Delirium by Lauren Oliver
As usual, I really wanted to like this one. It was one of the original books on my wishlist. I’d like to say that it was the excitement that made me not like it as much, but I don’t know. I just felt so underwhelmed by it. It just didn’t grab me like I would have liked.
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 Holway 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.Lena was a product of her environment. She believed mostly everything she’d heard about Love, that it was disease and it was the root of everything bad. Now, when you turn 18, they basically give you a lobotomy so you won’t fall victim to the “disease”. They refer to it as being cured. Sounds like it totally sucks, huh?
Lena is OK as a protag. I don’t know, I just didn’t really connect with her. In the beginning, she is very dedicated to the cause. Of course, she believes that everything they are doing is for their own good. Honestly, she annoyed me (in the beginning!). But then, she freely admitted her faults and that she was scared. I grew to like her more though. I also felt she was a little too descriptive in her thoughts. It seems like everything she talked about had to have something likened to it. I searched, and the word like is used 732 times.
Alex was OK as well. I still had a lot of questions about him and his life. He was a good guy. I can’t think of anything else to say about him. Just an average nice guy. He never pushed Lena for more than a ton of kisses.
The book is fairly clean, I say fairly because some of the violence is pretty bad compared to the lightness of the rest of the book. Not too much goes on until the end. You learn a lot about what life is like there. But there isn’t a main evil top figure (like President Snow) that you can be mad at.
Oh, and what was up with that ending?? Did not like! Did not like one bit! I kind of felt like a lot of things weren’t answered, the ending was so abrupt. I guess I was looking for more triumph. Hmmm, maybe there will be a sequel? I want to know what happened with everyone.
After all this, I do still recommend it. People who love a good love story will enjoy this one. I think a lot of readers will enjoy reading about Lena’s emotions as she comes to terms with everything. Futuristic Portland is scary and even though you sometimes get the sense of freedom, there really isn’t any. Yep, its scary. I also enjoyed the headings at the beginning of each chapter. Creepy stuff! It really pushes home just how much things have changed. I haven’t read Lauren Oliver’s other book, Before I Fall, but I still want to.
Final Verdict: 2 out 5 Rarrs!
What did you think? Agree? Disagree? Let me know 
Hm, I haven’t read many reviews of this book, but I hear the first line of this book is good. And here’s me wishing my Netgalley request was approved…unfortunately, it wasn’t.
Meh. I guess I’ll have to wait for this one to come out.
On another note, I loved Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall. It’s one of my favorite books for this year.
Tina recently posted..Kataastaasan
Hey, that stinks that your request wasn’t approved. You should try requesting it again. Maybe it was an accident?
I’m hoping to get my hands on a copy of Before I Fall soon.
Oh sry you didn’t like it that much:( I am currently on page 187 and am almost sure now I’m going to give it 5/5 stars in my upcoming review… I am so enthusiastic:)
Hahaha! Hey, that’s good. It’s a great balance, don’t you think? I can’t wait to see your review. I love seeing what other people felt about the same books!
Aw, I’m sorry you didn’t like it as much as you hoped. I just read a really fantastic review of this one, so this review has tempered my expectations a little, which is good. I like how you explained all your problems so clearly — really great, articulate review.
Vee, Musty Pages recently posted..IMM three
Hey, thanks for the comments. Sometimes I don’t do so well with the explanations and sometimes I just ramble about ridiculous things. I’m working on it though
I havent read this book yet but it is on my TBR list. I just recently started reading things that would be considered YA b/c I generally like harder hitting, gritter stuff. However lately in between those gritty books I have been seeking out those books that are getting a ton of good reviews. This is one of those books. I tend to go the opposite direction and I’m not sure why. This happened when I read Twilight…don’t get me wrong, I liked the books…but I didn’t go all ga-ga over them either. I often wonder that if I see a ton of good reviews, if my brain doesn’t actively seek out the stuff I don’t like in a book and focus solely on those things LOL. So while I really really want to read Delirium, I am leery. But perhaps since I just read your review it might counteract all the rave ones? LOL. Great review BTW!
Nikki Brandyberry recently posted..In My Mailbox…Kinda 7
Hey, you sound like me. I usually read YA, but lately I’ve been reading a lot of romance/UF/pnr/etc. So, those are my relief from YA. I usually go in the opposite direction as well. Sometimes I think I’m too critical, so I switch up genres so I don’t get too used to things.
You should still read Delirium! At the very least you should read it in order to test your hypothesis. (Huh, never thought I’d say that outside of school).
And I know it’s my brain messing it up for me because I go into books wanting to like them. Just doesn’t always work out that way
Another not the best book, too bad! I haven’t read this so don’t know what I think. Interesting premise though…
Amy recently posted..Review- Precincts of Light by Henry Alley
You should try it Amy!
I hear the physical copy will have a super nice cover. The blue part lifts up to show the girls face. Doesn’t that sound pretty neat?
That does sound pretty
Amy recently posted..Review- Precincts of Light by Henry Alley
Awww too bad this didn’t work out for you. I’m looking forward to reading it because I loved Before I Fall but now that you gave it a low rating, I’m not that excited about it. Most dystopian novels lately have been getting mixed reviews.
Chachic recently posted..In My Mailbox- November 7
Chachic I’m sure you’ll like it more than I did (maybe). It’s still worth a read though. You can compare your conclusions with mine.