Delirium #1 by Lauren Oliver

Synopsis:
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 government 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.

Review:
I think I about the last person to read this book and gush how amazing it is, but I am going to do a review anyway! OH WOW. I absolutely love Delirium, and I can't wait for Pandemonium. Some say it is better but others say they were disappointed - so I'll just have to find out myself.. ;)

Delirium is set in a world where love is a disease. Scientists have a 'cure' for this disease, which allows all our hormones and feelings for one another to stop. The government claims that it is the best solution, as a world without love is a world without tragic deaths, hate and war. Lena Holoway believes in this too. This is understandable, because I would probably believe the same if I was raised thinking that love is evil. She has always looked forward to her 18th birthday, the day she'll be cured, but then she does the thing that is furthest from her mind. She falls in love with Alex and her whole world turns upside down.

I don't know where to start of all the points that I love about this book. So, I'll start with Oliver's writing. It is exquisite. I love the detail and the way she tells the story from Lena's point of view; I treasured every word. I love the quotes she puts at the beginning of various books that are published in this dystopian world. They seem so realistic and make the story come to life even more. It is amazing that Oliver has created this whole new world and thought of every detail. Also, some paragraphs left me speechless. They are so beautiful I can't help but breathe 'wow' out loud.

Another thing I found quite interesting about this book is the way Oliver has grasped something so precious in the modern world and transformed it into something that is the complete opposite. Love is considered the worst possible thing in this dystopian United States and there are even police officers patrolling the streets at night to find un-cured teenagers, a test to determinate your future career and a correct match (of which Lena is paired with rude, sweaty and boring Brian). The government have even created The Book of Shh and many other rule books which explain why love is the worst thing out there. Delirium has encouraged me to read more dystopian novels - the current YA trend - which I am forever thankful for! ;)

I love the characters and the all the relationships Lena has with them. Just like real life, she has different ways of communicating with them and is able to be more comfortable with some but not others. It is interesting how we see Lena be herself around Alex and Hana (her best friend) but does not say what's on her mind when she is around her auntie or siblings. Although my favourite character has to be either Alex (swoon!) or Hana (I want her to be my friend!), I simply adore Grace. She is her mute little sister who may be strange to some people, but ends up a genius life-saver for Lena! Adorable and mischievous with a good heart - you got to love her!

Despite Delirium being a beautiful and unique love story, I can't help but compare it to other books. The whole evaluating and matching to a specific partner reminded me of Matched by Ally Condie, and the forbidden love reminded me of Romeo and Juliet - a tragic and dramatic love story. However, that doesn't put me off. So what if it shares some similarities? I love those similarities!! Especially when they create a gripping and brilliant book...

I strongly recommend this to everyone who enjoys romance and YA books. I had never read a dystopian fiction novel before this one (don't kill me!) and now I am all over them. Requiem, the third book in this series is due to come out on the 5th March 2013. I'm so worried to reach the end of Pandemonium and have months to wait! Overall, this is an emotional roller-coaster which sums up how important, life-changing and delicate love is.

Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication date: 1st February

Pages: 480

Edition: Hardback

Source: Bought

To buy this book click HERE.