"Delirium" by Lauren Oliver

"Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. 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 governments 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."-goodreads

I was in no rush to read Delirium. I thought, when looking at the summary and while hearing other's opinions, that it sounded too much like Matched. Not the concept, just the whole kind of dystopian where the girl rebels because of a relationship kind of thing. I didn't think I could like something like that as much as I loved Matched. I thought that was a one kind of deal. It's normally pretty easy for me to LIKE books just not LOVE them.
As usually happens when I have pre-reading opinions about a book, I was very, horribly, inconceivably WRONG. 

First things first. The writing. Oh my gosh the WRITING. Lauren Oliver is an evil GENIUS. It's lyrical, it's beautiful, it's descriptive. I could see what went on in the story with imperceptible clarity, surrounded by a wall of gorgeousness. It was POETIC. Also, the parts at the beginning of each chapter; excerpts from poems, lessons from the 'Book of Shhh' were great. It added to the world that she created. You can also really feel the story. You feel for the characters, you feel the situations, and it's the kind of book that makes you wonder... what would I do? Would I sacrifice a perfect life for love? Love; which can be painful but perfect? It was all so real... there are many scenes that had me on the edge of my seat, when I hoped for Lena or Alex to get out okay, and where my heart ached for them. ESPECIALLY THE ENDING. 


The story itself was also amazing, of course. The whole idea where it wasn't the kind of dystopia you expect, where only certain things are controlled, where they seem to have more freedom (although that starts to unravel..). Lena was a great character and so were Hana, Alex, and I really liked Gracie. I felt that Lena's battles with her inner self were what I would be thinking... The romance was powerful. All the emotions were vibrant. It was believable. 


The whole concept of the cure was really interesting too. To think about something like that is a great thought to ponder. What if there was ever something like that created? A cure to love (read: a cure to the pain of love). Would you want it?


Anyway. If you liked Matched. If you are enjoying the dystopian trend. If you like a good book that is written both brilliantly and beautifully, I highly suggest you pick up Delirium.