ARC Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins
Imprint: HarperTeen
Pub Date: 02/01/2011
ISBN: 9780061726828

Note: I received a copy for review from NetGalley.

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 Holway 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.

It was hard to write a spoiler free review for this book. My feeble words just don't seem to do it justice, but I'm going to make the attempt anyway ;)

Delirium is a beautiful story of forbidden love and the strength of the human spirit. The writing is lush and evocative. You smell what Lena smells, feel the sensations she feels and see the world as she sees it as she navigates through this dystopian world where loving is a crime. Ms. Oliver is adept at writing characters that the reader just can't help falling in love with. From the vibrant and beautiful best friend, Hana, to the handsome and brave love, Alex, to Lena's mother who we learn about in stories of Lena's childhood but she seems so alive that she rivals any other supporting character for a memorable place in the reader's heart.

Our main protagonist, Lena, is just an average every day teenager who is looking forward to life after high school. She looks forward to having the procedure that will keep her from becoming infected with Love, the most deadly of deadly diseases, and her life after graduation, going to college, getting matched with her ideal mate and living in peaceful contentment for the rest of her life. Safe. Secure. Smooth. Then Hana introduces her to an underground world of forbidden music and people and she meets Alex, who opens her eyes and her heart to a world that she never knew could exist. As she evolves farther and farther from the girl that just wants peace and contentment, she begins to realize that the government has lied about so many things, is it possible that they've lied about the dangers of love?

I really enjoyed this story and I love that Ms Oliver isn't afraid to break your heart, in the best possible ways. It's poignant and beautiful and leaves you aching for more.

My final grade for Delirium: A.