Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Source: Publisher
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
Delirium reminded me of several dystopian books that I loved, such as The Hunger Games, Uglies, and Matched. The fact that love is looked as a disease makes it seem even more daunting and important, because people hate it and it is forbidden. I can't imagine not being able to show that I care for my family, friends, and many other people in my life. I can't imagine someone wanting to get rid of the most amazing emotion possible. This premise of this story
was just so amazing.
Lena was a pretty sweet character that was trying to follow society, that is until she meets Alex. I really liked Alex, he was sweet, strong, and motivated. I liked that the romance took time to develop and that it wasn't instantaneous. The book has a few slow parts that felt like the pacing of the book was a bit off. The ending was also rather sudden and definitely left Oliver with somewhere to go in the series. This is definitely not the first book to have love be a disease, but the way that it developed was more enjoyable and gorgeous.
Oliver's writing was gorgeous and enchanting that left me wanting more. She entwined two characters that want the simplicity of love. I would recommend Delirium to anyone that loves Dystopian novels or enjoyed her first book, Before I Fall.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Rating:
Characters: 18/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 17/20
Recommendation: 17/20
Overall: 87/100 or B

Source: Author

Samantha Kingston has a charmed life. She has an amazing boyfriend, looks, and tons of popularity. February 12th should be a normal day in her life. Except it is kind of her last day of her life. Then something happens after dying, she wakes up again. But it isn't a Saturday, it is the same day and she wakes up again for the next seven days. Then she finally realizes that she needs to change what she did on that day, because such a slight change can make all the difference to what happens.

Samantha is not the nicest character. At the beginning, she is a vain and very selfish person. As the novel progressed, she began to understand how important such little action can have on others and began to change her ways. Her friends were horrible, I couldn't belivee what they did. Oliver gives insight to high school and the cruelty that surrounds everyone, even the popular girls. The plot was unlike any book that I have ever read. The best way for me to explain this book is that it is a mix between Mean Girls and Groundhog Day. It was a very interesting and unique plot. Oliver is a fantastic writer, she created such a haunting and beautiful novel. I can't wait for more books from her on the future. This book also showed how fragile life is and how you need to be the best person that you can possibly be. Seriously, you should check this book out.