Well you better fucking stop that pretty much immediately. Turns out bees are a bit of an important part of our ecosystem. Who'd've thought?!
What happens when bees stop existing?
Well the apocalypse, no more animals or plants, the return of pirates (on land), zombie-like monsters, almost zero girls, lots of sewer living, and a super intense romance, to paraphrase.
So now that you're up to date, Stung by Bethany Wiggins is about young Fiona, who after recently waking up from a coma, discovers that the world she once knew has given way to a barren wasteland full of monsters and raiders. Her family is gone and she can't remember anything beyond her 13th birthday. She sets out into this new disturbing world in search of familiar faces and answers.
I bought this book around what I'm guessing was it's publication, which was last year. I mostly bought it for the cover (because lets be real here, that cover is GORGEOUS). It's been sitting on my shelf basically ever since.
I picked it up because I wanted a quick read and I've sort of been on an apocalyptic kick lately.
I think the only thing I regret is that I didn't read this book sooner.
The concept behind this story (the very real idea of bees going extinct and the repercussions of that on our world) and all the added subplots were incredibly imaginative and well thought out.
I found myself very drawn into this world, particularly due to Bethany Wiggins descriptive abilities. She has hit that very fine line between being descriptive without being OVER descriptive. The way she writes was beautifully realistic. When I reached a scene in the sewer I honestly believed I was in that nasty ass sewer. I gagged more than once.
The world building and her beautifully unique writing style are what truly sold me on this book. Add on to that the beautiful build up to the final reveal about the main character's past and you have a very beautifully written novel.
Fiona, the main character, however... almost ruined it for me.
I found her so unrealistic. Most of her character development (and there wasn't much honestly) felt accidental. I didn't even like her until the last handful of chapters. I found her annoying, vapid, and (as I said) incredibly unrealistic. She was definitely lacking in character.
Despite that, I did manage to enjoy this book. There were many quotable moments in Wiggins' writing. If you can get past a poorly developed main character and enjoy the beautiful writing style and the incredibly interesting world building you will definitely enjoy this book.
(On a side note, that epilogue was soooo amazingly done. Sweet. Simple. Perfect. It sent a shiver down my spine.)
I give this book 4/5 stars, mostly for my inability to give a shit about Fiona and her plight.
Check out Stung by Bethany Wiggins. The writing is lyrical and the cover is completely beautiful. And while you're doing that, check out my book, The Reviled, which is on sale right now for 99¢ (shameless self promotion)!
Follow me on other social media!
My Shop
