Wither
(Chemical Garden Trilogy #1)
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Hardcover: 368 pages
Published: March 22 , 2011
Amazon Summary:
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 limted time she has left.
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 limted time she has left.
My thoughts:
Rhine lives in Manhattan (what is left of it) with her brother. They are constantly defending their home against starving orphans, criminals and "Gatherers" who poach young girls and sell them for profit. Despite their vigilance, Rhine is kidnapped and forced to become the wife of Govenor Linden. He is a sweet man, who is mourning the loss of his life-long love and first wife, Rose. Rose sucuumbed to the virus at 20 years old, just like every other girl does. Rhine slowly builds a relationship with her two other sister wives, Cecily and Jenna. Housemaster Vaughn is Linden's father (the "first generation" all live normal lifespans) and has a laboratory in the basement where he tirelessly searches for an antidote for the virus (Insert creepy music here). Despite her marriage, Rhine grows close to a servant boy named Gabriel. He assists her in her attempt to escape and return to her old life.
One of the main themes in this book is how young everyone is when they die. There are first generations that live a normal life-span, but women die at 20, men at 25. It casts a pall over the story, and really makes you think about what is important in life. I read this very quickly, in just a day or two. I grew really attached to Rhine! I am very excited that this is part of a series, but the book would do well as a stand-alone novel.
Likes:
Rhine lives in Manhattan (what is left of it) with her brother. They are constantly defending their home against starving orphans, criminals and "Gatherers" who poach young girls and sell them for profit. Despite their vigilance, Rhine is kidnapped and forced to become the wife of Govenor Linden. He is a sweet man, who is mourning the loss of his life-long love and first wife, Rose. Rose sucuumbed to the virus at 20 years old, just like every other girl does. Rhine slowly builds a relationship with her two other sister wives, Cecily and Jenna. Housemaster Vaughn is Linden's father (the "first generation" all live normal lifespans) and has a laboratory in the basement where he tirelessly searches for an antidote for the virus (Insert creepy music here). Despite her marriage, Rhine grows close to a servant boy named Gabriel. He assists her in her attempt to escape and return to her old life.
One of the main themes in this book is how young everyone is when they die. There are first generations that live a normal life-span, but women die at 20, men at 25. It casts a pall over the story, and really makes you think about what is important in life. I read this very quickly, in just a day or two. I grew really attached to Rhine! I am very excited that this is part of a series, but the book would do well as a stand-alone novel.
Likes:
I loved the character development. I felt like I truly got to know Rhine, Jenna and Cecily. The pacing was a little slow, but I actually enjoyed it. I felt very strongly for each of the characters, that's when you know that the author has written the characters well. My hatred of Linden's father was very strong! He truly disgusted me! I hated hearing about how he would take away Cecily's baby so so she couldn't feed him! As a mother, that's something near and dear to my heart, so reading those passages just made me feel sick!
Dislikes:
I wish that I had disliked Linden (the husband of the sister wives) more. He seemed like such a sweet man, I felt terrible when Rhine kept trying to manipulate him. I wish there was a way for Rhine to escape without hurting Linden!
This book didn't really scream DYSTOPIAN to me. It was written almost like historical fiction. Itr seems like it could be set in the past or present (the way they dress, servants, the writing style, even the technology available). I wish the author would have been a little bit more imaginative with her details. (A keycard to access the other floors, REALLY? No fingerprint reader or something like that? And the ending, REALLY?!) It was a little unbelievable to me.
I wish I had been able to get into Gabriel & Rhine's relationship more. I would have liked to hear more of their conversations, we really don't get to hear all the much from Gabriel. I didn't understand the connection between them. I feel like he could have been replaced with any other guy.
This book didn't really scream DYSTOPIAN to me. It was written almost like historical fiction. Itr seems like it could be set in the past or present (the way they dress, servants, the writing style, even the technology available). I wish the author would have been a little bit more imaginative with her details. (A keycard to access the other floors, REALLY? No fingerprint reader or something like that? And the ending, REALLY?!) It was a little unbelievable to me.
I wish I had been able to get into Gabriel & Rhine's relationship more. I would have liked to hear more of their conversations, we really don't get to hear all the much from Gabriel. I didn't understand the connection between them. I feel like he could have been replaced with any other guy.
Judge a Book By It's Cover: This cover has to be one of my favorites of the year. It definitely depicts the main character Rhine! Even my husband (the non-reader) said it was gorgeous.
4 Stars!
Wither will be released this spring on March 22!
*Disclosure: I was provided an Advanced Reader Copy to facilitate my review. This does not in any way affect my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have this on my review pile! I think I will definitely enjoy it! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds great! I'm sure I'd love it!
ReplyDeleteGood review! I enjoyed the relationship between the sister wives, and agree with you that Linden's father was seriously creepy. What a horrible man! I'm looking forward to seeing where this series goes next, and hope to learn more about Gabriel!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Saturday Situation.
This was my favorite 2011 debut author's read. I loved this story. I agree with you. Gabriel and Rhine's relationship was very compelling. I am embarrassed to say I almost wish she would have stayed with Linden. He did treat her well. Housemaster Vaughn was a real creeper huh?!
ReplyDelete