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May 16, 2016TEENREVIEWCREW rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Delirium is a dystopian fantasy by Lauren Oliver that follows the main character, Lena Haloway, through her life in a world where love is considered to be a disease. Convinced by the government that love, or more commonly known as "the deliria", is a horrible disease that could destroy a person, Lena looks forward to her procedure that will take place after she is eighteen. Although this story had a solid plot, it was easily predictable, and we read as Lena falls in love with a boy named Alex, who lives in the wild and has not had the procedure done to him. We see Lena’s character develop from a fearful, brainwashed citizen to a new, independent woman who can think for herself, and starts to question the ways of her old society. Lena and Alex’s love strengthens throughout the novel, and Lena suddenly finds herself dreading the day she is cured. There is a slight hint of suspense as Lena and Alex are discovered to be flirting one day, and Lena is taken away and the date for her procedure is moved up. While Lena is bound to her bed at her house, unable to move, Alex saves her just in time before her procedure is about to take place. While this story is relatively similar to other love stories, with the “forbidden love” theme, Oliver does add a slight twist where all love is forbidden. This book does, however, have what almost all forbidden love novels do: The ‘let’s run away together’ cliché, as Alex and Lena decide to run away to the wilds together. With no spoiler here, we read as things don’t turn out as planned. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I would recommend to others. - @Alicat15 of the Teen Review Board at the Hamilton Public Library One of my favorite authors Lauren Oliver released this book after "Before I Fall". This book takes place in another dystopian world, (which are my favorite types) where love is considered as a dangerous disease that is very deadly. However, this society has developed a cure that would keep people safe by no longer allowing a person to love anyone. “Love, the deadliest of all deadly things: it kills you both when you have it and when you don’t.” The main character, Lena Haloway lives with her uncle, aunt and cousins in Portland after her mother was broken by love. Because of this, she looks forward to her 18th birthday so she can receive the cure and abide by the rules of this alternate United States. Until she meets a guy from the Wilds named Alex who is closely monitored by the government. Lena then starts to feel all the emotions and thoughts that people fear. "Love." An emotion that could get both Alex and Lena killed. Delirium is such an emotional and touching story that makes reading it a strong and mellow experience. This book is the first of three books in the series and I promise you that you would want to read all 3 once you finish this first one. These series are great for someone who are just starting with dystopian novels. This book totally crawls itself into your heart and stays there, leaving you gasping and in awe. Oliver's writing is beyond exceptional, her writing describes every setting so vividly, allowing readers to feel like they are actually in the book. Warning: The ending is very surprising and overwhelming. - @Sller123 of the Teen Review Board at the Hamilton Public Library