Wednesday 30 January 2013

Book Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Book: Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver, 2012 by HarperCollins, 441 pages.

Synopsis 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.

Lena looks forward to receiving the government-mandated cure that prevents the delirium of love and leads to a safe, predictable, and happy life, until ninety-five days before her eighteenth birthday and her treatment, when she falls in love.


My Thoughts:
I loved this book and I loved Oliver's writing.

Delirium is a dystopian novel where they've cured the disease of love and everyone is compliant and complacent and there is very little conflict or crime. You get the operation when you turn 18, typically. Lena, who has looked forward to receiving the cure her whole life, falls in love a couple of months before she is to receive the cure.  She also battles the demons of her family's shame: her mother's suicide, an uncle who ran away...

Like I said, Oliver's writing is amazing. At times, it is even poetic. I loved simply reading the sentences she put together.

The characters are well rounded and engaging. I could feel for Lena and the dilemma she was facing - going with what she has been brought up to believe and what her family, government and society expect from her, or to follow her heart.  It's an age old dilemma but spotlighted in a dystopian future.

The other characters where great too. Hana, Lena's best friend, was a perfect foil. Their friendship evolved and changed, which felt realistic. Then there was Alex. The romance between Lena and Alex was nice and I appreciated how conflicted Lena was about the whole thing.

Then, there was the ending. I won't say anything to spoil it, but I loved that it was unexpected.

I will definitely be reading the next one in this series, along with everything else by Oliver that I can get my hands on.

6 comments:

  1. great review! I agree, Lauren's writing is fabulous! I recommend you wait a bit until requiem is out to read pandemonium because the cliffhanger for pandemonium? HORRIBLLLLE.. I die a little bit thinking about it!

    - Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

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    1. Thanks for the advice. At least I don't have to wait too long.

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  2. I really felt for Lena too and liked the book overall. I need to get caught up on this series.
    Happy reading,
    Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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    1. Thanks, apparently there is a huge cliff hanger in the next one.

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  3. The ending of the next book is another big one too... prepare yourself. ;) I'm really glad you enjoyed this! I loved this book a lot and agree that Oliver's writing it just brilliant. Great review.

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    1. I've heard a lot about this. I can't wait to read it, but will have to make sure I have some time, and maybe the next one before I start...

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