The End is Nigh

Requiem - Lauren Oliver
Hodder - Available now

As promised the last installment in the Delirium trilogy is here!

With a first for this series the storyline is split between two main characters, our on-going heroine Lena and a re-surfaced character from book one Hana Tate, Lena's old best friend. Having not heard from Hana in such a long time I was quite surprised when she popped up heading up chapter two and alternates with Lena from here on in, but the story works brilliantly shared between the two girls giving you the perspective of both Lena's Delirium diseased mind and Hana's 'cured' one post procedure. It also cleverly exposes the beauty and horror of both world views - portraying the truth of the situation at large - a country at war and its people divided, the cureds of zombieland who feel next to nothing and care even less protected as they are from passion and choice, against the rabble of invalids who are forced to live like the animals they are portrayed as purely because they want the right to feel and be free or the many unfortunate displaced souls that simply have no where else to turn, caught in the grip of the war nonetheless.

Lauren has a beautifully lyrical style of writing and pushes her characters to their limits which I can't help but respect. I would have loved more resolution in the ending as I find myself wondering 'what next' for many of the characters and the not knowing kills me! There is also a special treat for those who purchase in the first print run... a small Alex back story, highlighting some of his childhood in the wilds and his time captive in the crypts.

I would also suggest that you dip into the little novella Hana (available in e-book or bound in Delirium Stories: Hana, Annabel, Raven) as it gives you an introduction to Hana as a voice and catches up her story to Lena's in the Requiem present, besides what's not to love about reading more Lauren Oliver??

If love were a disease would you take the cure?

Pandemonium - Lauren Oliver

Requiem, the eagerly awaited conclusion to Delirium and Pandemonium will be here in a matter of days! (the 13th to be exact, excitement much?) that being said I thought it the opportune moment to give you my delayed review for Pandemonium as often when I love a series I will wait as long as I can before reading to save on the disappointment I feel when faced with the lengthy wait for the next book, albeit not the best plan but it's all I've got! Naturally Pandemonium was well worth the wait and just as I feared it emulated the first book with a massive jaw-dropping cliff hanger (don't worry I wont spoil it for you). For those of you who likewise hate the wait and for some reason haven't picked up this series yet then this is your chance to discover a fab new author and a captivating new world to escape into.

The story picks up a little ways after the end of Book 1 and Lena has had to make some hard choices on where to place her trust while living with a group of rebels where life is tough and still mourning the loss of Alex, the man she braved the outlawed disease of 'Delirium' for. As Lena spends more time with her saviours she is swept up in to the rebel cause but even as she goes along with their plans she has the sense that they aren't giving her all their trust either.

Then there comes Julian who she feels such a connection with but can she really go there so soon after Alex?? Lena's story is full of bravery, heartbreak and suspense and I have a feeling that the series finale will be more of the same and shocking to say the least - let the count down begin!