BOOKS AND BLOGGING PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy is defined as a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought. Well, my theory is if I can add at least 10 new books to my Wishlist and move at least 5 older Wishlist selections to my TBR list every month, then life is a ice cream sundae. And if I can find those 10 books from at least 5 new blogs each month then that's the cherry on top.

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!
Well, I've made it almost 5 years now, so for better or worse, I continue on. I tend to blog in spurts as the urge to be creative erupts. As I don't have an artistic bone in my body, you will see very few changes in the layouts. Hey, I'm a reader not an artist like so many of the awesome bloggers I follow. I know you don't always have the time but if you stopped and looked, take a half a minute and say your piece. Recommend a book that you have enjoyed or hated for that matter. Thank you to all who visit.
Oh, and I moved my Google Friend Connect info and share this buttons to the top, as without our friends, who are we?


Saturday, March 26, 2011

Wither by Lauren DeStefano—3 1/2 *

Wither 

Title: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: * * * 1/2
Publishers Date: 3/22/11
Hardback: 368 pages
ISBN: 1442409053
         FTC Disclosure: ARC 

By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children.
When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?


While I didn’t fall head over heels in love with this book, I had no problem finishing it. I wanted more though. I wanted more details on the whys-- why this was happening and  why kidnap young girls off the street as the orphanages were full of them. Hopefully, the next book will answer a lot of these. The first couple of chapters were amazing and quite satisfying. DeStefano did an excellent job of world building  and fleshing out the characters. The characters were real and engaging. Their emotions were so intense that you ached for them. That said once I got about 2/3’s of the way through, it began to drag for me. While there were moments that were predictable, it was twisty enough to ensure that I read the next book.

Chemical Garden
1. Wither (2011)

12 comments:

Rachel said...

I would love to review this on my blog, but your google form does not seem to be working. It's pretty much impossible for me to get YA books for reviewing, even though I love them.

My blog is http://jacobsbeloved.blogspot.com

Lexie@BookBug said...

What a fascinating concept! Sounds like it combines a number of different dystopian and supernatural elements to create a great story. Thanks for your review!
lexie.bookbug at gmail dot com

Llehn said...

This sounds so intriguing!

Miss Page-Turner said...

The world DeStefano built is wonderful:) I gave it aswell 3,5 stars. There is a lot of potential left and I really hope there will be more action and romance in bk 2!

Aik said...

This book is currently on my wish list. I think the concept intrigues me as well as the beautiful cover which has a symbolism within.Thanks for your honest review!

Reading Away The Days said...

This is on my to read list. Great review!

Louisa @ Words I Write Crazy said...

Wither sounds interesting! And sequels and series are always good! Must go to library soon!

Life's Simple Pleasures said...

I've read some pretty good things about this book so this honest review is much appreciated. It still sounds like a fun read though.

Book Sp(l)ot said...

That's really interesting--I loved this book but I never considered the 'whys' that you brought up . . . now I hope they'll be addressed in the next book, too :)

SweetShenanigans said...

I saw this at my local bookstore and was yearning for it!
fingers crossed
girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

Jessie Harrell said...

been waiting to read this one -- usually not a dystopian fan, but this one calls to me.

Jennifer said...

I am dying to read this book. Just got it. Am really in love with dystopia. And this one sounds so interesting!

jlkalman26 at gmail dot com