Requiem

Delirium Trilogy, Book 3

By: Lauren Oliver

Narrated by: Sarah Drew

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

This exciting finale to Lauren Olive's New York Times best-selling Delirium trilogy is a riveting blend of nonstop action and forbidden romance in a dystopian United States.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has transformed. The nascent rebellion that was underway 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 infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels.

As Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain of the Wilds, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena and Hana's points of view. They live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

With lyrical writing, Lauren Oliver seamlessly interweaves the peril that Lena faces with the inner tumult she experiences after the reappearance of her first love, Alex, the boy she thought was dead. Sophisticated and wide-ranging, Requiem brings the Delirium trilogy to a thrilling conclusion.

©2013 Laura Schechter (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Loved the series

There were only 2 problems I had with it--- the ending- I wanted more resolution- and the narrator did something that drove me crazy- for the whole forst book she called the best friend Hannah the way Americans pronounce it with a short a sound like in the word can- then for book 2 and three she pronounces it like she's Swedish or something with a short o sound instead like it's honnah instead of Hannah- and it was the same narrator!

Take down the walls

Awesome audiobook. Sarah Drew rocked on narration! The hurt and sense of betrayal between Lena and Alex was felt so intensely in this book. The love triangle between Lena, Alex and Julian is a whirlwind of guilt, hurt, and longing. Hana has her own dilemmas and guilt she is dealing with. And, of course, the fight with the government continues. This book had me in knots and tears. The ending could have been a little better. I understand that life goes on and we can't be there for all of Lena's life decisions but when it comes to reading/listening to a book, a person wants some closure. Other than that, I loved the book!

Best book of the series!

Any additional comments?

The book was great and the performance was awesome! What a great end to the series. Left me wishing there was a 4th on its way!

My new favorite book, possible author, need more!!

If you could sum up Requiem in three words, what would they be?

A love story harshly like real life. Mending, Comforting.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Requiem?

The scene when Alex and Lena fight in the woods, before the bear encounter.

What about Sarah Drew’s performance did you like?

Her voice is perfect for a young girl, it matches the cover of the book so perfectly. Sarah spoke in the same intonations I would have read it as in my mind. It was the best audio books I have heard so far.

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

Will they find their way back to each other?

A perfect ending

How to review such a perfect story, that is so tortured and is so beautiful, I don't know. All I know is that this series has made me cry, love, laugh, angry, and to just, feel so intensely. This series has got to be my favorite, ever.

Story and narrator are a perfect match.

Would you listen to Requiem again? Why?

Yes, I was so caught up in the story and Sarah's performance that I would listen to it again to catch parts I may have missed in all the excitement.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the way the author created the environment for the story. I was able to see the hardship and even at times smell the odors she was describing.

What does Sarah Drew bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I loved the emotion that she brought to the characters. Her voice would hitch in the right places and she would shout when the characters were shouting. Her performance brought the story to life for me. I would get so caught up I could see the scene playing out like a movie in my mind. Sarah is my new favorite narrator. I can't wait to listen to more books narrated by her.

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

"Take down the walls." That was one of the last quotes from the book.

Any additional comments?

It's a breath of fresh air to read a book by an author who can paint such real environments and fill them with emotional scenes that draw the reader in. I loved her characters and I could identify with all of them at one time or another. The fact that they were all flawed and not perfect made the story come alive for me. I can't wait to read more books by Lauren in the future. Sarah Drew was a perfect narrator for the series. She kept the story going with her wonderful acting skills. No one has brought the characters to life for me as much as Sarah has.

I can't believe it is over!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Requiem to be better than the print version?

Yes, Sarah Drew is an wonderful narrator. I think she brought a lot of depth to the characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Requiem?

The end, which was very bittersweet,because i loved what was happening but I was SO SAD that it was over.

What about Sarah Drew’s performance did you like?

Everything

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, both!

Kind of like a sparkler...

...started off pretty strong, but burnt out very quickly. One of the initial scenes really caught my attention due to the strength of the narrator's performance. I remember thinking that if the whole book was like that, then I would be justified in giving this series a second chance. Not so much.

I had serious issues with the the first book...too much whine and inner monologues for my taste. I had no intention of reading more, but the second book was available through my library and I was searching for something to listed to after running out of credits. It was much better, so I was actually looking forward to this conclusion. Unfortunately, it was not one.

Oliver spent longer describing characters getting ready for bed than she did on this ending. It was VERY rushed. It seemed like the open-ish end was designed to fit the author's mini-political speech/moral of the story. However, I was so frustrated that the book was ending in this state, I didn't care what she wanted me to gain from reading this trilogy. In a three book series, the reader has invested enough time with the story that he/she expects and, I would argue, deserves to have a solid conclusion.

Overall, the story dragged often. I often daydreamed during large portions and had to stop and rewind to catch up. After a while, I stopped rewinding and let it play. I did like the introduction of Hanna as a narrator. It was a little odd to move to that format in the last book, but it was a great way to show the readers/listeners both sides of the wall.

If you loved the other books then definitely read this, but prepare yourself to be disappointed. I thought the other reviewers might be over-reacting about the abrupt ending, but I think knowing the risk helped ease my frustrations.

Pure Frustration!!!

The trilogy is worth a credit and a listen, it's not that it's terrible, the story is very interesting but I didn't like the direction the writer took the story in. By the end of this novel, Requiem, I was just so overwhelmed with frustration that I was rolling my eyes more often then not. There's a lot of things I would have done differently, things I would have added, things I would have took out and the ending is just painful!!! I finished all 3 books in 3 days, my headphones constantly in my ears while I done everything, I wanted it to get better, I couldn't wait to see how everything ended but all I get left with is a big heaping pile of unanswered questions, so yeah I'm frustrated...... Another thing I have to add is that Lana's constant whiny, childish, attention seeking, bull**** Is enough to make anyone half sick, I was ready to choke this girl and slap her until she quit crying. It just made her look weak, and pathetic and I could in no way relate to that type of character, I liked and respected Raven 100% more!!!!!

amazing trilogy and fascinating read

perfect emotional capturing roller coaster on edge yet relatable and wonderful storylines and voiced narrative