Delirium

By: Lauren Oliver

Narrated by: Sarah Drew

Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

"Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't."

Lauren Oliver astonished readers with her stunning debut, Before I Fall. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called it "raw, emotional, and, at times, beautiful. An end as brave as it is heartbreaking." Her much-awaited second novel fulfills her promise as an exceptionally talented and versatile writer.

Also included is a sneak listen to the first chapter of the next book in the series. Enjoy!

©2011 Laura Schechter (P)2011 HarperCollins Pubilshers

A really good YA Dystopian Romance

A really good book as long as you understand what you're picking up. Delirium is a young adult, dystopian romance, so if you don't enjoy younger protagonists or the genre--you'll probably want to pass. Some of the language is also a bit flowery at parts, which I felt was a good reflection of the awe the narrator was experiencing, but may not be everyone's cup of tea.

These aspects aside, I found this book to be incredibly captivating. The premise of the book is very original and executed in a gritty and believable way. The characters are complex and it's easy to become invested in their stories. (Huge nod to the Sarah Drew for being each character to life--one of the best narrators I've heard.)

Overall, a moving book that examines the idea of love and what it means to be truly alive. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series.

Huge surprise.

Did not have any expectations for his YA novel. Loved it! Oliver's created a world that I could see and feel. Routed for the characters. Purchased the second book Pandemonium before I finished!

FYI. Many years from YA myself!

IT GREW ON ME

Would you listen to Delirium again? Why?

Probably not. It is an entertaining book, but it took the 2nd download for the story to take hold. The reader's voice sounds a little too young for me in the beginning, but I guess that is to be expected when surfing the young adult titles.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

By the time I got close to the ending, I was hooked, and knew I'd be buying the series.

Which character – as performed by Sarah Drew – was your favorite?

Alix. A more mature character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The end! I got chocked up at how many times Alix he demonstrated unconditional love

Thoroughly enjoyed this audible!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would recommend it! I would say only about 1/4 of the audibles I have listened to I have been excited about, and this is one of them. It has an interesting plot line, and an awesome narrator!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Delirium?

It is hard to pinpoint a most memorable moment, but all of the interactions between Hannah and Lena were great! Also I loved when there was a raid, and Lena was starting to realize that the government was corrupt.

Have you listened to any of Sarah Drew’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to her other performances, but she was great in this one! She definitely made this audible a great experience!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Love is deadly disease.

Any additional comments?

It did take a little getting used to listening to Sarah Drew narrate, mostly because she sounds very young. But after I got past the first chapter or so, I absolutely loved her narration! She did so good!

Best book I've listened to for a while

Loved everything about this book. I went through it in one day. I felt obsessed and like I needed to know how it ended. This is crazy for me because I have an extremely hard time finding a book that I like. Now I'm on to the next! Great story, great characters and a great reader! I will continue to read and or listen to more of the authors stuff!

totally absorbing...went straight to PANDEMONIUM

I thought this was an excellent story with eloquent description, absorbing characters, and intense action and romance. As soon as I was done, I downloaded PANDEMONIUM, book 2!

Bravo Sarah Drew!

This is the best reading I have listened to yet. Sarah Drew did a phenomenal job.

Not the Hunger Games...

This was not the caliber of The Hunger Games but the story was intriguing enough to keep my interest AND download book 2 in the series immediately. It was just a bit slow in development and lots of talk without as much action. The story surrounds a society who considers "love" to be a type of delirium. As a result, love is outlawed and once 18 their brains are altered to not allow the extreme emotion. We watch as the heroine of the story learns what love is and is willing to risk all to experience it. The character development was good and by the end of the book I couldn't wait download the next book because the adventure, it seems, is just getting started. It's definitely worth a credit and if you enjoy YA fiction, the odds of enjoying Delirium are high. The narrator could not have been better and really captured the characters well. Great job!

I love you. Remember. They cannot take it.

I'm not a huge fan of dystopian YA by any means. I've really own read The Hunger Games trilogy , and I couldn't get into to Divergent for the life of me. The only reason I picked up Delirium was because I had just finished -- and been completely amazed by -- Before I Fall, Lauren Oliver's previous book.

It's not as excellent as Before I Fall, by any means, and it doesn't do dystopia nearly as well as The Hunger Games, but it's still a totally enjoyable YA read. Lena lives in a dystopian Portland, Maine, USA, that views love -- not just romantic love, but love between friends and family members as well -- as the worst disease of all. At the age of eighteen, all citizens undergo a procedure, essentially a lobotomy, that 'cures' them of love. Lena, whose mother she believes had been driven to suicide by the disease, awaits her cure with the utmost excitement until she meets Alex. You can guess what happens next.

Delirium does not pretend to be anything besides a love story. The world-building that is so integral to a dystopia is lacking and sloppy, and the premise obviously requires some suspension of disbelief. But Lena is a sweet and believable character, and the supporting characters are multi-dimensional and entertaining.

Oliver's ability to create beautiful images in intact from Before I Fall, with gorgeous descriptions of Portland and the surrounding Wilds. I'd say what she lacks here in world-building and plot construction she makes up for in her beautiful descriptions and totally believable love story.

Sarah Drew has such a lovely voice, infused with just the right amount of innocence of a young girl on the cusp of the rest of her life. I had just finished listening to Drew perform (and it really is a performance rather than a narration) Before I Fall, and I was impressed with how she was able to differentiate the voice of Samantha and Lena. She brings the characters alive.

Surprisingly good

I try out so many books like this, but rarely love them. Most of the time I'm disappointed and wonder why I keep listening, but this was totally different. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone. I was so wrapped up in the story that I couldn't wait to listen. Sarah Drew was amazing and her voice is so full of emotion. I didn't love her male voices, but that really didn't matter because I loved everything else. This is one of the few bright spots in an over saturated genre.