Delirium

Fans of Scott Westerfeld's Uglies (forced operations on teens; scary government control tactics) or The Hunger Games (scary government ruling a new America with an iron fist--although no arena games) will surely like Delirium by Lauren Oliver. I started this a few days ago and am racing through, despite that it's 440 pages.

I first discovered Lauren Oliver's work when I read When I Fall, which I blogged here some ways back, giving it a high recommendation. I can do the same for Delirium. Lauren Oliver's writing just pulls you in. Very different from her first novel, this one sets our female main character in a future and very changed America. An America whose borders are closed. An America that requires all of its citizens to have an operation at age 18--brain surgery that protects the patient from the most feared disease of their age, amor deliria nervosa. We know that as "love." Yup, in this future love has been not only outlawed but labeled as a fatal disease. But of course there's more to the story than the sheep-like citizens are being told. Isn't there always? And as our main character counts down the days until her operation, she begins to question the very foundation of her society, especially after she meets an intriguing boy. Is she falling prey to disease, or are these feelings real?

I say, "Read it!"

Grace

Elizabeth Scott has written a novel that has a great impact. It is not a long novel but it is certainly one that the reader will think about even after they have finished reading it. It is direct and is very spare. I really think that this would make a great play.

Grace and Kerr are both on the run. They are on opposite sides of the political spectrum but have one thing in common, they want to escape the tyranny of Keran Berj and they both want to live. Grace was trained to be a suicide bomber who would kill prominent members of Keran Berj's government. Kerr is in reality Jerusha, a follower of Keran Berj who is held in high regard by Keran Berj.

Following their history to the point where they get on the train is horrifying. That a society could make turn their children into killers is hard to fathom. Then I remember that there is a country that turn children into killer soldiers. Seeing how Grace and Kerr (Jerusha) evolve and communicate with one another is powerful.

This is not a story for everyone, but anyone who read this would gain something from the reading. If you enjoy a book that makes you think, this is the book for you. I was impressed with this author and would recommend it to anyone.