Book Review: Limerence(The Cure #3) By Charlotte McConaghy

Limerence (The Cure #3)  by  Charlotte McConaghy

Published April 2016 

by Momentum, Pan Macmillan

ARC For Review 

Summary

No injection can cure love. Only life can do that.

Deep in the darkest tunnels hide the last of the resistance fighters. Hunted by the savage Furies and the ruthless Bloods, they live in constant peril. The only means of survival is to seek strength in family and find courage in love. So what happens when love is cured, scoured away, leaving death in its place?
In the final battle for freedom, there are no lines that won't be crossed. And for Josi this means becoming the creature she fears most of all: the girl with a blood moon heart.
The gripping conclusion to the dystopian trilogy The Cure, Limerence is a love story for the monsters within.
Perfect for fans of Pierce Brown, Laini Taylor and Maggie Stiefvater.

Forgiveness and Love

Bravo, bravo, bravo! Standing ovación for Limerence by Charlotte McConaghy. It has been several years since I have blogged...Life and such/ BUT I am back! Man oh man so happy to make my return to reviews using this wonderful work of art. McConaghy does an excellent job of making you feel through these broken characters. This is the third installment of a dystopian tale that is set after a major plague has wiped out most of humanity. This book is not only clever, but it is also cleverly written. We jump from present to past, to very past, and the beginning of each chapter has the date of where that character is at that moment. In this installment we get 3 points of view and they are smashingly good!

The Story, we find ourselves right back to where we left off. Things were a bit hazy as it has been years between books but the emotion was there and soon the memories came flooding back. Quite some time has passed between where the second installment left off and where this final book begins. As the story moves forward there are pivotal moments when we get glimpses of things that transpired in the past. Brilliant really, a lot of books give you info dump at the beginning and then move forward but Limerence will feed you morsels at a time, as needed. The world is much smaller and though emotions are being tampered with by those with power our protagonists are doing what they can to save the youth. The next emotion up for reprograming is love. This cannot be and what is left of those with the courage to fight the tyranny will do so until the bitter end something must be done. As the story progresses everything our characters thought they knew will change. The good, the bad, and the ugly get ready for a mysterious and thought-provoking ride.

The Characters, Josi and Luke these two have had such a turbulent time since meeting and falling in love. They have both made grave mistakes some of which no one could ever come back from. Their connection, commitment and strength provides them with what is needed to keep fighting for the world first and I am happy to say for each other. As the story progresses we find out all of their transgressions so heart breaking and awe inspiring. Josi takes the W in my opinion she faced the thing that she despises and with the help of her love she will overcome hate and learn to be free, free to love fully. Luke steadfast albeit stubborn also needs to come to terms with the mistakes of his past. His determination to finally end the tyranny that threatens to destroy what is left of humanity is marvelous to behold. Our third POV takes us inside of the head of someone who has forever been affected by the new government I enjoyed getting to see how different someone without vital emotions battles with inklings of what once was. The secondary characters are so developed they hardly felt secondary at all their journeys are just as gripping as our primary characters.

The End, McConaghy has done it. A good and truly balanced believable ending to a dystopian tale. I am so used to tragic endings when it comes to dystopian I was nervous. Tragic endings are so not my thing! I'll take the fluffy unicorn every single time! However, this ending was PERFECT for this story. The world is still torn apart, but the loose ends are tied in a way that meshed perfectly to each character and their journey. Things are on the mend and our favorites are just exactly where they need to be...slightly broken still, but the promise of healing through time is quite apparent. This is what I loved the most.

Rating
5.0 Because well and truly this book made me feel what the characters were feeling. McConaghy smashes this story out of the park! If you are thinking about picking this up I highly, highly recommend you do so now!

Purchase 

Amazon

About the Author 

Charlotte grew up with her nose in a book and her head in the clouds. At fourteen, her English teacher told her that the short story she'd submitted was wildly romantic, so she decided to write a novel. Thus began her foray into epic fantasy and dystopian sci-fi, with sweeping romances, heroic adventures, and as much juicy drama as she could possibly squeeze in.

Her first novel, Arrival, was published at age seventeen, and was followed by Descent, which launched The Strangers of Paragor series, an adventure fantasy for teenagers.

She then wrote her first adult fantasy novel, Avery, the prologue of which came to her in a very vivid dream. Her second adult novel, Fury, is the first in a romantic science-fiction series called The Cure, set in a dystopian future.

Charlotte currently lives in Sydney, having just finished a Masters in Screenwriting from the Australian Film, Television & Radio School. With her television pilot script, she won the Australian Writer's Guild Award for Best Unproduced Screenplay of 2013. She will, however, always be a novelist at heart, still unable to get her nose out of the books.

Book Review: Melancholy Book Two of The Cure (Omnibus Edition) by Charlotte McConaghy

Melancholy 

Book Two of The Cure 

(Omnibus Edition) 

by 

Charlotte McConaghy

Pub June 11th 2015 

by Momentum 

ARC for Review 

Summary
Here in the west they know a lot about hope. They know how to ration it just as they do with food and water.

Josephine is at last free of the blood moon. But in a desperate rush to find help for a comatose Luke, she discovers the strange and dangerous world of the resistance, and it is unlike any world Josi has known.

In the west they believe in fury – they cultivate and encourage it. The unruly people of the resistance know that to survive means to fight. But can they fight the inevitable cure for sadness that rushes steadily closer?

In the action-packed sequel to Fury, everything Josi believes about herself will be challenged. Haunted by atrocities and betrayals, she must find the strength to trust again, and decide how far she is willing to go to fight the inevitable.

At times both brutal and sweet, Melancholy is the story of second chances and finding love in a ruined world.

Sadness Must Be Felt In Order To Experience Happiness 

Well, it’s happened again! As far as dystopian books are concerned this series is one of my favorites! We are thrown again into an epic harsh world where those acting in fear are one step closer to becoming the soulless! And that’s the good guys folks. Melancholy is right ya-eeeeeesh OH! Also I haven’t touched on the CRAZY cliffhanger from the last installment!! We pick up where the story left off and the situation is no bueno. Josi and Luke are in a precarious position. This is one roller coaster read that will keep you on the edge of your seat leading to another heart stopping ending. I have no idea how things are going to play out but I’m very excited to find out.


M-ission, after the showdown that took place Josi must find the strength to continue Luke’s plan.
E-mbark, not knowing where they are headed Josi has to trust in Luke and protect him no matter the cost.
L-aced, Raven distrusts Josi and will do whatever it takes to discover her secrets. No one can know who she is so Josi will keep her identity a secret.
A-lone, fighting through a new kind of prison one with the guise of freedom Josi will learn to navigate and survive until Luke returns to her.
N-emesis, Luke made a very difficult choice in order to rescue Josi. His choices of the past have come back to haunt his present and could be the cause of lives lost.
C-rimes, there is only one connection to the horrible things that have happened within the resistance. Now is not the time to face accusations now is the time for action Luke and Josi seek revenge and they will have it.
H-unt, Luke and many others have worked tirelessly toward making a sizable impact. Leaving camp was their only choice together they will fight.
O-utburst, overtaken with rage the enemy will reveal a truth about Josi that changes everything she thought she knew. Faced with this information she vows to search for and save the life of this new found possibility. The situation is unlikely to end well but that will not stop Josi’s pursuit.
L-ove, often a thin line between joy and horror. Accusations fly rampant and the envy and evil is brought to light. After an unbelievable showdown everyone will know Josi is strong and capable of anything.
Y-ell, a sudden decision sets off a miserable chain of events that endangers everyone. In the midst of chaos a miracle is born rushing to safety is their only hope. Safety such a fickle word in this new world.


That ending!! My blood pressure rose to the top! I cannot recommend this series enough! We see some major character development. Both Luke and Josi go through a transformation. I don’t want to leave out the side characters though, they were all amazing. Even the “bad guy” was good! My heart broke for her situation. So many things happen and we learn so much about this misguided new world I gobbled up each and every word. No sophomore slump here come on next installment I CANNOT WAIT!!

Luke & Josi
I mentioned character development and discovering what is most important. These two nail it, at first both were faced with very difficult situations. Josi did not handle things very well I’d say we saw the most growth from her character. There were times she frustrated me because I know she is capable of amazing things. I’m happy to report she has that aha moment and becomes a beacon of light once again. Luke has been and will for always be my favorite. His steadfast dedication and determination to burn the world down for Josi is beyond measure. He holds my heart in this installment he learns to  love the things that are important. Learning to forgive himself was hard but rediscovering family gives him the push he needed.

  My Rating 

4.5 Train, Prison, Fury, Fields, Feet, Coma, Party, Training, Body, Exile, Parents, Cello, Raven, Mission, Secrets, Revelations, Explosions, Hal, Tunnel, Fire, Knowing life isn’t forever and out of a thousand worlds none would be as sweet without the love Luke and Josi share.   

Purchase Through 

Amazon

About the Author 

Charlotte grew up with her nose in a book and her head in the clouds. At fourteen, her English teacher told her that the short story she'd submitted was wildly romantic, so she decided to write a novel. Thus began her foray into epic fantasy and dystopian sci-fi, with sweeping romances, heroic adventures, and as much juicy drama as she could possibly squeeze in.

Her first novel, Arrival, was published at age seventeen, and was followed by Descent, which launched The Strangers of Paragor series, an adventure fantasy for teenagers.

She then wrote her first adult fantasy novel, Avery, the prologue of which came to her in a very vivid dream. Her second adult novel, Fury, is the first in a romantic science-fiction series called The Cure, set in a dystopian future.

Charlotte currently lives in Sydney, having just finished a Masters in Screenwriting from the Australian Film, Television & Radio School. With her television pilot script, she won the Australian Writer's Guild Award for Best Unproduced Screenplay of 2013. She will, however, always be a novelist at heart, still unable to get her nose out of the books.

Excerpt & GiveAway: Fury by Charlotte McConaghy

FURY

(The Cure #1) 

by 

Charlotte McConaghy 

Pub March 25th 2014 

by Momentum Books, Pan Macmillan

My Review of Fury
HERE  

Summary
When emotions are erased from the world, creating a civilization of mindless drones, only those with fury can survive. 

On the same day each year Josephine Luquet wakes naked, shivering and covered in blood that is not her own. Under the cold gaze of the blood moon she is someone else entirely, but when dawn breaks her memories flee and she is left with only an icy horror, a burning fury. Amid a sea of drones, she alone hasn’t been cured. It will be the same each year: atrocities forgotten, truths hidden and pieces of herself left to die. 
Until Luke. 
He isn’t like the other drones. With secrets whispering behind his eyes and a hunger for all things Josephine, he is the only one determined to help her discover the truth before the next blood moon rises. 
But time is running out. Is Luke willing to risk his life to be near her? Does he truly understand what violence she is capable of? 
Raw and full of passion, Fury is a story of love in a dystopian world, and how much we are willing to forgive in the struggle to remember our humanity. 

Excerpt

September 11th, 2065

Josephine

I am a flame of fury. The last flickering flame in a world long since burned out. I have rage threaded through my skin, whispering against my ears, tied tightly around each one of my bones. My eyes, one brown and one blue, leak with it.

Most of the time this frightens me.

But sometimes I like it.

*

“When did it happen to you?”

He appears to be reading something but I figured out a while ago that he sits there and stares at a blank clipboard. God only knows why. Maybe he thinks it makes him seem smarter, or more aloof. I roll my eyes and turn them to the sky outside the window. A hint of dark gray is edging across the blue, and I can feel the static of a rising storm across my skin. I imagine being inside it, right in the heart of it, wild and out of control, but I only imagine this for the briefest of moments, because otherwise it starts to hurt too much.

“What?” Anthony asks. I know full well that he heard me perfectly the first time, so I don’t repeat myself. After a pause he says, “Nine years ago.”

“So you were … what—twelve?”

“Hilarious.”

“How old are you?” I sit up and face him.

“None of your business.”

“You’re in a friendly mood today. Aren’t you supposed to support every word I say?”

He shoots me a look that says at this point I couldn’t care less what I’m supposed to be doing with you. He is so tired. I can see it in his blue eyes and in the set of his mouth. I feel a moment of pity but it doesn’t last long because he wrecks it by saying, “Have you been taking your pills?”

“No. I seduced all the nurses on staff so that they skip me when it’s time for rounds.”

He actually looks alarmed, which is amusing.

“Yes, I take them. And they don’t do anything, like I’ve told you a thousand times.”

“That remains to be seen,” he says sternly. What a dick.

“You don’t look that much older than me, but you act like you’re eighty, Doc.”

He looks at me blankly and I grin. Antagonising Anthony Harwood is undoubtedly the only fun I have left in my life.

“Let’s talk about Luke,” he suggests.

The grin is wiped clean from my face. “No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to.”

“Why don’t you want to?”

I lick my lips and then meet his eyes. “For the same reason I’ve requested a new therapist. You don’t understand, Anthony. You don’t understand anything.”

He looks pale as he glances down at his clipboard, as though searching for an answer. He’s on the small side of medium height and medium build, and he’s pretty much the definition of the word average. Except he does have nice eyes when he smiles. I only worked that out recently, because he’s smiled all of three times in the entire year. His dark hair is prematurely graying at the temples, which he probably loves. Despite this, I would still put him at about twenty-seven, twenty-eight.

“What don’t I understand, Josephine?” he asks me.

“You’re a drone. You have no concept of humanity anymore—which is why you’re no good to me as a therapist, and why the very thought of talking to you about something as private as Luke makes my skin crawl.”

He sighs. “Who else do you think you’ll get?” He folds his arms, starting to get impatient. “There’s no one left who hasn’t been cured. Everyone is a ‘drone’.”

Ain’t that the truth.

I sink back against the comfy window seat, depressed.

“The only people left who feel anger are the Bloods.”

“And me, apparently.”

“Allegedly,” he reminds me pointedly.

“Yeah, allegedly. So to sum up—Luke isn’t on the agenda, today or any day.”

“Is the real reason because you made him up?”

“Oh, Lord.” I laugh. “We really are back to Basic Therapy 101. Imaginary friends. You’ve outdone yourself today, Doc. Did you buy your degree off the net?”

“Luke has never come to visit you and yet you say he loves you.”

“I would never expect you to understand the simple concept of complexity,” I say sweetly.

“You speak in paradoxes.”

“And it feels wonderful.” I smile. “If only you could appreciate it.”

Purchase Through 
 Momentum

About The Author

Charlotte grew up with her nose in a book and her head in the clouds. At fourteen, her English teacher told her that the short story she'd submitted was wildly romantic, so she decided to write a novel. Thus began her foray into epic fantasy and dystopian sci-fi, with sweeping romances, heroic adventures, and as much juicy drama as she could possibly squeeze in. 

Her first novel, Arrival, was published at age seventeen, and was followed by Descent, which launched The Strangers of Paragor series, an adventure fantasy for teenagers. 

She then wrote her first adult fantasy novel, Avery, the prologue of which came to her in a very vivid dream. Her second adult novel, Fury, is the first in a romantic science-fiction series called The Cure, set in a dystopian future. 

Charlotte currently lives in Sydney, having just finished a Masters in Screenwriting from the Australian Film, Television & Radio School. With her television pilot script, she won the Australian Writer's Guild Award for Best Unproduced Screenplay of 2013. She will, however, always be a novelist at heart, still unable to get her nose out of the books.

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Book Review: Fury (The Cure #1) by Charlotte McConaghy

Fury 

(The Cure #1) 

by 

Charlotte McConaghy 

Pub March 25th 2014 

by Momentum Books, Pan Macmillan 

Summary
When emotions are erased from the world, creating a civilization of mindless drones, only those with fury can survive.

On the same day each year Josephine Luquet wakes naked, shivering and covered in blood that is not her own. Under the cold gaze of the blood moon she is someone else entirely, but when dawn breaks her memories flee and she is left with only an icy horror, a burning fury. Amid a sea of drones, she alone hasn’t been cured. It will be the same each year: atrocities forgotten, truths hidden and pieces of herself left to die.
Until Luke.
He isn’t like the other drones. With secrets whispering behind his eyes and a hunger for all things Josephine, he is the only one determined to help her discover the truth before the next blood moon rises.
But time is running out. Is Luke willing to risk his life to be near her? Does he truly understand what violence she is capable of?
Raw and full of passion, Fury is a story of love in a dystopian world, and how much we are willing to forgive in the struggle to remember our humanity.

The Way I See It

As of now I’ve done 2 things…I’ve read each of the installments individually and a couple of days ago I read the whole thing straight through. The intensity of reading each episode separately is enhanced. AND when I read the whole thing through for me it was… 

Mind=Blown 

There were explosions going off in my head! 

I would recommend reading this in 3 parts, don’t get me wrong the story is EPIC regardless. BUT. when you have a chance to really break it down there is less to miss. DO NOT be fooled by other (not as awesome as this) dystopians out there this is deep you’ll have to dig into your soul for this one. When I say McConaghy is a magician I flipping mean it y’all. The world building is incredible and the way you will connect to these characters is unmatched. Fury is surely going to stay with you in the years to come. 

F-ound, Josephine has always been alone. No one ever sees her especially the drones that are all around her. One night she meets the person who will change her life. 


U-ncompromising, Luke knows he has to figure out a way to save Josi. He too, carries a huge burden one he must keep strictly hidden or his world will combust.


R-egret, Josi has always haunted Dr. Collingsworth. As a last act seeking redemption he will try to amend the mistakes of the past.


Y-eild, chemicals pump through everyone's blood vessels, all that is left is unabashed fury. Luke has gone to great lengths for Josi, its time to find out just how far his sacrifices have lead everyone.

Talk about nailing it without the mumbo jumbo McConaghy will grip you by the B-A-double hockey sticks(LL)-S and take you through an amazing disturbing and compelling read. Throughout the whole series we are kept pretty much in the dark but it wasn't that super annoying dark that makes you yell “COME ON ALREADY OUT WITH IT!!” it was that exhilarating “omg I don’t know whats next but I cant wait to find out! I feel like I’m in the dark but! Who CARES?! YOLO!!” and when we get those delectable morsels…wow. Just.wow. When you read this get ready to be immersed in a world that is meticulously calculated and well thought out. Is McConaghy up to the challenge of making one of the best dystopian series ever? So far so good! There was a GUT wrenching cliffhanger if it weren't for that I would've given this book a five star rating!! I will be eagerly anticipating the novels to come regardless of what happens with the story at this point I know that I am committed to Luke and Josi! I cant wait to see happens! :) 

My Fav's 

Luke & Josi
These two are quite the pair so different and similar and all around perfect for each other. I’m looking forward to the next step. We know exactly who they are and where they came from. I want more than anything for these two to show everyone what they are capable of! I cant wait!!

My Rating

4.75 Bar, Cigarette, Coffee, Bruises, Counseling, Leather belt, Furies, Bloods, Uncured, Hiking, Assignment, Night Terrors, an Police Station, Primer, Cello, Maria, 11th hour, Wasps, Rebellion, Mother, Unquenchable Loneliness that will pull at your heart strings filled stars. For a Dystopian unlike anything I've read so far check out part one of the Fury Series!! PICK up THESE BOOKS NOW!! DO IT!!!

Purchase Through 
 Amazon

Book Review: Fury: Episode 1 (The Cure #1.1) by Charlotte McConaghy

Fury: Episode 1 

(The Cure #1.1) 

by 

Charlotte McConaghy 

Pub March 11th 2014 

by Momentum Books

ARC For Review 

Summary
In the tradition of Divergent comes a novel about a world where negative emotions are stolen ... and only those with fury can stand up and fight.

Eighteen-year-old Josephine Luquet wakes naked and covered in blood that is not hers on the same day every year—when the blood moon is full. Josi has not responded to the "Cure"—an immunization against anger mandated by the government—and believes herself to be a threat to others.

Then she meets Luke. Luke has had the Cure but seems different to the other "drones"—and he's dead set on helping Josi discover the truth about herself before the next blood moon.

But time is running out. Is Luke willing to risk his life to be near her? Does he truly understand what violence she is capable of?

Raw and full of passion, Fury is a story of love in a dystopian world, and how much we are willing to forgive in the struggle to remember our humanity.

This is a novella-length episode of Fury. It will continue with Episode 2 on 18 March and conclude with Episode 3 on 25 March. Please visit Momentum Books for release dates, further information, and to sign-up to be notified of the next release.

The Way I See It

I’m going to start off with one word…Intense. Yep I think that’s a good word to describe Fury by Charlotte McConaghy. We meet Josephine and Luke I’m assuming you’ve read the synopsis and yea..like I said INTENSE right from the beginning we jump into what I assume is current day “in the story” Josi recounts parts of her past and it’s all a whirlwind of action. Even though this is a novella and relatively short, it’s not a story you can just swallow in a couple of hours. This story is one you must fully relish and delve into. The world building is phenomenal and I felt immersed in the pages. Like I was walking along side Josi her fears became my fears and her desperation broke me. 

F-ound, Josephine has always been alone. No one ever sees her especially the drones that are everywhere around her. Until one night, she meets the person who will change her life. 

U-naware, working with someone to find answers should be easy but everything Luke has been telling himself is changing and he resents himself for it. 

R-ealization, the differences are too much the world is real, its harsh, and Josi is a monster nothing will ever change these facts she only has once choice left and she is determined to make it. 

Y-esterday, always a haze always a nightmare Josi only knows agony but anything is better than losing the very thing that makes her who she is. Josi doesn’t know what to do or how to change things but loving Luke is not an option. 

Eeeep Okay so I’ve got the feels and they are all over the place for this book! The ending is a little bit cliffy and yall know how I feel about that but that’s okay the second and third part are already available. Some of the vital questions are answered and some of my predictions were confirmed. BUT there is still so much that is unseen and I’m loving this series already I hope McConaghy is up to the challenge of making this series meet its potential. My heart goes out to this broken and unique dystopian society and I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen next. 

My Favs

Luke & Josi

These two are quite the pair so different and similar and all around perfect for each other. I’m looking forward to the next step. They are a big mystery and I’m hoping we get all of the answers soon. 

My Rating

4.0 Bar, Cigarette, Coffee, Bruises, Clip Board, Leather belt, Furies, Bloods, Uncured, Hiking, Dreadlocks, Night Terrors, an Unquenchable Loneliness that will pull at your heart strings filled stars. For a Dystopian unlike anything I’ve read so far check out part one of the Fury Series!!

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