Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
HarperCollins (2013), Edition: Reprint, 369 pages
Description
"While Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous Wilds, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland."--
User reviews
LibraryThing member AMQS
The conclusion to the trilogy that began with Delirium and continued with Pandemonium. To recap: Delirium is a dystopian novel set in a future America where love is considered a disease and citizens must have an operation at age 18 to be cured. The protagonist Lena is happily going with the flow in
I read this book in nearly one sitting, and while I can't say I'm entirely satisfied with the ending, the ambiguity and unresolved issues are better than other series that neatly wrap up after similar rebellion and revolution, with principal characters having escaped impending death at every turn and grappling with moral dilemmas (the wrongness of the dystopian regime versus the brutality and violence required to overthrow it) simply going on with their new lives, and the limp resolutions of the nail-biting love triangle (I'm looking at YOU, Hunger Games). Requiem leaves the "what now" and "which one" and "what about..." to the imagination of the readers, which I believe is a credit to the author AND the readers, even if it's only to leave the door open to more books. This is good YA dystopian literature that left this reader with a lot of things to think about.
Curriculum: As with Delirium and Pandemonium, there are so many great avenues for discussion using this book, particularly when considering ethical issues. This book expands on the traditional dystopian issues of the "bad" central power exerting control over the population in frightening ways, and forces the reader to consider the ethical questions of the brutality and violence the "good" side must use to prevail. In this particular context, the government "cures" people of love and passion, claiming it only leads to pain and disorder. The fact that this is certainly true should lead to a very rich discussion for teens.
Oliver, L. (2013). Requiem. New York: Harper.
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Delirium, looking forward to her cure and the promised tranquility and order it will bring, until she meets someone who “infects” her (with the dreaded disease amor deliria nervosa, or love) and opens her eyes to the realities of her world. That Lena is gone in Pandemonium, buried in the grief and ashes of her traumatic escape into “The Wilds.” Requiem continues the story of the rebellion in The Wilds, now gaining momentum and reaching the point of no return, but with the added complication for Lena of conflicting loyalties introduced in the previous books.I read this book in nearly one sitting, and while I can't say I'm entirely satisfied with the ending, the ambiguity and unresolved issues are better than other series that neatly wrap up after similar rebellion and revolution, with principal characters having escaped impending death at every turn and grappling with moral dilemmas (the wrongness of the dystopian regime versus the brutality and violence required to overthrow it) simply going on with their new lives, and the limp resolutions of the nail-biting love triangle (I'm looking at YOU, Hunger Games). Requiem leaves the "what now" and "which one" and "what about..." to the imagination of the readers, which I believe is a credit to the author AND the readers, even if it's only to leave the door open to more books. This is good YA dystopian literature that left this reader with a lot of things to think about.
Curriculum: As with Delirium and Pandemonium, there are so many great avenues for discussion using this book, particularly when considering ethical issues. This book expands on the traditional dystopian issues of the "bad" central power exerting control over the population in frightening ways, and forces the reader to consider the ethical questions of the brutality and violence the "good" side must use to prevail. In this particular context, the government "cures" people of love and passion, claiming it only leads to pain and disorder. The fact that this is certainly true should lead to a very rich discussion for teens.
Oliver, L. (2013). Requiem. New York: Harper.
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LibraryThing member schatzi
"Disappointed" doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about this book. I loved "Delirium," enjoyed "Pandemonium," and looked forward to the release of this book for a year. After reading it, I wonder what in the world happened to Lauren Oliver. She wrote so well in the first two books and really
SPOILERS FOR REQUIEM ARE BELOW
I don't mind the author switching between Hana and Lena, but I think that they should SOUND different from one another. Hana is "cured," (although it apparently didn't work completely, at the end, when Lena and Hana meet up again, there is an OBVIOUS change in Hana's demeanor) and Lena isn't. They have vastly different experiences from one another at this point. They should have different "voices." And yet they sound EXACTLY the same, down to using the same uncommon phrases (smoke clotting the sky, for example). NO. This is bad writing, and I expected far more from Lauren Oliver.
The book is slow as molasses until the end. It doesn't have to be chock-full of action, but there has to be some reason for me to keep reading it (besides the hope that, eventually, something will happen). There are some "pauses" in both Delirium and Pandemonium, too, but the author managed to make those books feel like there was forward progress due to character development (more on that in a minute). But this was like slogging through a swamp. I had to force myself to continue.
As for character development...ugh. I really liked how Lena, as a character, grew in Pandemonium. She went from a weak, broken girl to someone who totally kicked some ass. And as soon as Alex makes an appearance, she regresses majorly into a petty, selfish, spoiled child. She actually considered allowing a girl to die just because Alex showed some interest in her.
And what the heck happened to Julian? He had some real potential as a character, but in Requiem, he's completely two-dimensional. He's just there to create some tension for Lena and Alex, without any personality of his own. I HATE when authors do that.
There is also pretty much nothing between Lena and her mother. Lena's all fire about her mother in Delirium and Pandemonium, but as soon as they get a chance to talk, there is nothing. Nothing. Ugh.
I don't mind things not being tied neatly together in the end of a book (as life is rarely that way), but come on, write an ending. The last page is some weird "break down your own walls" thing. That is not an ending. That feels like the author not knowing (or caring) how to end a book, so she just throws in some crap and hopes it passes as an ending (hint: it does not).
Just writing this review makes me angry. This trilogy had SUCH potential, and the author did a very good job with the first two books, and she BLEW it in the end. Major bummer.
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developed the characters well, and then we got this book. Ugh.SPOILERS FOR REQUIEM ARE BELOW
I don't mind the author switching between Hana and Lena, but I think that they should SOUND different from one another. Hana is "cured," (although it apparently didn't work completely, at the end, when Lena and Hana meet up again, there is an OBVIOUS change in Hana's demeanor) and Lena isn't. They have vastly different experiences from one another at this point. They should have different "voices." And yet they sound EXACTLY the same, down to using the same uncommon phrases (smoke clotting the sky, for example). NO. This is bad writing, and I expected far more from Lauren Oliver.
The book is slow as molasses until the end. It doesn't have to be chock-full of action, but there has to be some reason for me to keep reading it (besides the hope that, eventually, something will happen). There are some "pauses" in both Delirium and Pandemonium, too, but the author managed to make those books feel like there was forward progress due to character development (more on that in a minute). But this was like slogging through a swamp. I had to force myself to continue.
As for character development...ugh. I really liked how Lena, as a character, grew in Pandemonium. She went from a weak, broken girl to someone who totally kicked some ass. And as soon as Alex makes an appearance, she regresses majorly into a petty, selfish, spoiled child. She actually considered allowing a girl to die just because Alex showed some interest in her.
And what the heck happened to Julian? He had some real potential as a character, but in Requiem, he's completely two-dimensional. He's just there to create some tension for Lena and Alex, without any personality of his own. I HATE when authors do that.
There is also pretty much nothing between Lena and her mother. Lena's all fire about her mother in Delirium and Pandemonium, but as soon as they get a chance to talk, there is nothing. Nothing. Ugh.
I don't mind things not being tied neatly together in the end of a book (as life is rarely that way), but come on, write an ending. The last page is some weird "break down your own walls" thing. That is not an ending. That feels like the author not knowing (or caring) how to end a book, so she just throws in some crap and hopes it passes as an ending (hint: it does not).
Just writing this review makes me angry. This trilogy had SUCH potential, and the author did a very good job with the first two books, and she BLEW it in the end. Major bummer.
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LibraryThing member pollywannabook
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
REQUIEM is told in alternating chapters from both Lena and Hana’s point of view. What ended up surprising me the most about REQUIEM was that even though the Delirium Trilogy has been Lena’s story, in this final book, it was Hana’s chapter’s that I
Hana’s story feels very much like the first Delirium book. It’s sort of like what Lena’s life might have been like if she had been Cured and gone along with the life that was planned out for her, despite mounting misgivings. Hana has been Cured and paired amazingly well. Except, her Cure didn’t work completely. She’s plagued by feelings of guilt and uneasiness. Worse her husband to be is starting to drop the smiling facade he wears on TV and hint about Hana’s fate being similar to his mysterious first wife if she steps out of line. Hana begins seeking answers about the first wife and discovers horrific truths not just about her own future, but the plans to eradicate the Invalids and any who are sympathetic to their cause.
The Delirium Trilogy has taken it’s frighteningly intriguing world where love has been declared a curable disease and followed it’s protagonist from a girl terrified of becoming infected by love before she’s old enough to be cured–like her mother, through her struggle and ultimate embrace of feelings she’d always considered an illness, to her slow ascension within the ranks of the Rebellion even to the front lines of the final battle. Not all the characters we’ve come to care about survive, and fewer still emerge unscathed, but Lauren Oliver concludes her lovely and lyrically written trilogy with both promises and hope without eliminating all the uncertainty that realistically remains. I for one will anxiously look forward to seeing how this world and these characters translate to the small screen in Fox’s TV adaptation starring Emma Roberts as Lena and Jeanine Mason as Hana.
Sexual Content:
Kissing
REQUIEM is told in alternating chapters from both Lena and Hana’s point of view. What ended up surprising me the most about REQUIEM was that even though the Delirium Trilogy has been Lena’s story, in this final book, it was Hana’s chapter’s that I
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couldn’t get enough of. Lena’s story continues in the Wilds and focuses on the Rebellion as well as reconciling her feelings for Julian and Alex. Hana’s story, for me at least, was the more gripping of the two girls as it follows her, now Cured, preparing to marry the newly elected Mayor.Hana’s story feels very much like the first Delirium book. It’s sort of like what Lena’s life might have been like if she had been Cured and gone along with the life that was planned out for her, despite mounting misgivings. Hana has been Cured and paired amazingly well. Except, her Cure didn’t work completely. She’s plagued by feelings of guilt and uneasiness. Worse her husband to be is starting to drop the smiling facade he wears on TV and hint about Hana’s fate being similar to his mysterious first wife if she steps out of line. Hana begins seeking answers about the first wife and discovers horrific truths not just about her own future, but the plans to eradicate the Invalids and any who are sympathetic to their cause.
The Delirium Trilogy has taken it’s frighteningly intriguing world where love has been declared a curable disease and followed it’s protagonist from a girl terrified of becoming infected by love before she’s old enough to be cured–like her mother, through her struggle and ultimate embrace of feelings she’d always considered an illness, to her slow ascension within the ranks of the Rebellion even to the front lines of the final battle. Not all the characters we’ve come to care about survive, and fewer still emerge unscathed, but Lauren Oliver concludes her lovely and lyrically written trilogy with both promises and hope without eliminating all the uncertainty that realistically remains. I for one will anxiously look forward to seeing how this world and these characters translate to the small screen in Fox’s TV adaptation starring Emma Roberts as Lena and Jeanine Mason as Hana.
Sexual Content:
Kissing
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LibraryThing member STACYatUFI
There is really no way to write this review without giving something away so please know that there might be some minor spoilers but I will try to not give anything big away.
I really hate to say it but I was bored a lot during REQUIEM. There are two different POVs and neither of them connected
The ending didn't leave me feeling satisfied, it feels like something else should be coming next. There is nothing resolved really and you have no clue what will happen next for the characters (or even if some are still alive for that matter). Its open ended and in no way concluded. I guess I was just expecting more from the ending to the series. Bummer.
I really hate to say it but I was bored a lot during REQUIEM. There are two different POVs and neither of them connected
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with me. There isn't any romance and we definitely don't get the great reunion we want. There are a lot of feelings and fighting feelings and thinking about feelings but with the huge build up and cliffhanger at the end of book 2 I really was expecting more. The only thing that interested me in REQUIEM was the adventure, fighting scenes and the story's pace was decent.The ending didn't leave me feeling satisfied, it feels like something else should be coming next. There is nothing resolved really and you have no clue what will happen next for the characters (or even if some are still alive for that matter). Its open ended and in no way concluded. I guess I was just expecting more from the ending to the series. Bummer.
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LibraryThing member irishdancer2
I’ll start by saying it didn’t start great. The first few chapters moved slowly, and there was so much Lena angst over Alex and Julian that I considered putting the book down instead of slogging through the next 350 pages. Luckily, it improved.
After the initial slow start, the story moved along
Speaking of the two storylines, I LOVED the decision to switch back and forth between Lena and Hana. Lena wavered back and forth between interesting and downright irritating, and every time I got sick of her anxiety over the boys, the chapter ended and shifted narrators. After Lena, I found Hana to be a nice change of pace, and she was refreshingly angst-free, especially given her situation. Oliver wrote the fog of her dampened emotions beautifully. In the crowd of physical, in-your-face, constantly-in-motion heroines crowding the teen fiction market, Hana stood still and made me feel her story. The climax of this storyline was perfect, in an oh-no-she-DIDN’T kind of way. I was energized after that and kept turning the pages excitedly until…
BOOM. It just ended. Without having read many of the other reviews, my guess is this is a negative that is repeated over and over again. There are a few different plotlines going on in this book, some stories within stories, and we get an ending for maybe one or two of them. The rest is left hanging. I understand Oliver wanting to end her series on a high note, but it feels like this was a fake ending she’d send to her publisher as a joke: “and we’ll pretend they all lived happily ever after even though this was never resolved and neither was this, and we’ll just tuck this one away and hope they forget.” The biggest unresolved plotline I had trouble with was the obvious one…
*SLIGHT SPOILERS* The freakin’ love triangle is never resolved. Lauren Oliver, I became a fan of your writing in this series, but I can’t continue being a fan if you’re going to pull crap like this. I’m betting I’ll get comments about this saying it *was* resolved, but I just reread the last couple pages and I still interpret those as indecision. You can’t build up a love triangle and then leave it hanging under the guise of, ‘I’m jazzed on life and everything will work itself out.’ That’s a copout, and a pretty major one at that.*END SPOILERS*
If I could, I’d probably knock this down to 3½ stars because of the lack of resolution, the recurring Lena angst, and the spoiler paragraph. As it is, I give it four stars for Hana, the pacing, and the action.
After the initial slow start, the story moved along
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briskly. I commend Oliver for writing building action that moved the story along and kept me reading. After dragging my way through another trilogy conclusion that never seemed to end (*cough*REACHED*cough*), it was nice to WANT to keep turning the pages. I also thought her pacing was great—the way the installments of the two storylines got shorter and more urgent until they finally met was perfect. This was a definite improvement over the two storylines of Pandemonium that never overlapped, so much so that I have to think she listened to some of those critiques.Speaking of the two storylines, I LOVED the decision to switch back and forth between Lena and Hana. Lena wavered back and forth between interesting and downright irritating, and every time I got sick of her anxiety over the boys, the chapter ended and shifted narrators. After Lena, I found Hana to be a nice change of pace, and she was refreshingly angst-free, especially given her situation. Oliver wrote the fog of her dampened emotions beautifully. In the crowd of physical, in-your-face, constantly-in-motion heroines crowding the teen fiction market, Hana stood still and made me feel her story. The climax of this storyline was perfect, in an oh-no-she-DIDN’T kind of way. I was energized after that and kept turning the pages excitedly until…
BOOM. It just ended. Without having read many of the other reviews, my guess is this is a negative that is repeated over and over again. There are a few different plotlines going on in this book, some stories within stories, and we get an ending for maybe one or two of them. The rest is left hanging. I understand Oliver wanting to end her series on a high note, but it feels like this was a fake ending she’d send to her publisher as a joke: “and we’ll pretend they all lived happily ever after even though this was never resolved and neither was this, and we’ll just tuck this one away and hope they forget.” The biggest unresolved plotline I had trouble with was the obvious one…
*SLIGHT SPOILERS* The freakin’ love triangle is never resolved. Lauren Oliver, I became a fan of your writing in this series, but I can’t continue being a fan if you’re going to pull crap like this. I’m betting I’ll get comments about this saying it *was* resolved, but I just reread the last couple pages and I still interpret those as indecision. You can’t build up a love triangle and then leave it hanging under the guise of, ‘I’m jazzed on life and everything will work itself out.’ That’s a copout, and a pretty major one at that.*END SPOILERS*
If I could, I’d probably knock this down to 3½ stars because of the lack of resolution, the recurring Lena angst, and the spoiler paragraph. As it is, I give it four stars for Hana, the pacing, and the action.
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LibraryThing member nurdgirl
I was a little disappointed. I had enjoyed the first two books and anxiously anticipated this one. It is very slow in parts. I did enjoy how it switched back and forth from Lena and Hana. I think it gave great insight to what was going on from both sides of the movement. I DISLIKE how we are left
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hanging on to who Lena ends up with. I will say I was pleasantly surprised by the ending and the message she left us with for that alone I recommend the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member LissaJ
I really liked most of this book. The characters were strong and conflicted, the setting was stark and well described and the relationships were realistic. But then, it just ended and I didn't feel like anything was resolved and I had no clear idea what was going to happen to these characters that
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I have spent time reading about. I gave it four stars because the writing was good and I couldn't put it down, but I was disappointed in the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member thebumblegirl
Unlike the first 2 books, Delirium and Pandemonium, Requiem is told from a dual personality from two different characters, Lena and Hana. As I have mentioned before, I love when stories are told from different point-of-views. However, at first, I was a bit disappointed that Hana was chosen. It
There isn't much that I can tell you about the actual plot without any spoilers. But I am going to do my best in telling you why I think that this is one of the best endings I have ever read...
In book one, we saw Lena on the inside being kept safe from the disease. She was doing what she had to do to just get to her surgery date so she wouldn't have to worry about what happened to her mother happening to her too. That is, until she met Alex. And learned that there is another way to live, as long as you have something worth fighting for. In book two, we watched Lena survive, learn and grow out in the wilds. She creates a new life, new friends become her family. And she meets Julian, who is sweet, safe and exactly what Lena needs at this moment in her life. She makes new discoveries about people she cares deeply about and we watch her reactions and the consequences to that.
Now, Lena has come to the ultimate battle. Where does her alliance stand? With whom? What does she want out of her life - to make a stand and live with new consequences? Even death? Or will she try to take the easy way out, travel far, away from all the fighting and hide for as long as she can?
And, what most of us have been waiting for... who will Lena choose?
But there is so much more to just Lena's story. And Lauren Oliver makes it loud and clear, no matter what life brings, you always have a choice. Don't hide from anything, no matter how scary it may be, or how hard, you have the right to do what you believe in. Follow your heart. Yes, at times you may choose wrong, you may fall down many, many times. But in the end, what truly counts, is that you are honest with yourself, with others. And don't let anyone ever stop you from doing what you want to do.
The last page of Requiem, page 391, will forever stay with me. I've told many people already - I want to get another copy of this book so I can tear the last page out and frame it. It's something that I want to remind myself of. It's something that I want my kids to know...
"Tear down the walls."
Don't build barricades around yourself, or you'll always live in fear.
I highly recommend this series to everyone. Love is not a disease. Fear is.
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didn't take long to realize that having Hana's side of the story and what was going on in her world was imperative and just as intriguing and intense as Lena's world.There isn't much that I can tell you about the actual plot without any spoilers. But I am going to do my best in telling you why I think that this is one of the best endings I have ever read...
In book one, we saw Lena on the inside being kept safe from the disease. She was doing what she had to do to just get to her surgery date so she wouldn't have to worry about what happened to her mother happening to her too. That is, until she met Alex. And learned that there is another way to live, as long as you have something worth fighting for. In book two, we watched Lena survive, learn and grow out in the wilds. She creates a new life, new friends become her family. And she meets Julian, who is sweet, safe and exactly what Lena needs at this moment in her life. She makes new discoveries about people she cares deeply about and we watch her reactions and the consequences to that.
Now, Lena has come to the ultimate battle. Where does her alliance stand? With whom? What does she want out of her life - to make a stand and live with new consequences? Even death? Or will she try to take the easy way out, travel far, away from all the fighting and hide for as long as she can?
And, what most of us have been waiting for... who will Lena choose?
But there is so much more to just Lena's story. And Lauren Oliver makes it loud and clear, no matter what life brings, you always have a choice. Don't hide from anything, no matter how scary it may be, or how hard, you have the right to do what you believe in. Follow your heart. Yes, at times you may choose wrong, you may fall down many, many times. But in the end, what truly counts, is that you are honest with yourself, with others. And don't let anyone ever stop you from doing what you want to do.
The last page of Requiem, page 391, will forever stay with me. I've told many people already - I want to get another copy of this book so I can tear the last page out and frame it. It's something that I want to remind myself of. It's something that I want my kids to know...
"Tear down the walls."
Don't build barricades around yourself, or you'll always live in fear.
I highly recommend this series to everyone. Love is not a disease. Fear is.
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LibraryThing member dalzan
Amazon summary: This exciting finale to Lauren Oliver's New York Times bestselling Delirium trilogy is a riveting blend of nonstop action and forbidden romance in a dystopian United States.
Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has transformed. The nascent rebellion that was underway in
After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven. Pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels.
As Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain of the Wilds, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena and Hana's points of view. They live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.
Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has transformed. The nascent rebellion that was underway in
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Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven. Pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels.
As Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain of the Wilds, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena and Hana's points of view. They live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.
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LibraryThing member AyleeArgh
In short: I was disappointed with the lack of closure in Requiem by Lauren Oliver, but I did like it overall.
It was with a bit of nervousness that I entered into Requiem, knowing that it had had some mixed reviews and people especially seemed to have a problem with the ending. I absolutely LOVED
For me, one of the most important factors in evaluating the overall satisfaction of the final book in a series is whether the major questions were answered and whether most loose ends are tied up by the series' close. On this point, Requiem kind of fails for me and I'm sorry to say that I agree with the majority reader opinion in not liking the ending as it stands. Some people may like the open-ended ending, as it allows them to form their own conclusions about the future of the characters and plot, but for me, I needed more resolution, especially for the love triangle. Where was my closure? I feel like we are owed that for sticking with the series to the end. Unnecessary epilogues annoy me, but I feel like this is one case where I really would have liked to have seen one.
And I'm sorry to say I wasn't in love with Lena's character in Requiem. I liked her quite courage and wilfulness in Delirium and I really loved her growth to a strong, mature person in Pandemonium, but I feel like she regressed a bit with two boys in the picture in Requiem. I really hate that she was stringing along one of the boys while actually liking the other one more. Oh, love triangles - why must you make assholes out of people? I didn't have any particular preference for either of the boys going into Requiem, but that doesn't mean that I didn't experience dissatisfaction with the outcome due to Lena's handling of the situation.
I don't mean to be so hard on Requiem because I did like it overall. I liked the action scenes and I liked the inclusion of Lena's ex-bestie Hana's point of view into the story as it provided an opposing viewpoint of the resistance. There were just the few faults outlined above that I found couldn't get past. Still, it is always such a treat for me to get to experience Lauren Oliver's writing. I have yet to be disappointed by it and count myself as a life long fan. Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adult - I will read whatever she has planned and am guaranteed to be blown away by her writing skills.
It was with a bit of nervousness that I entered into Requiem, knowing that it had had some mixed reviews and people especially seemed to have a problem with the ending. I absolutely LOVED
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Delirium when it was released and was completely blown away by Lauren Oliver's gorgeous prose. Its sequel, Pandemonium, was pretty good, though I felt that the story had lost a bit of the magic that had kept me enthused about the characters and the plot in Delirium. For me, Requiem falls a bit below Pandemonium in ratings - not a terrible read and pretty exciting in parts, but in other ways, it was pretty disappointing.For me, one of the most important factors in evaluating the overall satisfaction of the final book in a series is whether the major questions were answered and whether most loose ends are tied up by the series' close. On this point, Requiem kind of fails for me and I'm sorry to say that I agree with the majority reader opinion in not liking the ending as it stands. Some people may like the open-ended ending, as it allows them to form their own conclusions about the future of the characters and plot, but for me, I needed more resolution, especially for the love triangle. Where was my closure? I feel like we are owed that for sticking with the series to the end. Unnecessary epilogues annoy me, but I feel like this is one case where I really would have liked to have seen one.
And I'm sorry to say I wasn't in love with Lena's character in Requiem. I liked her quite courage and wilfulness in Delirium and I really loved her growth to a strong, mature person in Pandemonium, but I feel like she regressed a bit with two boys in the picture in Requiem. I really hate that she was stringing along one of the boys while actually liking the other one more. Oh, love triangles - why must you make assholes out of people? I didn't have any particular preference for either of the boys going into Requiem, but that doesn't mean that I didn't experience dissatisfaction with the outcome due to Lena's handling of the situation.
I don't mean to be so hard on Requiem because I did like it overall. I liked the action scenes and I liked the inclusion of Lena's ex-bestie Hana's point of view into the story as it provided an opposing viewpoint of the resistance. There were just the few faults outlined above that I found couldn't get past. Still, it is always such a treat for me to get to experience Lauren Oliver's writing. I have yet to be disappointed by it and count myself as a life long fan. Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adult - I will read whatever she has planned and am guaranteed to be blown away by her writing skills.
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LibraryThing member ShellyPYA
Concludes the Delirium trilogy. Lena and Alex have been reunited, but Lena's with Julian now and Alex gives her the cold shoulder. When the government starts trying to wipe out the Resistance camps, they decide to fight back. Lena's mother joins their forces. meanwhile, Lena's old friend Hana has
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been matched with the mayor of Portland, but she begins to learn some disturbing things about him and what happened to his first wife. She begins a quiet rebellion of her own. Show Less
LibraryThing member DarkFaerieTales
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: A series ending that left me wanting much more than what was written.
Opening Sentence: I’ve started dreaming of Portland again.
The Review:
The last installment in Lauren Oliver’s Delirium trilogy is Requiem. After the cliffhanger from
But I think my expectations were set really high for this book. Delirium introduced me to a wonderful and unique story that I fell in love with. Pandemonium brought me to the point of intense infatuation. But with Requiem, I loved it until I didn’t. I will try my best to keep this review spoiler free, but there maybe a moment or two that it will be impossible to do so while proving a point. Also, if you’re reading this review, I’m going to assume that you have read Pandemonium and know what has happened so far.
Told in a dual point-of-view storyline, Requiem follows the lives of Lena and Hana. Lena is in the Wilds, after a surviving captivity in the tunnels. She is learning to live in a different and altered version of the Wilds. Lena’s outlook is different, a little more jaded, and definitely numb. Julian shows his affections for Lena, but she doesn’t know what her heart wants. Alex coming back to the picture has changed everything for the better and worse. Hana on the other hand, is cured, about to be married, and living the life that her mother wanted for her. Hana’s life isn’t all that was promised. She still finds herself questioning things, and with the upcoming nuptials to her husband, she must make sure to keep these emotions in check.
Lena changes a lot in Requiem. There are choices that Lena must make, that will change her future. There’s a large love triangle that sticks out and I wish it was handled differently. There is so much pain all around, for the characters and the reader, that I wish it wasn’t so angsty. There is also Lena’s new outlook about the Wilds. She doesn’t seem to appreciate it now as she did then. I think the fantasized version of her freedom and escape has been broken into this harsh reality that she’s not so sure of. I feel bad for her most of the time. It’s like she had doubts and second guesses on her life. I didn’t connect with her in Requiem. I didn’t think she made the choices I would have made or done things that I would have. Where I previously thought she was unique and fierce is now muddled through my emotions of longing. She blends into the scenes, and it broke my heart.
I appreciated Hana’s point of view, but often found myself wondering why it was in the book. I assume that Oliver wanted the reader to see the other side of the symbolic fence. Hana’s life was perfect on paper, but on the inside it was anything but. But what I loved most about Hana was her determination. It was refreshing to see true rebellion, to do something dangerous and against society, to help someone she cared for. Hana definitely put herself into danger, another thing I didn’t expect.
Oliver brings a lot of death, decay, and demise in Requiem. Where Delirium was perfect and untouched, and Pandemonium was eye opening and honest, Requiem brings a darker side to the story. I expected teenage angst and romantic drama, but it was much more than that. The story talks about the harsh realities of the Wilds and not the previously thought impression that it was about living life in a freeing way.
Oliver writes about the negative effects in this romanticized way that flows like poetry. She makes it easy to accept what is happening in Lena’s world, all with a swift breeze. The direction that Requiem took was drastic, at least for me. I thought that the plot devices were a little predictable and the scenarios drastic. In the end, I was a little confused at the events that took place. I wanted more and felt cheated of an ending. It wasn’t what I expected, given my feelings for the previous two books. The ending was bold enough, but left me without resolutions.
Notable Scene:
Raven starts walking again. “Go on,” she calls back over her shoulder. “You should help Julian pack up the tents.”
I look over my shoulder. Julian already has half the tents dismantled. As I watch, he collapses yet another one, and it shrinks into nothing, like a mushroom sprouting in reverse.
“He’s got it under control,” I say. “He doesn’t need me.” I move to follow her.
“Trust me” –Raven whirls around, her black hair fanning behind her– “he needs you.”
For a second we just stand there, looking at each other. Something flashes in Raven’s eyes, an expression I can’t quite decipher. A warning, maybe.
Then she quirks her lips into a smile. “I’m still in charge, you know,” she says. “You have to listen to me.”
So I turn around and go back down the hill, toward the camp, toward Julian, who needs me.
FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Requiem. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A series ending that left me wanting much more than what was written.
Opening Sentence: I’ve started dreaming of Portland again.
The Review:
The last installment in Lauren Oliver’s Delirium trilogy is Requiem. After the cliffhanger from
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Pandemonium, I would have probably died waiting a year to read this book. Luckily, I read the series after the release of Requiem. I don’t know how many fans did it, but I’m just glad I didn’t have to endure the wait.But I think my expectations were set really high for this book. Delirium introduced me to a wonderful and unique story that I fell in love with. Pandemonium brought me to the point of intense infatuation. But with Requiem, I loved it until I didn’t. I will try my best to keep this review spoiler free, but there maybe a moment or two that it will be impossible to do so while proving a point. Also, if you’re reading this review, I’m going to assume that you have read Pandemonium and know what has happened so far.
Told in a dual point-of-view storyline, Requiem follows the lives of Lena and Hana. Lena is in the Wilds, after a surviving captivity in the tunnels. She is learning to live in a different and altered version of the Wilds. Lena’s outlook is different, a little more jaded, and definitely numb. Julian shows his affections for Lena, but she doesn’t know what her heart wants. Alex coming back to the picture has changed everything for the better and worse. Hana on the other hand, is cured, about to be married, and living the life that her mother wanted for her. Hana’s life isn’t all that was promised. She still finds herself questioning things, and with the upcoming nuptials to her husband, she must make sure to keep these emotions in check.
Lena changes a lot in Requiem. There are choices that Lena must make, that will change her future. There’s a large love triangle that sticks out and I wish it was handled differently. There is so much pain all around, for the characters and the reader, that I wish it wasn’t so angsty. There is also Lena’s new outlook about the Wilds. She doesn’t seem to appreciate it now as she did then. I think the fantasized version of her freedom and escape has been broken into this harsh reality that she’s not so sure of. I feel bad for her most of the time. It’s like she had doubts and second guesses on her life. I didn’t connect with her in Requiem. I didn’t think she made the choices I would have made or done things that I would have. Where I previously thought she was unique and fierce is now muddled through my emotions of longing. She blends into the scenes, and it broke my heart.
I appreciated Hana’s point of view, but often found myself wondering why it was in the book. I assume that Oliver wanted the reader to see the other side of the symbolic fence. Hana’s life was perfect on paper, but on the inside it was anything but. But what I loved most about Hana was her determination. It was refreshing to see true rebellion, to do something dangerous and against society, to help someone she cared for. Hana definitely put herself into danger, another thing I didn’t expect.
Oliver brings a lot of death, decay, and demise in Requiem. Where Delirium was perfect and untouched, and Pandemonium was eye opening and honest, Requiem brings a darker side to the story. I expected teenage angst and romantic drama, but it was much more than that. The story talks about the harsh realities of the Wilds and not the previously thought impression that it was about living life in a freeing way.
Oliver writes about the negative effects in this romanticized way that flows like poetry. She makes it easy to accept what is happening in Lena’s world, all with a swift breeze. The direction that Requiem took was drastic, at least for me. I thought that the plot devices were a little predictable and the scenarios drastic. In the end, I was a little confused at the events that took place. I wanted more and felt cheated of an ending. It wasn’t what I expected, given my feelings for the previous two books. The ending was bold enough, but left me without resolutions.
Notable Scene:
Raven starts walking again. “Go on,” she calls back over her shoulder. “You should help Julian pack up the tents.”
I look over my shoulder. Julian already has half the tents dismantled. As I watch, he collapses yet another one, and it shrinks into nothing, like a mushroom sprouting in reverse.
“He’s got it under control,” I say. “He doesn’t need me.” I move to follow her.
“Trust me” –Raven whirls around, her black hair fanning behind her– “he needs you.”
For a second we just stand there, looking at each other. Something flashes in Raven’s eyes, an expression I can’t quite decipher. A warning, maybe.
Then she quirks her lips into a smile. “I’m still in charge, you know,” she says. “You have to listen to me.”
So I turn around and go back down the hill, toward the camp, toward Julian, who needs me.
FTC Advisory: HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Requiem. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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LibraryThing member MissAliGirl
I have so many problems with this book. Okay, so I just finished it like twenty minutes ago and I'm reeling so please bear with me. This may get harsh or ranty or I may just break down and cry...I don't even know.
That right there is the crux of the problem. I do not know.
Oliver has proven with the
Did I get that? Uh, no. What I received as a gift from Ms. Oliver was a whole lot of WTF? Oliver left so much open ended that I wanted to pull hair out. That is saying a lot...I don't have much hair to begin with and I'm quite fond of what I do have.
I'm fairly sure I can see where she was trying to go with it and in some ways it is a quite beautiful statement. Mayhaps, I don't like beautiful profound statements to end my book obsessions. Give me a little to fuel my imagination, sure ~ but give me enough closure as well.
All right Ali ~ enough about the ending.
The story. Requiem is told in dual POV, Lena and Hana both narrate. I found Hana's first several chapters boring. I almost wanted to skim them. Not good. Though I understand the need for them and about half way through the book I wasn't so annoyed with them.
However, by that point I was getting more annoyed with Lena's chapters. There wasn't enough action or love. Let's face it, these books are about love and freedom and the struggle to be able to chose both. Right? So where is all this love we are fighting for? It wasn't in Requiem. Sure, there is some but it wasn't a fulfilling amount for me. It was more depressing than anything. Lena still loves Alex, Alex doesn't love Lena, Lena loves Julian, Julian loves Lena, Coral loves Alex, Alex loves Lena, Lena might love Alex; it was like a damn tennis match with too many players. But no one ever shows they love anyone else, it's all just random thought and speculation. Okay, Julian does show it, props to Julian.
And the lack of action I mentioned? Yeah, think Lord of The Rings...walk, talk a little, walk some more, eat, walking again. Bored now.
I won't even get started on Dear Old Bee. Ircked me the hell out. I mean...what? I don't want to give anything away for the folks who haven't read the series, so I'll leave it at that.
I watched a video, just now, of Oliver defending her open ended ending. She explains that she liked to leave it up to the imagination of the reader. Or some such thing. I understand what she's saying, I do. I am all for tickling the imagination, but I am not a writer. Pretty sure I 'hired' her for that job when I bought the book. It just feels like a cop out, to me.
On the positive side, the writing is still beautiful, the idea is still beautiful. Many fans of the series are going to love it just as much as the first two. I'm just not one of them...I'm one of those cranky old people that just didn't "get it".
That right there is the crux of the problem. I do not know.
Oliver has proven with the
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first two books in the series that she loves a big cliffhanger of an ending and I'm not opposed to those. Honestly, in a series of books a cliffhanger is what keeps you interested. But this is the END. I want it all wrapped up in a pretty pretty package. Preferably with a big shiny bow. And a name tag screaming TEAM ADAM WINS!Did I get that? Uh, no. What I received as a gift from Ms. Oliver was a whole lot of WTF? Oliver left so much open ended that I wanted to pull hair out. That is saying a lot...I don't have much hair to begin with and I'm quite fond of what I do have.
I'm fairly sure I can see where she was trying to go with it and in some ways it is a quite beautiful statement. Mayhaps, I don't like beautiful profound statements to end my book obsessions. Give me a little to fuel my imagination, sure ~ but give me enough closure as well.
All right Ali ~ enough about the ending.
The story. Requiem is told in dual POV, Lena and Hana both narrate. I found Hana's first several chapters boring. I almost wanted to skim them. Not good. Though I understand the need for them and about half way through the book I wasn't so annoyed with them.
However, by that point I was getting more annoyed with Lena's chapters. There wasn't enough action or love. Let's face it, these books are about love and freedom and the struggle to be able to chose both. Right? So where is all this love we are fighting for? It wasn't in Requiem. Sure, there is some but it wasn't a fulfilling amount for me. It was more depressing than anything. Lena still loves Alex, Alex doesn't love Lena, Lena loves Julian, Julian loves Lena, Coral loves Alex, Alex loves Lena, Lena might love Alex; it was like a damn tennis match with too many players. But no one ever shows they love anyone else, it's all just random thought and speculation. Okay, Julian does show it, props to Julian.
And the lack of action I mentioned? Yeah, think Lord of The Rings...walk, talk a little, walk some more, eat, walking again. Bored now.
I won't even get started on Dear Old Bee. Ircked me the hell out. I mean...what? I don't want to give anything away for the folks who haven't read the series, so I'll leave it at that.
I watched a video, just now, of Oliver defending her open ended ending. She explains that she liked to leave it up to the imagination of the reader. Or some such thing. I understand what she's saying, I do. I am all for tickling the imagination, but I am not a writer. Pretty sure I 'hired' her for that job when I bought the book. It just feels like a cop out, to me.
On the positive side, the writing is still beautiful, the idea is still beautiful. Many fans of the series are going to love it just as much as the first two. I'm just not one of them...I'm one of those cranky old people that just didn't "get it".
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LibraryThing member scote23
I found this book to be a strong one, but was disappointed by the ending. Maybe after sitting on it a little bit I will enjoy it more, but at the moment, I feel disappointed. A dual narrative between Hana and Lena gives a more complete view of this alternate reality Portland Maine. I wish that I
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had read all the novellas to truly understand the full story. Fans of the trilogy will eat this one up. Show Less
LibraryThing member Melissa19128
Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.
After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds.
Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.
Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.
But we have chosen a different road.
And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.
We are even free to choose the wrong thing.
Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.(less)
Hardcover, 391 pages
Published March 5th 2013 by HarperCollins Children's Books
ISBN
0062014536 (ISBN13: 9780062014535)
edition language
English
original title
Requiem
series
Delirium #3
characters
Magdalena "Lena" Ella Haloway-Tiddle, Alex Sheathes, Julian Fineman
After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds.
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But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.
Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.
But we have chosen a different road.
And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.
We are even free to choose the wrong thing.
Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.(less)
Hardcover, 391 pages
Published March 5th 2013 by HarperCollins Children's Books
ISBN
0062014536 (ISBN13: 9780062014535)
edition language
English
original title
Requiem
series
Delirium #3
characters
Magdalena "Lena" Ella Haloway-Tiddle, Alex Sheathes, Julian Fineman
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LibraryThing member Ritastradling
Wait... wait a minute... Who stole my epilogue?
You want me to eat rocks? Well, let me tell you that rocks might be more satisfying than that ending.
Fantastically written book, beautiful imagery, real seeming characters with sparking chemistry and then...
You want me to eat rocks? Well, let me tell you that rocks might be more satisfying than that ending.
Fantastically written book, beautiful imagery, real seeming characters with sparking chemistry and then...
LibraryThing member Dauntless
The finale to Lauren Oliver's Delirium trilogy. The ending was a huge let down for me, which is sad, because I was eagerly awaiting this book!
LibraryThing member Marlene-NL
Had to totally re read book 2 and a little bit of book 1 to be able to read this one.My memory is getting worse and worse because I read those 2 books only last year..
Okay I've finished this book a few days ago and I did like it.
Yes it is open-ended but I am not one who wants to have everything
What I did like was that this story is told by lena and Hana. In 1 chapter you'll hear what is going on with lena, next one it is Hana who is telling us about her live. I am sure I am in the minority here, but I think I was more interested in Hana than in lena. What I did not like in book 2 that we again had to have a love triangle, as we had in Twilight and then in Hunger Games. It seems a love triangle is a must nowadays. On the other hand these books are written for young adults and I haven't been one for a long time now. ;)
I think most of the readers wanted Lena to be back with Alex. Yes there was a lot of talk about which boy she wanted but not too much that I got annoyed so all in all I think Lauren Oliver did a very good job finishing her trilogy.
I highly recommend her standalone book Before I fall.
Okay I've finished this book a few days ago and I did like it.
Yes it is open-ended but I am not one who wants to have everything
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solved in my books. I do prefer my books to be a bit realistic so the way how Lena met Hana again, or Hana met lena, what a coincidence. mweh.What I did like was that this story is told by lena and Hana. In 1 chapter you'll hear what is going on with lena, next one it is Hana who is telling us about her live. I am sure I am in the minority here, but I think I was more interested in Hana than in lena. What I did not like in book 2 that we again had to have a love triangle, as we had in Twilight and then in Hunger Games. It seems a love triangle is a must nowadays. On the other hand these books are written for young adults and I haven't been one for a long time now. ;)
I think most of the readers wanted Lena to be back with Alex. Yes there was a lot of talk about which boy she wanted but not too much that I got annoyed so all in all I think Lauren Oliver did a very good job finishing her trilogy.
I highly recommend her standalone book Before I fall.
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LibraryThing member Dauntless
Because I was rereading Pandemonium as I was starting this one, I did not feel the lull that many have said they felt at the beginning. After all that happened at the end of Pandemonium, the beginning of Requiem felt like a regrouping/small breather for me. But I could see if it had been over a
I also did not see the whole Lena leading Julian on thing. Honestly. I saw just how confused she was. Alex was her first love and yet she had just endured this big, tragic event with Julian. She felt responsible for Julian, leaving behind all that he had ever known. How could she just up and leave him right after he left it all behind, for her? And of course, Alex was acting the jerk, but rightfully so after his "stay" in the crypts. And also, for real, they are angsty teenagers. You know how they are, being all mean to the person they are totally in love with.
I loved seeing Hana's perspective through this whole book. It was one of my favorite things about this story. Seeing what it was like for the cureds of the society and a rich, elite one at that was fascinating. I loved seeing how her and Lena's stories intertwined throughout and what each girl was fighting for, with and without the cure. Loved seeing more into Hana's character.
I felt this was a fantastic ending to one of my favorite series. My only complaint was the ending. It just ended! Done. I thought I had several more chapters to go, but it turned out to be a short story. I wasn't prepared! I wanted more. I wanted to see her mom meet Grace for the first time; I wanted to see the beginning of the talk with Julian; I wanted to see where Hana ended; What about Tack? So many questions!
I am looking forward to the tv series. I want to see what they do with the storylines and the characters.
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year since you had read Pandemonium that you might be like "huh, this is boring, let's get on with it."I also did not see the whole Lena leading Julian on thing. Honestly. I saw just how confused she was. Alex was her first love and yet she had just endured this big, tragic event with Julian. She felt responsible for Julian, leaving behind all that he had ever known. How could she just up and leave him right after he left it all behind, for her? And of course, Alex was acting the jerk, but rightfully so after his "stay" in the crypts. And also, for real, they are angsty teenagers. You know how they are, being all mean to the person they are totally in love with.
I loved seeing Hana's perspective through this whole book. It was one of my favorite things about this story. Seeing what it was like for the cureds of the society and a rich, elite one at that was fascinating. I loved seeing how her and Lena's stories intertwined throughout and what each girl was fighting for, with and without the cure. Loved seeing more into Hana's character.
I felt this was a fantastic ending to one of my favorite series. My only complaint was the ending. It just ended! Done. I thought I had several more chapters to go, but it turned out to be a short story. I wasn't prepared! I wanted more. I wanted to see her mom meet Grace for the first time; I wanted to see the beginning of the talk with Julian; I wanted to see where Hana ended; What about Tack? So many questions!
I am looking forward to the tv series. I want to see what they do with the storylines and the characters.
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LibraryThing member dpappas
This book was great, until the ending. This started off really strong and just kept getting stronger. I liked the action; the love triangle between Alex, Lena, and Julian; and getting to see Hana's point of view. This book kept building and building for what I thought would be a great explosion at
I was ready to give this book five stars until I got to the ending. This book had great action, a great love triangle, and some great moments with Lena's mom; unfortunately it just peters out at the end.
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the end. I thought for sure that we would finally get to see Lena decide who to be with, and that we would get to see with the Resistance was successful. To my dismay the ending leaves those things wide open. It felt to me as though the author reached her page limit and had to wrap it up really quickly. I really did feel like breaking some walls after reading that ending.I was ready to give this book five stars until I got to the ending. This book had great action, a great love triangle, and some great moments with Lena's mom; unfortunately it just peters out at the end.
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LibraryThing member rhiannong
Still not sure how I feel about the ending. I feel like one of the main characters was used and discarded. If you're hoping for detailed resolution with nods to the future for the characters you might be disappointed.
LibraryThing member bookworm12
This was, at best, a weak ending to the trilogy. I enjoyed Delirium and was disappointed in Pandemonium, but I still hoped the final book would redeem the series a bit. No such luck. I felt like the main characters had less personality in this book and the plot meandered between scenes.
The
Hana’s story on the other hand was really well done. I never felt too strongly about Hana’s characters before this book, but I really enjoyed her sections this time. She’s been paired with the new mayor of Portland, but she can’t shake a feeling of unease about her pending nuptials. The tension builds in the Gaslight-style relationship as Hana’s wedding date nears.
BOTTOM LINE: Only read it if you’ve already read the first two books and feel the need to wrap up the series. I’m sad to add this trilogy to the growing pile of cookie-cutter dystopias out there.
The
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narrative switches back and forth between Lena and Hana’s points of view. I couldn’t care less about Lena’s story. She became even whinier and indecisive with each new chapter. I was just bored to death by the love triangle aspect. It’s so overdone and if you don’t think the people are actually in love than the drama isn’t convincing. Hana’s story on the other hand was really well done. I never felt too strongly about Hana’s characters before this book, but I really enjoyed her sections this time. She’s been paired with the new mayor of Portland, but she can’t shake a feeling of unease about her pending nuptials. The tension builds in the Gaslight-style relationship as Hana’s wedding date nears.
BOTTOM LINE: Only read it if you’ve already read the first two books and feel the need to wrap up the series. I’m sad to add this trilogy to the growing pile of cookie-cutter dystopias out there.
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LibraryThing member IceQueenMiki
This would have been four stars if only Oliver had written a less crappy story.
Okay, that's an overstatement.
Let me say this: This entire series would have been better if Julian was completely wiped of existence after the second book.
Key words: After the second book.
He doesn't do anything in this
I originally gave this book two stars, but after reading the ending, I think it deserved another one.
I believe that the end of a story shouldn't be written by the author, it should be completed in the reader's mind. I've read many, many books where after I read it, I think "You know, this would have been a lot better if the author just stopped writing it at [this point]."
Also, because of the ending, Oliver inspired a generation of FanFiction (at least in me) and involved the fan community. I believe that in a book series, you shouldn't always listen to the fans, but you should inspire them to write something off of your own work.
Also, I'm sure that if Oliver wrote an ending where the Resistance lost, everyone died, and Lena committed suicide, that she would have gotten the same reaction from her fans. So which would you rather have, an open ended ending or an ending where everyone died?
Okay, that's an overstatement.
Let me say this: This entire series would have been better if Julian was completely wiped of existence after the second book.
Key words: After the second book.
He doesn't do anything in this
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book. All he does is well...... nothing. No key roles, nothing.I originally gave this book two stars, but after reading the ending, I think it deserved another one.
I believe that the end of a story shouldn't be written by the author, it should be completed in the reader's mind. I've read many, many books where after I read it, I think "You know, this would have been a lot better if the author just stopped writing it at [this point]."
Also, because of the ending, Oliver inspired a generation of FanFiction (at least in me) and involved the fan community. I believe that in a book series, you shouldn't always listen to the fans, but you should inspire them to write something off of your own work.
Also, I'm sure that if Oliver wrote an ending where the Resistance lost, everyone died, and Lena committed suicide, that she would have gotten the same reaction from her fans. So which would you rather have, an open ended ending or an ending where everyone died?
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LibraryThing member millieanne
I was so excited by the first book in this series, and totally sucked into the story...and, to be fair, I did read the second and third books within a 48 hour period. But I was definitely disappointed...it felt like the quality of the writing and the development of the characters went down with
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each book. Almost like the author just wanted to get the story done and over with. It's a good story, but the ending is weak and I wish I could just go back and read the first one and still be waiting for two more equally amazing books to come out and finish what it started. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jiraiya
You know that without being unhappy, you can't be happy, right? How apt! As I end my foray into one of the most hyped YA books of 2013, I miss my old hunting ground. Some books have a beginning, a middle, and an end, not necessarily in that order. Is Requiem like that? Not necessarily, considered
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that it does not have an end. I knew of that beforehand. It was quite agreeable to me. It ended as if the kids are taking over from the adults. It sounded as if the ending was happy. Some expectations were met and some thwarted. Those who could be dead lived longer than others surprised in the action of being snuffed out. In this case, the middle was the end. But it was a little too late. Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2013-03-01