Delirium (Delirium, #1) in Once Upon a Twilight blog

Aug 30, 2011 Danielle rated it really liked it

Review from http://www.mymercurialmusings.com

In Lena Holoway’s society love is, “the deadliest of all things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don’t” (Oliver 4). That is the undercurrent running throughout Lauren Oliver’s beautiful YA dystopian tale.

I was hooked into this story immediately. America has adopted a strict isolationist policy and cities have been cordoned off, existing as entities entirely separate from one another. Lena lives in (a fictionalized version) of Portland, Review from http://www.mymercurialmusings.com

In Lena Holoway’s society love is, “the deadliest of all things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don’t” (Oliver 4). That is the undercurrent running throughout Lauren Oliver’s beautiful YA dystopian tale.

I was hooked into this story immediately. America has adopted a strict isolationist policy and cities have been cordoned off, existing as entities entirely separate from one another. Lena lives in (a fictionalized version) of Portland, Maine and is ninety-five days away from having the procedure which will prevent her from ever being infected with amor deliria nervosa. She has been taught that the deliria is responsible for all many of evils in the world, including her own mother’s death. Before her procedure; however, she must deal with the tedium of finishing high school, getting her assigned college, her assigned major, and her assigned life partner. And so it goes, in a world free of love and free of choice, all is peaceful and calm.

Except that it’s not. Outside the borders of the city are the wilds. And rumors abound of the uncured and sympathizers who live in the wilds. People suspected of being sympathizers are executed or sent away to the mysterious Crypts—never to be heard of again.

Lena is content with her fate, even excited about it until she meets Alex. Then, her whole world turns upside down.

The thing I loved so much about this book is that it struck quite a personal chord with me. Lena is growing up in a society that is rigidly structured, that discourages creativity and curiosity, and that punishes free thought. A society that sees only black and white—ignoring shades of grey. Lena accepts the “truths” her society and her family have given her, because she has no reason not to. Why would she even think about the world outside the fence surrounding her town if she’s been told all along by the authorities—teachers, family members, government officials—that the people in the wilds are bad and dangerous? For a long time, I was Lena and as I read this book, there were many moments where her internal struggles were identical to struggles I faced as a young adult. What happens when you start seeing fault in the values you were brought up with? What do you do when you no longer share your family’s values? These are difficult topics to tackle for anyone, and readers will feel Lena’s struggle as she navigates her way through this dilemma.

Lauren Oliver fills her world with many great characters. Her world is full of characters who enhance the story and who feel very real. From Hana, Lena’s best friend and foil, to her young cousin Grace, each character is multi-dimensional and authentic. Grace especially, is a powerful character who I hope to see more of. And of course, I would be remiss, if I did not mention Alex.

Alex is an intriguing character. He pushes Lena to discover herself and he opens her world up to the possibility of love. As with many YA books, their romance is sudden (but hey, even Shakespeare was guilty of this) but I think it works here more than in other books. Alex represents possibility to Lena. What they have may not be love by our definition of the word, but in the confines of their world, it makes sense. Alex opens Lena’s eyes up to ideas she never thought possible and causes her to grow.

In all, this is a satisfying story. The narration is perfectly paced, picking up where it needs to instill in readers a sense of urgency and slowing to savor moments that deserve savoring. Oliver’s style keeps readers on their toes; you never know when an idyllic moment may turn ugly or when a stressful situation will be broken with comic relief. I devoured this book in one sitting, staying up to the wee hours of the morning to see what happened next.

Clearly, there isn’t much I didn’t love about this book. I think it’s a great addition to the YA dystopia genre and am looking forward to following this trilogy to its end.
...more

Like · see review

Jun 09, 2011 ExLibris_Kate rated it really liked it

Lena Holloway lives in Portland, Maine in a US where borders have been completely shut and love is considered a disease. In fact, it is considered such a serious disease that when you are 18, you are "cured". Cured adults live without the pain of love and with their matched partners. They go about their daily business without the worry of making bad or emotional decisions based on love. Lena is actually looking forward to this calm future when she falls in love and all hell breaks loose.

I was ex ...more

Like · see review

Feb 29, 2012 Magic Shop rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: really-loved, favorites, library-books, dystopia, favorite-series

I have been meaning to read this book for the past few months, but weren't able to find it at the library. But I saw it and decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did. It was really good. This book was a combination of my two favorite things, love and dystopia. I loved the idea of how love is a disease and how it makes you confused and crazy because it seemed pretty real to me. Like some people do some crazy things when they fall in love and can't think straight and is only focused on that per ...more

Like · see review

Mar 04, 2012 Lindy rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopian, romance, young-adult

The concept that love is a disease is so utterly original. At first I was skeptical, I mean, how could love ever be a bad thing. Yet Oliver weaved magic with her prose and at one point I found myself almost convinced that life without it might be better. Life without love would mean life without its crazy side effects: pain, loss of appetite, sleeplessness. But life without love would also mean life without, well, life. Who wants to be an impassive zombie, just floating along with no substance? ...more

Like · see review

Mar 28, 2012 Theresa rated it it was amazing

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Why oh why did I let it (and its sequel, Pandemonium) sit aside for so long?

Imagine a disease that spreads like cancer and that can infect you from kissing... a disease which can lead to changes in mood, actions, and behavior. A disease in which the infected can bring about chaos, disorder, and disobedience. In Delirium, LOVE is such a disease and the government is fighting to keep control of it by closing the United States's borders and "curing" all those who turn 18 years ...more

Like · see review

Jun 07, 2011 Samantha rated it it was amazing

Lauren Oliver does it again. The book might move a little slower than Before I Fall but you end up caring for the characters in this book just as much. Where Before I Fall had me crying at the end of each chapter, Delirium had me dry-eyed until the last chapter...end then I could hardly read because my eyes were so bleary. Lauren Oliver delivers such powerful endings that leave you happy and sad at the same time.

Like · see review

Sep 13, 2011 Chrisabel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: hardcover

Didnt think I was going to like this but I really did. It was a great read.

Like · see review

Sep 05, 2011 Marulett rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, dystopian

OH.MY GOD.FREAKING AWESOME...

Review coming up...

2 likes · Like · see review

Sep 24, 2011 Julie Witt rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, ya, dystopian, romance

I just finished this book and now I finally know what all of the hoopla surrounding this series was all about!! It was So. Bloody. Good!! Lena was fascinating to watch as she grew into herself and learned to really think for herself, and Alex was every girl's dream boyfriend! Awesome!! Now I have to beg, borrow and/or steal to get my hands on a copy of the next book ASAP! ...more

1 like · Like · see review