Wither

  

 


Author: Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Reviewers: Megzarooni & Brittknee

Thanks to modern science, every newborn has become a ticking 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 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 bend 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 she is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left. (Via Shelfari)

Megzarooni had this to say:

Living in Rhine’s world is a scary thought. If being abducted and forced to marry a stranger wasn’t shocking enough, she’s known her whole life that she will only live to twenty due to a screw up by genetic engineers that occurred years before she was born. What makes her situation all the more tragic is the fact that a select few in her society, those born before the botched genes, will still live on for a few more decades after she is gone. My life expectancy is about eighty + years, so I can’t imagine how horrifying it would be to know exactly when you’re going to die. Heck, if I didn’t die from outside forces first, I’d be gone in two short years. Wither is one of those books that really reminds us of how lucky we are, as well as demonstrate how much we take for granted.

     The romance in Lauren’s novel is rather unique. It’s a classic love triangle, but in Lauren’s version I actually didn’t mind which guy Rhine ended up with. Usually I get rather attached to one guy more than the other, but not with Linden and Gabriel. I liked Gabriel’s more practical nature and how he’s not afraid to take risks in order to be with Rhine, but on the other hand Linden’s naive nature and fragility really tugged at my heart strings. I kept thinking I want Rhine to end up with Gabriel, but at the same time I don’t want her to break Linden’s heart.

     The polygamous marriage aspect of the novel is not something that is regularly seen in YA novels and the relationship dynamics between the sister wives and Linden was really fascinating to read about. I really liked Rose although she was quite harsh in certain parts of the novel, as well as Jenna whose actions were quite brilliant. I didn’t care much for Cecily, but much like Linden I felt sorry for her naive nature.

     Lauren DeStefano has definitely created an excitingly dark new twist on the modern day dystopian novel. Her writing is captivating and Rhine’s story will send you on an emotional rollercoaster filled with anger, rebellion, fear, confusion, sadness, joy, and of course love. I’m really looking forward Wither’s sequel Fever which will hit shelves on February 12^th, 2012.

5/5 June Beans!

Brittknee had this to say:

Your generation is effected by a mutation where every male dies at the age of 25, and every female at the age of 20. You're stolen away from the only one left in your family, your twin brother. You've been selectively chosen to become a sister wife, of the man who stole you away. They have paid extra money for you in particular; because of your eyes. The hetero-chromia you share with your twin brother is indeed unique. Will you ever return home to your brother? Or will you behave like a good girl and stay loyal to your husband, and his two other wives? Rhine will most definitely have to remember who she is, and ignore what she is told she must and must not do.

     I have to say, I was very impressed with Wither. This was definitely one of those novels where you aren't sure about in the beginning but totally grow on you and tug at your heart strings; I absolutely loved it! The sister wives was definitely a concept i was familiar with, but didn't understand the emotional battles that the woman have to deal with. The genetic malfunctions to Rhine's generation was very interesting, because it wouldn't surprise me if a mutation like that may actually occur in our time period. And these drastic measures will have to be made. My emotions were with Rhine throughout the entire novel, she is by far one of the most independent young woman and truly knows who she is, and whats right and whats wrong. The characters we're so compelling to get to know, each one were portrayed so well and it made the story come to life in my mind perfectly.

     Lauren Destefano's writing is absolutely wonderful! If i have to wait much longer for the second book, I'm afraid I may break out into a Fever!

5/5 jealous sister wives!

Wither's book trailer