REVIEW - "Delirium"

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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.
Description from GoodReads.

I just want to rant for a moment without hopefully giving a spoiler! Why, why, why? Cliffhanger ending? Arrrrrrggh! I know, it's to make me anxiously anticipate the next installment in this series.  Well, it works.  I can't wait until the next book! There, now my tirade is over and now I can  express  impressions of the book.



A world without love, hate, strong emotions. A civilization where the people are taught that love is a disease and the root of the problems of the world.

Seventeen year old Lena cannot wait for her surgery where she will have "the Cure". Pretty much a lobotomy where her strong emotions will be removed and she can live a love free life. Her husband will be chosen for her and the government will decide how many kids she can handle. Based on how well she does on evaluations it will be determined whether or not she can go to a University.

Then she meets Alex and everything changes. She realizes what a world without love would hold for her. She begins to see the neglect and apathy around her. Her best friend Hana challenges her to live, have fun, and not be afraid before their lives will be permanently altered.

I enjoyed this story.  There are times when it seemed to slack on the pace.  But then it picks up again. It's kind of like life, we can't all run at full steam at all times.  I enjoyed the budding romance between Alex and Lena.  Lena really believes that she is sick at the beginning.  She thinks that she needs to undergo the surgery to make it all better.  Alex is patient with her and helps her understand that there isn't anything wrong with her.  It's the Government that is wrong for feeding the people misinformation.

Hana is a great friend for Lena.  Their loyalty and love for each other shows why we all need a good friend. A great book about questioning and finding answers but the ending will make you want to scream and anxiously await the next book.

Content warning: swearing and mild sexual situations.  I recommend this book to older/more mature teens and adults.

Thanks to Harper Collins for making this book available on NetGalley and approving my request to read it.