Guest Review by Mavie: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Wither (Book 1)
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Pages: 356
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Publication Date: March 22, 2011

What if you knew exactly when you would die? Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out. When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home. But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.

Heartbreaking and absorbing, Wither introduces readers to a consuming world where polygamy is encouraged and forced upon. An abstract, evasive reality is richly developed by DeStefano's captivating words and dynamic characters. The dystopian setting and environment pulls readers into an intricate web of deception, entrapment, and elegance. To some, a few ideas and concepts in Wither might be intangible and taboo, but the depth of emotion and understanding that Rhine's experiences demand from the reader are so deep and evocative. Wither, and the characters within it, teeter the fine line of belief and morality, and challenge the controversial ideas present today.

Rhine's character is compelling. Imprisoned both emotionally and physically, Rhine is strong-willed and naive. In such a constrained environment, her emotions fly off the page with the desire for freedom. On the outside, her obedience is similar to that of her sister wives, with a spark of rebellion. But underneath Rhine's well-established facade are underlying complexities and hidden layers of depth that spark emotions within the reader and substantiates the hopeful undercurrent in the slowly withering world.

DeStefano immerses readers in a world where age and beauty are valued, but where lifespans don't last beyond 20-25. The harsh reality in Wither is the base for the characters' problems but doesn't hinder their own, individual thoughts. The way each character deals with the concept of a short lifespan is different and provides a variety in an almost-hopeless reality. As readers, only a small part of Rhine's world is shown, but glimpses of a world outside of the the manor's gates are seen, giving a glimmer of hope. The plot is full of manipulation and pretenses, filling the pages with lots of twists and turns. Despite the pit of treachery and guile, such beautiful, genuine bonds are formed between the sister wives and between Rhine and Gabriel.

Wither is an absolutely stunning read with a magnetizing cast of characters that emote so much feeling into its pages. Its mesmerizing play on words and descriptive world, truly cements DeStefano as master in YA dystopian. The dynamics and the elements of dystopian and realism incorporated into Wither, fuse together to create a beautiful start to a new series.

The Bottom Line: Wither will never wither in my mind. Pun intended!

---Field Report---
Originality: 9/10
Ending: 8/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 9/10
Imagery: 9/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Total Score: 95/100 (A+)

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Blacklisted by Gena Showalter

Title: Blacklisted
Author: Gena Showalter
Pages: 240
Publisher: MTV
Publication Date: July 17, 2007

Alien hunting can get a girl killed. It can also get her a date.

High school senior Camille Robins and her best friend are determined to snag the attention of their crushes before graduation next month. Armed with red-hot outfits and killer hair, they sneak into the hottest nightclub in town -- which caters to the rich and famous, both human and alien. They end up following Erik (who is human) and Silver (who isn't) through a guarded door and are soon separated and under attack...and not the good kind.

Bad boy Erik spares Camille's life, but the two are soon being chased by gun-toting Alien Investigation and Removal agents. Camille's more confused than ever because Erik's finally showing real interest in her, but the agents are accusing him of dealing Onadyn -- a drug that ruins human lives. Suddenly, with the heat of his kiss lingering on her lips, Camille has to decide whose side she's on...and whether she's willing to put her life on the line to save Erik's.

Camille's world is different. Humans and aliens live together in peace...most of the time. Some aliens can breathe oxygen, but most can't. That's why they have Onadyn; the drug that is the only lifeline for aliens, and the kiss of death for humans. It needs to be regulated and controlled...but what the government doesn't know, is that there is an immense number of aliens that can't afford it; therefore, they die. Erik, a former AIR agent, supplies them with drugs in order to help. Now, AIR is on his back and he's dragged along Camille, an innocent girl with an innocent crush on him. Together, they will either make or break the fate of hundreds of aliens.

Blacklisted is an explicitly captivating part of a new series that will keep readers frantically flipping pages to get to the end. Erik and Camille, are dynamic characters with unique personalities, which are only amplified even more in their situation. Their impulsive (but not random) actions and characteristics, completely match their character.

Showalter's fast-paced, action-filled execution, also emphasized her skill for creating exciting histories and backgrounds for the characters. There were no plot-holes even with the entanglement of circumstances. Blacklisted is a complicated tie of secrets, twists, deception, and passion. It only gets more intense and more potent as the reader is pulled and consumed into the story.

Blacklisted is not only a book of secrets, it takes a good, serious look on controversial issues. It covers social and political issues that can still be connected to our world, even when it's set in a futuristic backdrop. The underlying message is still the same; make a difference. That's what Erik and Camille tried to do. Facing many obstacles and many hardships, they risked their own lives to save hundreds of others', even though the lives their trying to save belong to those of aliens. It didn't matter to them. So why should it matter to us? We need to help as much as we can. They did.

The Bottom Line: *SQUEE* Blacklisted is amazing! It's full of action and suspense...now that's my type of book! I loved everything about it! Although the ending was a little wierd...you'll know if you read it (WHICH YOU SHOULD TOTALLY DO!). All characters were likable for me. Anyway, here's the big, grand, closing line (hehe):

Blacklisted is a book that will keep your heart beating up until the very end. Even then, you will still ponder for many hours; what happened to Erik and Camille? It's an enjoyable read with lots of fast-paced action that you will enjoy. I know this reader did! A+ :-)

---Report Card---
Originality: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 9/10
Setting: 4.5/5
Voice: 4.5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 9/10
Total Score: 95/100 (A+)

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