May 25, 2011

Delirium by Lauren Oliver


Delirium 
Author:  Lauren Oliver
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Date Published:  February 1st 2011

From Goodreads:

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

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Delirium is much better than Before I Fall, Lauren Oliver's  debut book.  I paused a couple of times while reading Delirium trying to picture a place where Love is forbidden,  and against the law.   "Better to have loved than never have loved at all" does not apply at all for the characters in Delirium.  

Author Lauren Oliver wrote a unique story that  baffles the brain.  Yes, love can cause heartache, but the rewards are grand.  What is life without love?  It's depressing, and void of everything good and fun like joy and happiness, but in Delirium the citizens think the payoff is worth it. I was actually sadden to hear of the way parents were with their children.  I just couldn't imagine, nor would I want to.  I think it would make for a great book club read.  

Lena, the main female protagonist did irritate me some.  I wanted her to grow a pair.  She was so willing to go with the mass never questioning authority even when she knew something wasn't right.  I did love her BFF Hana, she had spunk and was fearless.  It isn't until Lena meets Alex that she starts questioning things.  Now Alex seems crush worthy, but seriously Lena needs the attention of a boy to start questioning the so called deliria. I like my female characters in dystopia more "Fight the Power", which Lena definitely wasn't until close to the end.  I did like how things ended though, major cliffhanger and Lena became someone I could hang with.  

I'm looking forward to the second book in the series.  Delirium was a good book. I'm curious to see where Ms. Oliver goes with the story. 


2 comments:

  1. I have this downloaded on my nook. I was glad to read your review! I hope I am able to get to reading it sometime soon!

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  2. I really enjoyed Before I Fall, so I'm excited that Delirium is even better. Such an interesting concept.

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