Release Date: March 22, 2011
Pages: 358
Rating: 💜💜💜💜💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository
By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males born with a lifespan of 25 years, and females a lifespan of 20 years--leaving the world in a state of panic. When Rhine is sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?
My first re-read of the year, and I'm so glad I read it again. I love this book; I first read it last year and have wanted to continue with this series ever since. It is a book that has stuck with me, and I will definitely have to read it again.
The book focuses on Rhine, a girl who is forced into a marriage at the age of 16, and her desperate attempts to get back to her twin brother. She is feisty and strong, having spent half her life living without parents. However she is also emotional, and tries to help others when they need help. She hates life in the marriage she's been forced into, and I was glad that these feelings never went away.
Her two 'sister' wives are very different from Rhine but in a good way. Jenna is the older, more serious 18 year old who hates the marriage but doesn't care what happens to her. She knows she only has a few years left, and decides she would rather die in luxury than go back to her home. Cecily is the complete opposite of Rhine and Jenna; she loves it in the house and can't wait to start having Linden's children. She craves attention and is appalled at the others for not loving their husband.
There are a few plot holes in the story which bother some people, but too be honest I also focus on the story instead of whether this would work in real life (let's hope it doesn't!). For example the polar caps have melted, but the story is set in Florida which would be underwater at this point. Also hurricane season is in June but in this book there are hurricanes in October, and it snows in Florida. These small plot things really don't bother me, because I loved the story so much. As great as it would be to have continuity I wasn't bothered by this at all.
The main reason I push this all aside is because the writing is beautiful. Seriously, it is absolutely gorgeous, and I adored reading it. Lauren DeStefano has a way of shaping words that makes you fall in love with the world you are in. She captures events perfectly, describing in a way that makes you recognise them immediately. I fell for this book in the first few pages, and wasn't able to put it down because I was so captivated by the story.
Wither has had very mixed reviews from readers (3.82 on Goodreads), but don't let that push you away. When I read the reviews I was worried about reading this book, but I decided to go ahead anyway (and I'm glad I did). I love this book series and the writing style, and I'm definitely more positive about this book than others. So don't let the reviews sway you. If you hear awful things about it but really want to read it, go ahead! The worst thing that could happen is you put the book down and say 'It's just not for me'. However I will be continuing on with this series, so expect a review for Fever up soon!
No comments:
Post a Comment