Synopsis:
They say that the cure for Love will make me happy and safe forever. And I’ve always believed them. Until now. Now everything has changed. Now, I’d rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.
My thoughts:
This was one of those books that when I read the synopsis, I thought, Why didn't I think of that? It's such a great concept. In a world where people are turned off from their emotions, Lena is overcome by them. At first she looks forward to the cure, to not ending up diseased by love like her mother was. But as she unravels the truth about the world she lives in and Alex shows her what love really is, she questions the life she's always known.
Who knew a book about people turning off their emotions could make you feel so much? Oliver really delivers with this book, and I'm looking forward to diving into Pandemonium soon!
Just for fun: If you could be cured of the heartache that can happen as a result of love lost, would you do it, knowing you'd never love again?
I totally agree -- thought the book was great and made me so glad the US isn't really like that!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? I couldn't even imagine living in a world like that.
Delete"It is better to have loved and lost than to nev...."
ReplyDeleteUmm. Guess that's not too original.
I think without emotion, we would have no drive to go on. Even though when we lose love, sometimes we feel we can't go on.
After all, how many times have you heard someone say: "I'll never love again." How many times did that actually happen? Especially for YAs.
Great point, Rick. When you are a teen, you think everything is love. In your mind it is. And even when you think you can't go on after a broken heart, you manage to find love again.
DeleteLooks interesting.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, no, I would not. Our pain is what forms us.
I agree, Karen.
DeleteFor you question, it depends upon the intensity of pain. Ha, ha!
ReplyDeleteAnd I like it when you say " Why didn't I think of that? "
it happens to me sometimes. Some books are so amazing that I envy Why didn't I think of this? strange. I wish someone thinks of my books this way.
I probably wouldn't. Be cured of the heartache but still not love again sounds like one would be left a vessel. At least with pain, one still has a flavourful past to bury. (Sounds bizarre, doesn't it?)
ReplyDeleteNot at all, Claudine. I completely understand what you're saying and I agree with you.
Deletemsdiamondhill, your comment posted to my email instead of here. Strange. Anyway, here's your post:
ReplyDeleteFor you question, it depends upon the intensity of pain. Ha, ha!
And I like it when you say " Why didn't I think of that? "
it happens to me sometimes. Some books are so amazing that I envy Why didn't I think of this? strange. I wish someone thinks of my books this way.
msdiamondhill, I agree. I hope people read my books and think, Why didn't I think of that? That would be amazing.
DeleteYes, The Desert Rocks would fade into the dust in a world without emotional love. Great Review and Miss Oliver's book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt's really a great read. I'm counting the days until the release of Pandemonium.
DeleteI'm torn whether to read this or not. I enjoyed her first book, but it didn't really wow me. So I keep going back and forth on this one. I don't know. I'll probably read it eventually. So many books, so little time!!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I would NOT let someone take away the pain of a broken heart. They are horrible and incredibly difficult to go through, but they are also defining moments in our lives that allow us to grow into better people. So, even if I would be able to love again afterward, I'd rather let my heart heal on its own.
Tabitha, this was the first book of hers that I read. I just loved the premise. Oh, that was a really bad pun that I did not intend! It's a great read though.
DeleteI know the pain of the moment can be terrible, but it would be so much more terrible never to experience the joy of loving someone again. I'd give time the chance to do its job and see what I could learn while I waited for recovery. :-)
ReplyDeleteLee, I think in a way it's the terrible feeling of love lost that makes up appreciate it when we find love again. You need pain to know happiness and vice versa.
DeleteThis book sounds kind of like a movie I watched called EQUILIBRIUM where the world "bans" emotions or feelings. I always thought it was a bizarre and awesome concept.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I'll have to check that movie out. Thanks for letting me know about it.
DeleteI keep forgetting to buy this book. I don't know why! I see all these great reviews and tell myself I need to buy it, but then I forget. Hmmm...I might have to write myself a note.
ReplyDeleteEmily, the Kindle version is really inexpensive. Get it!
DeleteGet rid of the grief and be free of emotion? Never love again? There'll be plenty of time for that in the grave,as my granmother used to say.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Very true!
DeleteI don't get it. Can someone explain what Mirka means?
DeleteTauren, she means that after we've died we'll be free of emotion and grief. We should experience it while we are here to do so.
DeleteNo way!!!! Some of the best part of loving is the aching heart - I guess I embrace it all! Delirium is such a great book. I've been hearing Pandemonium is just as ruthless, so I'm nervous, but excited.... great idea, true!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited too. Not much longer to wait.
DeleteSounds intriguing, but I'm one to go for the techie thriller rather than melodrama. Enjoy! :)
ReplyDeleteDiane, I understand that. It is a good book though.
DeleteOh, to never love would be sad, even though love sometimes is painful. Sounds like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteIt is, Beverly. And I agree. It would be sad.
DeleteHi Kelly! Thanks for following my blog! Following back! Great review, Ive been wanting to read this!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brianne. I'm glad you enjoyed the review, too.
DeleteI also can't wait to read Touch Of Death!!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! You just made my day. :D
DeleteI am guessing you know my answer to this question without me answering it, but in the spirit of goodwill... Love, good and everything else, is almost always worth the effort, heartbreak and thirty-two boxes of tissues later. Clearly, I've had cried a few tears and lost a lover or two over the years, but never ever would I stop loving. It's too damn wonderful.. and as a writer, I have an amazing well of emotions to draw upon as needed.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, yes, I did know your answer already. :) And I agree with you. I have to say you use that well of emotions quite well in your writing.
DeleteYes, it's an awesome concept. The problem with thinking of these great concepts, is sometimes before you can get yours down into a story, someone else already did it. Argh! Not this one in particular, but there have been some!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, sounds like a great story!
Pk, it's tough coming up with original ideas. Just about everything has been done. It's the little twists and personal touches that make stories unique.
DeleteMy answer is no.
ReplyDeleteI read this and hope to read book 2, Pandemonium. Great review, Kelly.
This does sound like a good book to read. If I could be cured of a heartbreak, would I? No. The pain is what would make me grow and not make the same mistake with someone else.
ReplyDeleteI agree. We learn from that pain.
Delete