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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Devo smetterla di leggere libri come se non ci fosse un domani.
I read this book for a 2015 PopSugar Reading Challenge, week 33 - a trilogy (second)
fast-paced
Just so wild!! Huge twist at the end which I wasn’t expecting!!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was interested to see if book 1 could be topped, and I can confidently say that book 2 is no disappointment.
I loved this book, and I almost wish I'd have taken longer reading it because I didn't want it to end. I am about to start book 3. This story is simply addicting.
Lauren Oliver does an amazing job at writing both sides and expressing the different belief systems and opinions of every group that exists in this world, no matter how extreme. The author is in touch with whatever it is that makes us innately human, and the world building just goes to show the authors knowledge. It is jam-packed full of emotion, action, fear, and love. The ending has all my nerves frazzled.
10/10
I loved this book, and I almost wish I'd have taken longer reading it because I didn't want it to end. I am about to start book 3. This story is simply addicting.
Lauren Oliver does an amazing job at writing both sides and expressing the different belief systems and opinions of every group that exists in this world, no matter how extreme. The author is in touch with whatever it is that makes us innately human, and the world building just goes to show the authors knowledge. It is jam-packed full of emotion, action, fear, and love. The ending has all my nerves frazzled.
10/10
I really had a problem with how the book was set up, fluctuating between then and now.
I felt Pandemonium was a huge step up from Delirium. Oliver can write very beautiful prose, there is no denying that, however prose on its own is not enough to make a book shine.
Things I Loved About This Book:
- The writing. Like I said above, Oliver can definitely write. Her writing is not perfect (at least, in my opinion) however, I did find myself sometimes rolling my eyes at her cop-out uses of "Suddenly I realized..." and "All of a sudden I felt..." phrases. They were annoying, but I don't think it took away from the story.
- The character of Raven. I feel Raven is the only character that Oliver felt like exploring a little deeper. Obviously she plays a critical role in the story, but I feel the same could have also been done for Tack, Hunter, or Sarah. Yet we only get glimpses of them. With the exception of Julian characters weren't really fleshed out everyone is kind of in the background playing minimal roles.
- Having the chapters being divided into Then and Now. I really loved how the chapters were broken up and I felt it added a bit of mystery and suspense.
- Fast-paced plot and an interesting twist at the end. Oliver doesn't really wait to roll out the plot in this book. It's there from the beginning and it remained fast-paced until the end.
Things I Didn't Like About This Book
- The love story. I did not get it at all. I felt it was forced and juvenile and I could not believe how Julian would just drop everything and convert to the resistance in only a matter of days. A friendship would have been more believable in my opinion.
- The whole deliria world. I just have trouble believing the deliria illness and the whole controversy. I think government removing all emotion from its citizens to keep everything "clean and purified" makes a lot more sense than just eradicating the ability to love. Not being able to love doesn't mean that you won't have to deal with all other difficult emotions that drive people to do harmful things, ie: jealousy, selfishness, anger, greed, shame, etc.
That's really about the only issues I had with the book, which is nice.
Overall it wasn't a life changing read or anything, but it was an interesting story with an intriguing plot that provided some good light reading.
Things I Loved About This Book:
- The writing. Like I said above, Oliver can definitely write. Her writing is not perfect (at least, in my opinion) however, I did find myself sometimes rolling my eyes at her cop-out uses of "Suddenly I realized..." and "All of a sudden I felt..." phrases. They were annoying, but I don't think it took away from the story.
- The character of Raven. I feel Raven is the only character that Oliver felt like exploring a little deeper. Obviously she plays a critical role in the story, but I feel the same could have also been done for Tack, Hunter, or Sarah. Yet we only get glimpses of them. With the exception of Julian characters weren't really fleshed out everyone is kind of in the background playing minimal roles.
- Having the chapters being divided into Then and Now. I really loved how the chapters were broken up and I felt it added a bit of mystery and suspense.
- Fast-paced plot and an interesting twist at the end. Oliver doesn't really wait to roll out the plot in this book. It's there from the beginning and it remained fast-paced until the end.
Things I Didn't Like About This Book
- The love story. I did not get it at all. I felt it was forced and juvenile and I could not believe how Julian would just drop everything and convert to the resistance in only a matter of days. A friendship would have been more believable in my opinion.
- The whole deliria world. I just have trouble believing the deliria illness and the whole controversy. I think government removing all emotion from its citizens to keep everything "clean and purified" makes a lot more sense than just eradicating the ability to love. Not being able to love doesn't mean that you won't have to deal with all other difficult emotions that drive people to do harmful things, ie: jealousy, selfishness, anger, greed, shame, etc.
That's really about the only issues I had with the book, which is nice.
Overall it wasn't a life changing read or anything, but it was an interesting story with an intriguing plot that provided some good light reading.
I meant to read this book last year, when it came out because I really, really enjoyed Delirium a lot. But somehow I never came arount to reading it. Now that the third and final part of the trilogy is out, I thought it was the perfect opportunity and I practically flew through it!
There was so much action and I loved the switches between the "then" and "now" chapters.
But somehow I couldn't stay Julian. I mean, he seemed like a good person, but he is not the right guy for Lena, or is he?
Also: Why weren't there any Alex moments? That was a minus for me; therefore just four out of five stars.
And then the cliffhanger. Wowza. But I somehow expected this. There had to happen something like this.
I'm now more than excited to finally read Requiem!
There was so much action and I loved the switches between the "then" and "now" chapters.
But somehow I couldn't stay Julian. I mean, he seemed like a good person, but he is not the right guy for Lena, or is he?
Also: Why weren't there any Alex moments? That was a minus for me; therefore just four out of five stars.
And then the cliffhanger. Wowza. But I somehow expected this. There had to happen something like this.
I'm now more than excited to finally read Requiem!
Love, the deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't.
Oh well. Fuck.
I AM JUST FREAKING DEPRESSED WHY DOES IT HAVE TO END WITH A CLIFFHANGER DAMN IT!
This book affected me more than it should have. Lauren Oliver made a fantastic job in doing this book. I love the way she created those admirable characters and didn't force us to memorize every name mentioned. The way she ends each chapter makes me want to submerge myself in a pot full of hot water. But after a while I think it's just amazing to go through all twists and turns throughout the book, without getting a hint of what really is coming. It all makes perfect sense in the end, and at the same time everything doesn't make any sense at all.
So here are my insights while reading it.
The resistance is a great symbol. "Life without freedom is no life at all." (Braveheart) The dystopian essence of this book was greatly felt. Every action and suspense scene made me hold my breath. The last pages made my heart freeze, then beat so rapidly, then hang by a thread, then freeze again. This book played with my insides.
Lena finally becomes a heroine. She's not the girl who's weak and cannot make sense of everything anymore. She polished her personality almost all by herself. Her courage, strength, and wits made me like her more. I admire her. I remember reading Delirium and thinking about "Ugh, Lena is such a baby," but all of that changed.
The death of her friends at the homestead. I never thought it would hurt so much like that. I felt like they were "my" friends. Especially Blue, that very young girl that was saved by Raven when she was a baby..
Raven. Who doesn't adore Raven? Her strict attitude puts everything in order. Although she might be like an overprotective mother, I can't help but feel proud of her. Her plans weren't actually that bad, it just happened that Lena feels like she was being used. And even though Lena got angry at her she still did what she can, to bring Lena back and fulfill her wish.
The Finemans. I was so mad about Julian's dad that, like him, I ignored his death too. But I can't deny the fact that he's also a victim. And freaking Julian. Frankly, when I was reading a part where he and Lena were telling stories to each other, I can't help myself but think that this is the ideal guy, this is it. Comparing the start of the love stories Lena had, I am not quite sure which is better. I don't know. I can't give a fine judgment right now. I still like them both, though. For Lena. I can't choose who's who.
The ending-I could have collapsed between those two. Who knows how Lena will react after Alex just said, "Don't believe her." That was so heartbreaking. Once my friend told me that somewhere in the book it was revealed that he was alive, but somehow when I read that part still my jaw actually fell open. That sucks. What I hated the most about books is about that popular YA theme, love triangles. Atrocious, complex love triangles.
It's just so disappointing when you thought your old life is dead and you decided to start a new life again, but suddenly it all comes back.
Wait, just give me a moment.
HER FREAKING MOTHER IS A PART OF THE HIGHER-LEVEL RESISTANCE AND ALEX IS ALIVE I CANNOT CONTROL MYSELF I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS AND I JUST WANT TO JUMP OFF A CLIFF!1!!1!!!!!11!!!!
But anyway, thank you Lauren Oliver for almost giving me a heart attack. You made me crave for the next book harder than I've ever craved for something before.
EDIT: This trilogy was a disappointment. Delirium was ok, Pandemonium was fantastic, and Requiem was.. well.. let's say it's not so great. What a shame.
Oh well. Fuck.
I AM JUST FREAKING DEPRESSED WHY DOES IT HAVE TO END WITH A CLIFFHANGER DAMN IT!
This book affected me more than it should have. Lauren Oliver made a fantastic job in doing this book. I love the way she created those admirable characters and didn't force us to memorize every name mentioned. The way she ends each chapter makes me want to submerge myself in a pot full of hot water. But after a while I think it's just amazing to go through all twists and turns throughout the book, without getting a hint of what really is coming. It all makes perfect sense in the end, and at the same time everything doesn't make any sense at all.
Spoiler
So here are my insights while reading it.
The resistance is a great symbol. "Life without freedom is no life at all." (Braveheart) The dystopian essence of this book was greatly felt. Every action and suspense scene made me hold my breath. The last pages made my heart freeze, then beat so rapidly, then hang by a thread, then freeze again. This book played with my insides.
Lena finally becomes a heroine. She's not the girl who's weak and cannot make sense of everything anymore. She polished her personality almost all by herself. Her courage, strength, and wits made me like her more. I admire her. I remember reading Delirium and thinking about "Ugh, Lena is such a baby," but all of that changed.
The death of her friends at the homestead. I never thought it would hurt so much like that. I felt like they were "my" friends. Especially Blue, that very young girl that was saved by Raven when she was a baby..
Raven. Who doesn't adore Raven? Her strict attitude puts everything in order. Although she might be like an overprotective mother, I can't help but feel proud of her. Her plans weren't actually that bad, it just happened that Lena feels like she was being used. And even though Lena got angry at her she still did what she can, to bring Lena back and fulfill her wish.
The Finemans. I was so mad about Julian's dad that, like him, I ignored his death too. But I can't deny the fact that he's also a victim. And freaking Julian. Frankly, when I was reading a part where he and Lena were telling stories to each other, I can't help myself but think that this is the ideal guy, this is it. Comparing the start of the love stories Lena had, I am not quite sure which is better. I don't know. I can't give a fine judgment right now. I still like them both, though. For Lena. I can't choose who's who.
The ending-I could have collapsed between those two. Who knows how Lena will react after Alex just said, "Don't believe her." That was so heartbreaking. Once my friend told me that somewhere in the book it was revealed that he was alive, but somehow when I read that part still my jaw actually fell open. That sucks. What I hated the most about books is about that popular YA theme, love triangles. Atrocious, complex love triangles.
It's just so disappointing when you thought your old life is dead and you decided to start a new life again, but suddenly it all comes back.
Wait, just give me a moment.
HER FREAKING MOTHER IS A PART OF THE HIGHER-LEVEL RESISTANCE AND ALEX IS ALIVE I CANNOT CONTROL MYSELF I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS AND I JUST WANT TO JUMP OFF A CLIFF!1!!1!!!!!11!!!!
But anyway, thank you Lauren Oliver for almost giving me a heart attack. You made me crave for the next book harder than I've ever craved for something before.
EDIT: This trilogy was a disappointment. Delirium was ok, Pandemonium was fantastic, and Requiem was.. well.. let's say it's not so great. What a shame.