Book Nerds Across America

Flo's Review
Oh Lena, we have been on a journey with you. Remember how we all read and loved Delirium? And then we all read and didn't love Pandemonium? And then how the cliffhanger at the end of Hana left me disbelieving for days?! Well, we have finally made it. We have come to the end of another beloved-by-the-Book Nerds trilogy. I have to admit, I was hesitant about this book after Pandemonium. When I started reading it, I noticed how the dual narrators in Lena and Hana reminded me of the Then and Now in the second book that I did not really enjoy. But it worked in this book. I was as engrossed with Hana's story as I was with Lena's, if mostly because {Delirium spoiler} I was intrigued to see the point of view from someone who was cured. At the end of my Pandemonium review I said, "this is a rare instance when I don't have a clear favorite." I was referring to what happened at the end. Well, I had a favorite in this book. But I don't feel I can say anything more without giving anything away.

The best part about this book was how easy and fluidly it read. I just kept wanting to turn the pages. And the scene where, as the book's Goodreads description says, Hana's and Lena's "stories converge"? So interesting to read. Not how I pictured it at all on one side, but still so fascinating to read. Overall, I can say that I am satisfied with the ending. It had the perfect balance of closing stories as well as leaving things open for the readers interpretation and prediction.

And P.S. this was one of my #ChallengeOf3 books! Woo hoo!

Jacque's Review:

I have to agree with Flo about the dual narrators.  The "Then" chapters in Pandemonium were very slow for me, but I really enjoyed both Lena and Hana's stories.  Once I FINALLY received my copy from the library, I flew through this book. 

By the start of Requiem, Hana has been cured and is getting ready to marry her "match" Fred, who will be sworn in as Mayor shortly before their wedding.  He is working tirelessly to strengthen the borders and fight the resistance.  Hana is conflicted about what she should be feeling after her procedure.  While she feels different, she is still having dreams and feelings about the past...which cured aren't supposed to have.  Did the cure work? Is she defective?

You all know that we Book Nerds like to select teams.  I was on Team Alex after Delirium.  Then I was on Team Julian after Pandemonium.  I was conflicted for most of Requiem, but I did settle on a team by the end.  I can't think of another series in which I bounced around like this.  I usually find my Edward and stick with him throughout the series.  No way would I join Team Jacob just because Edward left...so I have to give Lauren Oliver credit for creating two amazing characters both Lena and I couldn't help but love.

I was very surprised by many of the events that transpired in this book.  There is loss and struggle on both sides of the fence.  Neither side is perfect, but they are both fighting for what they believe in.  I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more closure to this series.  The ending was a bit abrupt and there were a lot of loose threads.  I was left thinking, really??? That is the end?  Am I missing a chapter???  I guess this is Lauren's way of keeping everyone happy.  As Flo suggested, we can all write our own perfect ending. 

Note: Slight spoilers for Delirium by Lauren Oliver follow.

It seems to be as you read Delirium that Hana and Lena and foils for each other. (Yes, I did just bust out some high school English terminology. In short, they are opposite characters.) In the beginning, Hana is the one that is listening to music and sneaking away to parties, and Lena is terrified. In fact, it is Hana that takes Lena to a party where she sees Alex. While Lena is freaking out, Hana is having reckless fun. Yet at the end of Delirium, it is Lena who has caught the disease and decides to run away, while Hana decides to get the cure. We follow Lena's journey in Delirium, so we know how she came to her decision. But what about Hana?

The novella Hana which Lauren Oliver recently released answers this question. It's a short, quick read (and only $3 on Amazon!) We follow Hana through the summer, see her sneaking out to several parties and even having a fling of her own with a boy named Steve. Through it all, we get to learn Hana's feelings about her family situation and future husband, as well as her reaction to learning about Lena and Alex.

I enjoyed it. Like everyone else, the cliffhanger ending left me with my mouth open. I literally had to re-read it about 4 times before I accepted it. And then I had to give myself a day or so of thinking about to understand it. But I do understand how it came to end the way it did. And it's sad, but realistic and honest.

Our reviews of the Delirium trilogy:
Delirium
Pandemonium