YA Book Tour- Maine

Lauren Oliver's Delirium is next up on the YA book tour for the state of Maine.

In Lena's world, love is a disease that must be stopped.  When you turn 18, you under go a procedure known as the cure, and Lena cannot wait for her cure date.  She does not want to end up like her mother, who committed suicide because she could not be cured.

On the day of her evaluation, a interview that determines your pairing and fate, the craziest thing happens, the lab is over run by a herd of cattle. The cows bust into her evaluation, and in the chaos, Lena catches a glimpse of a boy with hair the color of autumn leaves laughing from the observation level.

Later on a run with her best friend, Hana, Lena meets the boy, Alex.  While outward he pretends not to know her, he drops hints that remembers exactly what he saw during her evaluation. As the book progress, so does Lena and Alex's relationship,  Lena learns of the lies she has been fed by the government and even family.  Mostly importantly, she learns that love is not a disease, but what makes life worth living.

I have to say the Ms. Oliver presents a frightening concept, a world without love. If there is not love, then how can you passionate about anything.  What would have to all the artist, musicians, and writers? How could doctors truly care about their patients? And how awful it must be to be a child and know your parents are incapable of love?

As for Lena's character, I admit that I was not crazy about her at first.  So willing to be whatever society told her was the way to be, even when it seems unnatural.  She reminded me a little of those cattle lose in the lab, blinding following the herd.  But as the book progresses, she really makes up for her earlier self.  She becomes a truly brave person, and a character I can admire.

Alex I liked from the first moment he was introduced.  There is just something about him that draws the reader, and makes you root for him.

There were several aspect of the book that reminded me of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games.  The government's lies to the citizen, the cruel enforcement of the rules at times, and even the fence around the border of Portland, but that being said the book definitely has its own identity.

If you enjoy distopian societies, which I do, and a good love story, this is the book for you.

Currently Reading:
Blood Magic
by Tessa Gratton