Book: Wither (Chemical Garden #1)
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Release date: March 22, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 356
Source: Publisher
What if you knew exactly when you would die?
Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.
When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden’s genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.
But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden’s eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.
Before I picked up Wither I was skeptical. There were so many fabulous reviews and I figured I would be the one person who hated it. Boy was I wrong. I completely agree with every amazing review and now I am going to attempt to write my own.
Rhine Ellery never thought she would be one of the girls take by the Gatherers and sold into a polygamous marriage. She always thought she was too smart for them. She was wrong. Now she is trapped in a marriage that she does not want and the only way out may be with her death. That, or with the help of Gabriel, an attendant who doesn’t remember what freedom was like but is willing to risk his life for a chance at it with Rhine.
Wow! This book is so hard for me to review because of how mixed up I am about it right now (in a good way). I have never read anything like Wither and I was kind of disturbed but I pretty much just loved it. Lauren DeStefano went where a lot of other authors wouldn’t dare and I applaud her for that. Wither was a beautiful story and I know I will be recommending this one to a lot of people.
Rhine was one badass character. She is my new favorite heroine. She never gave up, no matter what. She was brave, funny, and SMART! I adored her. Her sister wives, Cecily and Jenna, weren’t bad but they are nothing like Rhine. Jenna was very brave in her own way though and so was Cecily. Gabriel was so sweet and cute. I felt like he was only minor though because the story focused more on how Rhine didn’t really need him to escape. She was strong enough to do everything on her own.
Overall, Wither is fan-freaking-tastic. I can’t possibly describe how amazing it is so you must go check it out for yourself!
Disclaimer: Definitely only for older teens. Lots of mature content!!!
First line: I wait.
Rating: A++
Cover: A++
I agree!
I soooo LOVED Wither! 😀
I completely agree. Recently I haven’t had the time to read like I use to and with a new schedule change I have much more time. I went and bought ten new books to start me off with Wither jumbled into the mix. I picked it up intrigued by its cover and went at it. I was instantly captivated by the whole story. Everyone is asking what is to come when dealing with what the future might hold for us and Wither sets out to tell you how it is. The content of the story is truly like none other which I appreciate greatly. The main character is not striving to get back to her hubby awaiting in a far away land but her brother; family. The entire book was amazing and I can’t wait to read what happens next.
I completely understand. Wither is one of my favorite books and I can read it over and over again. I actually read it 7 times and chances are there will be many more times. Honestly, I don’t know how Lauren DeStefano does it. Every time I read it, I can imagine exactly the same place and exactly the same characters. Her description and writing skills are so incredibly good, she just keeps you hooked. I think this is still the best book in the trilogy although the others were very good and powerful too. It’s this way of hers how she can actually let you live in the story. I love how the story grips you tight and doesn’t let you go. You never get tired of it.