Book Review: Delirium

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.

— From Goodreads

Cover Inspection:
Although the ARC I read had a different cover, I love the finished cover so much more! It’s beautiful and understated. Perfection.

First Thoughts:
A world without emotion? To me that sounds fairly terrifying.

***

My Review:
For those who have not yet had the privilege to dive into Lauren Oliver’s fabulous book, I promise you that there will be no spoilers here. If there is one thing that drives me crazy, it is having a book spoiled for me before I get a chance to devour it. So, I’ll be mostly dealing with how the book affected me personally and leaving things mostly vague. Sound good?

Let’s tackle the characters first. I love Lena with all my heart. She is a perfect example of how a brainwashed society can affect young people, but also of what happens when they start to question. Lena falls in love when she least expects it, and ends up torn between two worlds. The safety of her current life calls to her, but the unknown does as well. It is this very human dilemma that drew me to Lena. She is flawed in such a realistic way. The other characters in the book revolve around her, but she is the true star of Delirium.

I must admit that this book did terrify me a bit, because of how set in their ways these people are. Since the government has told them that love – deliria – is a disease, they commit themselves to a life without love. No love means no heartbreak later. Watching the people in Lena’s life walk around like automatons reminded me a lot of The Hunger Games to be honest. A government that can have complete control is based on people who do what they are told with detached indifference.

This review must end here so that I don’t spoil anything. I even made sure to leave out Lena’s love interest, since I really want you to experience that for yourself! Suffice it to say that this book is fantastic. In fact that word doesn’t even describe it well enough. Delirium is beautiful in it’s own way, and you’ll find yourself falling in love with it. I know it won’t be out for a while, but please keep your eye on this one! You won’t be sorry.