{Review}: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano Webpage | Twitter 
Genre: YA Fiction/Dystopian
Publisher: Simon&Schuster
Hardcover: 358 pages
ISBN: 9781442409057
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon | Barnes&Noble | TheBookDepository 


Description from GoodReads:

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.  With the help of Gabriel, a servant she trusts, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.

My Review: 
Imagine you knew the exact age you would die. What would you do? Well, Rhine knows that she only has 4 more years but her choice of how to live them is taken away from her. She is captured and forced to marry. Rhine is kept prisoner and told that she should be happy with her new role of wife and sister wife. Yet, all she wants is to escape and make her own decisions.

Not only is this a great written book but it also contains a captivating story. Wither is one of those books that you simply can't put down until you finish it. I was transported into this original dystopian world and had a rainbow of emotions as I followed Rhine on her journey.

It begins with Rhine in a dark room with other scared girls as they await their fate. I felt the fear and panic along with Rhine. Later, I felt confused because I was unsure whether I should like Linden or not. I wanted her to stay with him even though that would be no fun to read but still, he just seemed so innocent and in need of love that I was rooting for him. Her relationship with Gabriel didn't seemed based on anything other than he was a way to rebel from what she is told to do. It seems like she just decided to like him because he was the only nice guy there other than her husband. Maybe I am just biased because I liked Linden, it would all be great if he could just get away from his creepy father.

Rhine's sister wives were also a joy to read about. It was great that Lauren DeStefano decided to give them a sisterly friendship and develop each of their characters. I loved how they were so different from each other and together they showed three different reactions to the same situation. It made me wonder how I would react in a similar situation. Would I be like Rhine, Jenna or Cecily? How would you react?

The whole feel of the book is dark with random glimpses of light. I feel like they are all living in a world full of cobwebs and dust. Linden's father adds an element of mystery and terror to the story. As I discovered more about his role in the story I was disturbed and my hope for Rhine's escape diminish.

Make sure you have time to read when you pick up this book because you wont be able to put it down.

My Rating:

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