STUNG

<p><strong style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)><em>To change the world first they have to find each other.</em></strong></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Like the Bible says an eye for an eye... To prevent the world from descending into the chaos of terrorism scientists and governments devised a foolproof deterrent: if you cause a death you too will die when your NAC your neuro-activated chip bursts inside your skull. Quick painless and simple-it works. Every time. No one now dares risk taking a life. The politicians say they have saved the world creating a perfect global society where everyone can feel safe and secure.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Unless that is you're deemed a threat to this perfect order...</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Despite efforts to conform Talon and Sofia are removed from high school and ripped from their lives in Ridge Crest. The lifelong friends find themselves alone and in separate and alien environments where they feel discarded distrusted and despised.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Talon is enslaved in a labor camp where the warden wants him dead. And while Talon tries to figure out the source of this wrath he also needs to survive the punishing work the harsh sun and the suicide-killer stalking him day and night if he's to keep the promise he made to Sofia-to stay alive. At the Technology Lab Sofia is determined to find out the location of the remote center where Talon is interred and hopes the notorious Shadow whose mere proximity brings danger really does want to help her escape and connect with </span><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>the disconnects</em><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>Meanwhile the head of the NAC Program General Stafford knows it's time to deal with the increasing threat of </span><em style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>the disconnects</em><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)> who have managed to escape the law of kill and be killed. He'll need the help of Sofia and Talon to achieve his goal. But that doesn't mean he needs them alive.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>A sci-fi thriller-adventure set in the near future STUNG posits today's question of whether security or freedom is more important to society and how the next generation either bends to society's will or fights to sow the seeds of change. Suitable for young adults (16+ years) and adults who enjoy stories of enduring friendship and loyalty at their heart.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>A really interesting concept... The characters work really well and the concept is terrifying! - 5-star NetGalley review</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1)>I found certain elements of this book quite unsettling! - 5-star NetGalley review</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Trigger warnings</strong>: features elements of <em>separation anxiety</em> <em>loss of a loved one</em> <em>bullying</em> and <em>loss of life</em> (non-graphic).</p>