Review: Delirium

NOTE: So you are not completely confused, Cleo and I (Baylee) are doing this review as a "conversation" meaning we're sort of talking to each other about the book, like a discussion.  

Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Date Released: February 1st, 2011
Pages: 441
Rating: 5 out of 5 (Cleo) & 4 out of 5 (Baylee)

Description:

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:

PLOT

Baylee: I think the plot was very original, and I liked the idea of love being treated as a disease just because its not something you see very often.

Cleo: Yeah, I totally agree with you on how the whole idea was really original :D  I TOTALLY LOVED the concept of the book.

Baylee: Oh Cleo, always a positive response (: I agree except for the ending. I absolutely hated the ending. BUT people reading this review DON'T BE MISLEAD by my little rant (which we will include as a spoiler later on in the review for those of you who wish to see it). This book was really really really really really good! The ending only creates a problem for me with the SEQUEL and how it's all going to work out. I'm really starting to like these types of books that are about challenging those who are in control in order to advocate the right to love whoever you wish to, and I think it makes for strong and interesting plot twists that are realistic. But I really do like the writing style of Lauren Oliver and I enjoyed it much more than I thought I was going to.

Cleo: I really like Lauren Oliver's writing style, too, like her first novel, Before I Fall, which was really good, but that's sort of beside the point.  Anyhoo, I LOVED THE ENDING!  It's definitely a sad ending and I still don't see why you didn't like it.  It leaves you on a big cliffhanger which definitely leaves you wanting more.  I can't wait until the next one comes out!!  I also really loved the characters as well, especially Lena because she was really courageous.

Baylee: I think...well to me anyway, rebellious is a better word to describe Lena because I think she was always like that underneath. I think she's the type of person to see things below the surface and read between the lines. Which is, basically, questioning the what her society has been force feeding them for a very long time. Unfortunately, I think if she hadn't met Alex, she might have just followed the rules for the rest of her life....and it seems I have drifted off the subject and into characters so why don't we just go ahead and address that eh Cleo?

CHARACTERS

Cleo: All the characters in this book were awesome.  I definitely loved Lena and Alex because even though Lena has a rebellious side, she also has a lot of courage, because to be able to stand up to your own society that has basically controlled everything takes A LOT of courage.  Alex is my favorite because he was really sweet and not like all the other guys in this book, as you will see.

Baylee: I liked Alex because, even though Lena describes him as TOTALLY gorgeous, he's the type guy who doesn't notice or doesn't care. A lot of the main guys in popular YA books today are gorgeous guys who know it and use it to their advantage, or as a part of their personality. Taking Jace Wayland from The Mortal Instrument series, those of us who have have read it know that he's extremely gorgeous and its a big part of his "sarcastic" character and although I love Jace, I thought it was refreshing to see a guy that was very down to earth and he just wanted to get back to his home so Im officially and Alex fan :D

Cleo:  Count me in Baylee, I'm an Alex fan, too!!  :D :D I also agree with you on Alex's personality because he is a nice guy and is totally down to earth and I think that's why everyone probably likes him- or will like him.  Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Delirium and totally can't wait for the sequel!

Okay, so now for Baylee's (my) Spoiler Rant! tada

Please highlight to read!


Okay so I didn't like the end how Alex gets left behind because earlier in the book they talk about how if they get caught, the punishment would be immediate execution. Also it was kind of confusing (or maybe I was just reading too fast, because I have a habit of doing that) but it sounded like he died the first time I read it so I was also confused on whether he was dead or captured. So My problem is...what happens? Like, does the sequel pick up right after she escapes? because if it doesn't, wouldn't that mean Alex is should pretty much be considered dead? And if it doesn't pick up right where it left off and yet Lena somehow manages to save him don't you think that would be a little too unrealistic? Or he is basically dead and Lena is now lost in the Wilds with no idea on how to find her mother? I don't know, in my opinion the ending was a good cliffhanger, but it left too much to the imagination. So, that is my opinionated rant and I hope it made your mind think and you enjoyed reading it. If you did not....well...them Im sorry :( TTFN! :D

Cover Review:
AWESOME COVER!  I absolutely love this shade of blue on the cover, and also how in each letter, you see a part of her face, if that even makes sense.  I really love the swirly lines that branch out of the letters because it gives this calm and refreshing feel, even though this book is far from calm.


Cleo & Baylee :)


*Description from Goodreads.com
**Review copy purchased.