Requiem by Lauren Oliver
Book Stats:
Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Genre: Dystopian
Hardcover: 432 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release date: March 5, 2013
Series: Delirium #3
Source: Net Galley
Reviewed by: Tynga
Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository
Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.
After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.
Lena is now back in the Wilds and stuck in the middle of a love triangle. Alex being back changes everything. She still loves him, of course, but now that Julian is around, it’s complicated. How could she just dump him when she pulled him away of the only life he has ever known? Romance isn’t all though, because regulators are now hunting them in the Wilds and survival is top priority. Will Lena get to choose which boy she wants to be with, or will Fate choose for her?
When reading Requiem I had the same feeling I had when reading Pandemonium. I wasn’t sure I really liked it because it didn’t go the way I wanted to, once again. Alex coming back at the end of Pandemonium got me all excited and his reunion with Lena didn’t quite meet my expectations. I guess it was Oliver’s plan all along to upset us, and she succeeded in my case.
Alex, as well as Julian, felt like shadows in the background. Lena is really upfront, leaving secondary characters with very little importance, even though there were many of them. In all honesty, there was barely any romance to speak of, despite the love triangle, and it disappointed me. It did allow Lena to grow though, which was a pretty good thing, and the return of her mom was an awesome treat.
While Lena is trying hard to survive in the Wilds. Hana, who’s point of view alternates with Lena’s in this novel, is now cured and preparing to marry Fred, the new Mayor. I have to say I almost enjoyed Hana’s POV more than I did Lena’s. I loved seeing the cure’s effects from the inside and her doubts and remorse felt true. Hana discovers a darker side to Fred than the public gets to see and I truly enjoyed her quest to discover more, the suspense killing me.
Surprisingly action-packed, Requiem kept me entertained the whole time despite the aspects I didn’t like. Both Lena and Hana will fight battles of their own, keeping me on the edge of my seat. Of course, Lauren Oliver’s writing did wonders to keep me glued to my kindle!
Requiem is the third and final book in this series and I have to say the end isn’t satisfying. No side really win, we don’t really know what happens to any of the characters. It seems there could easily be another book afterward because so many ends are loose. I wished Oliver wrapped things up better, but maybe you’ll disagree when you get to read it.
The Delirium series has such an original concept revolving around the fact that Love is a disease to be eradicated. I strongly recommend this dystopian series for its great characters, fantastic world-building and mind-blowing writing. This series will please teens and adult alike!
I can't wait to read this one.
ReplyDeleteYes to this whole review and I agree I loved Hanna more than Lena and the ending that wasn't really one. I did enjoy a scene in there with Lena by the creek. She is an amazing writer but I felt meh about the series.
ReplyDeleteGlad im not the only one
DeleteUgh. I had to see those words 'love triangle'. The blurb sounded good, & I was interested until then. HOWEVER, I'm a sucker for a good world-building / strong writing book. Perhaps I can overlook the triangle aspect.
ReplyDeleteI'll think on it. Thanks for sharing!
The romance was barely there, shouldnt bother you too much
DeleteI heard about the ending and lack of romance and I have to say I'm really disappointed! I think almost everyone was waiting for something big to go down. The cure to end and for Alex and Lena to live HEA and I am disappointed everything is left open.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree!
DeleteOh no. I'm totally afraid to read this book now. I absolutely loved Delirium. Let's admit it: I loved Alex's character. And I couldn't stand Pandemonium. And after reading the last 5 pages, I wanted to burn the book and immediately read the third one. Now, I'm afraid to read the final book if it's going to give me the same response as the second... You've got me worried.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way about the previous books. I'm afraid to say you'll have to read Requiem and just for yourself hehe
DeleteGreat thoughts, Tynga. I personally loved Requiem, but there were some aspects I didn't love and felt were missing - the romance being a big part. After all the characters had gone through, I was really hoping for more from it. But overall it was action-packed and exciting, even if it wasn't *flawless*.
ReplyDeleteBrenna from Esther's Ever After