Book Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Pages: 441
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: ARC from BEA 2010

Summary:

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. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Delirium was a bit of a roller coaster ride for me. I started out really enjoying it, then I found myself really disliking Lena. After a while, she grew on me and I was able to enjoy her story but then the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. So many people have raved about this one but overall, it fell a little short for me.

The dystopian world that Lauren has created is great. Love, or rather, amor deliria nervosa  has been classified a disease. Science has found a cure but it can only be given to those over the age of 18. So, of course the helpless, uncured youth must be monitored at all times. They must learn of the dangers of amor deliria nervosa. It must be drilled into their heads until they are afraid to even look at a member of the opposite sex. Until they yearn for the cure.

Society as re-written itself. Fairy tales, great works of literature, even the Bible have been retold. I found this aspect of the story interesting. Love is such a basic human emotion and when you remove it, you're also removing emotional responses. People don't act or react to situation the same way. History and religion and science take on whole new meanings when feelings are removed. A pretty fascinating scenario.

Have to say, even with my wishy washy feelings for Lena, I was routing for her in the end. She really never knew what she was missing out on and after she sees the light so to speak, a whole new world opens up for her. I wanted her to experience that world and I was excited and afraid for her.  Forming an emotional connection to a character makes for a very enjoyable read.

The romance between Lena and Alex was a little predictable. I mean, he is the first boy she's had any extended contact with so yeah, she's going to fall for him. His reason's for falling for her though weren't as fleshed out. He likes her from the moment he sets eyes on her - not instant love but close.  So, their time together was enjoyable to read but not exactly surprising or exciting.

The ending though? A little to be desired. I didn't quite get why things played out the way they did - especially in the last few pages.  The cliff hanger and series fodder were a little frustrating. Not in the same way, but it reminded me a little like the ending of the movie Titanic. The 'why can't you make room for him on the raft' sort of feeling. Not logical or playing nice with the rules of the storyline. Read it and see if you agree with me.

Will I pick up book 2? I will because, unlike most of the characters in Deliruim, I am emotionally involved. I very much want to know how Lena's story plays out.

A very well laid out dystopian tale. Likable characters, great plot line and even with the not so satisfying ending, I'm looking forward to the sequel. A book I would very much recommend to fans of YA dystopian romance.

Overall Rating:

3.5 / 5 Stars

Books in the Delirium Series:
Delirium
Pandemonium (March 2012)
Requiem (February 2013)

Linkage Love:
HarperTeen
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: February 1, 2011
Pages: 240
Series: no
Acquisition: received for review

Summary:

Fans of romance don't need to look any further than the fauxmance brewing between teen idols Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers—known on their hit TV show as Jenna and Jonah, next-door neighbors flush with the excitement of first love. But it's their off-screen relationship that has helped cement their fame, as passionate fans follow their every PDA. They grace the covers of magazines week after week. Their fan club has chapters all over the country. The only problem is their off-screen romance is one big publicity stunt, and Charlie and Fielding can't stand to be in the same room. Still, it's a great gig, so even when the cameras stop rolling, the show must go on, and on, and on. . . . Until the pesky paparazzi blow their cover, and Charlie and Fielding must disappear to weather the media storm. It's not until they're far off the grid of the Hollywood circuit that they realize that there's more to each of them than shiny hair and a winning smile. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Really not what  I expected. I'm not much of a fan of contemporary tales - I much prefer paranormal stories BUT! I did enjoy this one.

A light, quick read about 2 teenagers whose lives have been consumed by their careers. They are actors in a family friendly, comedy / drama TV show and have been in the spotlight for as long as they can remember. Their entire lives are dictated by the show, the producers and the contracts they have both signed.

When their fake, off screen romance falls apart, the two must figure out a way to go on - with, or without each other. Their journey was a bit predictable (although I didn't see the Shakespeare element coming) and they were both a little annoying at times, but I found myself routing for them. I wanted them to get back on their feet and to really live their own lives for a change.

Final verdict:
An enjoyable book for me.  The flashbacks very much made me think of current Disney and Nickalodeon shows, but in a cute way.

Nothing heavy here, so a good choice if you've been feeling bogged down by your reading choices lately. A fun book that I would recommend to others.

Overall Rating:

3.5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Walker Books for Young Readers
Goodreads

Book Review: Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: January 2011
Pages: 336
Series: no
Acquisition: received an ARC for review

Summary:

When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother—and she needs one fast.

That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth—that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Really not what I thought it was going to be - in a good way! With it's slightly tragic paranormal twist and characters that were very well developed, Mad Love was a fast, enjoyable read.

Have to say, at first, Errol, aka Cupid, really got on my nerves. He was kind of annoying. It wasn't until after I read more about his life and his backstory that I really started to understand and like him.

My favorite thing about Mad Love is the fact that it takes Alice a really long time to believe what Errol is telling her. It's so frustration sometimes in YA paranormal books to read about the normal, innocent girl meeting the vampire or werewolf or ghost or whatever and going "You're a what? Are you crazy? Get away from me? Oh wait! Come back! It all makes sense! You're my destiny! I believe you!" -- yeah -- kind of hate that a little.

Mad Love didn't have that. The point where Alice accepts what Errol is, is the point that I would have accepted what Errol is. I didn't believe him until Alice did. It was very realistic to me. It almost didn’t seem like a paranormal book most of the time.

Final verdict:
I really loved the characters. Alice's Mom who is struggling with a very real, very scary disease. Mrs Bobot, Reverend Ruttles and Archibald, the tenants in Alice's building who know her secrets and take care of her, and each other, in really fabulous ways. Oh, and Tony! I loved Tony! He was so cute and endearing and it wasn't hard to imagine him and Alice together. They were so sweet as a couple.

I really enjoyed the story and I really enjoyed the feeling behind the words. A total package for me really. Mad Love is the first book by Suzanne Selfors I've read but it's made me eager to pick up her other novels.

If you like love stories, if you like paranormal elements that actual make sense and work with the story - you'll like Mad Love as much as I did.

Overall Rating:

4.5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Bloomsbury
Author's Website
Goodreads