revolution that will change their destinies forever."

Cover:

This cover is why I picked this book. It's literally mesmerizing! The girl "Clover" on the front is simply beautiful and the barren waste land of the world behind here is a perfect backdrop for this story. The absolute BEST part of the cover though is the awesome little bulldog looking up at Clover. I am a lover of bulldogs and I'm so glad that Mango made an appearance on the cover at Clover's side. He is a huge part of this book and needs to be acknowledged. Wonderful way to start a book.

First Reaction:

Awesome concept, great characters! Fist Bump!

What I Think About the Book:

First things first, Clover. I have to say this is the first time I have even had a main character who was autistic grace the pages of the book, and I think it is amazing. Autism is such a huge medical condition affecting so many people, but so few are brave enough to put it into their books, especially making their main character autistic. I hate "Mary Jane" types of characters, the perfect blond, innocent, kind never get far with me. I like flaws, and imperfections because that is the truth of the world, no one is perfect, or maybe perfect is in the eye of the beholder, or so they say.

I love how the author creates all these relationship between the characters, James and Jane, Clover and Mango, Clover and West, West and Bridget and Clover and Jude, all these connection are made quickly in the book and each bond is so different and interesting.

The concept of this dystopian type of book really appeals to me. I know it is not the most original idea as there are so many dystopian novel gracing the bookshelves at this moment, but it is the first that I have read with time traveling. There is action and murder, and lies around every corner. I was drawn into the story so quickly I struggled to put the book down. It was Just wonderful!

How I See Them:

Clover, Jude, West and Mango

Final Thoughts:

This book opened my eyes in so many ways. Wonderful first book, in an exciting action packed series. I can't wait to read more from Shaunta Grimes. 

I received this E-Book for free from NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this wonderful book!

and the final score is...

This review can also be found on

Amazon * Goodreads 

xoxo-