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My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Synopsis: 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.
Review:
I always thought dystopian novels should not dwell more on romance because it should be focus on the hero/heroine's struggle to make the world a better place, but Lauren Oliver proved me wrong.
This book is actually a clash between dystopia and romance. It's cheesy at some parts; definitely has the right timing where to put scenes that would swoon you. And above all, it keeps you at the edge of your seat. It's packed with excitement that you couldn't even put it down.
The setting was not just some futuristic, hard-to-believe setting. It's actually like any other city where you can easily imagine it without trying hard to picture out each places.
I love the transition on Lena's character; not rushed and detailed. I like it every time the protagonist questions her beliefs and Oliver did a good job in putting those words together to make it believable and even question yourself.
I was swooned by Alex not just by his good looks but also by how he keeps his cool despite spending time where people impose the opposite of his belief. He's rational and patient in every aspect.
Of all characters, Lena's mother intrigued me the most. I want to know why she wasn't affected by the cure and everything behind her story.
There's actually truth underneath everything the government says about deliria; about how it makes you go crazy and irrational and all. And I can't help but agree to it. It wasn't just a story about how evil the antagonist are, it's actually a real situation. It's the first time I actually agree to the other side of the argument. They're not actually selfish like how other antagonist are in other dystopian novels. For them, they actually believe that the cure can help the people.
It also covers different kinds of relationships; family, friendship, loved one. And each one had their importance emphasized. Oliver showed example about how each relationship is affected with and without the presence of love.
The last scene drove me to nonstop tears, I was lucky I had the next book to read right away or else I'd go crazy. All in all, Lauren Oliver nailed it.
