Title: Requiem
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series/Standalone: Delirium Series (Book #3)
Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 391
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year Published: 2013
Format: Audiobook
"Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has transformed. The nascent rebellion that was underway in Pandemonium has ignited into an all=out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the centre of the fight. After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven. Pockets of the rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of the Invalids. Regulators infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels.
As Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain of the Wilds, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancee of the young mayor. Requiem is told from the perspectives of both Lena and her friend Hana. They live side by side in a world that divides them until at last, their stories converge."
My Rating: 2.5/5
This story was just overall such a disappointment. I already had lowered my expectations due to what I'd heard around the book community but this was just so frustrating to me. I wasn't connecting to the characters as much as I wanted to or to the story line. The only part that really made this story partially worth it was Hana's perspective. But even that didn't make much sense to me. I am planning on reading the short story collection from my library, but I'm not sure if that will be anytime soon.
What were your opinions on this classic dystopian ya book series? Let me know!
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Pandemonium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium Series (Book #2)
Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction, YA
Pages: 375
Publisher: HarperTeen
Year Published: 2012
Format: Audiobook
"The old life is dead. But the old Lena is dead too. I buried her. I left her beyond a fence, behind a wall of smoke and flame. In this electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller Delirium, Lauren Oliver sets Lena on a dangerous course that hurtles through the unregulated Wilds and into the heart of a growing resistance movement. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of a fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite."
My Rating: 3.25/5
I'm going to start this review by saying, I don't disagree with the negative opinions about this installment. I agree with many points of that argument. That being said, I had an idea that this book wouldn't live up to the first one so my overall expectations were set a little lower than those who read this book as it came out.
This book was what I expected. It just didn't have the elements that I really enjoyed from the first book and had more of the elements that weren't my favourite. I will say the twist at the end made me interested in continuing the series, and that's about it. The main character is selfish and so foolish overall. She is just to naive for my liking, actually in this book she was closer to stupidity.
That being said, I am interested in other characters in this series and that is why I took out the next audiobook as soon as I finished this one.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series/Standalone: Delirium (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Romance
Pages: 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "It has been sixty-four years since the president and the Consortium identified love as a disease, and forty-three since the scientists perfected a cure."
"In an alternate United States, love has been declared a dangerous disease, and the government forces everyone who reaches eighteen to have a procedure called the Cure. Living with her aunt, uncle and cousins in Portland, Maine, Lena Haloway is very much looking forward to being cured and living a safe, predictable life. She watched love destroy her mother and isn't about to make the same mistake.
But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena meets enigmatic Alex, a boy from the 'Wilds' who lives under the government's radar. What will happen if they do the unthinkable and fall in love?"
My Rating: 3.75/5
This book is said to be the best of the series, which makes me more than a little nervous about continuing on. I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book. I thought that the characters were well planned out and the world was interesting to read about. I also really appreciated the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I think where this book lost my interest was when there were twists and turns too close together. I'm thinking about listening to the audiobook for the next books over the summer if I should physically read them let me know.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
This concept was so interesting to me, but after hearing overall series reviews I wasn't sure about whether or not to pick up this series. I really thought that this first book was a great entry into the world and the quotes really made a huge impact on the story overall and gave a look into how the world had changed.
I also appreciated the idea of the Wilds. So excited to see that setting change in the next book.
Characters:
Lena: I think that her fear was totally valid throughout the story. If you had been taught you're a whole life that loving someone was deadly, you would stray far away from caring about anyone. Which is maybe why I was confused by how emotional she was with Hana. Obviously, it was a different love, but it still counts. Excited to see where her life goes, but heart broken about Alex.
Alex: Something has got to give. He has to have some kind of past we don't know about. I also think that we need to be given his perspective. If that's even a thing anymore. Also he has to come back right? Right?
Hana: I hope that she ends up happy. She deserves more than the life she's taking.
Gracie: She is the character that made me feel the most. I think the way she copes is interesting, and also could be a side effect of lack of love and caring as a child.
Rachel: I wonder what would have happened to her if she had never had the procedure.
Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "They cannot take it."
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Before I Fall
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction,
Pages: 470
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year Published: 2010
Format: Audiobook
"With this stunning debut novel, New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver emerged as one of today's foremost authors of young adult fiction. Like Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why and Gayle Forman's If I Stay, Before I Fall raises thought-provoking questions about love, death, and how one person's life can affect so many others.
For popular high school senior Samantha Kingston, February 12th- 'Cupid Day'- should be one big party, a day of valentines and roses and the privileges that come with being at the top of the social pyramid. And it is... until she dies in a terrible accident that night.
However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined."
My Rating: 4/5
I didn't hope on this train either times it was really popular, both when it first came out and when the film was released this past year. I just missed the boat, but when I saw it available on audiobook through Overdrive I jumped at the chance to understand the conflict behind this book. And I do understand it. This book has triggers for mental illness, abuse, sexual assault, suicide, etc. There are problems with this book for sure, but that being said, this book does something similar to both Thirteen Reasons Why and If I Stay (both books I've enjoyed in the past). It asks questions about how your life affects those around you and what you would choose to do if you could change something. I thought that the author for the audiobook was very good and kept me interested. I would suggest this book to anyone who is a fan of the movie Mean Girls but be warned that this book deals with a few more series topics, rather than comedic ones.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
So this book has been around for a hot minute. And I've just been skipping out on it because I wasn't sure if it was something I would enjoy, but when I saw it on Overdrive I couldn't resist. I heard a lot of my friends talking about how much they enjoyed the movie, and me being myself I couldn't watch the movie until I read the book. This book does hit on a lot of triggers such as sexual assault, suicide, depression, and that's just to name a few. So it's not that this book doesn't have flaws it most certainly does. But for a debut release (didn't realize this is how Lauren Oliver started), it's a gutsy novel. This story follows the popular girls in high school. You know the ones, hell maybe you were one or maybe you weren't but you know exactly who I'm talking about. You might even be thinking about someone as you read that last sentence. Hell, I was.
I think that those who enjoy Mean Girls might also get a kick out of the audiobook at least. The voice actor(s) did a marvellous job of portraying different characters and helped me to visualise the characters we saw in this gritty novel.
Characters:
Samantha: Her attitude at the first half of the book got me thinking about how the other half of my high school lived. I wouldn't say that I was popular but I had a group of very dorky friends, and as an adult, I'm grateful that it's who I ended up with. But at the time, popular girls did not make my life easy and this book really reminded me of that. I think that the change that Samantha undertakes is an interesting one. She doesn't leave her friends, which is what I expected after the first few times reliving her days, but by the end, she realized that someone had to pay for what they had done, and I guess she chose herself. I am interested to read more from Lauren Oliver, but I am hoping for some more likeable main characters.
Lindsay: I won't lie. I hated her. I'm sure the author tried to show her redeeming qualities. But there is no reason to ruin someone else's life. And I hope that her loss shows her that. But if anything I think she will hate Juliet more. Probably claim that she pushed Sam.
Ally: A bit ditsy, but sweet regardless. I do wonder about her future as well as her eating habits which are highlighted in this book but not truly dealt with.
Elody: I hope she straightens up her act because in the end she and Anna aren't so different... some food for thought for sure.
Rob: Ok, if you're an adult reading this I'm sure you could tell this guy was an ass hat from the first few chapters of this book, but if not I'm sure the ending really did it justice for you. He's a piece of crap guy. The type who gets what he deserves in the long run.
Kent: I love him. He's sweet and quirky. The kind of guy I started to fall for in high school and have spent 3 years with now. Needless to say, my kind of man.
Juliet: She broke my heart over and over. She is so many teenagers to me. And if we think that bullying has gotten better all you need to do is go to the internet and see how people are treated by their peers. I definitely related to her bullying experience, but I hope that she recovers in life and leads a different life. A happier one.
Anna: I think she's spunky but hope she does better than the ass hole she was seeing through the majority of the book. She deserves better.
Mr. Daimler: He is creepy. Which didn't really surprise me at all, but it's unfortunate that things played out the way they did.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
Title: Replica
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series/Standalone: Replica (Book #1)
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Pages: 520
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year Published: 2016
Format: Hardcover Physical Copy (Own it)
First Lines: "On very still nights sometimes we can hear them chanting, calling for us to die."
"Escape: that was what Gemma dreamed of, especially on nights like this one, when the moon was so big and bright it looked like it was a set piece in a movie, hooked outside her window on a curtain of dark night sky?"
"Lyra:
From a distance, the Haven Institute, tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida, looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, it is a clandestine research facility where thousand of replicas, or human models are born, raised and observed.
But when a surprise attack is launched on Haven two of its young experimental subjects- Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72- managing to escape. As they make their way through a new and menacing environment, they meet a stranger named Gemma, who has embarked on a perilous quest of her own. And as Lyra tries to understand Haven's purpose, she uncovers earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls.
Gemma:
Gemma has been in and out of hospitals her whole life. A sickly child, she has grown into a lonely adolescent whose life is circumscribed by home, school and her best friend, April.
But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family's past and discovers her father's mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two human models, or replicas, 24 and 72- and a completely new set of questions. As Gemma tries to unravel the mysteries of Haven, she learns terrible truths about herself and her family that will threaten to destroy everything she loves. "
My Rating: 3/5
So this book was something a little different than what I expected it to be. When I first heard about his book I really thought that this book was dystopian... I was terribly wrong. As many of you know this book is 50/50 stories of Lyra and Gemma's point of view while their paths cross over. I just thought that this would offer so much more from both sides. I enjoy reading about clones and science fiction overall but I found that this book was a little lacklustre. Halfway through the book, I thought that the book was starting to pick up and it immediately ended and went back to "normal". I also found some of the ideas from one of the main characters were harmful and didn't make me feel entirely comfortable while reading. Overall this was not my favorite book and I will not be continuing with the series.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
So I have a few thoughts about this book. One being that it took way to long to get to the point. I thought it was interesting and while it ended leaving questions, I don't feel the need to continue on with the series. I found parts of the story to be unnecessary, such as the love interests of both of our main characters, the use of harmful feelings felt by Gemma about her weight and the lengthy period in the beginning where Gemma's point of view happened. I really think this book would have been better off to switch perspectives. As I mentioned in the review I will not be continuing on with this story. To elaborate I think that Gemma and Lyra didn't necessarily need love interests to feel complete throughout the story. Isn't it nice just to have someone? I also thought that the way Gemma described herself was uncomfortable to read. I can't change the way someone might feel about themselves but it seemed like she truly thought nothing good about herself.
Characters:
Gemma: I thought that her character was overall either boring or harmful to think about. I understood her curiosity but it was just overall underwhelming to hear that she was a clone and watch her fall in love with Pete.
Lyra: While I don't plan on continuing on with the series if at some point I changed my mind I would think it would only be for Lyra's point of view. Her life holds so much mystery and what will happen to her... nobody knows. Also did not need to fall in love to be happy and feel safe... I just think it's a poor message to send to young adults.
Pete: He's sweet.... he dealt with the madness well overall.
Jake: Sad to see him go, kinda saw it coming though. Wish his death had escalated the story a little more.
Caelum: I'm curious about his experiences in Haven and why he was so sure no doctor could ever be good.
April: "Leave" but don't actually go! Ugh so frustrating.
Gemma's Mom and Dad: Did they think she would never find out about her past? It was bound to happen sooner or later.
Dr. O'Donnel: Curious what happened to her, but not enough to carry on.
Nurse Em: What people do when they're in love... ugh.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
