Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Sever by Lauren DeStefano

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Source: Ontario Blogger Meet-up
Publisher: Simon & Schuster BFYR
Format: Hardcover, 384 pages
Release Date: February 12, 2013

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.

Lauren DeStefano returns with her signature prose in this finale to the beautifully-crafted Chemical Garden trilogy.

I have really, really enjoyed this series since starting it nearly two years ago and it's one that I will be sad to see go. Lauren DeStefano's gorgeous writing has made it so easy to be transported into her world and the characters glow with depth and vibrancy. However, I must say that I'm a bit conflicted in my feelings for this last book.

For over half of the book, I was loving it. We're introduced to a new setting and the plot carries on from the last book with great momentum, revealing new twists and answering old questions. I was also coming to appreciate Linden and Cecily more than I had in the past as they grew into stronger characters capable of independent thought. Thankfully, this was something that continued for the entirety of the book -- I am so Team Cecily after this book!

But then, something changed for me. I don't know if it was just one twist too many or I wasn't keeping up well enough to understand the new things the plot was throwing at me but I just feel like we veered off course. And I'm fine with the author shaking things up a bit but it just threw me for a loop. I'm still not exactly sure what was going on, both with the plot and with Rhine.

Toward the end of the book though, things seemed to settle. It was a fitting conclusion to this excellent series and managed to provide satisfaction in tying up the loose ends without an unbelievable type of perfection. I'm content with where things stand at the end of this novel.

Overall, a very well-written conclusion to the Chemical Garden trilogy.

Cover Comments: Apparently a lot of people hate this cover? I don't know, I like it! I wish that Rhine's hair was a bit more unruly like in the first cover (I mean, they mention it enough times in the book) and maybe the colour is a bit shocking, but overall, I think it's fitting. The assortment of objects on the floor make sense and even Rhine's posture fits the image I have of her in this book (make of that what you will, haha).

4 Golden Crowns!