Book Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

“I guess that’s just part of loving people: You have to give things up. Sometimes you even have to give them up.”

― Lauren Oliver, Delirium

Lauren Oliver's dystopian young adult romance book, Delirium, was released by HarperCollins in 2011 under the HarperTeen imprint.  The narrative centers on Lena Haloway, a young lady who falls in love in a culture that views love as a sickness.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

In an alternate United States, love has been declared a dangerous disease, and the government forces everyone who reaches eighteen to have a procedure called the Cure. Living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in Portland, Maine, Lena Haloway is very much looking forward to being cured and living a safe, predictable life. She watched love destroy her mother and isn't about to make the same mistake.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena meets enigmatic Alex, a boy from the "Wilds" who lives under the government's radar. What will happen if they do the unthinkable and fall in love?

My reaction to this novel...

When I first picked up Delirium, I was so excited. The idea instantly caught my attention, a world where love is considered a dangerous disease, something that must be “cured” before you turn eighteen. The government controls everything, and people live without the risk of heartbreak, passion, or even deep connections. It sounded unique, a fresh twist in the dystopian genre, and I couldn’t wait to dive into this world and experience the intensity I imagined would come with such a premise.

But as I started reading, I realized this book moves much slower than I expected. The beginning takes its time introducing Lena, the main character, and the society she lives in. Lena actually believes the government’s rule that love is harmful, and she’s counting down the days to her procedure, the cure that will make her immune to this so-called disease. The first part of the book focuses heavily on her daily life, her past, and her fears. While I appreciated getting to know her, I found myself wishing the story would pick up pace and throw me into some tension or action sooner.

The writing style is beautiful, I won’t deny that. Lauren Oliver’s prose is almost poetic at times, and she paints vivid pictures of the setting and emotions. However, this beautiful writing also adds to the slowness. There are pages and pages describing scenes, memories, and feelings, which can be enjoyable if you love that kind of descriptive style. For me, though, it sometimes made the story feel like it was dragging. I wanted more movement, more suspense, and more moments where I couldn’t wait to turn the page.

As for Lena, she starts off as a very cautious and obedient character. She trusts the system she grew up in, and it takes a long time for her to question it. Her transformation does happen, and it’s believable, but it’s a slow journey. Meeting Alex, a boy who has not been “cured,” is what begins to shift her perspective. Their romance is gentle and gradual, and while it’s sweet, it didn’t hit me with the emotional punch I was hoping for in a story where love is forbidden and dangerous. I wanted to feel the risk, the passion, and the urgency of their relationship, but it felt more calm than intense.

One thing I did enjoy was the world-building. The idea of outlawing love and labeling it as a disease is fascinating. I liked the little details the author included, such as government-approved sayings, propaganda, and the way society was structured after the cure. It felt believable in a chilling way. However, sometimes the focus on world detail took attention away from the actual plot, which made the pacing even slower.

The last few chapters were the part that really drew me in. Finally, there was more action, more tension, and more emotion. It felt like the stakes were higher, and I was eager to see what would happen. But by that point, I had already spent most of the book waiting for something big to happen, and it came too late for me to feel completely satisfied. The ending is a cliffhanger, and while it sets up the next book in the series, I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue right away because I didn’t feel fully hooked from the start.

Overall, Delirium is an interesting book with a unique concept and beautiful writing. I can see why some readers would fall in love with it, especially those who enjoy slower-paced stories with lots of detail and a gradual build-up. But for me, it felt too slow. I wanted more heart-pounding moments, more urgency, and a romance that made me hold my breath. While I don’t regret reading it, it wasn’t the gripping, fast-paced dystopian I thought it would be.

For my personal experience, it has potential, and the premise is amazing, but the pacing made it hard for me to stay fully engaged. If you’re a patient reader who loves poetic writing and slow-burn stories, you might love it more than I did. But if you’re looking for a book that grabs you right from the first chapter and doesn’t let go, this might feel like a long wait for the payoff.

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐✨(2.5/5)