Savage Garden

Wither

by Lauren Stefano

Author Website: thechemicalgardenbooks.com

Book one of The Chemical Garden Trilogy

This novel was so surprising. I loved the premise behind the story: scary and intriguing to think that mankind could mess with DNA to the point that they begin to cause their own demise. I was horrified at the thought of children losing their parents at a tender, young age because of some disastrous virus/genetic mutation that causes men die at age 25 and women at age 20. I wonder where the author will go with the story given the fact that Rhine has less than two years before she succumbs to the illness.

I was in a constant state of conflict over characters—liking ones I should hate, and disliking ones I should like. Case in point…I really enjoyed Linden. I thought that DeStefano was masterful in the way she told his story through the main character Rhine (love her name and the history behind it) and how Linden’s personality really drew me in. I wanted to rally for him. In the back of my mind I kept thinking that he and Rhine would run away together at the end of the novel. Perhaps this is the type of feeling that the author wanted readers to experience. In Rhine’s world, people’s motives are not always clear and this is the case with Linden. You hate him one minute and really like him the next. On the same token, I just did not like Gabriel. I wish that the author would have fleshed him out a little more. He is almost unemotional and disinterested in how Rhine fights for her life and her freedom. A small part of me thinks that he was not necessary for the plot. I whole heartily support the idea of Rhine being a strong woman and fighting her way out on of her prison on her own.

Five intriguing devices that make this a really good read:

Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde: Linden’s father just gives me the cold shivers when he walks onto a page. I know we have not seen the last of him in this trilogy.

I got all my sisters with me: Cecily and Jenna, Rhine’s sister-wives (read the book description on author page and you will understand this term), really help to give depth to the story. Kudos to the author for writing three very distinct and engaging characters that are a true reflection of their age, backgrounds, and personalities.

Glided Cage: The governor’s estate is filled with watchers, secret passages, luxuries, and technological wonders. I especially enjoyed the references to super hurricanes that hit the estate in Florida. They reminded me of growing up on the Gulf Coast.

Rowan: Rhine’s twin brother is a source of intrigue and mystery. Surely the author will allow him some face time and a stronger story line in the remaining two novels. Please…

Dystopia!: I love a good one and I hope that the questionable and missing parts of how this society arrived to the point of destruction will be answered.

Let’s Rate It:

The Cover: A shimmering mirage in the Sahara of books. – Where, oh where can get my hands on a frock like the one on the cover? (here)

Page Turner Worthiness Factor: Oh no, it’s the last page! – O.k. so there is a sequel (due out Feb. 2012).

Coming to a Theatre Near You: Worth the price of three gallons of gas. – Hmm…yep, I would go see this one.

Better than a bowl of ice cream: Chocolate with sprinkles. – Crossing my fingers that the next two novels will earn Haagen Dazs status.