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

Just listened AGAIN, and loved it AGAIN!

One of the all-time best YA series/trilogy. Great story, superbly narrated. Such a clever way to look at the world. Would you choose the safety of muted emotions and increased governmental control and regulation? Or would you choose to feel the full range of your emotions, free to make your choices, and live as you choose?

really good

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

It was really good I couldn't wait to rea des it . The only bad part was it ended

What did you like best about this story?

Whole different world but not . It just a book that once you started it
Was hard to put down

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

No

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

When she first came face to face with her mother

Any additional comments?

The ending left me wanting more. It came to fast

Fabulous book to conclude the trilogy

THE GOOD :This book advances the story and keeps you on edge. There is a wonderful amount of character development for established and newly introduced characters. The creativity that Lauren Oliver brings to the story is one that is so needed for the YA genre.

THE BAD: I was wildly disappointed with the lack of description of the love between Julian and Lena. We are told that they care for one another, but I would have preferred to feeeeeeeeeeel the love, the way that it was manifested in Pandemonium. While it was easy to predict whom Lena would choose in this love triangle she had with Alex and Julian, I think the reader/listener should have known the strength of love Lena felt for each of these young men. Instead, Lenas emotional struggle was only detailed when outlining her feelings for Alex. It was not adequately mentioned, described, explained, or dialogued as well for Julian.

THE UGLY: Not gonna' lie y'all, I cried, HARD at one scene towards the end of the book. I actually had to stop the audio and collect myself. Sarah Drew narrates Requiem better than any of her previous 3 books for L. Oliver. I think Drew's performance style aided in my ugly cry. I have previously criticized her narration. Can't do it for this book. She is magnificent. I wish all audiobook performers were this good

OVERALL: Really great YA trilogy. Would have loved a little bit more intimacy as that was a major component of what the characters were fighting for. But still a great book.

I loved it.

I only wish there was another book. As crazy as it may sound, I will miss the characters in the book. I found myself cheering for them and scared for them. As my fingers can attest, this book is a nail biter. I listened nonstop even though I didn't want to reach the end because it would mean saying good bye.

Good ending to this YA Dystopian Trilogy

What did you love best about Requiem?

I enjoyed the way the book took us through the separate decisions that both Lena and Hana ultimately make. Yet there is still a little room for your own conclusions at the climatic end. I read the first two of the trilogy books long before Requiem came out and feel I need to go back and listen to all three when I have the opportunity. Requiem features the changes in Lena from the young girl, new in the wilds, not knowing her way to becoming a young woman who wants to be a leader. There are losses as you would expect in any type of war. I was a bit disappointed in some of Lena's actions as she is torn between Justin and Alex. I guess that has to do with the fact that she is still a teenager despite all she has been through. But in the end, I believe love finds its way to win.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't have a favorite.

What about Sarah Drew’s performance did you like?

She protrays the extreme highs and lows of youth; including their passions/highs and despair/lows in the difficult situations. I enjoyed her performance. Lena is very dramatic and Sarah plays her very well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did listen to it in two days; falling asleep the first night with it on and having to rewind to where I fell asleep the next day.

Any additional comments?

In the 6 years since I have been an Audible member, there are some books in my collection that are better than others. I would recommend this trilogy if you like the genre and don't mind an ending that leaves a little to imagination. One of my complaints is the way Lena handles the love triangle with Alex and Julian during the middle of this final book. I guess it means that even when lives are in danger and young people are forced to grow up beyond their years, at times they will still act their age. Nothing wrong with that. Maybe it makes it even more believable.

Lauren Oliver, You Broke My Heart!

I suppose I should just resign myself to the fact that I might never be pleased with the final book in a YA series, as this was like Mockingjay from the Hunger Games series all over again for me!

Seriously though, I love Lauren Oliver's writing style and the way she crafts her characters, but I honestly do not think she did them justice here. I was always skeptical of this "love triangle". Lena's jump to Julian at the end of the last book seemed really forced - more a plot device than a natural development. But OK...I knew it was coming and I was prepared. What I wasn't prepared for was how poorly it was executed.

I can't help but wonder what Ms. Oliver's intention was...as I obviously missed it. She gives us the first book and allows us to fall in love with Alex. Then she gives us the second book and enchants us with Julian. In the third book, they are both there, but basically in name only, as they are completely underdeveloped and barely used in the story. Where is the love that these people are fighting so desperately for? It seems to have all but vanished.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The only half way decent scene with Alex is near the beginning...his big fight with Lena. That scene is written so well and narrated beautifully by Sarah Drew (as always!) UNTIL Alex says "I never loved you" and Lena believes him. Are you kidding me?!? Why on earth would Lena buy it? He didn't give her a reason as to why he pretended to love her. He doesn't explain why he is so angry given the fact that he doesn't love her. So why would Lena believe him? It makes no sense other than being a plot device that allowed Lena to put him on the back burner and focus on Julian. So disappointing!

I loved the descriptions of the Wilds. The wandering journey didn't bother me as it seemed to bother others. What did bother me is that there seemed to be no purpose. We meet Coral just to make Lena jealous. Alex is there but says or does nothing. Same can be said about Julian. Then there's Lena's mom...just kinda thrown in at the end for good measure. There seemed to be little point to anything.

I also was not a big fan of the back and forth between Lena and Hana. I thought it might lead to some great interaction between them at the end, but when they finally did meet, it was more of a fizzle than a bang.

All in all, the book seemed rushed. Perhaps they were in a hurry to get it completed because of the TV version airing next season? I loved the first book...liked the second book...but almost wish I hadn't read this one at all. I remain a fan of Oliver's writing style and haven't read Before I Fall, yet, so maybe I'll give it a try.

Sarah Drew's narration was wonderful, though I did feel that even she struggled with the switch from Lena to Hana.

Enjoyed the series...this final book, not so much.

I felt a bit cheated by this ending. It felt rushed and hollow. If I didn't know it was a trilogy, I would expect another book just to really make the story whole and complete. Overall, it is a beautifully crafted and written story...just needed a bit more.

Sarah Drew is magnificent and was a perfect choice for this series.

I love this story

I absolutely love this story its beautiful and ugly all at the same time. fantastic

Don't waste your time on this series.

Would you try another book from Lauren Oliver and/or Sarah Drew?

No. Although I liked book one enough to get book two and then wanted to finish off the story through book three, I found the style of descriptive writing to become tedious. Sarah Drew was ok but nothing fantastic. I also really disliked the amount of cussing that became so common in book three.

Would you be willing to try another book from Lauren Oliver? Why or why not?

Didn't really love this series.

What three words best describe Sarah Drew’s voice?

Not my favorite.

Do you think Requiem needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

YES. The story had no completion!! I hated the ending. It became predictable and then just came to an end. What was the point to it all?

Powerfully Narrated and Poetically Written

I understand that each person has unique tastes when it comes to storyline and writing style . That can account for sone of the readers posting reviews and comments indicating dislike . I would ignore any reviews that use labels or exaggerated speech indicating that Oliver cannot write or build a storyline. She can write and her storytelling is engaging and unique . You may not care for her style but I it is not accurate to say that Oliver is inept . Oliver has earned her place among dystopian authors with this trilogy.. This trilogy is skillfully written . Oliver writes from the heart painting emotions with lyrical metaphors and timeless maturity. This dystopian tale asks you to consider what a society would be like without affection, without love , and without the passionate entanglement that love brings about. In a society in which emotional states are over diagnosed and over medicated, (ours) it's worth pondering just what love is, and how we experience different kinds of love . Oliver is asking the reader to consider what parts of our humanity are vital even if those human characteristics cause pain and regret from time to time, Sarah Drew does an outstanding job narrating the 3 books in this trilogy . I would listen to her read the phone book!!! This book and the 2 prior to it are not YA novels. These are novels written for anyone who seriously wants to understand just how crucial human emotion, including love, is to a healthy society.