Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

To get over the devastation of thinking I had, but actually had not found the perfect pair of straight leg corduroys for fall (Lands End Canvas, I had such high hopes for us!), I figured I'd blog my review for Delirium by Lauren Oliver - because, like Lena, we are both living a loveless existance (yes, I am being that dramatic because the pants I ordered didn't work out - I know, at the very least, Grad Student and Crazy Camper are able to relate).

So, synopsis time:

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 think I got this book confused with Partials for a hot second and didn't remember how much I really loved it. Then, I started reading Pandemonium (I'm 75% of the way through - no spoilers!!), and I realized that I am LOVING this series.

Yes, there are some moments of melo-dramatic writing, where I think Ms. Oliver tries to make Lena's plight seem a little more noble than the plot allows, but ultimately, I really, really liked this book! 

• Originality: 8 - I think the premise of eliminating love to save mankind from heartache is fairly original in the YAF scene and I think Ms. Oliver's execution of the story is great!
• Absurdity: 7 - I'm marking this high on the absurdity scale because I don't know if it's love that's causing all of society's issues (in the book ...) or really, really crappy polictics
• Level of Romance: 6 - I'll give it up, I really liked Alex (and Lena!) and their love is super googly eyed ... well as much as it can be for fear of being spotted and "cured" - aka lobotomized
• Level of Harry Potterness: 7 - Ms. Oliver keeps the story moving and the characters are all very strongly developed. A surprisingly solid YAF read!

And because I can't help myself and these never get old - may I present the YouTube book trailer: