Review: Requiem By Lauren Oliver

This is the third book in the series, so spoilers are possible...

Battling against a society in which love has been declared a disease, Lena now finds herself at the centre of a fierce revolution. But the Wilds are no longer the haven they once were as the government seeks to stamp out the rebels. And Lena's emotions are in turmoil following the dramatic return of someone she thought was lost forever...  taken from Goodreads

I was quite nervous on reading this book.  I adored Delirium, but wasn't as blown away by Pandemonium so I really wanted to love Requiem but was prepared to not like it as much as I wanted.  I actually ended up feeling a bit of both - weird I know!...

I loved that this story was being told from two very different perspectives - uncured Lena and cured Hana.  The lives of both are completely different as are their views, so alternating chapters of these parallels were so absorbing and fascinating.  I had trouble deciding which life would be the more favourable.  It was easy to tell which life would be easier but which life would really be better that took some major thought.  Given time it was actually an easy choice.  Although I hope we are never put in that kind of situation.

The end - oh I feel somewhat confused.  We did get an end, an end that was very enjoyable.  But it was over extremely quickly, the conclusion didn't take long to happen.  And when it did end, it wasn't exactly thorough.  You don't find out what happens in the long run, which bothers me.  I'm hoping that Lauren has some idea of extending on the story but maybe with different characters.  I'm also torn as to whether the events that took place would really have had that great an effect in the future.  Like I said I'm confused.

Although my reservations I did really enjoy this instalment of Lena's story and found it hard to put down.  I just can't help but want more!!  I am super eager to see what Lauren thinks up next. 

Rating 4 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Hodder And Stoughton

This Can Be Purchased HERE and From All Good Book Sellers.

Review - Pandemonium By Lauren Oliver

 As This Is A Sequel Some Spoilers Are Possible

"I’m pushing aside
the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana
and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame." from goodreads

I've been extremely excited for the sequel to Delirium, since devouring it last year.  I'd never considered what a world without love would be like till reading that and it literally had me thinking about it ever since.

The UK cover is beautiful.  It is quite fitting with the location of much of the book.  However I was slightly disappointed that it was so different to the first cover.  I do like to have some sort of theme that runs through and couldn't see it with this.

On starting the book I was astonished to find where I was in the story.  Quite some time has passed and things have evolved vastly, which just made me eager to read on and find out what has happened.

You find out that the book alternates between two times, just after the last book and sometime in the future.  The shifting between the two times made me more and more curious as to how things could change so much, but like I said it makes you want to read faster to try and find out whats, what.

At times I found the descriptions of 'then' to be somewhat over descriptive.  I felt I just wanted to read about the characters and wasn't so excited to read about what was surrounding them.  This possibly is somewhat down to me being impatient and just wanting to know everything already.

I found reading about the struggles of the 'wild' very hard to comprehend.  I even started to question if the life Lena had before was THAT bad.  You realise what they are fighting for is worth it and hopefully in the same position people would fight for the same.

Pandemonium was completely different to Delirium and so not at all what I was expecting.  As I had certain expectations, I didn't find it quite as enjoyable as I thought I would.  That said I was really engrossed with the end and am extremely eager to read the finale and see how it all ends!

Rating 3 Out Of 5

Published in the UK By Hodder And Stoughton

This Can Be Purchased HERE and at all good book retailers

Valentines GIVEAWAY!! Delirium UK HB And SWAG!!

Sadly I am lacking a valentine this year, so decided that I'd make my valentine one of you lovely guys!!!

 

  Up for Grabs I Have:

Delirium By Lauren Oliver - UK HB 1st Edition

Simon Pulse Tote Bag

Signed Becca Fitzpatrick Crescendo Poster

Signed Kirsten Hubbard Bookmark

Assorted Postcards, Bookmarks & Book Samplers

To Win All You Have To Do Is Fill Out The Form Below!!

 

Exciting Lauren Oliver News

Super Duper exciting news for fans of Lauren Oliver today.  Just in time for Christmas a short story linked to the Delirum series has been released on eBook - YAY!!!  It'll cost you just 99p and is called 'Hana'  This story is centred around Lena's best friend, who just happens to have a few secrets of her own.  You can read more about this exciting story HERE

Now I know that you guys are probably just as desperate as me to buy this right NOW, but the people from Hodder have had this brilliant idea.  If we could all wait till Christmas eve to buy it, we may just be able to give Lauren the best present ever in an eBook at number 1 for Christmas.  I think I can hold off - how about you???

Books That Make Me Go Oooooh (21) Pandemonium By Lauren Oliver

Waiting On Wednesday is a brilliant book blog feature hosted by Breaking The Spine 
 
Pandemonium By Lauren Oliver
Published In The UK By Hodder
Due For Release March 2012
Amazon LINK

"I'm pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite."

Delirium was without doubt one of my favourite reads of 2011.  It was a story that I could immerse myself in 100% and have since recommended it to so many people.  I'm so desperate to know what happens next & know I'll find it hard to put down my copy once I get it!!!

The UK cover hasn't been released yet, but here is a peek at the US cover.  I wonder what beauty we will get???