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Tory Brennan and her friends have turned from regular kids into a crime-solving pack with superpowers ever since they rescued Cooper, a kidnapped wolf pup with a rare strain of canine parvovirus. But now, their pack is threatened with being broken apart. The Loggerhead Island Research Institute — where their parents work — is out of funding and will have to be shut down. That is, unless the Virals can figure out a way to save it.
When Tory learns of a Charleston legend about the famous pirate Anne Bonny, as well as a fortune that was never found, she and the gang launch themselves into a desperate treasure hunt. Trouble is, they aren’t the only ones looking for the treasure. This time the Virals’ special powers may not be enough to get them out of trouble.
In Seizure, the Virals are still getting used to their new abilities, but those are not the focus of the story. While the little kid in me is still screaming for more superhero action, I love that the author chose instead to let the special abilities become an underpinning plot to the series, something they’re still figuring out as they go along. So here, as they struggle to understand their new powers, Tory and the boys tackle a new adventure, with a new trope: treasure hunting and unsolved historical mysteries.
However, while adventure lovers like me might devour this story, it’s also important to note that these kids are not the best superhero material or role models for other young teens. They might at times appear to have morals or be hesitant in certain scenarios, but that never stops them from crossing lines. Instead of stumbling into trouble, they’re more often than not the kind of kids who make trouble. They often act irresponsibly or break the law when they hit a snag. Yet somehow, things always seem to work out in their favor. On top of that, the book suffers from predictably stupid bad guys and parents who appear dumb and are far too oblivious.
Overall, though, Seizure still has its good points. This young adult adventure book has a strong focus on friendship, and Kathy Reichs adds a healthy dose of science alongside historical details. I’ve always been obsessed with treasure hunts and unsolved historical mysteries. Throughout the book I felt like I was reliving parts of the movie National Treasure, and I loved every minute of it.
Rated: Moderate. Profanity includes about 2 two uses of strong language, 9 uses of moderate language, 30 uses of mild language, 8 uses of mild takes on strong language, and 2 uses of the name of Deity. The group breaks the law on several occasions to aid in their treasure hunt. The kids stumble across an old, still-intact corpse, and some descriptions are included in the interaction.
