Mini Review: Wither (The Chemical Garden Trilogy #1) by Lauren Destefano

Reviewed by: Siobhán
Format: Kindle Ebook
Pages:  358
Published: 4th Aug 2011 (UK)
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Source:  Bought
Genre: YA Dystopian
Buy: Amazon UK I Amazon US I Book Depository

Description:

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 she trusts, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limted time she has left

Review:

I read this right at the start of year so this is just a mini review because even though I remember loving it I don't actually remember everything that happened it.

Wither is just a strange and wonderful story. Set in a future where woman die at 20 and men at 25. It told from Rhine's point of view. She is a twin and one day she is kidnapped and forced into a marriage with Linden along with two other young girls. Rhine fears for herself and her sister wives because of her crazy father in law, Vaughn. Wanting to try and escape she pretends to feel affection towards Linden in hope to gain a bit more freedom to help her runaway.

As I said it was a while since I have read this book and the details really are quite hazzy but I remember being completely hooked on this story because its completely different and dark to most books out there just. Rhine, I have to admit I'm not 100% sure of her. She is a good strong protagonist but there was just something that irriatated me about her. I think it was her relationship with Linden and Gabriel. Now, I now alot people hate Linden, but I couldn't. However, I didn't love him either but I was drawn to him.  Gabriel again, I didn't love or hate him. The attraction between Rhine and Gabriel feel forced to me.

Wither is pretty dark and quite depressing at times. However, its fast paced and thrilling. And will take you on an unbelievable emotional rollercoaster that had will you laughing, crying and just wanting everything to turn out ok.

Rate: 5/5