Review: THE BUTTERFLY CODE by Sue Wyshynski

So, when I heard that Sue’s new book was soon to be published, I was so excited–even more so, when I got an ARC of THE BUTTERFLY CODE.

Title: The Butterfly Code
Author: Sue Wyshynski
Publisher: Whitman Books
Genre: Paranormal Suspense
Readership: New adult
Rating: 5 stars

So, what’s the book about?

Well, here’s the back cover copy from Amazon:

HIS DARKEST SECRET HELD THE POWER TO TRANSFORM ME.

My friends say Hunter Cayman’s dangerous.
They say he’s a threat to everyone in town.
I’m not so sure.
As he stands before me in this crowded club with the lights shining around us, I catch something good under Hunter’s dark facade. Something decent and profound.
I don’t know who or what to believe.
But I will find out the truth.

Aeris Thorne is expecting a restful vacation in the remote town of Deep Cove. But on a stormy night, she meets the alluring and mysterious Hunter Cayman, and her life takes an exhilarating turn. Aeris is both drawn to him and determined to find out what he’s hiding. It’s clear Hunter has found success with the high-security lab on his vast estate. But what Aeris doesn’t know is that he’s tormented by a secret: the truth behind his research. As he and Aeris are drawn together, the walls he’s built to protect himself threaten to crumble. At the same time, she begins to wonder if she’s found the key to unraveling her own tragic past. When Aeris’s life is threatened, Hunter is forced to make an impossible decision about her future–one that could change everything.

And, wow, what a book. 

Right from the start, we’re thrown into the action. I loved the narrative style so much, particularly the way the narrator questions everything. And I particularly enjoyed the who is he? what’s he doing here? intro for Dr Hunter Cayman.

This new adult paranormal thriller/suspense is so beautifully written, and it really was a delight to read. I loved Aeris, the main character. She felt real, and the way her character changes and progresses also felt believable. The little details we’re given about Aeris’s life and her past add so much authenticity too. And, as this book’s written in first person, she had a real voice. Her way of thinking constantly oozed through the writing, and at times was enough to make me forget I was actually reading a book.

One thing that struck me about the plot were the futuristic/SF elements. I hadn’t been expecting them as we’d already been given the paranormal/mystery/thriller elements, and they were a nice surprise, particularly as I LOVE LOVE LOVE speculative fiction.

And, I also love symbolism too–particularly in names. And there was a lot of this to keep me happy. A lot of work has obviously gone into this book, and I’m determined to reread it soon so I can spot all the foreshadowing–I noticed a few instances in my first reading, which were carefully incorporated, but I’m sure there’s more!

There’s just the right amount of action, suspense and tension in this book, and it kept me turning the pages. I particularly loved the relationship between Aeris and Gage, possibly more than that between Aeris and Hunter. It felt realistic, and that’s what I particularly loved about it.

But Hunter himself was such an interesting character. Right from the start, I was drawn to him–in much the same way that our main character seems to be. I was intrigued about this man who’s apparently dangerous and dark… and I was so, so curious. And there was just something so enigmatic and mysterious about him. He’s the perfect love interest! I really hope there’s a sequel to THE BUTTERFLY CODE.

I’ll definitely be looking for more books by this author!