How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
Review Detail
Sting
Featured
Young Adult Fiction
981
engaging and fast-paced YA dystopian
Overall rating
3.3
Plot
3.0
Characters
4.0
Writing Style
3.0
STING is an intriguing YA dystopian retelling of THE COUNT OF MONTE CHRISTO. The world has been ravaged by climate change, and limited space is left for people. Tessa lives in the Dark District, essentially on the outskirts of the richer part of the city, which is known as the Light (in part because they have electricity). The Darksiders have been ravaged and left without prospects, their schools barely functioning if at all, no real food or water, and the jobs in the factories they used to have were moved elsewhere, leaving no monetary potential.
Tessa is the Scorpion, named for the machines she creates that scout out areas of the Light District where she can steal food and other necessities to bring to the Darksiders. She is orphaned but has made a family for herself of a young girl she cares for, Cass, a boy named River who she has a crush on, and the newest recruit of Elle, who is helping them find storehouses. However, Tessa's world comes crashing down around her when Cass is threatened and she gives herself up to save her. Tessa is sent to the Decay, the prison of the District.
In the Decay, Tessa learns more about the Light and the policies that are making the Dark District impossible to survive. She also finds a partner to aid her in her quest for revenge.
What I loved: The story moves really fast, and Tessa is an interesting character. She truly felt like a teen who is trying her best to make the world a better place for the people around her. The plot is pretty unique, and I enjoyed the aspects of retelling THE COUNT OF MONTE CHRISTO in a whole new way.
What left me wanting more: There's a big love triangle, and it felt pretty forced in places. To keep the plot fast, there's a lot of info dumps at the beginning that made things feel a little less smooth. I would have liked a bit more background about how/why Tessa is the Scorpion to really build up why she has so many unique skills and where she came from.
Final verdict: Overall, this is an engaging and fast-paced YA dystopian with a unique premise. I would recommend for people who enjoy Cassandra Clare's THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS and the TWILIGHT series.
Tessa is the Scorpion, named for the machines she creates that scout out areas of the Light District where she can steal food and other necessities to bring to the Darksiders. She is orphaned but has made a family for herself of a young girl she cares for, Cass, a boy named River who she has a crush on, and the newest recruit of Elle, who is helping them find storehouses. However, Tessa's world comes crashing down around her when Cass is threatened and she gives herself up to save her. Tessa is sent to the Decay, the prison of the District.
In the Decay, Tessa learns more about the Light and the policies that are making the Dark District impossible to survive. She also finds a partner to aid her in her quest for revenge.
What I loved: The story moves really fast, and Tessa is an interesting character. She truly felt like a teen who is trying her best to make the world a better place for the people around her. The plot is pretty unique, and I enjoyed the aspects of retelling THE COUNT OF MONTE CHRISTO in a whole new way.
What left me wanting more: There's a big love triangle, and it felt pretty forced in places. To keep the plot fast, there's a lot of info dumps at the beginning that made things feel a little less smooth. I would have liked a bit more background about how/why Tessa is the Scorpion to really build up why she has so many unique skills and where she came from.
Final verdict: Overall, this is an engaging and fast-paced YA dystopian with a unique premise. I would recommend for people who enjoy Cassandra Clare's THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS and the TWILIGHT series.
Comments
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
Powered by JReviews
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
FEATURED GIVEAWAYS
Giveaway: Happily Ever Afters (Elise Bryant) ~ (US Only)
Happily Ever Afters (US Only) by: Elise Bryant Release Date: January 5th, 2021 Publisher: Harpercollins Children's Books/Balzer + Bray About the Book: Jane the Virgin meets To All...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Chat with Amanda Hocking (The Ever After), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to chat with Amanda Hocking author of The Ever After. Read on for more about Amanda and her book, plus a giveaway! Meet Amanda Hocking ! AMANDA HOCKING ...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Of The Week: Author Chat with Alexandra Bracken (Lore), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week !! Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release! We will also be hosting a givea...
Posted in News & Updates
Exclusive Trailer Reveal: Those Who Prey (Jennifer Moffett), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to share the book trailer for Those Who Prey (Jennifer Moffett) ! Read on for more about Jennifer, and her book, plus the trailer & giveaway! Meet Jennifer Moffet...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Of The Week: Author Chat with Karen McManus (The Cousins), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week !! Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release! We will also be hosting a givea...
Posted in News & Updates
Indie Superstars with the Author of Born Royal + Giveaway (International)
Welcome to YA Books Central's "Indie Superstars" column. This event will spotlight the best and brightest of the indie community. You don’t want to miss out on these talented ...
Posted in News & Updates
Latest Book Listings Added
Twelve-year-old Rosie Singer’s mom is missing whatever it is that...
On October 2nd, 1977, Glenn Burke, outfielder for the Los...
It's been almost a year since Sila's mother traveled halfway...
Jocelyn and Alex have always been best friends...until they aren't....
From New York Times bestselling author Amy Ewing comes the...
This captivating second book in Bree Barton’s Heart of...
In the heart-pounding second book in the Shadow Skye...
Latest Member Reviews
"I DREAM OF POPO is a beautiful book about immigration, family, and culture. A young girl loves spending time with..."
"THE READING HOUSE set is a really fantastic motivator for early reading. Each book focuses on a letter, with it..."
"THE READING HOUSE set is a really fantastic motivator for early reading. Each book focuses on a letter, with it..."
"A STORY FOR SMALL BEAR is a beautifully illustrated picture book about saving time for the things that matter. As..."
"NO READING ALLOWED is a delightfully charming take on homonyms and sound-alike words. The book features two panels for phrases..."
"JUAN HAS THE JITTERS is a fantastic picture book about children who are neurodivergent and the importance of inclusion. Juan..."
"I DON'T WANT TO WASH MY HANDS is a picture book about the need for frequent hand washing. The little..."
"DANCE LIKE A LEAF is a beautiful book about grief and loss of a loved one. A young girl loves..."
"SPECIAL DELIVERY is a delightfully silly picture book. A little duck is eagerly awaiting the delivery of her baby brother...."
"THE TINY BAKER is the sweet story of a baker bee who runs a bakery and tea shop. Every day,..."
"A GIFT FOR AMMA is a delightful and colorful journey through the marketplace in India. A young girl ventures out..."
"FIVE LITTLE DUCKS is a delightful collection of nursery rhymes. The book includes many rhymes that are familiar alongside those..."
"THE BREAD PET is a cute story about Cora, whose favorite uncle asks her to take care of his sourdough..."
"SCRUFF is a cute picture book story of a man who gets a scruffy dog, which suits his scruffy style..."
"'The Walrus and the Caribou' by Maika Harper, illustrated by Marcus Cutler, is an endearing tale of creation, based on..."
"TIGER WILD is a picture book about imaginary friends and getting into trouble. Lily always blames her mistakes on Tiger,..."
"BEA BY THE SEA is a sweet picture book about trying new things and making new friends. Bea loves lions..."
"WINSTON WIGGLES is a cute book that gives strategies for helping children to settle down when they have the "wiggles."..."
"SWEET DREAMS: A GOODNIGHT LULLABY is a great bedtime book pick for children who love Sesame Street. Sesame Street is..."
"BEST FRIENDS, BUSY FRIENDS is a fun, rhyming book that celebrates differences and friendship. This book is a poetic rhyme..."