Wither by Lauren DeStefano {Review}

Wither by Lauren Destefano

Book info:

Cover artist: Lizzy Bromley
Language: English
Pages: 368
Series: The Chemical Garden Trilogy
Genre: Dystopian/Science Fiction/YA
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Publication date: March 22, 2011
Media type: Print (Hardback)
ISBN 9781442409057
Followed in the series by: Fever

Synopsis:


What if you knew exactly when you would die?
Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb — males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.
When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape — to find her twin brother and go home.
But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left. (GoodReads)


My review:


I must say, Wither is a GREAT book. It is completely unlike any other YA novel out there, definitely nothing short of original. I admit I was expecting more action from this novel, although I had just finished Divergent and my heart was pumping non stop. Before even reading the synopsis I knew I wanted this book! Why? Well, the cover of course! I have never liked a cover quite as much I think. It seems to have been pulled straight out of Vanity Fair Magazine! What a dreamy cover!
No, Wither isn't an action packed novel. It's a constant struggle between Rhine's need for freedom and her conscience. Lauren DeStefano does a great job at making her readers feel just as confused between the dream of freedom and lure of comfort and wealth. Rhine is a protagonist I was able to connect with. I felt that her inner dialogue was realistic and made me think of what I would have done had I been in her shoes. And honestly? I don't know!
And the world DeStefano created! OH MY... I do not know where to begin... By the first page I was overcome with chills. The certainty of knowing the exact time of your death is gripping. Almost nauseating. And you are reminded of that reality throughout the entire book!
Now if you are a god fearing christian I do not recommend this novel for you as it deals with very taboo subjects such as polygamy.
Anyhow, I give this Book one hell of a well deserved 4.5 out of 5 super shiny stars!

Must read: YES
Must Own: YES