Helpful Score: 3
I got the ARC of this book to read through Around the World ARC Tours. I have to admit I was first drawn to the book because of the beautiful cover and then after reading the premise was hooked. This is the first book in the Chemical Garden Trilogy, and what a wonderful book it was.
Rhine lives in a world where genetic tinkering has left human society in ruins. Human males only live to the age of twenty-five and females only to twenty. Rhine is kidnapped by Gatherers to become one of the many brides of a nobleman named Linden. Although Rhine grows fond of her sister-wives, she yearns for her freedom and wants to get back to her twin-brother. Adding to the despair in the household, her husband's father (a first generation able to live to the old age of 80 or so) is determined to find a cure and will stop at nothing to get subjects for his experimentation.
This is a beautifully written book, it is very easy to read and in general is just a pleasure to read. The world that DeStefano has created is astounding in its implications. Just think about how society would run if everyone died at those young ages. Basically none of the children even barely know their parents. You as a child would know when you were going to die; think about how this short-term life would affect your life-decisions. Then add to this crazy society the fact that the first generation created to be genetically perfect is still alive. You have a society of grandparents and children.
The book also explores polygamy and the benefits in downfalls of this. In a society where woman die so young and men live a bit longer, it almost makes sense for the survival of the race. DeStefano tackles the polygamy issue with fairness and makes it sound eerily reasonable at times. This is definitely more of a drama-type story than an action one; much of the story is spent with Rhine and her sister-wives in their house.
Rhine as a character was wonderful; she is sensitive and caring, yet has a core of toughness that is impressive. Her sister-wives were also well done characters; each with their strengths and weaknesses. I loved that the characters were so realistically portrayed. Rhine's husband, Linden, is sweet...yet a bit evil in his ignorance. Even Linden's father, who is the villain in this story, has reasons that he believes are for the greater good in doing what he does.
The story ends well and wraps up nicely; I am eager to see what the next book brings.
Overall I was very impressed with this book. It is beautifully written, creates a wonderfully thought-out world, and touches on problems with a dystopian society that were refreshing and interesting. The characters are all spot-on and readers will be drawn to them. The story definitely isn't all happy, but there are rays of hope throughout that keep the reader from becoming too depressed. I loved Rhine and loved this book, I am really looking forward to the next book in the Chemical Garden Trilogy.
Rhine lives in a world where genetic tinkering has left human society in ruins. Human males only live to the age of twenty-five and females only to twenty. Rhine is kidnapped by Gatherers to become one of the many brides of a nobleman named Linden. Although Rhine grows fond of her sister-wives, she yearns for her freedom and wants to get back to her twin-brother. Adding to the despair in the household, her husband's father (a first generation able to live to the old age of 80 or so) is determined to find a cure and will stop at nothing to get subjects for his experimentation.
This is a beautifully written book, it is very easy to read and in general is just a pleasure to read. The world that DeStefano has created is astounding in its implications. Just think about how society would run if everyone died at those young ages. Basically none of the children even barely know their parents. You as a child would know when you were going to die; think about how this short-term life would affect your life-decisions. Then add to this crazy society the fact that the first generation created to be genetically perfect is still alive. You have a society of grandparents and children.
The book also explores polygamy and the benefits in downfalls of this. In a society where woman die so young and men live a bit longer, it almost makes sense for the survival of the race. DeStefano tackles the polygamy issue with fairness and makes it sound eerily reasonable at times. This is definitely more of a drama-type story than an action one; much of the story is spent with Rhine and her sister-wives in their house.
Rhine as a character was wonderful; she is sensitive and caring, yet has a core of toughness that is impressive. Her sister-wives were also well done characters; each with their strengths and weaknesses. I loved that the characters were so realistically portrayed. Rhine's husband, Linden, is sweet...yet a bit evil in his ignorance. Even Linden's father, who is the villain in this story, has reasons that he believes are for the greater good in doing what he does.
The story ends well and wraps up nicely; I am eager to see what the next book brings.
Overall I was very impressed with this book. It is beautifully written, creates a wonderfully thought-out world, and touches on problems with a dystopian society that were refreshing and interesting. The characters are all spot-on and readers will be drawn to them. The story definitely isn't all happy, but there are rays of hope throughout that keep the reader from becoming too depressed. I loved Rhine and loved this book, I am really looking forward to the next book in the Chemical Garden Trilogy.
Helpful Score: 2
It's a mad, mad world that Rhine lives in. The world where you know that every boy will die at 25, and every girl at 20. This idea is so potent and terrifying! I remember being a teen and not being able to wait until I was 18, or 21. The thought of knowing that I wouldn't live past 20 makes me wonder what I would have done differently those years of my life. Would I have grown up faster, lived more wild? Would I have tried to stay a child even longer and savor every moment? I just don't know.
Rhine grew up fast. With her parents gone at a young age, her and her twin brother had to do whatever they could to survive in a place full of nothing but desperation and heartache. When Rhine is kidnapped by the gatherers and sold off to be a child bride in a polygamist married, she once again has to fight to survive, but this time without her twin at her back. She was a great character. Rhine knew what she wanted to do, she wanted to escape. It didn't matter that she was living in decadence in a beautiful mansion, she knew that no matter how pretty it was, it was still a cage, and she would fight for her freedom.
The world built in this story was easy to imagine. I was easily able to dive into this world and understand what drove these characters to act the way they do. Rhine and her sister wives were all completely different from each other and each added to the story in a great way. I enjoyed their personalities, their quirks. Linden was easy to love and easy to hate. He was gullible and pliable, but still sweet and caring.
This book really pulled me in and took me along through ever triumph and every failure. I would get so mad for Rhine and then so sad for her. This was a really unique story and I enjoyed every page of it! I know I will be buying the next book as soon as it releases! I'm dying to know where the tide will take Rhine next!
Rhine grew up fast. With her parents gone at a young age, her and her twin brother had to do whatever they could to survive in a place full of nothing but desperation and heartache. When Rhine is kidnapped by the gatherers and sold off to be a child bride in a polygamist married, she once again has to fight to survive, but this time without her twin at her back. She was a great character. Rhine knew what she wanted to do, she wanted to escape. It didn't matter that she was living in decadence in a beautiful mansion, she knew that no matter how pretty it was, it was still a cage, and she would fight for her freedom.
The world built in this story was easy to imagine. I was easily able to dive into this world and understand what drove these characters to act the way they do. Rhine and her sister wives were all completely different from each other and each added to the story in a great way. I enjoyed their personalities, their quirks. Linden was easy to love and easy to hate. He was gullible and pliable, but still sweet and caring.
This book really pulled me in and took me along through ever triumph and every failure. I would get so mad for Rhine and then so sad for her. This was a really unique story and I enjoyed every page of it! I know I will be buying the next book as soon as it releases! I'm dying to know where the tide will take Rhine next!
Helpful Score: 1
A few years ago dystopian novels were something of a novelty. Now what was once an obscure genre has exploded on the scene with some books leaving the reader haunted and troubled well after the last page is turned while others are simply cast into the yard sale pile. I can thankfully say that Destefanos debut novel is in the former category.
The story of Rhine Ellery is provocative and compelling. I found myself unable to stop reading from the first chapter when Rhine describes her turn at the auction block, or possibly, the chopping block. There is never a moment where you dont feel as trapped as Rhine is, and just as anxious for her to escape. Destefano does a marvelous job of created a beautiful prison, a platinum cage, where Rhine and the reader are kept prisoner. I found all the characters to be complex and it both frustrated and impressed me that nothing was simply black and white. There were too many layers of gray surrounding everything for you to ever fully hate, or love, a character. It works well for this novel.
While I wish more time had been spent on building the attraction between Rhine and Gabriel, it was still a love story that I rooted for since their initial meeting. The ending left a bit to be desired, and Im quite curious to see how Destefano handles the next book in the series because the ending of this book could have easily been a final ending.
For a first time author, Destefano did a fabulous job, and shes definitely going to be a writer to watch in the upcoming years. I applaud the fact that she didnt shy away from squeamish subjects, but rather embraced and explored them. I cant wait to see what she does next.
The story of Rhine Ellery is provocative and compelling. I found myself unable to stop reading from the first chapter when Rhine describes her turn at the auction block, or possibly, the chopping block. There is never a moment where you dont feel as trapped as Rhine is, and just as anxious for her to escape. Destefano does a marvelous job of created a beautiful prison, a platinum cage, where Rhine and the reader are kept prisoner. I found all the characters to be complex and it both frustrated and impressed me that nothing was simply black and white. There were too many layers of gray surrounding everything for you to ever fully hate, or love, a character. It works well for this novel.
While I wish more time had been spent on building the attraction between Rhine and Gabriel, it was still a love story that I rooted for since their initial meeting. The ending left a bit to be desired, and Im quite curious to see how Destefano handles the next book in the series because the ending of this book could have easily been a final ending.
For a first time author, Destefano did a fabulous job, and shes definitely going to be a writer to watch in the upcoming years. I applaud the fact that she didnt shy away from squeamish subjects, but rather embraced and explored them. I cant wait to see what she does next.
Helpful Score: 1
While I didnt fall head over heels in love with this book, I had no problem finishing it. I wanted more though. I wanted more details on the whys-- why this was happening and why kidnap young girls off the street as the orphanages were full of them. Hopefully, the next book will answer a lot of these. The first couple of chapters were amazing and quite satisfying. DeStefano did an excellent job of world building and fleshing out the characters. The characters were real and engaging. Their emotions were so intense that you ached for them. That said once I got about 2/3s of the way through, it began to drag for me. While there were moments that were predictable, it was twisty enough to ensure that I read the next book.
Helpful Score: 1
What can I say about Wither? Run. Run away as fast as you can and don't look back. I haven't read a Dystopian book since 4th grade or so (The Giver-highly recommend it by the way), so I figured I'd give this one a go. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because it did have great potential and a beautiful cover. Now if you like hearing about a kidnapping, gassing, statutory rape or how the main character has two different colored eyes over and over and over again, then you might like this book. Just keep in mind these aren't several kidnappings or gassings. It's just the one time for each, but you're lucky enough to hear about them at least once every other chapter. Then there's our main character Rhine. One minute she's dead set on escaping then the next she's so content she's completely forgotten about it. This makes up the part of the story that isn't reliving her kidnapping or gassing. If this book had a half way decent editor, it would have been 150 pages tops. If this is what the new Dystopian books have come to, I want nothing to do with them.
