Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver - Paul's Review

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Title: Requiem (Delirium #3)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2013

Ashley's Review
Paul's Pre-Reading

Synopsis: Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has transformed. The nascent rebellion that was underway in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven. Pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels.

As Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain of the Wilds, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena and Hana's points of view. They live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

With lyrical writing, Lauren Oliver seamlessly interweaves the peril that Lena faces with the inner tumult she experiences after the reappearance of her first love, Alex, the boy she thought was dead. Sophisticated and wide-ranging, Requiem brings the Delirium trilogy to a thrilling conclusion.

Review: That last book in a trilogy. Many of the YA dystopian trilogies that appeared right after the dystopian boom are coming to a close. Lauren Oliver started this trilogy with such an interesting concept. Love is a disease, a disease that must be eradicated. Many of the YA trilogies out there have forced love triangles, but love as a concept is integral to this series. The relationships make sense. 

The first half of Delirium didn't really do it for me, but the second half really dragged me in. When Pandemonium came around, I was hooked immediately. I loved the second book in this trilogy. Perspective and timeline were played with in such an interesting way. Lauren Oliver continued to play with perspective in this third book, Requiem.

Requiem is from the perspective of Lena and Hana. Lena has been the main character the whole trilogy, but we haven't heard much of Hana since the first book. At the start of this book, Hana's story drew me in a lot more than Lena's. Hana's story got better, but Lena's story was the highlight of the book for me. 

The side characters in this trilogy are all very interesting and the novellas that take place in the same universe give so many more details into the characters. I really enjoyed the character of Lucian in this novel. I found Alex annoying. And, Fred was just super creepy (almost Joffreylike).

By the end of the novel, the two storylines come together perfectly. The end was done so well. It was a great culmination of the trilogy. I especially liked that there was not an epilogue delivered in a nice pretty bow like The Hunger Games or Harry Potter. I give this book a 5/5! 

I HIGHLY recommend this trilogy! Unlike many other trilogies, it only gets better. This third book was the best and the companion novellas are amazing as well!

-PAUL

Alex (Delirium #3.5) by Lauren Oliver - Paul's Review

Goodreads

Title: Alex
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2013

Ashley's Review


Review: Like the other novellas, this one gives us a glimpse into a minor character's head. The voice is so different from the rest. It feels very Alex.

I wasn't a big fan of Alex in the second and third books of this trilogy, but I felt more for him when I saw his perspective. Many scenes we already are familiar with from Lena's point of view are retold from Alex's.

I liked seeing his thoughts and learning more about his past. I want more novellas! I think the Delirium world has come to a close, but I want more! Oliver did an excellent job creating this world and filling it with interesting characters. I give this novella a 4/5.


--PAUL

Raven (Delirium #2.5) by Lauren Oliver - Paul's Review

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Title: Raven
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2012

Ashley's Review

Synopsis: This captivating 50-page digital-original story set in the world of Lauren Oliver’s New York Times bestselling Delirium series focuses on Raven, the fiery leader of a rebel group in the Wilds.

As a teenager, Raven made the split-second decision to flee across the border to the Wilds, compelled to save an abandoned newborn—a baby girl left for dead and already blue from the cold. When she and the baby are taken in by a band of rebels, Raven finds herself an outsider within a tight-knit group. The only other newcomer is an untrustworthy boy known as the Thief until he finally earns himself a new name: Tack.

Now she and Tack are inseparable, committed to each other, the fledgling rebellion, and a future together. But as they both take center stage in the fight, Raven must decide whether the dangers of the revolution are worth risking her dreams of a peaceful life with Tack.

As her story hurtles back and forth between past and present, Raven transforms from a scared girl newly arrived in the Wilds to the tough leader who helps Lena save former Deliria-Free poster boy Julian Fineman from a death sentence. Whatever the original mission may have been, Raven abides by a conviction that she believes to her core: You always return for the people you love.

By turns surprising, revelatory, and poignant, Raven’s story enriches the Delirium world and resonates with a voice that is as vulnerable as it is strong.

----------

Review: Lauren Oliver did an excellent job with these novellas. They are just glimpses into minor characters' heads. I love the way she writes in a different voice for each character. This novella felt very Raven.

Raven isn't that deep of a character in the regular trilogy. You don't know a lot about her other than that she's an awesome survivor and leader. This novella adds depth to her character. It really explains the character of Raven

This novella is so well written. I like the way we get to see a less guarded side of Raven. I really liked the ending. It was so bitter sweet. I give this novella a 5/5.


--PAUL

Annabel (Delirium #1.5) by Lauren Oliver - Paul's Review

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Title: Annabel
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2012

Ashley's Review

Synopsis: Lena's mother, Annabel, has always been a mystery—a ghost in Lena's past. Until now.

Discover her secrets in Lauren Oliver's brilliant original digital story set in the world of New York Times bestsellers Delirium and Pandemonium.

Lena Halloway's mother, Annabel, supposedly committed suicide when Lena was only six years old. That's the lie that Lena grew up believing, but the truth is very different. As a rebellious teenager, Annabel ran away from home and straight into the man she knew she was destined to marry. The world was different then—the regulations not as stringent, the cure only a decade old. Fast forward to the present, and Annabel is consigned to a dirty prison cell, where she nurtures her hope of escape and scratches one word over and over into the walls: Love.

But Annabel, like Lena, is a fighter. Through chapters that alternate between her past and present, Annabel reveals the story behind her failed cures, her marriage, the births of her children, her imprisonment, and, ultimately, her daring escape.

----------

Review: These novellas are really great. I love that they are all compiled into a paperback. This one is from Lena's mom, Annabel,'s perspective.

I liked that we got to see what the world was like when Annabel was young and the dystopia aspect of the world was just forming. I kind if got a weird 60's vibe from it, but I think that was just me.
This novella follows the same format of Pandemonium with "now" and "then" sections. I like the way they played off of each other.

I was surprised how much depth was added to this character in such few pages. The storytelling was excellent and I want more! I'm glad these novellas exist. I give this particular novella a 4/5.

Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver - Paul's Pre-Reading

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Title: Requiem (Delirium #3)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2013

Ashley's Review

Synopsis: They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

Why?: This is the third book in the Delirium trilogy. I enjoyed the second book, Pandemonium, even more than the first. Im hoping this one is even better.

Expectations: As the third book in a dystopian trilogy, I'm expecting a huge Finale. Maybe an epic war? Maybe a one-on-one confrontation? Maybe an internal realization? Whatever it ends up being, I want a good ending.


Judging a Book by its Cover: I'm not a huge fan of these covers. They are too similar. The color differences aren't even that much. There is a fierceness I'm the eyes that I do like, though.


--PAUL

Alex (Delirium #3.5) by Lauren Oliver - Ashley's Review

Title: Alex
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2013

Goodreads

So, I don't have a cover or an official synopsis on  this one for you, since it's only in the first printing of Requiem. But, basically, this is Alex's story from the time in between Delirium and Pandemonium. And some of his past thrown in there too.

I've always wondered how Alex managed to survive in the Crypts. I mean, I know he says that Lena was the only thing that kept him going. But it's hard to know how much someone means by that, especially when it's in the middle of an argument. After reading this story, I feel like I know so much more about how Alex felt for Lena, and how much he loves her. 

It also makes it easier to read through Requiem, knowing that he will always love Lena. Because even though Lena felt like she couldn't go on hoping that Alex was alive and had to give him up so that she could move on with her life, you always know that she still loves him. And it's hard seeing Alex so hardened and bitter that it seems like he doesn't return her affections. But, after reading Alex, I can understand why he's so upset with her and why he acts the way he does towards her. I mean, I'd be upset too.

Although I think much of Alex's allure has to do with how attractive he is, I think knowing more about him makes him all the more attractive. He has secrets of his own, secrets he never even told Lena because he thought she would think less of him. But honestly, I don't think they're that bad. They were appropriate responses to a terrible situation. (I'm trying not to give too much away here, I hate spoilery reviews). 

Anyone who has read any of the series and the short stories should definitely try to get their hands on this story. I have no idea if it will ever be available separately from the first printing of Requiem, but you should definitely try to get your hands on it if you can. Borrow a friend's copy of Requiem, even if it's just for this story. I'd give this a 4.5/5.


--Ashley

Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver - Ashley's Review

My Pre-Reading

Title: Requiem
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2013

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads



Synopsis: They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

Review: Since Delirium, I have been in love with this series, and the world, and Lena an Alex. There's just something about their story that has captured my attention and broken my heart over and over again. Lena goes through so much and changes so completely over the course of the books, that I'm surprised Hana even recognizes her in Requiem. She's so radically different from the way she was in Delirium - she's daring, brave, strong in her beliefs, and very much in love - and it's been incredible to experience her transformation.

I honestly thought Pandemonium was going to be as bad as it was going to get for Lena. I mean, she had to deal with losing Alex (and then finding him!), falling in love with Julian, and almost dying. Oh and realizing her mother is still alive, and then losing her again. I mean, it can't get any worse for her, right? Wrong. Requiem managed to leave me more heartbroken at times than I even thought possible. I don't know how Oliver does it, but she manages to pack such an emotional punch into even the simplest things.

And then, we also got to see how Hana was managing back in Portland. Although I'm not Hana's biggest fan, I thought it was really interesting to see how someone who has been cured is handling the Resistance attacks and planning a wedding to the most important man in the city. And, of course, everyone has their secrets. Even the mayor. I think his might be the worst of all, because he has so much power and has so much potential to abuse that power. 

Like the rest of the series, the writing in this book is absolutely wonderful. It's one of those books that I hated to put down, and then I was so sad that it was over. Especially this time, because that's it. Now we have to say goodbye to Lena and Alex and Julian and Raven everyone else. And speaking of the ending, I thought it was perfect. I don't think a really conclusive ending would have done this series any justice, and it left off in a place that I was ok with. Especially because it feels so real, and not thrown together for the sake of a happily ever after. 

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has read any of the other books. And, if you haven't and you enjoyed series like Matched, Divergent, or any of those other amazing dystopian series, I would totally recommend this book to you. Seriously, you'll be blown away. A strong 5/5 on this one, and over the entire series. 


--Ashley

Raven (Delirium #2.5) by Lauren Oliver - Ashley's Review

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Title: Raven
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2012

Synopsis: This captivating 50-page digital-original story set in the world of Lauren Oliver’s New York Times bestselling Delirium series focuses on Raven, the fiery leader of a rebel group in the Wilds.

As a teenager, Raven made the split-second decision to flee across the border to the Wilds, compelled to save an abandoned newborn—a baby girl left for dead and already blue from the cold. When she and the baby are taken in by a band of rebels, Raven finds herself an outsider within a tight-knit group. The only other newcomer is an untrustworthy boy known as the Thief until he finally earns himself a new name: Tack.

Now she and Tack are inseparable, committed to each other, the fledgling rebellion, and a future together. But as they both take center stage in the fight, Raven must decide whether the dangers of the revolution are worth risking her dreams of a peaceful life with Tack.

As her story hurtles back and forth between past and present, Raven transforms from a scared girl newly arrived in the Wilds to the tough leader who helps Lena save former Deliria-Free poster boy Julian Fineman from a death sentence. Whatever the original mission may have been, Raven abides by a conviction that she believes to her core: You always return for the people you love.

By turns surprising, revelatory, and poignant, Raven’s story enriches the Delirium world and resonates with a voice that is as vulnerable as it is strong.

----------

I think that of all the stories about the girls (Hana, Annabel, and Raven), this one is my favorite. Raven is so guarded in Pandemonium and Requiem that it's hard to really get to know her and see how she feels. We know she and Tack are in love, but we don't know how intensely or what their dreams are or even how they met. This glimpse into Raven's mind really gives so much more depth to her, and even to Tack. And it makes everything she does in the novels make so much more sense.

We also get to see the cure from a different perspective. Although Raven is against it, she came from a home where maybe the cure wasn't so bad. It helped to calm her drunk, abusive father, although it still wasn't enough to keep her away from the Wilds. But if she hadn't, she never would have saved Blue. And I love Blue, although not as much as Raven. 

And then, the ending! It makes Requiem so much sadder, because I don't think anyone knew Raven's secret except for maybe Tack. I was so sad about Raven's fate without knowing, and now it's just heartbreaking. Curse you, Lauren Oliver, for making a terrible situation even worse. All Raven wants is to run away with Tack and have lots of children and just love each other, and it seems like she'll never have that dream, even when it's within sight.

I think everyone who has read any of the Delirium series, especially the last two books, should definitely read this. I would give this story at least a 4/5.

--Ashley

Annabel (Delirium #1.5) by Lauren Oliver - Ashley's Review

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Title: Annabel
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2012

Synopsis: Lena's mother, Annabel, has always been a mystery—a ghost in Lena's past. Until now.

Discover her secrets in Lauren Oliver's brilliant original digital story set in the world of New York Times bestsellers Delirium and Pandemonium.

Lena Halloway's mother, Annabel, supposedly committed suicide when Lena was only six years old. That's the lie that Lena grew up believing, but the truth is very different. As a rebellious teenager, Annabel ran away from home and straight into the man she knew she was destined to marry. The world was different then—the regulations not as stringent, the cure only a decade old. Fast forward to the present, and Annabel is consigned to a dirty prison cell, where she nurtures her hope of escape and scratches one word over and over into the walls: Love.

But Annabel, like Lena, is a fighter. Through chapters that alternate between her past and present, Annabel reveals the story behind her failed cures, her marriage, the births of her children, her imprisonment, and, ultimately, her daring escape.

----------

The first thing I really enjoyed about this short story is that it is written in the same style as Pandemonium - as a "Now and Then" type thing. I like how the novella kind of mirror the books, and I think it adds quite a bit to the whole series. The next thing that I really enjoyed was learning about Annabel. She's such a mystery to us, and to Lena, and I've always wondered about who she was before she ended up in the Crypts, and what her life in the Crypts was like. And we even get to see a little bit of Lena's father.

Oliver does an excellent job yet again taking a minor character and really expanding on her story so that we not only understand the character, but we also understand more about the society and the world of Delirium. Annabel doesn't grow up in a world where the cure is mandatory, unless you're a criminal or a bad kid. Instead, people opt into it. And I think that really helps the reader to understand how such a thing became mandatory for everyone, and why most people seem to believe that it's a good thing.

Like with Hana, I think everyone who has read any of the Delirium books should read this story. I liked it even more than Hana, and would totally give it at least a 4/5. Go read it! 

--Ashley

Hana (Delirium #1.5) by Lauren Oliver - Ashley's Review

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Title: Hana
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2012

Synopsis: Lauren Oliver's riveting, original digital story set in the world of her New York Times bestseller Delirium.

The summer before they're supposed to be cured of the ability to love, best friends Lena and Hana begin to drift apart. While Lena shies away from underground music and parties with boys, Hana jumps at her last chance to experience the forbidden. For her, the summer is full of wild music, dancing—and even her first kiss.

But on the surface, Hana must be a model of perfect behavior. She meets her approved match, Fred Hargrove, and glimpses the safe, comfortable life she’ll have with him once they marry. As the date for her cure draws ever closer, Hana desperately misses Lena, wonders how it feels to truly be in love, and is simultaneously terrified of rebelling and of falling into line.

In this digital story that will appeal to fans of Delirium and welcome new admirers to its world, readers will come to understand scenes from Delirium through Hana's perspective. Hana is a touching and revealing look at a life-changing and tumultuous summer.

---------------

I've read this story twice now (once when it was available to read for free, and then again more recently when I bought the Delirium Stories collection), and I think I liked it better the first time. Maybe because I read Requiem and it give a better description of Hana's thoughts and feelings, or maybe because I already knew about Hana and why she does what she does. Either way, I still enjoyed the story. 

I really love when authors write short stories from the perspective of characters other than the main one(s), so I was pretty excited when I found out that Oliver was going to be writing four short stories. The first time I  read Hana, I had just finished Derlirium, and I thought it was really interesting to find out who betrays Lena and Alex, and why. And to see how Hana feels during the summer before she and Lena are cured. We already know how Lena feels, and why she thinks they're growing apart, but Hana see things happening very differently. 

Although we don't really gain too much new information about the world or about what's going on, I think it's important to know some of the details Hana gives us in her story about her life. Especially for Requiem. Although she recaps a little bit, I felt like I had a better sense of her and why she feels so guilty and even why things don't go according to plan for her. And I never really liked her, but I feel like I understand her better.

I would definitely recommend this novella to anyone who has read any of the Delirium books. I think the better you know the minor characters, the better you get to know the protagonist. I would definitely recommend reading this before Requiem, or right after Delirium. I think it packs a bigger punch then. I would give this a 3.5/5, since I enjoyed it so much more the first time I read it. 


--Ashley

Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver - Ashley's Pre-Reading

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title: Requiem
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2013

Synopsis: They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

Why?: I loved Delirium and Pandemonium broke my heart in so many ways that I didn't have a choice but to love it, and so I have to read the last installment in the trilogy. Especially after the ending of Pandemonium. I mean, seriously, who leaves a book that way?! I want to know what happens next.

Expectations: I'm pretty much expecting lots of tears from this book. And lots of Lena trying to deal with being a part of the Resistance, discovering people she thought she'd lost forever, and falling in love all over again. And I'm pretty excited to hear from Hana, and to see if the two girls' stories eventually cross and become one again.

Judging a book by its cover: Honestly, I'm not entirely impressed with the cover. It looks so much like the cover for Pandemonium that, at first glance, they're pretty difficult to tell apart. If I didn't already know the series, I don't really think I would be drawn to the cover on its own.


--Ashley

"You can build a future out of anything."

My Pre-Reading

OHMYGODTHISBOOK. 


Seriously, that's all I thought the entire way through it. Pandemonium did not disappoint in any way, and I am so glad about that. The whole time, I found myself still wishing that Alex was alive by some miracle. Even when you can start to see Lena beginning to fall in love again, it still feels wrong because you know that she is still crazy in love with Alex. And every time she mentions that she thinks she catches a glimpse of him, I want her to be able to turn her head and see him there next to her. Their romance was one of the best I've ever read in a YA novel, or in any novel for that matter, and I was so distraught at the end of Delirium when he's just left for dead. And when everything seems to confirm his death in so many ways. 


I apologize for any spoilers, and I'll try my best not to give too much away because Paul hasn't read this and I could give away THE WHOLE THING with just one sentence.


And then, she becomes Alex in a way. Just like Alex rescued her from the dystopian society she believed in, Lena rescues Julien from the same society. She is the Invalid that makes her way into his life, destroying all of his previous ideals and beliefs. She's the one who causes him to see that love is actually not as bad as it sounds. That love can do all kinds of good that the DFA wants everyone to ignore. And in the midst of all the heartbreak, hatred and apathy, Lena still manages to find love in places she didn't even know she could. She begins to love Raven, and Julien (of course), and all of the others at the homestead. 


And then, finally, as soon as you think she might be getting over the heartbreak of losing her mother and Alex and Hana, and everyone else she's lost, Lauren Oliver comes up and slaps her (and you) in the face. And then, because once isn't enough, she does it again! And then a third time. And it's fantastic. I honestly don't know how Oliver created such a strong character in Lena, because if I were Lena I would just quit life. 


I also really love that the book goes between "then" and "now." It gives a great picture of how much Lena grew during her time in the Wilds, and how she now uses her past experiences to get through difficult circumstances. Because living and surviving in the Wilds wasn't enough. She has to be kidnapped by a group of crazy people who shouldn't be organized enough to even pull off a kidnapping. And then made to rescue some kid she can't even stand at first, who represents everything she fights against. 


I could honestly go on about this book for forever, but you should really just go pick it up and read it yourself. Read Delirium first though, because otherwise this book won't break your heart and impact you in the way it should. If these books were ever made into movies, I would probably be crying the entire time. 


Definitely a strong 5/5, and I would totally give it more if I could. One of my favorite books, and so far series, that I've ever read. I can't wait for Requiem to come out, and I'm so sad that it won't be out until at least February 2013. If I can get my hands on an ARC, I will for sure be doing so. 


--Ashley

Ashley's March Book: PANDEMONIUM

You guys, I am so excited for this book. So excited that I didn't even want to wait until March to write up this post. It doesn't even come out until tomorrow... Good thing I pre-ordered it on Amazon and will have it by tomorrow afternoon!

Title: Pandemonium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2012

Synopsis:   After escaping from Portland, Maine, Lena makes it to the Wilds and becomes part of an Invalid community, where she transforms herself into a warrior for the resistance. A future without Alex is unimaginable, but Lena pushes forward and fights, both for him and for a world in which love is no longer considered a disease. Swept up in a volatile mix of revolutionaries and counterinsurgents, Lena struggles to survive—and wonders if she may be falling in love again.

Why?: The first book I picked for this blog was Delirium, and I absolutely loved it. I've been waiting for this sequel for like 6 months, and I am so excited that it's finally (almost) out! If you haven't read Delirium yet, go read it now.

Expectations: I have such high expectations for this book. I expect Lena to be epic, and I expect her experiences in the Invalid community to have completely changed her. I'm really hoping Alex come back, but I'm not sure he will. Or that he'll even be good for Lena anymore. And Hana. I want her to come back and be awesome too, but I'm pretty sure she won't because of what happened in Hana.

Judging a book by its cover: I assume the girl on the front is supposed to be Lena, and it looks like she's more mature and ready to take on the world now. Also, flowers might be important? 


I serisously can't wait. 


--Ashley

Delirium

I pulled an Ashley and completely read this book without posting anything. I feel that it's okay.


So this two books in one month thing didn't quite work out with me. I finished it this past night, so technically in August. Ashley hasn't started Sisters Red yet though, not that that is my fault or anything...shifty eyes. And it's not like she's read a million other books in the mean time. I'm back to work this month, at least for a week or two so my reading should be speedier as long as I have plenty of breaks. Fpr instance, I got off three hours early this morning after reading about 100 pages to finish Delirium. 


Anyway, here is my full review of Delirium by Lauren Oliver:


As a reminder, this was Ashley's pick of July. Here are her posts:
Ashley's Pre-Reading Delirium Post
Ashley's Post-Reading Delirium Post


I didn't do a Pre-Reading Post, but here's a mock-up of what it may have looked like:


Expectations: I thought the idea sounded interesting making love into an illness. I was weary about how lovey dovey it may have been.


Judging a Book by its Cover: I hate the cover! Well, the cover of the actual book, not the book cover. The book cover looks interesting with the face hidden. The actual book has the face in full force on both the front and back. It's awkward to read in public, especially when you work at a macho masculine, spit and cursing kind of job. I would have prefered a blank color with maybe a little indentation on the front.

REVIEW ( finally...this post seems long...)


I wish I would have written a midway post for this book because midway through I was not a big fan. I thought it had a slow progression. The illness seemed a little farfetched. But, thankfully the second half of this book exists! I think I read the last 200 pages or so in two sittings.


I loved the similes and metaphors Oliver used throughout the book. I noticed them more towards the end. I'm not sure if I just was late to catch on to the intricacies of her writing or whether she used these flairs to show Lena's mental progression.  The characters and their relationships seemed very real. I loved the development of the main love story. I am not a big fan of fluffy love interests. I have never read Twilight, but I can imagine I wouldn't enjoy it, from what I've heard. A love connection has to make sense. 


SPOILERS AHEAD


I hope Alex is dead! That may sound bad, but I think it would make a better story. I went to the goodreads site for the sequel, Pandemonium, and all the posts were "OMGZ...Alex CanT be ded!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". I think his death would add the the Romeo and Juliet vibe of the story. You can't experience the highs without the lows. Oliver did an amazing job of expolring every aspect of love. Wow, does that sound cheesy/corny or what? By that I mean she did have the Lena-Alex relationship, but she also had the Mother-daughter memories, the best friend love, and Lena's love or nonlove for the rest of her family. 


I liked the world that Oliver created. It wasn't so far-fetched. It had the one alteration of amor deliria nervosa and the world was wrapped around that. Most utopia/dystopia YA books alter the world so much. Lena still worked at a Stop-N-Save (i think that was its name) and there was a realistic class divide between Lena and Hana. Technology hadn't progressed to anything ridiculous. I was unsure about the world politics though. So many utopia/dystopia YA novels take place in one city. I'm sure this will be explanded upon in the sequels because I am interested. Is there still a president of the United States? Do all those in charge go through the procedure too?


In Conclusion, I really enjoyed the book once I got into it. It had similarities to the Uglies series, but had a strong focus on love that stayed throughout the whole book. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel.


-PAUL

amor deliria nervosa

So... I am obviously no good at writing/keeping up with a blog. Especially when it's supposed to coincide with reading a book.

In other words... I finished my book...like a week ago... and didn't write a single thing about it. I'll try to do better next time. But at least I actually read my book, unlike someone else... :)

Anyway, the book. As a quick refresher, my first book was Delirium by Lauren Oliver. I'll try to review it without giving away too many spoilers, but we'll see how that goes...

As a whole, Delirium more than exceeded my expectations. Not knowing anything about the author or the book before diving head first into it, I wasn't really expecting much. Just a nice YA story about some girl in a dystopian society beating the system. However, this wasn't your typical "girl is happy in society, girl meets boy, girl realizes society is bad, girl falls in love with boy, girl and boy run away together" story. There's much more depth to the characters without making them too complex, and the descriptions of the society and how it ended up the way it is are concise and to the point. Not much time is wasted in describing the scenery or anything, and the story flows well.

To the people of Lena's world, love is a disease - "amor deliria nervosa" - and is one of the most deadly diseases. It is "the deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't." (p. 4). Lena believes this, and what she has been taught, and cannot wait to have the procedure to make her immune to this illness. However, like every teenager, Lena gets caught up in a rebellious streak and ends up wanting to fight the system because she begins to doubt it. The book chronicles her journey from unthinking teenager who believes everything she's told to a thinking individual capable of making her own decisision and fighting for her right to love (after falling in love herself, of course).

The ending of the book is not entirely predictable either, which is nice. And definitely not common in a YA novel. It's also interesting that, although Delirium is the first of a trilogy, the novel could also be a standalone. I definitely want to read the next two books in the series when they come out, but had Lauren Oliver decided to not write the other two, I'd also be ok with that.

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who enjoys YA novels, but wants to read something a little different from the typical ones that are out there right now.



And now, onto the next book!

--Ashley

Delirium!

Ok, here goes, first book!

Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Year Published: 2011
Synopsis: Lena Haloway is content in her safe, government-managed society. She feels (mostly) relaxed about the future in which her husband and career will be decided, and looks forward to turning 18, when she’ll be cured of deliria, a.k.a. love. She tries not to think about her mother’s suicide (her last words to Lena were a forbidden “I love you”) or the supposed “Invalid” community made up of the uncured just beyond her Portland, Maine, border. There’s no real point—she believes her government knows how to best protect its people, and should do so at any cost. But 95 days before her cure, Lena meets Alex, a confident and mysterious young man who makes her heart flutter and her skin turn red-hot. As their romance blossoms, Lena begins to doubt the intentions of those in power, and fears that her world will turn gray should she submit to the procedure.

Why?: I'm all about YA dystopian novels, and this seems like a typical one. It's interesting that love is thought of as something that should be cured (like AIDS or cancer), and it's set in the US instead of on some distant planet in a parallel universe. Maybe not the most original of ideas or plot lines, but hopefully it proves to be a well written book with a different take on your typical YA love story.

Expectations: Not many expectations for this one, I haven't read anything else by this author and I haven't read many reviews about the book. Plus, it just came out like last month, so I haven't encountered anyone else who has read it or even heard of it (except Paul, of course).

Judging a book by its cover: The cover is, at first glance, pretty unassuming. Just the author and the title. Until you look at it closer... then you can see the girl's face in the letters. Oh, and when you take off the jacket, there's some girl just looking downwards. I'm hoping the book isn't as creepy as that. At least it's not something stupid like two hands holding an apple though...

Here goes nothing!
-Ashley