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Cured

(Stung #2)

Bethany Wiggins (Goodreads Author)

4.24 · Rating details · 3,866 ratings · 451 reviews

There is no “perfect” cure.

Jacqui still remembers what it was like before the honeybee virus destroyed her world. Before children turned into beasts and men desperate for power became raiders. Before she had to disguise herself as a boy. And before her brother, Dean, left and enver came back.

Jacqui asks Fiona and Jonah Tarsis to help find Dean, since he disappeared while l ...more

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Hardcover, 320 pages

Published March 4th 2014 by Walker Childrens

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March 2014 MG & YA Releases

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May 18, 2018 Gray Cox rated it liked it

Shelves: wheres-the-petty-crown, meh-okay, too-much-cheese

Hmm. I almost wish I didn't read this one, because the first book was better on its own.

The first book was about Fiona and Bowen, it was a dystopian with romance in it.

This book is about Jacqui, it is a romance with dystopian in it.

Needless to say, I found myself rolling my eyes a lot.

I actually liked Jacqui better than Fiona, Jacqui was the perfect strong female character. She's tough, but she's still vulnerable deep down, she feels ugly since she is forced to dress and look like a boy in orde ...more

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Dec 10, 2013 Teresa Lannutti rated it it was amazing

I'm sooo excited I thought the first book was the best book I have ever read I am going to try to find other books like this Bethany Wiggins is a great author! :):):):):) ...more

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Jul 16, 2013 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-book-read, kindle-books

I enjoyed the first book in the series and was happy when I learned after finishing it that there was going to be a sequel, it seemed there was still so much that needed to be done and so many that needed to be saved, so many that needed the Cure.

And as I started this one, I realized something very important, I had no idea what in the world was going on. Okay, not a great way to start out a book but, who in the heck was Jack and where was I?

So yeah, I needed a little refresher, or a big refreshe I enjoyed the first book in the series and was happy when I learned after finishing it that there was going to be a sequel, it seemed there was still so much that needed to be done and so many that needed to be saved, so many that needed the Cure.

And as I started this one, I realized something very important, I had no idea what in the world was going on. Okay, not a great way to start out a book but, who in the heck was Jack and where was I?

So yeah, I needed a little refresher, or a big refresher and okay, maybe rereading the synopsis would have helped but geesh, I seriously was a little lost and confused there for a chapter or two.

But I realized that while Fo and Bowen and even Jonah are in this, this isn't really their story so much as it is Jack's and truly my being lost had nothing to do with the writing and everything to do with me.

After I got over my initial confusion it didn't take me long to sink right back into Wiggin's world and become reacquainted with the characters (old and new) and I dare say, I just might even like Jack more than I did Fo in the first book. But don't get me wrong, I still have mad love for Fo, Bowen and Jonah, I just so also have made love for Jack, Kevin and Dean.

This book answered so many questions I had from the first book and then some. It shed a whole new (and sometimes horrific) light on how complex the world Wiggin's created really was. Everything was explained better and in more detail as Jack really got a good look at what the world, the Raiders, the Beasts and the people behind the Wall had become and well as the colony.

And even though I say this was more Jack's story, we still get a whole lot of the characters we originally fell in love with and even more so, this is a story about a world and people trying to survive after something devastating and horrific happened to them. This is a story about survival and goodness as well as it is about destruction and evil. It is about love and being strong and doing what it right.

I loved this every bit as much as I did the first, in fact, more so. I am happy with the way it all ended, or maybe I should say, that way it all is beginning and growing and healing.

Wiggin's once again captured my attention and held it with the frightening world and endearing characters that she created and I think it is safe to say that I will be reading anything else of her's that she decides to come out with next.

...more

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Aug 19, 2015 Spira Virgo rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: female-protagonist, adult-fiction, dystopia, young-adult, romance, science-fiction, drama, thriller, post-apocalyptic, mystery

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 17874904

Book: Cured (2#) by Bethany Wiggins
Genre: Romance, Dystopia, Post Apoclopystic, Horror, Science-Fiction.
Creatures: Zombies.
Age: Young Adult, Mature.
Pages: 321 pages.
Format: Ebook (Kindle)
Publication: March 13th 2014 by Bloomsbury Childrens.
Final Rating: 2.5/5

The real me exists only in dreams now. The other me? The one that exists in the real world? That's the Fake me ― Bethany Wiggins, Cured

You know, when I am starting to like something, usually it's either going to get cancelled, or it ends w ...more

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Mar 06, 2014 Melodie rated it liked it · review of another edition

This is the second in the Stung series, and I liked it better than the first...mainly because the protagonist, Jacqui, appealed to me a lot more than Fiona Tarsis from the first book.

Jacqui is now known as Jack; she's forced into cross-dressing by her family who want to keep her safe in a female-exploiting world post-bee plague. Jack has some image issues, thanks to her early years as an obese teen. When her weight is the reason she's denied sanctuary inside the wall, her parents create their ow ...more

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Oct 02, 2014 MiMi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-ya, book-boyfriends

This book is beyond amazing. Like beyond beyond. It is WAY better than the first one. I like Jacqui better a a character and the overall storyline is amazing. Plus the fact that Kevin is amazing. He was the best character in the whole book.

So after book one, the cure is found blah blah blah and now Jacqui, Fo, Bowen, and Jonah are going to find Dean and Mrs. Tarsis. Only to enlist the help of Kevin along the way. Kevin is my all time favorite character from this series. His jokes are just the be ...more

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Nov 03, 2016 Abigail added it · review of another edition

This book was just as good as the first. Jacqui was the main character rather than Fiona. Jack asked Fo and Bowen and Jonah to help her find her brother. Along the way they meet Kevin. Undercover Siren, faking being a raider. He falls in love with Jack and as the story unfolds you will feel excited, happy, angry and fall in love with the whole thing.

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Jul 13, 2013 Jessi (Novel Heartbeat) rated it liked it

Shelves: cover-lust, 3-star

I loved Stung. LOVED it. The world was amazing, the idea of it was unique and intriguing, and the beasts were scary. I rated it 4.5 stars. Somewhere between Stung and Cured, the magic was lost.

Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed it. But, there was none of the epic world building that I adored so much in the first book. There was little to no talk about the bees or the virus, and the beasts only made an appearance once or twice. This book was really more of a story about a girl finding her w ...more

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May 01, 2013 Tez rated it liked it · review of another edition

I've forgotten most of Stung. There was bee flu, but the vaccine turned people into "beasts". The population is low now - due to lack of crops (no bee pollination, or there's killer-bee population), bees killing people, or people killing people? This isn't really explained in Cured; it's more "this is how things are now - deal with it".

The author succeeds in creating a genuinely dystopian world. In this rampant rape culture, females are particularly sought after now that a hundred captives of ra I've forgotten most of Stung. There was bee flu, but the vaccine turned people into "beasts". The population is low now - due to lack of crops (no bee pollination, or there's killer-bee population), bees killing people, or people killing people? This isn't really explained in Cured; it's more "this is how things are now - deal with it".

The author succeeds in creating a genuinely dystopian world. In this rampant rape culture, females are particularly sought after now that a hundred captives of raiders have been mysteriously freed. To be safe, Jacqui lives as a boy: Jack. (Is this before or after she and her mother are denied access to the walled city because they're "obese"? Fat-shaming, y'all.)

Jacqui is presented as a twelve-year-old boy. Thus a particular scene, wherein a raider handles her neck, seems like logic-fail. During puberty, a male's laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple) enlarges considerably. And when does puberty hit? Twelve years old. The age "Jack" is supposed to be. And even though the raider thoroughly feels up her neck, he doesn't seem to notice the lack of laryngeal prominence.

Speaking of nonsense: the romance. In this fictional world, m/m sexuality seems non-existent. Without female captives, the raiders have become less violent due to lack of rape opportunities, and they apparently haven't turned to raping males. (Rape may be about power rather than sexuality in the real world, but in this book it's definitely more about sex.) It would've been interesting had Kevin not known Jack's true gender, so he could question his sexuality, but no. The author shuts the door on that, and instead constructs an eye-rolling, weak story of Kevin having loved Jacqui long before he encounters her.

Another missed opportunity for internal conflict involves Jacqui's brother. Had he actually turned out to be bad (as opposed to just pretending), Jacqui would've had to do some deep soul-searching. Would she have been able to forgive him? Would she still love him, knowing he was such an awful person? But this doesn't happen, and therefore we don't get the serious thinking.

Happy endings in dystopia feel so false, and kind of insulting to the reader. We can handle reading the dark stuff; that's why we read dystopias. But to chicken out, and have the main character remain unscathed, with all her loved ones alive? Go hard or go home, writers - don't just have your story play pretend. ...more

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May 02, 2014 Maura rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, dystopian, only-reading-to-see-how-series-ends, 2014, bleh-instalove

The thing about Cured is that it's basically Stung with a more likable protagonist. Of course, it also has the same old unlikable characters from the other book, but to a lesser extent (on the upside, we now know that Bowen is incredibly condescending and demeaning to all women, not just ones he's supposedly in love with). If the original problems from Wiggins' first novel--minimal world-building; narrow, sexist classifications of men and women; instalove trying to disguise itself as a quality r ...more

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Sep 18, 2015 Alyssa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I have read this series twice in one week. I love the series!!!!!!

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Jan 18, 2019 Emily Blake rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopian, young-adult, review, own, 2014, series-finished, sci-fi, annoying-romances, sequel

Somehow I enjoyed this book way more than its prequal.

I think the main reason is Jacqui (or Jack, as she is referred to the entire book). She was the complete opposite of Fiona, the main character from the previous book and the main focus of my ire while reading. Unlike Fiona, Jacqui was motivated, resourceful, fierce, and a force of nature. She refused to be protected, to allow others to risk their lives for her, to be put on the bench. Granted, her family gave her all the skills and abilities Somehow I enjoyed this book way more than its prequal.

I think the main reason is Jacqui (or Jack, as she is referred to the entire book). She was the complete opposite of Fiona, the main character from the previous book and the main focus of my ire while reading. Unlike Fiona, Jacqui was motivated, resourceful, fierce, and a force of nature. She refused to be protected, to allow others to risk their lives for her, to be put on the bench. Granted, her family gave her all the skills and abilities she needed to survive, but she was the one who absorbed all the information she was being given. She became who she was because she wanted to, which is in direct contrast to Fiona. Jacqui was a great character on her own, I just like to take any chance I can get to shame Fiona. Jacqui was scared, she had doubts, but she overcame them, and that is what made her such a strong character. The best characters have weaknesses, and the strength it takes to overcome those weaknesses is what is relatable and lovable. I think the reason she was so unwilling to be shoved behind someone and protected when she left her home was because she had spent her entire time since the bee flu broke out being ordered inside. She was never trusted or allowed the leave the house, even though everyone else could go where they pleased. I respect her desire to leave, her desire to move, her desire to live, her desire to do something worthwhile. She left for the same reasons her older brother did, and I really felt their bond and similarities throughout the book. I thought Jacqui was a great character, and I loved seeing her internal struggle between fear and the desire to do what was right. Plus she dreams about food, so I relate to her on a spiritual level.

And I don’t know why, but I loved Dean. I immediately felt this need to protect him, I don’t know why. We got to know him through the flashbacks and I saw him as a really good, caring person. The progression of events that lead to the reveal of his real purpose was so well done. He had this desire to do more, do better, than just surviving. He wanted to make a difference, even if he helped only one person. (view spoiler)

I also want to mention Jonah, because I have such a soft spot for that kid. The poor guy is haunted by what he did while under the influence of the vaccine. It isn’t his fault, but he bears the emotional and physical scars of his time as a beast, and it really makes me sad to seem him like that. He shuffles around with his face covered and head down and truly believes people think of him as hidous, that he doesn’t deserve love. That makes me so damn sad. JONAH DESERVES THE WORLD. He did so much to protect his (ungrateful) sister (and by the way, it was never explained how he was even able to suppress the beast long enough to do that) but only focuses on the terrible things. I really liked how Jacqui comforted him and propped him up, even though she went about it in a really weird way, but looking back it makes sense. (view spoiler) Honesty, I loved Jacqui’s relationships with Dean and Jonah way more than I liked her relationship with Kevin.

I don’t know where I stand with that dude. My opinion changed every five minutes in accordance with the way the events unfolded, which was Wiggins’ intent. (view spoiler) I mean, ok. Now that I’ve finished the book, I’ll buy it. But when I was reading, I was leaning the other way. (view spoiler) I just feel like the core of his character was based on his love for Jacqui. I would have liked to see him as more of his own person. (view spoiler)

Now, the one thing that Wiggins’ didn’t improve from the last book was the instantaneous romance. (view spoiler) And even if we accepted that attempt at development, that does nothing to make up for the fact that Jacqui fell in love with him in literally two days (the same amount of time it took for Fiona to fall in love with Bowen).(view spoiler) Any way you look at it, it was a very poorly done romance. And, unlike with Fiona and Bowen, once they were together, it didn’t work for me. (view spoiler)

But I really liked how character-driven the book was. The relationships were what made me invested, and two scenes in particular really hit me hard. (view spoiler) That scene really hit me hard, and I know it took so much strength for her to come to that conclusion. It showed how selfless and caring she is, and what she is willing to do for the people she cares about.(view spoiler) That shit hit me right in the gut.

But there is one small thing that my inner feminist cannot let slide. This book majorly revolves around gender. This is a world where men rule and women are seen as objects, but that’s not the problem I have with the gender dynamics. The whole reason women have to cut their hair, bind their breasts, and try their best to look like men is based on the fact that men are unable to control themselves around a woman. It seems the men’s first priority is to find women and rape them, and are willing to go to extensive lengths to do that. The narrative paints men as mindless animals with no self-control. They are reduced to glorified beasts, only they don't lust for blood, but women. That’s just a very stereotypical and degrading way to paint them. In contrast, women are seen as completely helpless. Every time there is a dangerous situation, all the “good” men immediately throw the women behind them or lock them somewhere for their safety. Women apparently aren’t allowed at the table when the men are making plans. Fiona took that order laying down, but Jacqui fought against it, so clearly that was supposed to be debate within the book. Nevertheless, these sexist undertones—towards both men and women— were really killing me. And I know it’s a different time and I’m probably going to sound like a radical feminist, but I swear I’m not even stretching here. The dynamics are pretty easy to see.

But god, the story was also really damn good. When it first started out I was like “oh come on, the entire plot of this book is going to be centered around finding an old lady?!” I had zero faith in this book, but man was I proven wrong. This book was a rollercoaster. So many twists, so many turns, so much action and suspense. It was a really complicated plot and there really weren’t any holes. Trust me, I was looking for them. And I did find some and was like “AH HA, GOTCHA”, but then later they were explained away. The only thing is, they weren’t directly explained, I had to put two and two together, so someone who couldn’t make the jump probably would have been left in the dark, but it’s fine. It’s fun to connect the dots. The lure of the fabled sanctuary in Wyoming and the fight to survive and the struggle to decide who to trust was so interesting to read about. And God, Wiggins really had me breaking a sweat with those plot twists. Everything was so well done, so well thought out. I saw some things coming, but most of the time I was completely blindsided. I love the way Wiggins’ mind worked when it came to staging and the course of events. (view spoiler) I loved this book and this story, I really did.

Listen. I was in a bad mood when I read this book, and after reading the prequel, I was looking for plot holes and reasons to hate this book. But I couldn’t find them. Despite my best efforts, I really enjoyed this book. Yes, there were some things wrong with it, it wasn’t perfect, but the positives largely outnumbered the negatives. That’s all you can ask for, to be honest. ...more

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Jul 27, 2017 Kayla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: completed-series, reviews-completed, netgalley-and-edelweiss, dystopian

*NOTE: This is a review of the entire duology.*

I've had the Stung duology on my tbr for a very long time. It's one of those series where the synopsis has always intrigued me, but it kept getting pushed to the bottom of my stack of books because I kept adding more and more books to my tbr. Recently, a readathon happened and I decided it would be the perfect time to read the duology. I loved it. I wish I would have read it sooner.

The Stung duology was everything that a dystopian series should be. ...more

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Nov 23, 2015 Madison Ellcessor rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. ***WARNING—Spoilers are in this review near the end!—WARNING***

I. Have. No. Words.

This book was written superbly. It drew out many emotions from me. I teared up (meaning full out crying, big, fat tears) many times.

This book blew my mind. The characters were all wonderfully developed and likeable. I thought I wouldn't like the POV change from Fiona to Jacqui, but OH MY BANANAS. I think I liked Jacqui's POV EVEN MORE! She was such a strong narrator and she made me reach out to her in every part ***WARNING—Spoilers are in this review near the end!—WARNING***

I. Have. No. Words.

This book was written superbly. It drew out many emotions from me. I teared up (meaning full out crying, big, fat tears) many times.

This book blew my mind. The characters were all wonderfully developed and likeable. I thought I wouldn't like the POV change from Fiona to Jacqui, but OH MY BANANAS. I think I liked Jacqui's POV EVEN MORE! She was such a strong narrator and she made me reach out to her in every part of my heart. Her incessant need to find Dean, her brother was so strong. I connected to that especially. Her love for her brother was very relatable, and me having three brothers and no sisters, makes it very easy to relate to.

***SPOILERS STARTING NOW!***

Okay, first of all, did any of you seriously predict that Dean was the leader of the raiders? I remember figuring it out with Jacqui and being so heartbroken like her, thinking about how Dean had developed into a big, bad, raider, called Hastings. I think I knew that he couldn't REALLY be with the raiders just like I knew with Kevin. We knew from Dean's character that it just wasn't possible. I was still heartbroken though.

I remember when she was about to be attacked by the beast dogs, but the dogs had been trained by Dean to only attack men, and SHE WASNT A MAN, and Dean knew that.

Then, we also were all heartbroken when Kevin spoke up and took Jacqui's place and decided that he would rather die then see Jacqui die. I know you were heartbroken. Don't lie to me. OH MY GOSH. Remember also that Kevin was the vagabond that constantly showed up at Jacqui's home, and how he explained that he was passing on notes for Dean and how he was slowly falling in love with Jacqui every time he went to see her and her family but she was repulsed by him. *cries* I remember figuring out that he was the vagabond right when Jacqui figured it out and I was so surprised. Oh my goodness, this book covered so much ground. I loved Kevin and Jacqui's relationship. It was so intimate and passionate and it became even better when we realized that Kevin had been fawning over Jacqui for years now. I just loved Kevin so much! He provided some sarcasm and humor when needed, which was very needed because our other characters are wound so tight. I also loved Bowen and Fiona's relationship in here because I loved it in the first novel. I loved their 'honeymoon'. So adorable. I loved EVERYTHING about this book. I seriously don't think I even have one problem with it.

Lets backtrack, did any of you guess that Kevin was the siren and that the siren was good? I mean, we were told constantly in the novel that the Sirens were trying to lead you astray and kill you or something like that. And the legends of the Sirens only back that theory. It made since I suppose. Only did I start to question it when the subject of the women escaping the raiders came up over and over and Jacqui started to wonder how they got out. I just totally loved this book and the amount of effort and close knitting that was most obviously put into. Bethany Wiggins probably had to know where her story was going to moment she started writing because things like the vagabond (aka Kevin) showed up pretty quickly and were stressed throughout the novel.

I just loved this book SO MUCH! And I didn't really realize that until I reread it today. I loved the ending too. It just blew my mind. And I forgot to mention how mind blowing it was when Dean (aka Hastings) pushed Soneschen and Flint off the roof into the beast dogs and how happy Jacqui was when she realized that her brother really wasn't gone. Argh. I loved it so much. I could've done with more closure when all of them got to the save haven but hey, it was good.

Oh dear God, this book messed with me so much. I was amazed with it. This book definitely topped the first one for me—which is a hard thing to do. Making a sequel better, I mean.

I am starting to ramble, but the gist is—I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this book. ...more

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Aug 27, 2015 Tamara rated it liked it · review of another edition

2.5 stars.

I'm not quite sure where to go with this book. Everything was happening and jumping, but there was no character or world development.

Spoilers down below:

The book was basically: I'm a girl but in this devastating world I must become a boy. Why? Because people want to rape me and all the other women because when times are tough, instead of finding a way to make the world better, men get horny and needy and make the world even worse. Anyway, I'm on the run to find my brother who has di 2.5 stars.

I'm not quite sure where to go with this book. Everything was happening and jumping, but there was no character or world development.

Spoilers down below:

The book was basically: I'm a girl but in this devastating world I must become a boy. Why? Because people want to rape me and all the other women because when times are tough, instead of finding a way to make the world better, men get horny and needy and make the world even worse. Anyway, I'm on the run to find my brother who has disappeared a while ago, but I go get the help of old friends who've become so important that I'm not truly sure why they agreed so easily. Along the way I find a boy. He has everything no one has, what's with an end of the world book without someone saying a parent was paranoid about the world ending? Comes in handy to our main characters. So this boy sees right through me. I'm not sure how it happened but after a day and a half, we kiss. A lot. Then he plans to leave me behind while him and two of my companions go be heroes. I get mad, start a tantrum but my dearest Kevin tells me he can't lose me in not so many words and my legs feel like jelly *swoon*. And then I figure out with all these flash backs that he's the homeless boy who comes by my old house every now and then. Oh my! Then I find Kevin/homeless boy's hiding place and notice he's in danger. But that was all part of the plan the boys thought to little of me to know about. But I don't really mind. So I go save the day alone and find my brother. He's the leader of the bad men who rape women! But then I find out he's really the good guy-(shocker)-and we all make a run for it. We get to the real free land and give out the cure. And that's where everything ends. We live happily ever after. The end. .

Yeah how is this an ending? I don't even know where this all started. So much rushing and random developments. All within a few pages of an unedited second book. For some, they might have loved this, but I see the flaws.

They're not hiding from me and I'm not blind. ...more

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Aug 14, 2014 Eleanor rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really enjoyed Stung so when I heard about a sequel I was very excited. When I did first hear about it I thought it would be from Fo's perspective and normally I don't like books that change perspective from novel to novel. However I did not mind the change in perspective with this novel and in some ways I actually preferred hearing from Jacqui than from Fo.
The look into Jacqui's past that we got made me realise how lucky Fo was. She may have been very ill, but at least behind the wall she was ...more

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Jun 29, 2015 Reading is my Escape rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2015, dystopian-future, young-adult

Cured - Review

Being underestimated is an advantage, and yes, that saying is framed and hanging on the bathroom wall at home.

This book is a sequel. I highly recommend reading "Stung" first, but I will try not to give anything away.

This story is set in the same world but centers on different characters at first. In Chapter 1 we meet Jack. It is still dangerous to be female and survivors outside the city work hard to disguise females as males. Jack is really Jacqui, but the family has been pre ...more

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Apr 13, 2015 Melissa Diaz Lopez rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book is just as amazing as the first one. While I was reading Cured I thought this series would continue but it seems that this is the end in this bilogy. I liked the main characters a lot and the way their relationship is developed really had me happy. I loved the way Bethany Wiggins linked the first and second novel seamlessly. I'm definitely waiting for a new novel written by Bethany Wiggins. She had a top spot in my favorite YA Writer's list. Be sure to get lots of excitement and emotio ...more

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Jan 31, 2014 Kriss rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopian, young-adult, publisher-provided

Review coming soon to Cabin Goddess. I loved this and it's previous book! I love this series! May I have another, PleasE! LOL ...more

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Apr 06, 2016 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Unbelievable really. So riveting and wild. I dream vividly and horribly and couldn't dream anything this fantastic. If you like YA fiction, read this series. ...more

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Jun 25, 2016 JoAnna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wow!!! Bethany Wiggins you have my attention!!! Another please?!?!

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Jul 20, 2018 Bec (booktineus) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library, audiobook, read-2018

This was good. Though love interest had kind of stalkery behaviour, and I wish it had been Jonah who'd been the love interest (HE DESERVES MORE HAPPINESS) ...more

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Jan 08, 2019 Matthew rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of my favorite books I have ever read.

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Sep 11, 2013 Sarah marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Hurry and come out!!!!

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Feb 05, 2021 Isabel rated it it was ok · review of another edition

HONESTLY. Just honestly.

Just... honestly.

I don't even have words for how frustrated I am with this book. The first book had me feeling sort of wary, didn't really like the occasional "women are weak" vibes, but I ignored them and pushed on to finish the book. I thought maybe this one would be different: maybe better, maybe less misogyny, maybe it would have more realistic representations of women and girls.

And while I do acknowledge this was published in 2014--and probably written in 2013--an HONESTLY. Just honestly.

Just... honestly.

I don't even have words for how frustrated I am with this book. The first book had me feeling sort of wary, didn't really like the occasional "women are weak" vibes, but I ignored them and pushed on to finish the book. I thought maybe this one would be different: maybe better, maybe less misogyny, maybe it would have more realistic representations of women and girls.

And while I do acknowledge this was published in 2014--and probably written in 2013--and times have changed since then, there is no way this was like... a normal amount of sexist characterizations? Maybe I'm wrong and maybe I need to reread the books I was reading in 2013 but I pretty much had to skim the last 2/3 of this book in order to finish it.

I can count the number of female characters on one hand, even if that hand was missing a few fingers. And I can count the number of female characters with actual personalities (I'm being generous), even if I only had two thumbs. I know this sounds harsh, but I'm angry! What's the point of even including Jacqui and Fiona if they're not real characters? If all they do is cry, clean, cook, and go weak-kneed over a boy kissing them without consent (or literally stalking them?? Jacqui, come on. You're better than that.)

The actual story itself is a good concept! But I literally cannot get over the insanely sexist characterizations. It's fine if a girl cries! If fine if a boy cries! It's fine if a girl likes to cook, clean, and sew! But to make every girl/woman teary-eyed and only good at "homemaking," and to not give them any more depth than that, is insane.

In the first book, Fiona is apparently good at shooting but we only see it once (and the other time she does it is such a flop that there's no way she was taught how to handle a gun). In this book, Jacqui is apparently taught how to shoot but I can't remember a time when she does? It's always up to the boys to do everything and when it comes time for the girls to actually do something, they either back-out or they do it so horrendously wrong that the boys have to swoop in and fix it.

Ugh, I know this is a long rant for a book written like 7 years ago. And I know it's not really worth my time to complain about it, I'm just frustrated. And it's rated so highly. I don't get it. ...more

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Nov 05, 2017 Matthew V rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sophomore-year-reading-challenge

After completing the first book in the series of Stung, I found the story perplexing and was grabbed into the two book series. I figured I would find out how the story would continue by picking up Cured and seeing how the author would create something more intriguing.

Taking place at an unknown time in the future, humanity is forced to fend for themselves against humans turned beasts. Years before humanity was forced on the edge of extinction, the bee population of the world began to die; meaning After completing the first book in the series of Stung, I found the story perplexing and was grabbed into the two book series. I figured I would find out how the story would continue by picking up Cured and seeing how the author would create something more intriguing.

Taking place at an unknown time in the future, humanity is forced to fend for themselves against humans turned beasts. Years before humanity was forced on the edge of extinction, the bee population of the world began to die; meaning less food from pollination. In an attempt to save the bees, scientists genetically modify the bees to become resistant to almost everything. The catch of this is that people who were exposed to the vaccine died. Scientists then developed a vaccine to counteract this but it ended up turning those who got it into beasts who preyed on any living thing. After three years of being stuck in her house, Jacqui, decides it is time to explore the outside world—or whatever is left of it. A while ago, her brother disappeared which was the main cause for Jacqui to leave her comfort zone. She meets up with her friends, Bowen, Fiona, and Jonah, a cured beast. Together they all go on the hunt for Jacqui’s brother. The eventually come upon a stranger who guides them in the direction of where they should go to find someone who may have ran away; but his advice is weary. As they continue down this path Jacqui discovers a man named Kevin who seems to know too much information about where her brother is. Will this stranger named Kevin lead Jacqui and her friends to her brother, or does he have a much darker plan waiting for them? You’ll have to get your reading on to find out!

The author succeeded in creating a story that is unique, that bees could be the downfall of humanity. Since you don’t really hear much of bees in any story, the author could go almost anywhere with her plot and still grab the reader’s attention. Another great part, is how the journey is described to finding Jacqui’s brother. She faces many perils and whether or not the group ever gets to her brother is questionable at every turn.

I really enjoyed reading this book, but I only gave a three star rating because of the romanticism within it. In the first book of the series, Stung, I really thought the romance brought the quality of the book down; which was kept to a limit which is why the book was still enjoyable. Cured has even more romance than the first book in the series, and actually bases the main plot off of it. Jacqui and another character develop a romantic relationship that takes away from the main task in finding her brother. ...more

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Dec 15, 2020 Grace K rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I give the book Cured by Bethany Wiggins four out of five stars because it was an intriguing book full of action but at some points there was a lot of romance for no reason. Throughout the book, the main character, Jacqui, was being chased by raiders. She was always hiding or running or fighting. All this action was very engaging. For this reason, I would recommend this book to young adults and teenagers. There was also a romance aspect of the book. Jacqui meets a boy while on the run and she im ...more

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May 25, 2020 P.M. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The Bee Flu Pandemic has passed. The vaccinated children have turned into Beasts. But a cure has been found. It's time to get the cure out there. Jack, AKA Jacqui, is determined to find her older brother who left the family compound to help a neighbor get to safety. Jack is also a girl disguised as a boy because being female is a precursor to kidnap and abuse. Together with recovered friends Fo and Jonah, and Fo's husband Bowen, Jack sets off to find her brother. Along the way, the group encount ...more

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Oct 11, 2017 Emily W rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book can really keep your attention. You can never be quite sure what Jack and her friends will be up to next and where this journey might take them. The author also uses some great word choice to keep the reader inclined in the story. This is a great sequel to the amazing book stung

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Feb 06, 2019 Logan Miller rated it liked it · review of another edition

Personal Response: Cured by Bethany Wiggins, is an okay book in my opinion. There are more characters than in the last one. I think the plot is very smooth and works well. I think it is kind of cheesy to say the least. The main characters go off a rumor that there is a civilization with bees in the mountains and it just happens to be there. Another reason I do not like this book as much as the last book, is because there are no dynamic characters.

Plot: The story starts with a young girl at he Personal Response: Cured by Bethany Wiggins, is an okay book in my opinion. There are more characters than in the last one. I think the plot is very smooth and works well. I think it is kind of cheesy to say the least. The main characters go off a rumor that there is a civilization with bees in the mountains and it just happens to be there. Another reason I do not like this book as much as the last book, is because there are no dynamic characters.

Plot: The story starts with a young girl at her home with her family planning to run away to find her mother. She, otherwise known as Jack, leaves her house and goes to the walled city to find Fo and Bowen to help her find her mother. She finds and convinces them to help her. They too were planning a trip outside the wall to spread the vaccine created in the last book. They bring one more person with them though whose name is Jonah, Fo’s brother. Bowen knows where to get a map to lead them to other civilizations where Jack’s mother could be. They follow Bowen’s lead. He leads them to a place where a man has been staying. He sells maps to another walled city out of the state. They get a map off him for fairly cheap. They follow the map for hours until Bowen says it is a good idea to get some rest. They set up camp and sleep while Bowen stays up to be a lookout. They get woken by Bowen because a flare is fired in the distance. They think it is the guy who sells them the map and decides it might not be good to stay on the map trail. The also realize that the map is fake and is just a trap set up by raiders. They end up getting chased to the countryside where they find a farmhouse. They meet a kid named Kevin who says he can help them. They trust Kevin and he starts bringing them to his camp. Unfortunately, the raiders catch up to them and they are forced to split up. Kevin and Jack are together while the others are drawing off the raiders. Kevin leads Jack to his underground shelter. Once they get there, Jack and Kevin recover from the raider attack. After a couple of days, Kevin leaves so he can go get the others. Jack finds a hidden compartment and finds a way out of the shelter. She goes back to the shelter because she has nowhere else to go except wait for Kevin to come back. Eventually, Kevin comes back and brings with him Fo, Bowen, and Jonah. They are all happy to be reunited with Jack. Bowen asks if Kevin still had the bag of supplies. Kevin says no because he lost it when they were running from the raiders. Bowen says that it is a bag full of the cure and they need to get it back, so they start devising a plan. After a couple of days, Bowen, Jonah, and Kevin leave the shelter to go get the cure. Jack shows Fo the way out of the shelter that leads up to a house where they can mostly see the raider camp. After a couple of hours, Jack notices that Bowen and Jonah got captured. She frantically runs down the hill right into some raiders who spot her and gets captured herself. They take her to the camp into a room in a house where Bowen and Jonah already are. After about a day in the room, Kevin finds them and tells them he can get them out, they just need to trust him. After a couple more days, the leader of the raiders has the prisoners released into the arena. They are all offered to join the raiders or be killed by dogs. Bowen refuses and the raiders set the dogs loose. Bowen and Jonah fight off the dogs and try to keep them away from Jack. Kevin opens a door out of the arena allowing Jack, Jonah, and Bowen to get out of there. When the raiders realize what is happening, they jump down and try to round up the dogs while the others pursue the group. The raiders corner them in a house. The raiders are shot and so is Jonah. They escape with Jonah still alive and run off with Kevin to the town in the mountains. They get to the town and Jack meets her mother and a younger brother.

Characterization: I feel like the main character, Jack, is static, mainly because I do not see a lot of change in her besides the whole romance between her and Kevin. She only has one goal and that is accomplished, but I still do not see any change in her personality. Jacks friends, Bowen, Jonah, and Fo are all static and I did not see any change. Now on the opposite side of things, the antagonist is the raider leader and is not shown much throughout this book. He was mostly static.

Setting: The setting is a city in Colorado in the near future. Everywhere is pretty much a wasteland and broken or torn down buildings. There is a huge wall with four sides in the middle of the city. The cure allows everyone inside the wall. During the storyline they travel north, but the book does not give a specific location. At the end of the book, they are in some mountainous area. The book spends a lot of time in the bunker. This affects the plot because the raiders are not able to find them.

Recommendations: I recommend this book for people 16 years and up mostly because it is not appropriate for anyone younger than that due to the violence and crude descriptions. I think both genders can like this book. Girls will like it because the main character is a girl; however, boys will like it as well because there are also many male characters.
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About Bethany Wiggins

Bethany Wiggins

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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 ...more