NICOLE'S REVIEW: The Hunt by Stacey Kade
The Hunt basically starts off where The Rules left - Ariane and Zane on the run, hiding from GTX. Problem is, GTX isn't the only corporation out to get them. There are 2 more out there who would love nothing more but to get their hands on Ariane - because human experimentation is a thing and there's even a government sanctioned competition between the three to figure out who's creation is the best. Ariane's just realizing that she never really had a shot at a normal life but if she wants out from the running and the hiding, she's going to have to find a way to get in touch with the other experiments and find a way to put a stop to the whole mess.
With the recent influx of alien books, it's hard to find one that really catches your eye. (same thing dystopian novels but that's another thing) The Hunt isn't amazing but it's a good, solid, entertaining book. It's one of those books I give a 3.5 but still follow the whole series till the very end.
Ariane's character arc was well written - she's stronger now in the second book. She's more in control of her powers and not as afraid or meek as she was in the first. She's more take-charge here and I like her this way. But at the same time, there's a certain vulnerability to her. She's never really had anyone she could trust but now she has Zane and being on the run doesn't do things for his safety so she's torn between ditching him or dragging him along. It's nto easy but that's what happens when you care about people.
Zane, on the other hand, isn't just some macho jock anymore. Now that he's finally come to really care for Ariane, we see him sometimes wondering if he's good enough. He doesn't judge her for being half-alien and actually wonders if he's even worthy of Ariane. Such a cute boy. And the fact that he's willing to fight for what they have? Plus points to you. Even if he might have botched a few things up near the end. He's a good boy and I might have wanted to reach into the book and smoosh his face then maybe smoosh him and Ariane together because they deserve a happy ending.
Speaking of endings, that cliffhanger is killer. I was lucky enough to get an eARC of this book but I don't think it's possible to wait till next year (I think) for the next. I had to constantly distract myself with other shiny things so as NOT to think about the way this ended. Cliffhanger. Ugh. I want to cry. All in all, if you're in the mood for something extraterrestrial pick up The Rules then get this baby too.
The cover's a little shady. I mean I understand it but that doesn't mean it's not shady.
