Sorry I have been such slacker status on To-Read Tuesdays lately. Work kind of took over my life the last few weeks and the BF and I are moving into a new apartment (in a different state). Little frazzled and way overwhelmed buuuuut I buckled down and got to it this week so hopefully you can forgive me.
Series: Chemical Garden Series
Previous Ratings: Wither (1) – Three Stars, Seeds of Wither (1.5) – Four Stars, Fever (2) – Three Stars
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Why I Am Excited: I have really enjoyed this series. No, it’s not the most amazing dystopian book I have ever read (character development and consistency problems), but it’s a crazy cool concept with interesting twists that keep me engaged. Wither, Book One, set up a fascinating world of human life as a ticking time bomb. And hate me for saying it, I actually really enjoyed getting a feel for Linden and grew attached to him, even though he was part bad guy. I connected more with Rhine, the pro-tag, in Wither way more than in Fever (book two). Fever was basically a snore fest until the last couple chapters when it became an action packed twisted coolfest again. And honestly, Gabriel is pathetic and I don’t understand Rhine’s feelings for him. But that bridge book! That was a beauty. Seeds of Wither was a great add-on to the series. I am really looking forward to finding out which way Rhine’s heart and head choose to go and the repercussions of her and Leland’s decisions.
What I Hope to See: *Contains Spoilers* If you haven’t read the previous books, LOOK AWAY! So the cliffhanger at the end of Fever was kind of…. predictable. But no less awesome because of it. I am glad Rhine sees her brother because she was getting a little too woe-is-me and need a spark so she could grow into that backbone she had in Wither. I really want to see her drive come back and kick some creepy father-in-law ass in the conclusion. And Leland, oh please oh please become some kind of great hero. His character is almost swoon status he’s just lacking that internal inquisitiveness that makes men sexy and is waay too passive for my taste. And mostly, I want someone to punch Cecily right in the face. Man I hate that bia.
My Predictions: There is a lot that needs to be resolved in one book. I’m not sure how DeStefano is going to clean it up nicely and cleanly in the third and final segment so I am anticipating an open ending.
- Rhine “plays nice” to Leland for awhile. While Leland is royally pissed at her for ditching his ass with Gabrielle, I think Leland will eventually be the key for Rhine and Rowan finding each other, whether Leland knows it or not. Basically, Rhine is going to use and abuse Leland to get her wants while hanging out with *enter new character* Reed? Hmm guess we’ll see how that works out.
- Leland will become a hero or… dies. I know that’s a very hot or cold ending, but I feel like he could really swing both way. He’s either going to become crucial to saving their effed up world or he will pass on to be with his true love, Rose. Hopefully he doesn’t end up with Cecily.
- This isn’t really a prediction, more of a hope, but I think Father dearest and Cecily need to end up in some wacked out psych ward together. I think Vaughn will end up dying and Cecily will some how redeem herself (basically impossible because she’s messed up so many times) or end up in the same position as her idolized in-law. While the synopsis says Cecily is committed to Rhine’s well-being, I just can buy that with her past. She’s blown that trust too many times.
“Love unrequited is violent. He loves you so much that he’s turned it into hate.”
― Lauren DeStefano, Fever
Rattle The Stars 
Tell me what you think!