Monday, February 27, 2012

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium
Lauren Oliver
Released: February 1st, 2011
Pages: 448 (hardcover)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publicist & Bought
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 government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Haloway 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. 
"Everyone is asleep. They've been asleep for years. 
You seemed...awake."1

Lena cannot wait to be cured when she turns eighteen. She doesn't want to be affected by amor deliria nervousa, to become infected by love. But when her best friend, Hana, sparks something inside of her with a few words, Lena becomes more questioning and aware of her life. And once she begins associating with Alex, a young man she shouldn't be befriending, everything changes. The day she once counted down to is fast approaching, only Lena isn't so sure she wants to be cured anymore. 

In Delirium, Lauren Oliver introduces Lena and her society in such a way that you can't help but to feel as though you're looking in on a very different yet realistic life. I liked this novel the first time, but fell in love with the story even more after rereading it - this novel really is more stunning than I can convey. The beginning is slowly paced, yes, but it sets the groundwork and helps show the changes Lena goes through more clearly. With a heart-aching romance at the core of Delirium, Oliver delivers an astounding story filled with love, loss, and more than you can even dream of.

Highlights: Love is a disease? Genius. The ending left me in complete shock2. Alex and Lena's romance was sweet and endearing. Side characters, like Hana, were nicely written. Lena's character growth was amazing, too. The epigraphs for each chapter gave a more complete view of Lena's society. Oliver's writing is as stunning as ever in Delirium, and this is simply a story that must be read.  

Lowlights: Slow pacing took a bit of time to adjust to, but it's worth it. And the ending! Such torture. 

Rating: 

1 spoken by the oh so gorgeous Alex on pg. 230
2 I'm rarely shocked, yet this ending rendered me speechless.

 


Cover & Summary from Goodreads

13 comments:

  1. Great review! I have had this one sitting on my TBR bookcase FOREVER. It sounds like a book I need to move up and read soon. I've been reading a lot of really fast paced books lately so a slower pace might just be what I need.

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  2. I heart this one so much. Can't wait to read Pandemonium! I need to see what happens after that ending!

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  3. I love the sound of the premise and since there's been so much excitement for Pandemonium it makes me want to start this series even more.

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  4. I think this is definitely one that would be appreciated more on a reread. I loved it the first time through, but it did take me a while to get into, so I think if I reread it I would be able to enjoy that first half so much more knowing what was coming:) And don't even talk to me about that ending:( *shudders*

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  5. Glad you liked it. Now you're ready for Pandemonium, so that cliffhanger should be easier to take!

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  6. I felt the exact same way!! As much as I adored this book the first time I read it, I fell so much more in love the second time around. It made me appreciate everything a little bit more -- especially Lauren Oliver's gorgeous writing -- and you justified the slow pacing PERFECTLY. I usually like faster paced books, but I completely loved this one! :)

    Amazing review, Lea! <3 Now we only have to wait another day to be able to get our hands on Pandemonium! ;)

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  7. I really liked this one--can't wait to read the next one in the series, which I hear is even better! Great review--I completely agree about the ending. Very unexpected.

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  8. I'm pretty sure I would feel the same as you - that I would love this even more a second time around. I feel like I would appreciate the characters and themes even more... can't wait for Pandemonium!

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  9. Loved this book! And that ending!!! I can't wait for the next one now :)

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  10. Oh wow oh wow oh wow... I haven't read this one yet, but you make it sound SPECTACULAR! Truly! I must read this one. Lauren's actually coming to Sydney in about a month, so I'm going to try fit in between then and now :)

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  11. Sorry, I didn't say it, but I LOVED your review. Thank you! ♥

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  12. I loved Delirium too and I definitely agree the ending was a torture .. An awesome cliffhanger !!
    Luckily, I've finally received Pandemonium and I'll be reading it soon :) !!

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  13. to be honest i never really liked it.. i guess this was too slow paced for me. the ending was great tho, it gave me goose bumps!

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