Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium

Author: Lauren Oliver

Series: Delirium #1
Goodreads Average Rating: 4.06
My Rating: 4

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.

I wasn't overally sure about reading Delirium, as I wasn't that much of a big fan of Lauren Oliver's debut: Before I Fall.
Though being a dystopian, I knew I had to give the book a chance and well, I am glad I did.

Delirium opens the reader up into a whole new world, almost literally.
The story is set in the future version of America, a country once split by states, now split by boarders, surrounded by the Wild's. Love has been declared as a disease, and the anti-dote is compulsory for everyone as they turn 18.

The story follows Lena Holoway, on the lead up to her 18th birthday. Lena was a character who I absolutely loved. Not only did I find her relatable, but also realistic. Unlike many female protagonist's in her rebellion position in a Dystopian novel, Lena does not begin the book resisting, infact she is a very willing member of society and only begins to become a typical dystopian lead as the book progresses.
Male lead, Alex, was a character I fell in love with straight away, though part of me couldn't get my head around how inconsiderate he could come across, his mind seems to dream before actually realising the truth, but still I loved him all the same.

Overall the book was addicting, full of suspense and a very riveting read, though is unable to stand out from the many dystopians
The theme alone was very unique and I thought was pretty awesome, never would I have thought of love being banned, and this was what drew me into the book the most.
But in numerous places the book manages to contradict itself: a country which beliefs tend to be based on the Christian religion, basically promotes violence, and forced love.

My favourite bit about the book, was how much effort Lauren Oliver clearly put in to creating such a wonderful book. At the beginning of every chapter is a passage, song, poem etc, some I assume to be real and other's created by Lauren Oliver, which to me made the world so much more real.

I definitely recommend Lauren Oliver to carry on writing Dystopian, she has such a natural skill and I love that I am able to give her books another go.