Kennedy George
Lauren Oliver’s novel, Delirium, is set in the future. In this book, every individual of 18 years must be cured of a disease, known as amor deliria nervosa, which is their name for love. In the future, they believe that the “disease” of love is the root of all other problems of society and that it must be destroyed in all humans before they show symptoms. So, people go through a surgery that "cures" them of the ability to love. The government then plans out everyone’s life for them.
In the novel, the main character is Lena Haloway, a soon-to-be 18-year-old. She can’t wait for her procedure to cure her of amor deliria nervosa, due to her family’s history. But then, at her evaluation, which is a test given by the government to determine everyone’s future, she sees something that changes her life forever.
Delirium will leave you wanting to know more, and it has an amazing cliff-hanger ending. The novel has many characters that all play important roles throughout the novel. The plot is always twisting, and the society that Lauren Oliver has created has many layers and secrets. After reading Delirium, I would give it four out of five stars.
If you read Delirium and want to find out more, the sequel is Pandemonium. Coming out on March 5, 2013 is the third book in the series, Requiem. There is also a runoff book in the series, called Hana, dedicated to the story of Lena’s best friend.
Still not sure whether or not to read this book? Here’s another review on Delirium:
“This story races forward, twisting in a new direction every few pages, its characters spinning my emotions from affection to frustration, anger to compassion. You’ll have no choice but to tear through this book!” -Jay Asher, author of the New York Times Bestseller Thirteen Reasons Why.
