This review is for those who have read or are familiar with the previous books, Virals & Seizure, or don't mind knowing spoilers for them.
SPOILER ALERT
The Virals are put to the ultimate test when they find a geocache containing an ornate puzzle box. Shelton decodes the cipher inside, only to find more tantalizing clues left by "The Gamemaster." A second, greater geocache is within reach—if the Virals are up to the challenge.
But the hunt takes a dark turn when Tory locates the other box—a fake bomb, along with a sinister proposal from The Gamemaster. Now, the real game has begun: another bomb is out there—a real one—and the clock is ticking.
Maybe I'm getting too old for these, but I wasn't nearly as sympathetic to Tory in this book as I have been previously. I like Tory, and I get that she has a lot of drama and stress on her shoulders, but her relationships are getting awfully manipulative.
Even though she has no romantic interest in Jason whatsoever, she continues stringing him along just because she needs him for things. And then she gets mad at Ben for acting jealous. Ok, I can see why she wouldn't see Ben's interest in her, since her having a slight crush on him might make her overlook signals as part of her imagination. But even when things get obvious, she's hesitant to read anything into it.
And don't even get me started on her relationships with the rest of the pack. She constantly pushes them into things they DON'T want to do, are terrified to do, but she goads them anyway. Yeah, she's the Alpha and Hi and Shelton are very timid/hesitant/scared about a lot of things, but there doesn't seem to be any empathy or trying to help them through their fears from Tory. She's very cold, calculated, and blunt. Sure, it gets the job done, but I'm starting to have second thoughts about cheering for her constantly.
I get that Tory has a lot on her plate. She has a lot of inner turmoil to deal with about her mom, her crush(es), her relationship with Kit, highschool drama, the crazy Virals stuff, and whatever maniac is trying to kill them this week. But everything keeps being pushed back, and pushed back, and "later". I'm waiting for the explosion, and I'm getting a bit suspicious when it's taking so long to come out.
All that being said, I did like this book in and of itself. The story was strong, the puzzles and action were on point, and the villain was a nice foil for the pack. When they're on puzzles and exploration, the story is great. When it focuses on Tory and drama... I'm getting really impatient. Sigh, teenagers.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
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