Pandemonium (Delirium #2)
Publication Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: HarperCollins
ARC 375 pgs
Summary:
In the follow up to Delirium, Lena has escaped Portland and now finds herself in the Wilds. The structured "safe" life that she she once knew is gone. Lena is now forced to survive along with the other members of the resistance. She discovers that in order to live in this new world she must let go of the old Lena and become a stronger tougher version of herself. Life in the Wilds is not what Lena expected but she is learning the ways of the resistance all the while dealing with her grief over losing Alex. Though Alex remains a big part of her life she must look ahead to what the future holds.
Review:
After I finished Delirium and I realized that Alex did not make it over the fence I knew I had to start Pandemonium as soon as possible. Pandemonium like Delirium is about discovery. To me Delirium is about the discovery of love and how precious it is, while Pandemonium is about the discovery of strength. Because of Alex, Lena has a romanticized vision of what the Wilds would be like but living in the Wilds is much harder than she expected. It is much more difficult to survive when things like electricity, food, or shelter are not readily available. But the people of the Wilds are tough and have learned to adapt to the difficulties of living in the Wilds. It is either adapt or die.
Lena goes through a great change in Pandemonium. Though she has always been brave she is even braver and stronger than before. As an active member of the resistance she has to do things that she never would have been able to do in the past. But as she settles into life in the Wilds she learns that in order to survive she must fight. Fight to be stronger, fight to live, and fight to be who she wants to be and not who she is supposed to be. The only way for her to do this is to let go of the time before and focus on the present. She has built a wall within herself where the memories of her past stay hidden. I thought that Lena showed just how much of a survivor she really is. When faced with difficult situations she's able to push through and do what needs to be done. Even though she is afraid she doesn't let that fear stop her.
In Pandemonium we are introduced to many new characters but the one we learn the most about is Raven. Raven can be described in one word, survivor. She has learned what she needs to do in order to stay alive while living in the Wilds. Some of the others we meet are Tack and Hunter both of whom help to teach Lena about her new life. The people in the Wilds are hardened by a life that is never easy and definitely never safe. But they are fighters so they will continue to try and change how love is viewed.
One thing I had a little trouble with was the fact that the chapters go from then (right after she escaped) and now(the present). This set up does show how much has changed from when Lena first went into the Wilds as compared to what she is doing now as a member of the resistance. But at times it was confusing, it was hard for me to tell how much time had passed. I was often wondering when did that happen? We also see just how different life is in the Wilds. We see exactly what the world is like outside of the "safe" borders of the cities. Overall I really really enjoyed this book, it was heartbreaking yet I couldn't get enough. I am eagerly awaiting the release of Requiem. I can't wait to see what happens next for Lena and company.
Cover:
While I like the original cover for Delirium I also like the updated covers as well. But I'm not sure that the girls on the covers are the same or different. But back to this cover I like the fact that the girls face is only partially showing and how she is surrounded by some type of flowers and vegetation. It is definitely pretty!
