REVIEW: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Author: Lauren Oliver

Series: Delirium

Pages: 441
Genre: Young Adult / Dystopian

Publisher: HarperTeen

AMAZON: Delirium

Synopsis. (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.

REVIEW: 3.5 out of 5 stars

17 year-old Lena Holloway lives in a society where love or Amor Deliria Nervosa is considered a disease which can cause mental illness and possibly death and is cured by a procedure on the 18^th birthday.

Lena has lived with her aunt, uncle and cousins since the death of her mother said to have died from the disease and abandonment by her father since he was considered a sympathizer, she is terrified of ending up like her mother so is eagerly awaiting the cure and is actually counting down the days – that is until she meets Alex.

Alex was on the observation deck when Lena was sitting for her evaluation when the facility was invaded by protestors or invalids – outcasts living outside of society when she noticed his uncanny reaction to the spectacle, not common in those who have received the cure. She is intrigued by the boy with hair the color of autumn leaves.

At the start of the book it felt like Lena had already received the cure, she lived by the rules stated in the book of Shhh (Safety, health and Happiness handbook) and never deterred from them until she met Alex and saw a new way of thinking and believing. It took me a while to warm to her as a character but as the book progressed so too did Lena’s strength.

I was a bit skeptical about initially reading Delirium, the idea of Love being cured certainly wasn’t a plot I thought could be successfully pulled off and although it is quite far fetched it was also quite fascinating and very different to other dystopian novels I have read more recently. Ms Oliver certainly succeeded in writing an engaging and solid read that had me engrossed.

The ending left me with my mouth absolutely gaping! I was shocked, torn, in disbelief and am hoping there is some way everything is going to be ok - although I have my doubts.

I really enjoyed the flow, the writing, the engaging plot and the characters – Lena came to life when she met Alex, she started to live a little with her best friend Hana and she was more open to her thinking without being told how she should be feeling, she fell in love which in the end could possibly be her undoing.

I am eager to read the sequel Pandemonium which has a 2012 release date.

 

Purchased: Amazon Kindle