Wither (Chemical Garden) Book 1-- reviewed by Alexandra Lopez

                                     Wither (Chemical Garden) Book 1

Author: Lauren DeStefano

Reviewed: Alexandra Lopez

  The cure for cancer is discovered and is distributed to everyone, the world is cured, life is perfect. At least that's what they believed, until their children started to die young. Scientists discovered that the 'cure', it gave the children a genetic virus that causes men to live longer than women, however both shared the same fate of a short life span. 

  Even though scientists and  doctors work endlessly to find the cure to this virus, the people have turned to a different solution. Many believe there is no cure and in hopes to keep the human race alive, they try to have many children.  Many young girls are kidnapped and sold to wealthy men, who already own several wives. 

  The story begins with a young girl named Rhine who was kidnapped and was forced to marry a man named Linden who claims to love her. Rhine does not feel the same way and wants to escape her prison to find her twin brother. However she needs to gain the trust of Linden and her father in law to appear as good wife to gain certain freedoms. Then she can escape from their clutches and return home.

  I enjoyed reading Wither, it left me wanting more. The story was well paced except when Rhine kept telling herself she would escape. She has many chances to run but never does. If she was so dead set on trying to get home to her brother, who was her only family, why put it off?

  I believe she was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome at the time. She stayed with them long enough to understand their way of life and she started to grown to care for her sister wives Rhine didn't want to leave them behind. The ending was a bit of surprise to me, though. The book was great overall, except about Rhine not having the guts to escape, but I can't really blame her.

   If you too fall for this book it is located in the O'Hara Library. Check out the book in the library, read and enjoy.

Bumped --- a review by Amy Lyon

Bumped

by Megan McCafferty

***

In a world where a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, where teen pregnancy isn't just okay, but demanded, how do two very different twins fit in? This is the story of Melody and Harmony, twins that were left on a doorstep with a note saying "Forgive me Melody and Harmony". Melody was adopted by two PhDs working on the pregnancy issue, and like her parents Melody promotes "bumping", even wants to be president of the "bumping" organization. Harmony, on the other hand, grew up in Goodside, where you must be married before you can have children. Harmony badly wants to take Melody back to Goodside, but she's harboring a secret that could ruin both of them...

Bumped was most definitely an original dystopian novel, but so confusing at times it was hard to follow. Keeping up with who was telling what became a challenge, because after a while the sisters have similar voices and the same slightly desperate tone. Overall it was an okay book. Fans of dystopian or virus books should definitely read this.

Wither --- a review by Amy Lyon

Wither

by Lauren DeStefano

***1/2

Welcome to a world where men only live to 25 and women to 20. And desperation lurks around every corner.

Ever since the death of her parents, Rhine and her brother have been on their own living in fear of the Gathers, a group of people that collect young girls for those who will pay. And those who don't pass the test... After being so careful for so long, Rhine falls into a trap, then finds herself passed out in a luxurious bed. From the beginning, Rhine works on finding the way out. But what happens when she starts to fall for Gabriel, the mistreated servant? And when she becomes the first wife, will she really want to leave?

Wither definitely kept me guessing, on the edge of my seat. The twists and turns are unexpected and the idea is original, a refreshing change. The characters at some points came to life, like House Master Vaughn and his experiments. Some parts were fairly creepy, but it brought a certain depth to the story. The ending is a bit predictable, well, part of the ending is predictable. This is not for people who love a happy ending for all, but I would definitely recommend this book.

The Strain: Book One of The Strain Trilogy

by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Entertaining and fun -- don't take it too seriously!

Despite almost being put off by some negative reviews, I found the book to be a fast-paced and entertaining tale about a new breed of vampires -- perhaps changed by some "strain" that could be identified later as a virus or parasite (easier to eradicate in a future book?). Led by an ancient Master, these vampires have a long sucker that springs out of the mouth to acquire sustenance, unlike the vampires of old with fangs that bite into the neck. These zombie-like creatures roam the streets and subterranean tunnels of New York, the changed ones tending to return home to their loved ones to infect them as well. Fighting this new horde is a vampire hunting and killing team, quite a motley crew, composed of a CDC doctor and his associate, a Holocaust survivor turned pawnshop owner, and a city rat exterminator. These folks are intent on saving New York, and the world, from extinction.

Other readers have pointed out the flaws in some of the action sequences, the stilted dialog, the lapses in logic and the strained credulity they experienced while following the story line. My advice -- don't take it all so seriously, quit analyzing and just enjoy the ride! The narrative moves quickly advancing the action and the reader is treated to all manner of vampire killing methods (not the ones you're familiar with from other novels of this nature that have the typical vampire lore), vivid descriptions of the changed ones, and the hunt for the lair of the Master. Meanwhile, a very wealthy human is trying to live forever by enticing the ancient vampire to the "New World" and acquiring whatever means will allow that to happen. Along the way are some side stories involving abusive husbands, divorce, custody issues, nosy neighbors, bad mothers, evil lawyers -- well you get the picture!

The book starts out strong (the dead plane on the tarmac at JFK airport) and will keep you turning the pages until the end...of this volume in the proposed trilogy by this author duo. Although not a cliffhanger ending, it did leave me wanting more. Thank heavens I have The Fall: Book Two of the Strain Trilogy waiting in the wings to start tonight!

All in all -- it's a fun and fast read -- don't take it seriously!

Ms. Crawford