Ciao, amici! I want to devote today’s review post to one book. True, I haven’t had much reading time lately, but this one deserves a day and a spotlight all to itself, regardless of my read-for-pleasure time.
I give you Viral Blues by C.S. Boyack.
★★★★★ Fast, Fun, and Fabulous
I’ve read many of Boyack’s titles, and one of the reasons I’m devouring his backlist is because of his characters. When I saw he published something new that took characters from many of his works and combined them into one unified story, I had to snatch it up.
It was everything I expected and more.
Viral Blues reminds me of A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen—a large cast of heroes with various powers/talents/strengths who band together to stop a nefarious organization from issuing in an apocalypse. Boyack’s villains plan to infect the world with a deadly virus by distributing the illness through tainted batches of the vaccination that should save the population. Thank God he’s created many story worlds with heroes who can rise to the challenge. The motley cast of characters is assembled, and what ensues is brilliant—stealthy surveillance, epic zombie battles, and action-packed shoot-outs, all under the umbrella of snarky banter Lizzie and the hat are famous for. (Clovis and Lisa more than hold their own, and the rest of the group rises to the challenge, as well.)
The plot advances at a blistering pace climaxing in a final battle I couldn’t read fast enough. Kudos to the author for a masterful work. And bonus points for the teaser at the end. I’m really looking forward to more in this series.
If you haven’t already read Viral Blues, I can’t recommend it enough. What are you waiting for? There’s a little something for everyone in there.
Have you read this story? Or any of the books these characters come from? I’d love to know what you think. Let’s talk about it.
Another great review! Another book for my TBR!
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Thanks. You’ll love it, I’m sure.
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Great review, Staci! This one is on my TBR list, along with Craig’s other books. So many awesome books, so little time…
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It’s hard to keep up, isn’t it?
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Kudos to Craig for pulling off a multi-crossover story! It’s my goal one day to do the same. Great review Staci 😁
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Thanks, Jessica. I hope you do one day.
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He didn’t just pull it off, Jess. He knocked it out of the park!
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I have “Viral Blues” on my Kindle and I have read “The Hat.” I loved Lizzie and the adventures she had with The Hat and I look forward to reading “Viral Blues!” Thanks for sharing, Staci!
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Thanks, Jan. I think Viral Blues is a fitting sequel.
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Glad to have done it, Jan. I love this story.
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On my TBR list. Lizzie and the Hat are a team I can’t miss. 😉
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I agree. They were awesome on their own, but in this ensemble? I can’t say enough good things about them and this story.
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I keep saying this but I honestly think they should be a TV show. Lizzie and the Hat. I would totally watch it.
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Oh, I would, too!
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Thanks for giving them a chance.
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I’m about 1/2 way through. And this ends my blogging for the day. 🙂 I’m off to read….
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I’m sure you’ll love it. It’s a fast read and quite enjoyable. Thanks for visiting, Diana. Hope you have a great evening.
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Hope you’re having a good time with it.
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Yes. I’m especially enjoying Clovis at the moment. 🙂
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He is one of my most popular characters. Glad you’re enjoying him.
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I love Clovis.
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Great review and another great read!
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So glad to have you weigh in here. It’s nice to have an opinion seconded. Thanks, Denise.
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Thank you for saying so here.
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Holy cow, after that review Viral Blues tops my reading list!
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So happy to hear that!
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I’m so excited. Hope it lives up to your expectations. (Who am I kidding, I hope it exceeds your expectations.)
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🙂
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Excellent review, Staci. I’m reading it now and am enjoying it too.
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Thanks, John. Staci does an excellent job on her reviews.
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Aw, thanks, Craig.
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So glad to hear that, John.
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That is clever–to combine characters from other fiction. I’ve seen authors do that on a small scale but this sounds huge. Kudos, CS!
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It was one of the best ensemble-cast stories I ever read, Jecqui.
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Thank you, Jacqui. I think it came out well, but readers will be the ultimate judge.
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An excellent review, Staci.
I’ve read this one and loved it. It was a lot of fun to have all those characters together in one story. I’m looking forward to more int his series, too.
Congratulations to Craig!
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Thanks, Mae. I had a great time writing it, and am looking forward to writing more in this series.
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Me, too, Mae!
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This one’s in my TBR and rising. Your sharing buttons are missing again. A pox upon WordPress!
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Every time WP updates, I lose them. And I don’t know why. Sigh. A pox upon them, indeed.
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A wonderful review of Craig’s book, Staci. I am really looking forward to reading it soon.
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Thank you, Robbie.
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You’ll enjoy it, Robbie. It’s a fun read.
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Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
Check out this great review of Viral Blues. If you’re on the fence about this one, maybe Staci can push you over.
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I hope this pushes a lot of people over the edge. Not that I can understand why they’d be on the fence, anyway. It’s a great story, Craig.
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Thank you again.
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Lol, that sounds kind of nefarious 🙂
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What a nice surprise. Thanks for sharing your opinions of Viral Blues.
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Glad to do it.
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I have read this one. When I learned Lizzie and the Hat were involved… 🙂
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Thank you, Joan.
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Hat’s impossible to pass up, isn’t he?
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I’ve read a lot of Craig’s books and can’t wait to read Viral Blues. It’s on my ereader waiting for me to get to it, and I’m looking even more forward to the read after your stella review, Staci. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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It is a “Stella” review. Thanks for commenting today.
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You’ll adore it, Harmony. It’s brilliant.
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I sure have a lot of reading to do once my own book tour is over…
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Never enough time in the day, is there? Wishing you much success with your tour, too!
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Thank you, Staci… I hope it does well.
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I’m sure it will.
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