Lauren DeStefano's first installment in the "Chemical Garden" trilogy was impossible to put down. Combining elements of a dystopian future with human trafficking and polygamy, she weaves a horrifying world with very real characters.
Rhine is kidnapped at 16. Girls of her generation only live to be 20, and the boys aren't much better off: they live to be 25. In an effort to save the human race, wealthy men are taking multiple brides (by force, if necessary), and that's what Rhine's captors want: for her to become a bride. She wants to hate her new husband, Linden, and his world, but she slowly grows to realize that Linden is as much a captive as she is.
What is more surprising to the sparkling protagonist than her sympathy for her husband is the relationship that develops between her sister-wives. The bond that grows between them really does resemble that of siblings, and even Rhine, who is aching for her twin brother, finds it hard to betray her new "family".
Until she realizes just how sinister her new world really is.
If you liked Angie Smibert's Memento Nora or Scott Westerfield's Uglies, you will love this book. I'm clamoring for the next title in this series: this is a really excellent, fast read.
What are you reading this weekend?
Check out what the other challenge participants are reading today!
I'm not familiar with that series. It's not really my genre, but I'd be willing to give it a try if it's as good as you say it is. :)
ReplyDeleteThis weekend I'm reading Sarah Jio's The Violets of March. I've just started it, but so far I'm enjoying it.
That's not one I've heard of: can't wait to hear your final assessment of it! Enjoy the weekend reading :)
DeleteI really wanted to like Wither but I had too many questions on dystopian set up that - to me - rang a little hollow. I'm kind of a tough sell on some of the YA dystopians, the world has to be believeable to me. But the idea of a polygamous and trafficking culture in YA does intrigue me.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Simone Elkeles' Leaving Paradise, which was published prior to her Perfect Chemistry series. Also reading Blake Snyder's Save the Cat so I can write a better book :)
I'm a fairly easy sell when it comes to world building, but I wonder if more will be revealed later in the series. Sounds like you have a great weekend of reading planned! I've never read either: recommend?
Delete