Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: Feb. 1, 2011
Pages: 441
Series: Delirium, book one
Source: E-galley from netgalley, purchased finished copy
About the Book: 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 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.
My Thoughts: I know, I know. Where have I been that I haven’t read this one yet?! While everyone else was reading Pandemonium I was finishing up Delirium. I have a confession… this is one of the first books I ever got access to on netgalley. I started reading it right away and was loving it. Then everyone started talking about the end and how they cried and how much they needed the next book and I just couldn’t deal. So I stopped. It wasn’t because I didn’t like the book but because I did. This does not make sense to a lot of people but it worked for me. Now that Pandemonium is out I felt like I could go back and finish this one. I had Pandemonium on hand as a security blanket so to speak.
The whole idea for this book captured my attention. I mean, love as a disease that a “treatment” can fix?!?! Romeo & Juliet as a cautionary tale?!?! Genius! I loved all the “medical” excerpts about the disease and learning more about the rationale behind the society. I was captivated. I just wanted to know more and more and more.
Lena and the other characters really appealed to me as well. They are regular teens living in this world. Being a teenager can be confusing enough. When you have the different influences that Lena has things get even messier. I hesitate to say too much more because I don’t want to be spoilery. All I’ll say is that I loved Alex and all the scenes with him!
Delirium is an absorbing book that will transport you to a society you won’t forget.
Sidenote: Remember that one time I met and interviewed Lauren Oliver? That was awesome!
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