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 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.

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I. Loved. This. Book. Seriously? It was AMAZING. Other than The Hunger Games Trilogy I think this is my favorite book I have read this year. When I first heard about this book I knew that I had to read it. But I didn’t really know if I was actually going to like it. After all, I’m not a big fan of romance, and Delirium is all about love. But there is way more to Delirium then just the romance aspect. There is also adventure and mystery. And ultimately, Delirium raised some questions about life, and the importance of love, that really made me think.

Lena has to be one of my favorite book characters ever. Why? Because she's short. Okay there are more reasons then that, but I just loved the fact that she was short. I know it sounds silly but really how many books do you read where the characters talk about how short they are? None. I loved it. I definitely felt a sort of "short kinship" with her. Especially in the beginning of the book when she's describing herself and she says: 

I'm not ugly, but I'm not pretty, either. Everything is in between. I have eyes that aren't green or brown but a muddle. I'm not thin, but I'm not fat either. The only thing you could definitely say about me is this: I'm short.

Oh boy can I relate. In fact I read this part aloud to my sister and she said "What? Are you describing yourself or something?" She seriously thought I was describing myself and not reading aloud from a book. It was pretty hilarious. So other than the fact that me and Lena have this whole "short kinship" thing going on I just loved the evolution of her character. Her journey from being this quiet girl who just went along with everything, to this strong person willing to risk her life and challenge the system was great. It was some of the best character development I've ever read.

I'm not going to lie, at first I was a little iffy with Alex. I just didn't get why Lena liked him. Sure, he was mysterious and cute, but what else did he have to offer? Then I got about 2/3rds of the way into the book and I started to get it. Alex was genuinely thoughtful and sweet. And he wasn't overprotective like a lot of other guys in literature these days *cough* Edward Cullen *cough*. But most importantly he taught Lena how to really live. He opened her eyes to a world she never thought possible. I just love his character! He's amazing. 

This book really made me discover importance of love in my life. I'm always thinking that love is just some silly feeling. That its stupid. But there is so much more to love then I ever realized. It connects us to the world and the people around us. Without love we are void of all emotion and opinion. And that can be one of the most dangerous things of all.

Lauren Oliver's writing is pure genius. She is able to conjure's up the most gorgeous imagery with just a few words. If anything you should read this book just because the prose is such perfection.

Overall I give Delirium 5 out of 5 ice cream cones!

I feel like it deserves even more ice cream cones! Its just such an amazing book. All I can say is I'm definitely buying Delirium when it comes out and I can hardly wait for the sequel Pandemonium!

In conclusion I will leave you to ponder this quote from the book:

Love: It will kill you, and save you, both.

Julia :)