Guest Post #1: Delirium Trilogy by Lauren Oliver

Hi! This is my first guest post, written by one of my friends. I'm pretty excited! It's a review on the whole Delirium trilogy by Laruen Oliver. And oh, beware of HUGE spoilers if you haven't read all the books in the series.

***

Self-intro:

Hi, I am Amy. Actually I'm kinda nervous as I am writing my first book review in my entire life! Yay! I'm reviewing 'Delirium' series by Lauren Oliver.

Review:

I am not that kind of girl who like reading love story, I'm much more into detective and adventurous stories. However, this love story is catching my mind when I put down the books. The best part of the story is that it's not only about love relationships but also the growth of characters and about trust and betrayal. These elements really succeed in adding colors to the books.

About Lena, the main character,I don't like her actually(not meant to be offensive). She first opposes the idea of violating the rules strongly, and she keeps being controlled by others,still, she is willing to follow the rules . Though, she is the one who dates Alex quickly and without knowing him a lot.It's a big contrast between the previous Lena and the Lena after a few months! Maybe it's because of love or multiple personalities?! Anyway, I still appreciate her of standng so strong after arriving the Wilds without Alex accompanying. Later , she falls in love with Julian as she thinks Alex may has been passed away, Wait, then why when she meets Alex again, she still cant let go of Julian and keep giving the guys so many hopes that she may love them . Really, she's not a perfect girl and it doesn't ruin the books(as with other fantastic contents) so I'll try to like her more (uh...maybe).

As mentioned I love the parts about trust and betrayal , and also the fighting scenes. Especially the finale, how they plan to fight back and how people die and survive. I can really feel the tension between the government and people at last! This series is awesome!

***

Yep, I agree with her. This series is great and original. One of the better dystopian series I've ever read.

Top Ten Tuesday #1: Top Ten Best/Worst Series Enders

Hi! This is my first Top Ten Tuesday post. The bookish meme is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Today's question is my top ten best/worst series enders.

Best 5:

1. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

It's as beautiful as it is heartbreaking. I'm still hurting over what is inevitable and the new happiness that Tessa gains. There are no words to explain how much I love the ending of The Infernal Devices.

2. Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Another one of those endings that have you grinning broadly for at least an hour after reading the ending. And it wraps up perfectly.

3. Light by Michael Grant

A very impressive ending. Stunning, dynamic and very brutal. The perfect ending for a series as crazy and terrifying as Gone series.

4. Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Unlike many readers out there, I actually like the ending. It leaves space for imagination of the world after the success of the resistance. (Spoiler!) I mean, you can't just have Lena diving for one of the two guys at the end of the book (or diving for both). It will be unfair to both Alex and Julian (End of spoiler)

5. The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Okay I must say this is an ending of HEA and I'm familiar with HEA endings. I'd say the plot itself is better than the ending, but the ending fits because Ash and Meghan are just too adorable to not to be together :)

***

Worst 5 Endings:

1. Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Sorry, the ending is just way too predictable. I mean, BEAUTIFUL REDEMPTION? You are practically saying Ethan and Lena are having a HEA together and... to be honest, I'm not a shipper of Ethan and Lena.

2. Everlasting by Alyson Noel

Okay seriously this is one of the most disappointing endings ever. What the heck is going on in this novel? Honestly, I have no idea.

3. Destined by Aprilynne Pike

Nope, I just can't. (Confession: I actually like David more than Tamani. And not only the fact that Laurel is rooting for Tamani annoys the hell out of me, I think the ending is just so typical)

4. Ceaseless by Abbi Glines

Look, I actually like this book. But for some reason the ending just doesn't do it for me.

5. Rapture by Lauren Kate

All I can say is the ending is not what I imagine and I'm quite pissed off by the ending.

Which series has the best or the worst ending in your opinion? Sound off in the comments!

Surreal Sunday: Requiem in Alex's Point of View?

Today is a crazy day. A really, really crazy day. And I thought about crazy and surreal possibilities. One of the most bizarre is probably Requiem in Alex's PoV.

Yep, Requiem by Lauren Oliver. In ALEX's perspective. Unimaginable and impossible right? I think this will never be an option. But it just came to my mind today.

First, let's read more about Requiem.

Synopsis:

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 have to warn you that this post will definitely contain spoilers. Huge ones, maybe even. So please be careful about them if you haven't read Requiem, Pandemonium or Delirium yet. 

(In fact the post is mostly for guys who have already read Requiem)

In my review I mentioned that Alex is back in Requiem. However he has transformed... and so not in a good way. In the excerpt from HarperTeen, Alex turns cold and cruel to Lena. Looks like he hates her. But is everything that simple?

You know I'm dying to read some Alex's point of view (just like I'm longing for Free Four from Divergent!). I mean, you guys probably know that there will be a short story in Alex's perspective in the first edition of the hardcover version of Requiem. But... (warning: HUGE SPOILERS AHEAD!) it's not about Requiem. It's more like the pre-Requiem. Where he... well, I'm not gonna tell you that because this is way too spoilery. But what I really want to read is his perspective RIGHT IN Requiem, where he meets Lena again. 'Cuz you know what? I really want to know what Alex's really thinking when he spit out cruel words to Lena. This would be interesting.

Jeez, don't you want some explanation of his attitude? I mean, he kinda bugs me off in Requiem. For some time I actually consider to change my ship to Julian. I think I will be relieved (well, more relieved) when I get some brief sense of what Alex really thinks about Lena and... Julian (yep). This will (sorry, it should be WOULD) be one of the most thrilling experience since mankind is created. I mean, it's ALEX SHEATHES! Not just some random guy!

If there WOULD be a Requiem short story (or the whole book) told in Alex's point of view, would you read it? I think I would!

See my review of Requiem here: http://smoking-hot-books.blogspot.com/2013/02/requiem-arc-review.html

Requiem ARC: Review

Synopsis:

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.

***

(This might contain spoilers of Delirium, Pandemonium or even Requiem.)

I can't believe the trilogy is over.

I mean, it can't be, right? You can't just end a trilogy like that. The ending is perfect, don't get me wrong. But damn, I already miss the trilogy, the beauty and the emotions tangled in the words. My mind keeps repeating the quotes time by time since I finished the book. I just can't take the fact that Requiem is actually the last book of the Delirium trilogy. It seems surreal to me. Or maybe it's just that I hope this will never end.

I always admire the beauty of Lauren Oliver's words. She's always got special skills. And now, in Requiem, her skills have enhanced into a whole new epic level. To the point where it becomes... it actually becomes OVERWHELMING. The beauty of the words and the depth of the emotions running through words, sentences and chapters is just extraordinary. For the first time, I actually have trouble breathing while going through chapters. When there's emergency, I just can't make myself breathe. When there's sadness, I feel like I'm breathing too fast. And when there's happiness, my chest swells, in danger of bursting. This has never occurred to me before. Not in Clockwork Prince, which, by the way, has the best technique in making people feel breathless. Not in Finale. Not even in Boundless. This time, I'm truly awed at what Lauren Oliver can do to me with just words. Such perfection.

Everyone who has finished Pandemonium knows that Alex is back. And you might think that there's an epic boy fight brewing up out of jealousy and anger that will last for a long time throughout the book. That's not the case though. Even though there's... resentment between the two boys, there's few annoying boy fights or cruel words or whatever the hell you think there will be. But just because there's no epic boy fight doesn't mean the love triangle doesn't exist. In fact, it is one of those few times I can't choose between the two boys (one is Shatter Me, the other is The Infernal Devices). Yep, clearly no one will forget the first love of the girl. But this time, none can forget the present love either. It's hard to choose. But I think after all the mess in Requiem, I will still be Team Alex (even though there are times where I want to switch to Team Julian).

Lena has transformed. Growing tougher and more mature. Yep, in this book she has to deal with not just the revolution, but the feelings she has for the two boys she holds dear most. She has to overcome the longing, the heartbreak, and more importantly, the jealousy (Why jealousy? Well, you will see once you read the book). Her success in overcoming all those thing once again prove that she is not the slightly scared and hesitant girl in Delirium anymore. I'm glad and a little sad for her at the same time. Glad, because Lena's truly an adult now. Sad, because she can never be the innocent girl we knew in Delirium anymore.

Julian is my favorite character in this book besides Lena. He's just... pure goodness and innocence. There are bits of him resembles the old Lena. He's self-sacrificing too. Well, not that he has done anything very epic, but still. He's gone tougher too, like Lena does. But I kind of feel sad for him. Because Lena will never be able to love him as much as she did to Alex. He deserves a girl who loves him with her whole heart.

Alex... well, there's a lot about him to say. But I feel like I will be damned by giving out too much spoilers. So well, I will try to stick at the first 85 pages as much as possible (because they are not spoilers anymore). It's safe to say I'm extremely angry with him. I mean, what the hell is with his attitude? I just can't take this even though I completely understand what this comes from. It's very hard to see your love hugging another man. And he has changed too. A lot. I think that's it for spoilers. You will have to read the rest of the book yourself.

(I will not talk about Hana here. Hana plays a big part in the book and I'm afraid I will accidentally give out too much)

The trilogy has ended. But if you love Delirium, you will never forget the ending of Requiem. And if you haven't read Delirium, you should definitely read it. It's worth your time and your money on this trilogy.

(And I think I will buy the final version of the book in March. Just to see what is different between the ARC version and the final version)

Now it comes to the million dollar question: Who will Lena choose?

Okay, I guess this is just THE question that everyone wants to know. So... here it is. Lena will end up with....

Nah, I'm not gonna tell you. You have to read it yourself. But I'm happy that she chooses the boy who is truly right for her. (Spoiler: the ending of the book is so open that you might be confused about her choice. But I feel satisfied. Things will work out, eventually. At least that's the way I think the ending means)

(If you are wondering if I'm gonna post a review of the final version of Requiem, my answer will be no. I don't think there's much difference between the ARC and the final version.)

Rating: 10/10 (It's hard not to give 10/10, right?)

Gonna Read: February and March

The craziness continues even though January is almost over! Check out what I might read (or will read) in Feb and March!

February:

1. Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) by Tahereh Mafi

Synopsis:

tick, tick, tick, tick, tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

Publication Date: February 5th, 2013 

Read the excerpt here: 

http://www.facebook.com/shattermebooks/app_319631768109792?ref=ts 

***

2. Shards and Ashes by Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, Kami Garcia, Nancy Holder, Melissa Marr, Beth Revis, Veronica Roth, Carrie Ryan and Margaret Stohl

Synopsis:

Gripping original stories of dystopian worlds from nine New York Times bestselling authors, edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong

The world is gone, destroyed by human, ecological, or supernatural causes. Survivors dodge chemical warfare and cruel gods; they travel the reaches of space and inhabit underground caverns. Their enemies are disease, corrupt corporations, and one another; their resources are few, and their courage is tested.

Powerful original dystopian tales from nine bestselling authors offer bleak insight, prophetic visions, and precious glimmers of light among the shards and ashes of a ruined world.

Stories from:
Kelley Armstrong
Rachel Caine
Kami Garcia
Nancy Holder
Melissa Marr
Beth Revis
Veronica Roth
Carrie Ryan
Margaret Stohl

Expected Publication: February 19th, 2013

*** 

3. Fuse (Pure #2) by Julianna Baggott

When the world ended, those who dwelled within the Dome were safe. Inside their glass world the Pures live on unscarred, while those outside—the Wretches—struggle to survive amidst the smoke and ash.

Believing his mother was living among the Wretches, Partridge escaped from the Dome to find her. Determined to regain control over his son, Willux, the leader of the Pures, unleashes a violent new attack on the Wretches. It’s up to Pressia Belze, a young woman with her own mysterious past, to decode a set of cryptic clues from the past to set the Wretches free.

An epic quest that sweeps readers into a world of beautiful brutality, Fuse continues the story of two people fighting to save their futures—and change the fate of the world. 


Publication Date: February 19th, 2013

***

4. Fragments (Partials #2) by Dan Wells

Synopsis:

Kira Walker has found the cure for RM, but the battle for the survival of humans and Partials is just beginning. Kira has left East Meadow in a desperate search for clues to who she is. That the Partials themselves hold the cure for RM in their blood cannot be a coincidence--it must be part of a larger plan, a plan that involves Kira, a plan that could save both races. Her companions are Afa Demoux, an unhinged drifter and former employee of ParaGen, and Samm and Heron, the Partials who betrayed her and saved her life, the only ones who know her secret. But can she trust them?

Meanwhile, back on Long Island, what's left of humanity is gearing up for war with the Partials, and Marcus knows his only hope is to delay them until Kira returns. But Kira's journey will take her deep into the overgrown wasteland of postapocalyptic America, and Kira and Marcus both will discover that their greatest enemy may be one they didn't even know existed.

The second installment in the pulse-pounding Partials saga is the story of the eleventh hour of humanity's time on Earth, a journey deep into places unknown to discover the means--and even more important, a reason--for our survival.


Publication Date: February 26th, 2013

*** 

5. Scarlet (Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

Synopsis:

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.


Publication Date: February 5th, 2013

***

Pulse (Pulse Trilogy #1) by Patrick Carman

Synopsis:

From New York Times bestselling author Patrick Carman, a teen fantasy-adventure of epic proportions. In 2051, some teens have a “pulse,” the power to move objects with their minds. Compulsively readable, with thrilling action scenes and a tender love story.

The year is 2051, and the world is still recognizable. With the help of her mysterious classmate Dylan Gilmore, Faith Daniels discovers that she can move objects with her mind. This telekinetic ability is called a “pulse,” and Dylan has the talent, too.

In riveting action scenes, Faith demonstrates her ability to use her pulse against a group of telekinesis masters so powerful they will flatten their enemies by uprooting street lights, moving boulders, and changing the course of a hurtling hammer so that it becomes a deadly weapon. But even with great talent, the mind—and the heart—can be difficult to control. If Faith wants to join forces with Dylan and save the world, she’ll have to harness the power of both.

Patrick Carman’s Pulse trilogy is a stunning, action-filled triumph about the power of the mind—and the power of love.


Publication Date: February 26th, 2013
 _______________________

March:

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare

Synopsis:

Danger intensifies for the Shadowhunters as the New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy comes to a close.

If the only way to save the world was to destroy what you loved most, would you do it?

The clock is ticking. Everyone must choose.

Passion. Power. Secrets. Enchantment.

Danger closes in around the Shadowhunters in the final installment of the bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy.


Publication Date: March 19th, 2013

***

2. Requiem (Delirium #3) by Lauren Oliver 
 

Synopsis:

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.


Publication Date: March 5th, 2013

***

3. Raven (Delirium #2.5) by Lauren Oliver

Synopsis:

This captivating 50-page digital-original story set in the world of Lauren Oliver’s New York Times bestselling Delirium series focuses on Raven, the fiery leader of a rebel group in the Wilds.

As a teenager, Raven made the split-second decision to flee across the border to the Wilds, compelled to save an abandoned newborn—a baby girl left for dead and already blue from the cold. When she and the baby are taken in by a band of rebels, Raven finds herself an outsider within a tight-knit group. The only other newcomer is an untrustworthy boy known as the Thief until he finally earns himself a new name: Tack.

Now she and Tack are inseparable, committed to each other, the fledgling rebellion, and a future together. But as they both take center stage in the fight, Raven must decide whether the dangers of the revolution are worth risking her dreams of a peaceful life with Tack.

As her story hurtles back and forth between past and present, Raven transforms from a scared girl newly arrived in the Wilds to the tough leader who helps Lena save former Deliria-Free poster boy Julian Fineman from a death sentence. Whatever the original mission may have been, Raven abides by a conviction that she believes to her core: You always return for the people you love.

By turns surprising, revelatory, and poignant, Raven’s story enriches the Delirium world and resonates with a voice that is as vulnerable as it is strong.


Publication Date: March 5th, 2013

***

4. With All My Soul (Soul Screamers #7) by Rachel Vincent

Synopsis:

What does it mean when your school is voted the most dangerous in America?

It's time to kick some hellion butt...

After not really surviving her junior year (after all, she did die), Kaylee Cavanaugh has vowed to take back her school from the hellions causing all the trouble. She's going to the find a way to turn the incarnations of Avarice, Envy and Vanity and the rest on each other. And so she–and her gang–make plans to protect her friends and finish this war, once and forever.

But then she meets Wrath. And Kaylee realizes that she's closer to the edge than she's ever been. Especially when one more person she loves is taken...


Publication Date: March 19th, 2013

***

5. Undone (Unraveling #1.5) by Elizabeth Norris

Synopsis:

Before the accident. Before their universes collided. Before they fell in love.

Riveting and romantic, Undone: An Unraveling Novella contains three short stories set in the world of Unraveling, the first book in the gripping sci-fi duology by Elizabeth Norris.

Before Ben Michaels saved Janelle Tenner’s life, Janelle saved Ben when he stumbled through an interuniverse portal into a completely new world. That day, he fell in love with the girl of his dreams. And he never forgot her.

Through three stories told from Ben’s point of view, learn how Ben and his friends discovered their ability to travel between worlds, how Ben first met Janelle, and how he pined for her for years before he actually got the chance to meet her, save her life, and capture her heart. And find out what happens to Ben between the cliff-hanger conclusion to Unraveling and the beginning of its heart-stopping sequel, Unbreakable.


Publication Date: March 5th, 2013

***

6. Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Synopsis:

USA Today bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout's adult novel OBSESSION, which takes place in the world of the YA series THE LUX, in which a young woman discovers an alien race is behind her best friend's death, making her their next target, and must rely on a sexy, domineering stranger to protect her, who turns out to be the biggest threat of them all - an Arum.

Obsession is slated for March 2013 release date from Entangled and currently a standalone.


Publication Date: March 2013 (WHEN!?)  
 
 _____________________

Aren't you excited? It's time for craziness!

 

Dark Days Revealed: Book 3, 5, 6

Another post for The Dark Days!

I miss one book on day 2, so it's time reveal both day 2 and day 3 dystopian novels!

Book 3: Through The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

Check out the whole reveal here: http://myoverstuffedbookshelf.blogspot.hk/2012/12/dark-days-author-reveal-3.html?spref=tw


Book 5: Fragments by Dan Wells

Kira Walker has found the cure for RM, but the battle for the survival of humans and Partials is only just beginning. Kira has left East Meadow in a desperate search for clues as to who she is. That the Partials themselves hold the cure for RM in their blood cannot be a coincidence—it must be part of a larger plan, a plan that Kira knows she is a part of, a plan that could save both races. Her allies are Afa Demoux, an unhinged drifter and former employee of ParaGen, and Samm and Heron, the Partials who betrayed her and saved her life, the only ones who know her secret. But can she trust them?
Meanwhile, back on Long Island, what’s left of humanity is gearing up for war with the Partials, and Marcus knows his only hope is to delay them until Kira returns. But Kira’s journey will take her deep into the overgrown wasteland of postapocalyptic America, and they will both discover that their greatest enemy may be one they didn’t even know existed.

Check out the reveal here: http://www.emilysreadingroom.com/2012/12/dark-days-blog-tour-reveal.html


Book 6: Requiem by Lauren Oliver (REQUIEM!!!!)

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.


Check out the reveal here:  http://ya-sisterhood.blogspot.hk/2012/12/pitch-dark-days-revealed.html

It's from YA Sisterhood, so make sure to check out Requiem!

Aren't you excited for a Dark Days read in 2013?

Theories for Requiem

Requiem, the final book of the bestselling Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver, will be released on March 5th, 2013.

And I have some theories of what will happen to the characters. Here are the ideas. (In fact I'm just grouping ideas from the review of Pandemonium and adding new things in this post)

Lena:

Obviously she has to deal with the sudden appearance of Alex. If Alex is... well, Alex, I can see she will have to choose between Alex and Julian. Hope that there will be no extreme love triangle thing. I loathe love triangle.

But if Alex is not an Invalid anymore, she has to deal with an maybe-enemy right in front of Julian and her. Maybe if Alex is Lena's enemy at that point. She will have to choose between defeating him or... well, not defeating him but run away or something like that. That will be way more interesting. But that will break the Alex x Lena's shippers' hearts (Including mine... kind of).

Anyway, the relationship between Alex and Lena will never be the same. This is what the fans can confirm.

Since that Alex suddenly appears in the end of Pandemonium, the relationship between Julian and Lena will also never be the same. Julian will know that the guy with autumn-leaf-like brown hair and hard brown eyes is Alex. I don't know how will Lena respond to this accident and deal with something like that to Julian. Maybe he will think that she is not trustworthy at all after what happened to them? Who knows.

And from the summary of Requiem. It said that Lena is the center of the revolution. It's like she will be the leader of the Invalids and the fight for love. I wonder how she will deal with Hana, the maybe-cured best friend who is on the regulators'/ Portland inhabitants' side. Perhaps they will reunite and fight together. Or they will be enemies.

She can be dead in any second since that this is an obvious revolution and the regulators are everywhere. There is a high possibility that she can be killed. No signs say that she won't be killed or she will be killed for sure. Heck, I hope she stays safe.

***

Alex:

There are possibilities of Alex's sudden appearance. The safest way and the most comforting way is that he is finding Lena all the time. And when he says that "Don't believe her" is that he doesn't know about things between Lena and Julian. That is a fairly reasonable explanation. But in my heart I think there is way more than just finding her. There are something behind it.

Another not-so-good explanation is that he joins the Scavengers. Scavengers work for DFA originally, and so there is a poor link between the whole thing about Scavengers and what he says to Julian not to believe Lena. It also explain the horrible scar on his face. Even though the Invalids can definitely get a scar like that, I think the Scavengers have a higher possibility to get that kind of scar because they are cruel. One thing that doesn't match is that the Scavengers are supposed to keep Lena safe cuz they are paid to do so. And somehow I don't think that Alex's purpose is just to join Lena. I hate thinking Alex as a cruel person. But at least it's better than the next theory.

The most reasonable to me, yet the most horrifying one is that Alex is cured. It explains his word "Don't believe her." since that Lena is an Invalid and Alex knows that she escapes to the Wilds. Maybe in Delirium he's captured and is forced to have the procedure even though he struggles hard. That explains the scar. His eyes are hard and impenetrable. Although a cured's eyes are glassy (Do you recall that when Lena thinks about her Aunt Carol in Pandemonium, she thinks of her cured glassy eyes?). That doesn't mean much. Maybe he is measuring like a cure? If I recall, Lauren doesn't state about his clothes. It seems like the regulators have uniforms to wear. And we don't know what he is wearing. Again, one thing that the theory doesn't explain is the number behind his left ear. It's the specific numbers on the high-level Invalids/Scavengers (I don't know which one). I don't think regulators have that kind of numbers and I don't recall he has it in Delirium. Hope that he is not cured, or my heart will break into millions of pieces since that will make him Lena's enemy.

So what will happen if he is still not cured and stays like who he was in Delirium? I can tell that he will follow Lena and Raven to the Wilds and carry out the whole revolution thing. This is the most reasonable theory. But what if he's cured and become a regulator or a inhabitant? There will be a fight between Lena and Alex. But I don't know if there will be some miraculous thing happens in their own battle.

***

Julian:

Well, Julian's life will never be the same. I can tell that he will definitely run to the Wilds with Lena no matter what happens to them. His father now knows that he is a traitor and he sides with the Invalids. He can never go back to his old life/before (I like the word before :]) and pretend nothing has ever happened. It's kind of confirmed. Otherwise I don't see he has much choices besides escaping to the Wilds or go back and get killed/cured. In my opinion he will choose a wiser choice, which is going to the Wilds.

Julian will definitely know the guy standing in front of Lena and him at the end of Pandemonium is Alex. He will definitely have to deal with Lena's supposed-dead boyfriend. Hope that his feelings are not too intense or he will go crazy. Yeah, despite the fact that I want Alex and Lena together, I like Julian too. Seeing a innocent guy hurt isn't going to make me happy (okay, maybe not so innocent, but definitely a million times better than his goddamn DFA father).

I think he has a chance to die because of either his illness or getting killed. I think illness wins because I don't think he will stay alive that long. I actually thinks that he will die at some point even though he wants to be a revolutionary to stand against Deliria-Free America. Battle loses because Julian is not fine enough to fight against a whole bunch of regulators and inhabitants. Even Lena is stronger than him, and I don't think Lena will have him fight along her side (well, at least not at first in Requiem).

***

Raven and Tack:

Raven is the broken girl in the whole trilogy. So I think there will be some serious change in her. Either she will be healed or she will become one of the Scavengers. I prefer the Raven who will be healed because that will be easier for her. Maybe she will slowly find the scattered parts of the real her throughout the revolution. Or perhaps she will become so fierce that she joins the Scavengers and aims on nothing but destruction.

Clearly if she stays in the circle of the regular Invalids, she will fight along Lena and Tack's side. And again she has a high possibility of dying. She has a tough live even before she joined the Wilds and the resistance. Maybe the Wilds will like "she is finally free from her pain" or something like that. But as she is not a main character in Pandemonium (well in then she IS a main character, but in Requiem we're talking about now), there is no obvious evidence to show whether she will die or not.

Tack, like Raven, is not a main character. He is not one even in then. But he is a friend of Lena, so I think Lena will be kind of sad if he dies in the battle for deliria. And if Raven dies, I wonder Tack will be on his soft side, crying for Raven, the leader of the Wilds, or his hard side, saying that "We can keep her. We have to move on" or something like that. It will be interesting to see his soft side. But I doubt we will ever see him like that.

***

Hana:

She didn't even show up in Pandemonium. So Requiem is Lena and Hana's show. According to the summary of Requiem, the book will talk on both Lena and Hana's perspectives. And she is living a loveless and safe life with the young mayor as his fiance. That will be interesting to see her point of view in Requiem.

I seriously doubt that she is cured even though Lena thought so in Pandemonium. Even though she is living a loveless life doesn't mean she's cured for sure. And if she is cured, I don't think the author will state her perspective as if she is a main character because she will definitely be an enemy against Lena and the Wilds. And there will be no emotion in the stories of hers. So either she never has the procedure or the procedure doesn't work at all.

If she is not cured, I have a wild sense that she may help Lena in the end and stand against her future husband that is the young mayor of Portland even though in my opinion she is quite weak. I think this is a based theory. In Delirium, she appears to dislike the procedure and has doubts about it. So it seems like she can be not cured even though she's evaluated.

Hope that she will reunite Lena and fight for love together in Requiem.

***
I just have these seemingly reasonable theories for the characters. I don't have more wild and special ones. If you have some special theories, you can write a comment about your theories.

Requiem: Summary

I am sorry guys, I didn't release the summary faster. So here it is 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. Of Pandemonium, ALA Booklist noted that “like all successful second volumes, this expands the world and ups the stakes, setting us up for the big finale.”

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.

Okay, I haven't even read Pandemonium yet, so I guess I can't say much about it. But I really wanna see what will Lena and Alex's relationship become, The whole dystopian thing, and the battle between the world and themselves.

And I guess I am safe to say I want Lena and Alex together.  


And I have to read Pandemonium FAST, cuz I just got the book yesterday.


Can't freaking wait of Requiem!

Requiem: Cover Reveal!

The final book of the bestselling Delirium Trilogy - Requiem has the cover now!

Are you excited with Requiem? I hope March 2013 will come soon!