Title: Requiem
Author: Lauren Oliver
Published: March 5th 2013
By: Hodder and Stoughton
First line: I’ve started dreaming of Portland again.
Last line: Take down the walls.
Fave Line: The story of Solomon is the only way I know how to explain.
When this book, a gift from the fabulous Bungle, came through my letterbox it made my day! I have loved the Delirium series from the minute I laid my hands on the first book and since enduring the ending of Pandemonium, I have been desperate to get my hands on the final instalment. There are so many potential spoilers in this finale I really am treading carefully to make sure that nothing gets ruined for you. For those that haven’t read the blurb on the back, here it is!
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 centre 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 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. 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.
I loved the way in which this book is split, neatly telling you both Lena and Hana’s stories from their own POV. What stands out here is that even though they haven’t seen each other in quite a while, (and bearing in mind that in that time their lives have taken dramatically different paths), their old relationship still impacts upon the lives they lead. This is more the case for Hana than Lena, but then Hana is still living within the confines of Portland. Even that however, is not enough to truly guarantee her safety. Add in the guilt Hana feels for betraying Lena and her existence is really quite a lonely and tragic one. For Lena, she still carries the old feelings about her best friend, but there are more pressing matters such as her own survival and the cause that she has now signed up to. It is the aim of the resistance to bring an end to the oppressive regime that currently rules but even as they travel through the wilds the regulators are gaining on them and what was once a safe haven is now a threat to their existence. There are a lot of lives lost during their struggle some of which are pretty brutal and the ending is nothing short of explosive with Lena and Hana right in the middle of it. In the end it is the strength of Lena and Hana’s relationship that seals the deal for both of their futures, in ways they probably never expected.
There are some new characters in the finale (some of which I disliked through no fault of their own!) and we also see the return of some old favourites. There are also plenty of surprises. People aren’t necessarily what they seem in some instances whilst others are so honest and true it is at times heart-breaking, hence the favourite line. This book doesn't provide all the answers neatly wrapped up with a bow, however, a fair few things are resolved in ways that may or may not please the reader depending on your allegiances. (cryptic enough? ;-)).
So to summarise, I loved this book! It was a fitting end to the trilogy and I can’t wait for you all to get your hands on a copy. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Rating: 5 out of 5. A perfect ending to a perfect series!
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