Representation: N/A
Trigger warnings: Pandemic mentioned, physical assault and injury, death of people in the past mentioned
Score: Six points out of ten.
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I only read and enjoyed Stung a few days ago. Later, I saw the subsequent and final instalment in the duology: Cured, written by the same author. I picked it up and read it, but when I closed the final page, it was a step down from Stung. The author didn't put as much effort into Cured than Stung. However, it was a satisfying read, despite its flaws.

It starts (more like continues) with the character that needs no introduction, Fiona Tarsis, and a new people, Jonah, Bowen and Jacqui. Not much happens in the first 200 pages, which only allowed for contemplative conversations between the characters, most prominently, the cure. The vaccine to the virus finally--and conveniently--arrived after the final events of Stung to mixed impressions. Most are ecstatic because of the cure so they can restart their lives and the world. However, the raiders only want their lives to remain the same because the cure would change everything. Some worldbuilding questions remained unanswered, like what's a beast? What are the marks for? What's a Fec? It's not clear. The characters were also only okay. The concluding 100 pages pick up the pace, finishing Cured on a high note. ( )

I liked it but was not overwhelmed. A lot of very predictable plotting that probably would have bothered me more if it was an adult book.

A few decisions made by characters I totally didn't buy. I would not have read a 3rd book if there had been one. ( )

3.5 Stars

CW: Bands of men kidnap and keep women for sex and breeding - implied and discussed i.e. nothing on page, experiments on dogs to make them more aggressive, blood, violence

Well that was an excellent sequel!

What a brilliant, but terrifyingly brutal future Bethany has created for our world. I liked that the POV in this novel is from a different character than in book one. We got to see different family dynamics and her personality was quite different from Fo's. The relationships felt more intense in this book which worked because of the incredibly dangerous and tense situations they found themselves in. A really great post apocalyptic duology that will be a good addition to a high school library. ( )

Book Two in the Stung Series. A small group sets out to find the others that have traveled to Wyoming. ( )

4.5 stars. Continuing on with the story but from a different character; worked really well for me! Nice twists and turns in the YA post pandemic scenario. Jack was a tad annoying, kept getting into jams but perhaps that consistency made it work. Is there a book 3??? ( )