Delirium (Delirium, #1) by Lauren Oliver
 |
| Delirium in The Wilds! |
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: YA, Dystopian, Romance
Pages: 441
Source: Bought it
Book Description from Goodreads:
THEY SAY that the cure for Love will make me happy and safe forever. And I've always believed them. Until now.
Now everything has changed. Now, I'd rather be infected
with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.
Review:
Set in a version of the United States where the borders are closed to the rest of the world to control the spread of the deadly and rampant Amor deliria nervosa - aka 'love'. Strict curfews, guards and a religious government control every aspect of a teenager's life to prevent a resurgence of this disease and in return citizens live long, "healthy" and conflict free lives. The story follows Lena, months away from the procedure that'll prevent this devastating illness that has cast a dark shadow over her entire life - but then someone unexpected happens, and soon she finds herself torn between her perfect life and the truth...or is it just Amor deliria nervosa taking root?
There was so much hype for each of the books released that I just knew I had to read this book, but at 411 pages it seemed quite daunting. So knowing I'd be spending a lot of time on the beach in Mexico I figured it'd be a perfect companion. I ended up finishing this book in a couple of sittings, it was absolutely engrossing!
The beginning of the chapters contain a little snippet with a bit of the history of this alternate world, or facts about their society and the disease. Oliver considers every tiny detail and builds this intricate culture and an incredibly realistic disease. When I was reading the descriptions of the disease I'd end up stopping to think and compare my own life experiences with love to the checklist (I've definitely got it bad....) and marveling at the conviction of the government to control this disease.
Lena, the main character was surprisingly complex and multifaceted. On one hand she had absolute confidence in her elders, and that the path she's set on is the right one. While she regurgitates all the right answers, and does as she's told there's this wonderful rebellious spark to her that pops out unexpectedly! I loved watching her evolution from this reserved law abiding citizen, to someone who craved life and love and would do anything for it.
Alex - love interest extraordinaire and just full of surprises! He's hardworking, devoted and risks everything for even the slightest chance at love. With a painful past, and full of secrets I was definitely as intrigued as Lena about this boy!
While it took me a little bit of time to get used to the rigid style of writing that occurs in the beginning, I quickly realized that like Lena, there was a bold divide where the writing takes on the excitement and passion that the characters go through. It works wonders for contrasting the strictness of the city to the wild abandon of The Wilds!
Oliver takes these two on a whirlwind romance of summer lovin'. But as Lena learns more about a whole other world she was completely ignorant about, the more her own world starts to crumble as her deadline for the treatment quickly approaches. Oliver had me so captivated by the characters, and the tense situations they were in that I never even saw the major reveals and twists! Also...THAT ENDING! OH MY THAT ENDING!
Overall: 5/5 Steaming HOT Cups of Tea!
Oliver's writing is marvelously paced in a twisted world where love is a debilitating disease and with characters that live like there's no tomorrow. Go read it if you haven't already!!
Speaking of which, I happen to have an extra Paperback copy of Delirium (I bought the hardcover when it was on sale), so I figured I'd do a giveaway for anyone (in the US/CAN) who hasn't had the chance to read this fabulous book yet!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I actually haven't read a good dystopian in a while, which means I'm way overdue! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteSandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
I've read a few dystopian books but haven't picked one up in a while. I've heard so much about Lauren Oliver but have never tried her books. I like that it is both dystopian and has some romance. Thank you for the chance to read it :)
ReplyDeleteI love dystopian books! The last one I read was Struck by Jennifer Bosworth. It was interesting and not at all what I expected. I still don't know if I really like it or not, but it kept my attention. Thanks for the chance to win a book I haven't read yet!!
ReplyDeleteKrista @ Breathe In BooKs
The last dystopian book I read was actually last December. Rebel Heart (Dust Lands #2) by Moira Young. It was AWESOME, I love the whole series!
ReplyDeleteWont be entering as I already own Delirium, but its still an awesome giveaway! The winner is really going to enjoy this one!
ReplyDelete