Anyone who deals with teen/tween girls knows the symptoms of a crush- staring into space, making bad decisions, glazed over eyes, sometimes a whole new look. The sweet girl you thought you knew suddenly stands in front of you a completely different person. Over the span of a single school year, they can ride emotions like a roller coaster, from euphoric to despondent, over and over again. I admit- there have been times in my teaching life when i have cursed teen/tween love.
Delirium is a dystopian novel is set in Portland, Maine. But unlike many other YA dystopian novels, it isn’t set in the future. Instead, it takes place in an alternate present. In many ways, this makes the premise even more frightening. The government has found a cure amor deliria nervosa. Mankind understands that love is the downfall of man, a disease that causes nothing but rot and ruin for those infected.
At age 18, teens undergo a surgical procedure to “cure” them of amor deliria nervosa. They also sit through an extensive testing process in order for the government to decide upon their occupation and mate. Lena is about to turn 18, counting down the days until she is cured. Her life has always been in some sort of upheaval, ever since her infected mother’s suicide. The surgery will be the final stamp on Lena’s life, ensuring that she is normal.
But nothing goes as planned. On the day of her evaluation she meets a boy. Assuming he is cured, due to the tell-tale scar on his neck, she hesitantly befriends him, spending time with him outside of home and school. But then Lena finds herself changing. Is this fate? Or is she destined to walk the same dangerous path that her mother did?
Meeting Alex forever alters Lena’s life. Is her life a lie? Is her life any sort of life if she continues to live the way she is supposed to?
Lauren Oliver is a masterful writer. I could not put Delirium down and I know my Hunger Games fans are going to devour it. I also have this idea of pairing it with Romeo and Juliet. I am brainstorming here…
Oliver’s story starts out slow, so consider yourself warned. However, it builds to a magnificent crescendo. Oliver’s writing slowly gets under your skin and her setting, characterization, and everything else about the book seeps into your mind. You can smell the salt air, your heart races alongside Lena’s, and you fall for Alex just as hard as she does. But the action builds and builds, and the twist at the end…oh my god! I kept looking for another page after the last one, hoping I would suddenly find another chapter. Or, ya know, the next book. Sadly, it appears that we have to wait for the next book in the series. But I am sure it will be well worth the wait.
Delirium is a brilliant, fascinating look at what our world could be like. It is thought-provoking and heartbreaking and will leave you aching for more when you reach the conclusion. It will be released on February 1, 2011 and you should get to your local Indie store immediately to pre-order a copy!
*ARC from BEA
Filed under: dystopian, reviews | Tagged: delirium, dystopian ya, lauren oliver |
The Reading Zone 
Sounds fabulous! Definitely going on my to-read list.
I can not wait to get my hands on this book. I’ve been wanting to read it, but knowing that it is set in my home state, in a city that I’ve been to often…I just have to have it! I also appreciate your thoughts of reading ladders (Hunger Games) and pairings (R&J). Thanks!