Book Review: Sever by Lauren Destefano

  

Title: Sever

Series: The Chemical Garden #3

Author: Lauren Destefano

Publisher: Simon and Schuster for Young Readers

Published on: February 12, 2013

Source: own copy

Time is running out for Rhine in this conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Chemical Garden Trilogy.
With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.
Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.
In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered.

My Thoughts:

I was wearing a constant mix of shocked and anticipating-doom face for every page i read in Sever. But later on it morphed into a full scrunched up face. Lauren DeStefano, what have you done? Lol.

I would always say that one of the things that makes a novel good is how unpredictable it is and things happen not the way you anticipate them to be. Sever is just that. I also know that series enders pose so much heartbreak to readers of the series, especially if you've read the series from book one since the day it came out. The Cemical Garden series is the first ever dystopian book I've read, yes even before Divergent and the others. And to part with it somehow triggers something within me--that I'm 3years older. Lol. I remembered thinking I had no idea what lies underneathe a dystopian book, and I certainly did not expect that I will become a fan of the genre. So, I have to thank Lauren for not failing me with The Cemical Garden trilogy.

One of the things I love about this series are the beautiful covers. It inspired me to have a similar photoshoot in the future, yes, I think I always mention this on my reviews on this series. I also also like the metaphors of what the photo portrays, the certain facial expression, body posture, head position and hair disposition of the model, as well as the stuffs lying around her. Very anticipating and just genius.

The pacing of the story was fast yet slow. Sow in a way that for many pages into the novel, It was like nothingg major was happening. But little did I know, the story was just building up and setting a proper pace. The voice and tone of Rhine is steady and I've always felt like I was in a trance while reading, since this series started. The thing that broke my heart as always is my failed Team. I've always known I wouldn't win on this one but it doesn't mean the pain escapes. Ha! The most astonishing thing that happened is the twist! My, my! It was a lot of...and....and....and....then I just ended up.....the most highlight is that we finally know what the Chemical Garden is. It kind of feels like the first two books were a sideline story for the main thing which is the solution to this made-up problem in the story.

No matter, the ending was fitting and all is well. (Except my heart,lol)