Review: Cured (Stung #2) by Bethany Wiggins

Author: Bethany Wiggins
Series: Stung #2
Genre: Dystopian, Horror, Post-Apocalyptic
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Expected Publication: March 13, 2014

Now that Fiona Tarsis and her twin brother, Jonah, are no longer beasts, they set out to find their mother, with the help of Bowen and a former neighbor, Jacqui. Heading for a safe settlement rumored to be in Wyoming, they plan to spread the cure along the way--until they are attacked by raiders. Luckily, they find a new ally in Kevin, who saves them and leads them to safety in his underground shelter. But the more they get to know Kevin, the more they suspect he has ties to the raiders. He also seems to know too many details about Jacqui and her family—details that could endanger them all. For the raiders will do anything they can to destroy the cure that would bring an end to their way of life. 


Review
When the bees of the world started dying off the Government scrambled to find a solution. Unfortunately for those unlucky enough to survive that solution included a world left in shambles, roving bands of raiders hell bent on enslaving women and worst of all horrific beasts that roam the countryside waiting to kill anyone who crosses their path. 

Now rumors swirl of a cure and it's up to a teenager Jack to find the one person who may know it's existence, Fo. However, leaving the safety of the home is easier said then done because Jack has secret and that secret if found out, well let's just say it would make being killed by a beast sound positively pleasant. Jack's willing to risk it all to save everyone but time is running out. Alone and on the run, Jack must put his trust in an unlikely ally before it's too late.

What I really loved about Cured is the way the story set out clues to its conclusion so subtly throughout the book. So many hints were dropped but it took reading the majority of the book to string them together. Think of them like a light bulb, turned off it's just a piece of useless glass taking up space but turn said light bulb on and suddenly everything is clear and makes perfect sense. I like that type of story telling because it keeps you guessing til the very end. 

Another thing I thoroughly enjoyed were the characters. Jack is such a strong protagonist. The evolution of her character from sheltered daughter to badass survivor hiding in plain sight is subtle but also makes you appreciate all she's been through. I remember her saying something like "Being underestimated is an advantage" and yet it speaks so truthfully to the character. I also liked Kevin (minus that one time but that was a total misunderstanding). I liked how he was willing to risk so much to protect not only those he loved but countless amounts of strangers just hoping for a better life. Lastly, it was great to see Bowen and Fiona aka Fo back as well as poor Jonah. 

My only small complaint with Cured was the beginning. Don't get me wrong we learn quite a bit but the rather large amount of info dumped did lag things a bit for me. Had it been condensed a few paragraphs here and there the pacing of the story probably would've been perfect.

Final Thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed this sequel to Stung. Minus the minor issue with lag I'm left excited for the next book in the series to be released. Would I recommend Cured? Yup, no second book syndrome here. Cured is just as good if not better than its predecessor and I'd highly encourage everyone to pick up a copy once it releases. You won't be disappointed. With that being said, I'll be rating Cured by Bethany Wiggins  ★★★★.

*Copy reviewed through Netgalley . All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any which way for providing them.


About the Author
Bethany Wiggins has always been an avid reader, but not an avid student. Seriously! She failed ninth grade English because she read novels instead of doing her homework. In high school, she sat alone at lunch and read massive hardback fantasy novels (Tad Williams and Robert Jordan anyone?). It wasn't until the end of her senior year that the other students realized she was reading fiction--not the Bible

Once upon a time, Bethany's sister dared her to start writing an hour a day until she completed a novel. Bethany wrote a seven-hundred page fantasy novel that she wisely let no one read--but it taught her how to write. Since then she has penned SHIFTING (2011), STUNG (2013), and CURED (2014). 

Follow Bethany: Goodreads / Twitter / Blog / Website

Want to read my review of Stung? Click Here

Comments

  1. I have seen this series around. I mean it's hard to miss these covers. Anyhow I love it when books give you hints and then you need to collect all that to see the whole story. It's so good. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, for me especially since I tend to figure out plot direction real easily.

      Delete

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