Friday, March 1, 2013

Review: Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Title: Requiem
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series: Book Three in the Delirium Trilogy
Published By: HarperTeen (March 5, 2013)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Dystopian
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight. After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

Purchase Links: Amazon/B&N
My Review:

I both hated and loved the ending of Pandemonium. I loved the fact that we got to see what we had all been hoping would happen since the end of delirium but I hated how it all played out. I hated that it ended so abruptly. I wanted to throw my book across the room and shoot out “Noooooo! How could you Lauren Oliver!? How could you leave the ending on that horrible cliffhanger?”
But of course, I didn't, always truthfully, I really really wanted to.

So it was with great excitement and trepidation that I went into reading Requiem. Not only did we have that crazy cliffhanger to deal with but we also have the ending of a trilogy that I have come to absolutely love. To saying goodbye to characters that have been nothing short of becoming friends as I have journeyed with them over the course of the series. To care about and love. So to say I was also sad while starting this, would be an understatement.

I love how much Lena has grown throughout this series. She is so strong and capable now. She still gets confused and scared but she never lets it control her. She still pushed on and forges ahead. She is brave and truly someone to be proud of.

I am so glad that she finally got moments with her mom. I don't want to say too much because I don't want any spoilers but, I am happy with what Ms. Oliver gave us.

Hana. Oh Hana, how I disliked thee after reading your novella. She did redeem herself though, I will say that much and I found myself liking her once again.

So much happens in this and yet so much doesn't. I really feel it is hard to write this review without giving anything away. Alex, Julian, the resistance, the fighting, the dying, the heartache, the resolve. Gah! How can I say all that I want to without spoilers?

I will say that the ending, while it was a definite ending, which okay, was a little disappointing and left me feeling a little bit sad, it did give me hope too. It is one of those ending where really the possibilities are limitless. Anything could happen because you can make that ending yourself. You can choose to believe whatever you want to believe.

Am I disappointed that there wasn't a set in stone ending? That Lauren didn't spell it all out for us? If I am being honest, yes. Yes I am a little disappointed but I understand why she left it the way she did and I am okay with that, I really am.

The author has done such a great job with the whole trilogy that it is hard to be too upset with her that she didn't give me the exact ending I wanted, after all, this wasn't my series, my dream or my creation. This was hers and she could end it however she wanted to.

She did give the characters redeeming qualities for past wrongs and mistakes. She did make me love and care for them even more after it was all said and done. And she did make me mourn for the loss of those that died and the loss of the series as a whole so in part, she did her job. She brought out emotions in me only a good writer can.

So am I angry it ended the way it did? So open to interpretation that it was? Nope. Not at all. In fact, well done Ms. Oliver. Well done.

11 comments:

  1. Extraordinary Review! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. I hate those open endings, but I love the series so much that I don't care. I will read it anyways.

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  2. I'm not reading reviews for this one. I'm so stressed out about how it goes and I think I want to go in having no clue. But I'm pretty happy to see your 4 stars though because I've seen good and bad for this one.

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  3. I admit I was nervous going into it too and I tried not to read anything because I didn't want any spoilers (and my review doesn't have any!) but yeah, the ending was different. Not good or bad really just sort of there.

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  4. I personally loved the ended, my review of this will post on Monday. I am glad you enjoyed it and I was sad to see this one come to an end.

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  5. I. Need. To. Read. This. Trilogy! I feel better going into it knowing the overall series is good.

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  6. Nice review, my dear! You're soo lucky to have gotten to read this! I've wanted to get my own copy after reading Requiem, but still haven't gotten around to it.

    The ending does sound frustrating but that's what keeps us suckers reading LOL!

    ♥ Karielle @ Books à la Mode

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  7. Wonderful review. I have only read Delirium, and I really wasn't too crazy about the way it ended, but still wanted to continue the series. I have read mixed reviews on Pandemonium and Requiem, with the general consensus leading toward positive, but after reading your review, I am convinced that I want to finish this series as soon as I get a chance.

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  8. Great review! I'm getting worried about this ending. I liked my definite endings, but I can also appreciate open ones! Now I'm really antsy to read it!!

    Ning @ DABR

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  9. I really like that the possibilities for the ending were left open too - better than giving me an ending I end up hating for sure.

    And yes! It's so hard to let go of a series and characters you have loved so much. I hate that feeling. So sad this his over!

    Brenna from Esther's Ever After

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  10. The good thing is that even thought it is over at least Raven came out today as well and I can read it!

    But yeah, saying goodbye is always the hard part.

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