Virus Clans: A Story of Evolution

Though its premise of evolved, intentional viruses is promising, Kanaly's second novel (after Thoughts of God) pans out as uneven, episodic and, ultimately, predictable. Michael Bracken, maverick researcher, is the viewpoint character for this multi-voiced narrative that follows Bracken's professional and personal disintegration as he loses his status as a respected scientist and devoted husband and devolves into unwashed madness, brought to the brink of disaster by the mysterious workings of the ""virus clans"" and his own desperate need for understanding and enlightenment. The novel flits between Bracken's story and those of more alien personalities, whose lives span the fabric of time and space. Throughout, ineffectual governments hatch conspiracies, co-opt research and make war in a futile effort to try and slow the spread of the ""plagues of madness."" Humanity flirts with extinction as hive-like intelligences move toward their own goals of ""The One, becoming the Many, seeking to become ONE."" As in his first novel, Kanaly here displays a flair for the bright idea, but workmanlike prose and flat characterizations render his inspirations dense and rather dull. (Mar.)