lcgerstmann 's review for:

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

3.0

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I have this weird need to follow through on all series, even the bad ones. I write in my review that I won't read the next book and then when I do anyway I always wonder why I do it to myself. I was not a fan of Wither and when I started this book I found myself disappointed again. The dystopian world created in this book is similar to The Handmaiden's Tale but lacks Atwood's bravery. DeStefano fails to take the leap into the dark and frightening potential of the world she has created. In the first book, the main character, Rhine, is stolen off the streets and sold into a polygamous marriage with the sole purpose of producing children, but manages to escape untouched. In this book, she lands in a den of prostitution run by a creepy Madame....just to escape again untouched. Hello...do we know what the word "dystopia" means? The author's lack of commitment to the story made me want to pull my hair out. But then I surprisingly found some redemption in the second half of the book, despite the lackluster romance. The happy dystopia of Wither started to dissolve, the fear and despair of Fever started, and with it, my interest. Then lo and behold, an explanation as to why Rhine's "husband" was okey dokey with her not putting out, and I actually could by it! I liked this installment so much better than its predecessor and I will go as far as to say I will read the next book.