REVIEW: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Title: Before I Fall

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: March 2, 2010

Pages: 320, Hardcover
Source: Audiobook, Library

Summary from Goodreads:

What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last.

The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. Living the last day of her life seven times during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

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This story was wonderfully executed. The growth in Samantha's character over the seven days that she relived her last was honest and significant. Her thoughts and actions were easy to relate to. I felt like I would have reacted similarly had I been in her shoes. A little confused at first, and then determined to change my fate. I'd probably spend a day acting on impulses too. But then I think i'd rise above it all, like Samantha did, and try to make the most of my last day, try to make a difference. The plot and pacing just kept getting better and better. It was so easy to get swept up in this story. 

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I don't really have any criticisms for this story but I did finish this book not quite sure why Samantha got to relive her last day. Did I miss something? Like I understand she altered something big but why did she get to stay to do that? I think i'm thinking to much about it. 

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I am so glad that I finally read this book. I think it is deserving of the hype and is now my favorite Lauren Oliver book. I recommend it to readers who have not yet read this one. It's a sad book in the end, but a really beautiful story overall.

REVIEW #84: Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver

Title: Requiem
Series: Delirium #3
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
Release Date: March 5th 2013
Pages: Hardcover, 391 pages
Source: Audiobook from Library, Purchased Hardback

Summary from Goodreads:
They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

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.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

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.

  

I was so excited to start Requiem, I really enjoyed the first two books. After the ending of the second I just NEEDED to know what was going to happen. I have been avoiding all reviews and discussion about Requiem so I could go in with a fresh view without any preconceived notions.

The story is told from both Hana and Lena’s point-of-view. It starts with Lena still in the wilds while Hana is preparing to be married to Fred, soon to be mayor. I really enjoyed Hana’s chapters even more than I enjoyed reading about Lena. So I will break up my thoughts by POV

Lena: We were left with a huge bomb being dropped on Lena, Alex is still alive. I was expecting a whole range of drama to come with this but instead got something less exciting. Alex basically said I never loved you and Lena had to deal with the fact she would never love Julian as much as she loved Alex. Really Alex… you never loved her… I just don’t believe you… I thought Lena’s reconnection with her mother was nice (yep… just nice), nothing terribly special. Lena’s parts of the story while having lots of fighting and planning scenes were just mediocre for me, not bad but not great.

Hana: Every chapter I read with Hana made me like her more and more. She surprised me constantly; even though she is ‘cured’ she is a strong person that still has a moral compass and feelings. The way she silently and secretly fights against Fred is awesome. Fred is just a Grade A JERK and she gets him back for it. She even owns up and apologizes to Lena which ends up saving her life. Which I think shows her true character (**I did a happy dance when they did their handshake**) She is one of the main reasons I still enjoyed Requiem.

Now to the ending. Man was I disappointed. I am not saying this was a bad book in any way; I just can’t get over the ending. It was like if you were driving along and BOOOOM!! The road ends, that’s it, no more, the end, hope you enjoyed. It was just so abrupt. I was left wanting more. Also, can someone explain what happened to Julian, I reread the last 3 chapters, and he just kind of fizzled away.

Overall, Requiem was 3.5 stars, I cannot give it anymore stars because the lack of ending just left me so disappointed. I just wanted more resolution, more than just a hint of a happy ending. It just seems like there should be another book. The story as a whole was enjoyable but not lacked the fireworks and magic I was looking for. 

I'm Waiting On Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine to shine a spotlight on upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating!

This week I chose...

Title: Requiem (Delirium #3)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Pages: 400, Hardcover

Summary from Goodreads: 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.

I loved Delirium and Pandemonium. Oliver painted such a vivid world, where love is considered disease, I cannot wait to read what is in store next for Lena especially after the ending of Pandemonium!

What are you waiting for? Leave us a comment!