by Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium #3
Genres: Dystopian
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight. After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge
I enjoyed Delirium, was sickened by the cliffhanger ending that Oliver left us within Pandemonium and found Hana fascinating. As you can imagine I was very anxious to step back into Oliver’s final book of the series Requiem. Fans are either going to adore this one or loathe it. The author ends this series without a lot of closure. I thought it was perfect and if you read my reviews you already know I loathe endings forced into a happy little bow. Filled with battles, death, suspense and unrequited love I consumed this in a single day.
The tale picks up where Pandemonium left off, and it took me a second to place all the faces. They are headed back into the Wilds and Alex is with them. Things are awkward, disorganized and there is tension. The tale is told from the points of view of Hana and Lena. As Hana moves towards her upcoming wedding and Lena and the resistance move towards a rebellion uprising. The tale that unfolds is packed with emotion, contemplation, heartbreak, mystery, and fear.
Lena has joined the resistance but struggles to commit, I felt if not for her loyalty to her new family in the Wilds, that she would have sat this whole thing out. She struggles with her feelings towards both Julian and Alex. She loved Alex, and losing him was so painful for her that she holds back. Julian is strong, heads into danger and wants Lena by his side. Alex has changed, and when confronted by Lena he holds back and doesn’t open up. He is absent from most of the book leaving us without the epic love triangle I anticipated. While he isn’t present he is very much in Lena’s thoughts. We see some really brave stances from some of the characters in the wild and I admired them and wished we knew more about them. Someone close to Lena reappears and guides her. Hana is really struggling; she worries the cure didn’t work, she feels guilt over her betrayal and worries about her upcoming wedding. She questions what kind of man she is about to marry and we become caught up in her fears. His storyline made me shiver but Hana does a lot of brave things, and I liked the woman she is becoming.
Chaos and war rule supreme in this final installment. The Wilds are no longer safe, and those who are among the uncured struggle with their daily existence. There are unrest and fear within the government cities and the more we learn about the mayor of Portland and his plans the greater our fear becomes. We get plenty of action and eye-opening moments. The transformation of both Hana and Lena were delightful but I still wish some of the secondary characters were fleshed out more. Yeah, I know we get all these novellas with the deets, but I’d rather have a six hundred page novel with fully fleshed out characters. *just sayin* The writing is beautiful and the flow kept me turning the pages. The ending was climactic and this is where a lot of you may take issue. If you need your ending wrapped up in a pretty box with a neat little bow this might leave you reeling. Personally, I thought it was beautiful and that last page was so powerful and moving. I think Oliver did it perfectly.
After the ending of Pandemonium, Requiem is a must-read for fans of the series. While some may walk away unhappy, I am delighted that I read this series and will pick up Raven the novella scheduled to release today. Oliver is on my auto-buy list and I look forward to the next adventure.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
kimbacaffeinate
the triangle was not forced, nor was it present throughout the series, it was perhaps the most realistic one in a series that I have come across.
Nick
I haven’t read the first 2 books in this series because I was waiting for all of them to come out so I wouldn’t have to suffer because of the cliffhanger. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it, Kim. I heard a lot about the ending, so it’s nice to see somebody appreciate it. The idea of the love triangle is putting me off a little though. Still, I do want to check this series out someday.
Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad I read the series, and still feel the middle book was the best of the bunch
kindlemom1
We definitely felt the same way about this one. It was nice though to get both Lena and Hanna’s POV. It was different but very well done.
This was a bittersweet ending for sure.
Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
War is chaos and this is what it’s about, it was very realistic.
kimbacaffeinate
In my opinion book two was the best .
Jennifer Bielman
I have only read the first book and thought it was okay. I am not sure if I will finish the series, but I am happy you liked it. I know what you mean about how wrapped up in a bow endings can be too convenient I don’t mind if everything isn’t perfect, as long as some stuff is resolved. Though I don’t like straight up sad endings.
kimbacaffeinate
That might not be a bad idea, and Pandemonium was my favorite.
kimbacaffeinate
it left a part to the readers imagination, it was very surreal, and not wrapped up
brandileigh2003
Glad the ending was moving and you thought the ending fit. Interested in what would make some unhappy though.
Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog
kimbacaffeinate
It was a good series, and I hope you enjoy it!
kimbacaffeinate
This was real, and reflected life in the ending..i felt it was solid and so grateful it wasn’t forced.
kimbacaffeinate
ooh..idk cause i thought book two was the best of the bunch.,.hahaha, I look forward to your take on it!
Jenny
I’m really nervous for this one Kimba! I’m both sad that Alex isn’t present very much but also a little relieved because, as you said, his absence prevents a lot of love triangle drama. I’m worried about the end though, I’m that girl that loves everything wrapped up in a bow, but I’m going to trust Lauren on this one and definitely pick it up!
Blodeuedd
I do wonder what I will feel cos the last book was so disappointing
kimbacaffeinate
*nods head* I think this is perhaps where YA falls short for me many times. While we do not get the 600 page back breakers that adult novels provide, we lose a little
Christa
I loved Requiem as well and am sad to see this series end. But I totally agree with what you said about fleshed out characters – particularly those in the Wilds. I felt like we really didn;t get to know them and I was left kind of wanting more when all was said and done.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I am excited for you, enjoy!!
Ginifer Bryant
This one will FINALLY be in my hands tomorrow! Love your review – it’s teasing me something awful. 😀 I’m so glad you enjoyed the final book – I share your feelings on endings so I’m not worried over that aspect at all.
I am a teeny bit nervous about the dual POV’s, but I’m sure Hana’s perspective adds a lot to the story that we wouldn’t see otherwise. I’m excited!
P.S. “Four cups of coffee brewed in the Wilds out of five”- that is awesome. <3
kimbacaffeinate
Book two was by far my favorite and really showed tremendous growth in the author, feel free to facebook message me if you really want the deets (kimberly costa)
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I actually gave up on this series halfway through book one, but I’ve read so many reviews and spoilers that I’m super curious about who she ended up with. I might have to ask someone to clue me in, haha.
I’m all about the characters too so I understand the need to have them fully built.
Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, i was too<3
kimbacaffeinate
I thought it was wonderful and so excited for you ..eep!
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
I so can not wait for this one! One more Day! I loved Pandemonium and although I am a little bit afraid of this one now…I know Oliver will deliver a beautiful end to the trilogy.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy them as much as i did too:)
kimbacaffeinate
I think you will be fine with it, and I am jelly you don’t have to live with that cliffhanger forever and a day like some of us <3
Heidi
I have not read this series,yet since I am not a fan of cliffhangers. Now that all the books are out I do want to pick them up. I have heard great things about Lauren’s writing. I know some people are a bit discouraged with the ending but I think I will be fine with it. I am glad that it ended up being a good read for you.
kimbacaffeinate
Aww, now see I liked Hana’s pov and what she represented and her growth despite being cured. I will say that book two was my favorite, and I honestly don’t know how this could have been wrapped up without being forced. I agree on more Alex time 🙂
sonniehogan
I’m stuck on the fence with this one, Kimba! I LOVED the first two books so much, and I devoured this one… but I felt like it was rushed, and I could have done without Hana’s POV. I just didn’t find it very relevant to the story all together. I kept thinking “Okay, ENOUGH of Hana, get back to Lena already!” I felt like what was going on with them was much more important then Hana’s life. And of course, I am one of those that like their ending wrapped up nice and tight. So, I didn’t feel closure, but I did feel that the very last page was beautiful written and deep. But I wanted MORE Alex! And more of Lena. I felt a little disconnected from the characters as well 🙁
kimbacaffeinate
That is a series on my wishlist and I look forward to comparing them.
Lily B
lovely review, been looking forward to reading these books myself
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Lily, I hope you enjoy it too 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, people are either falling to the left of three or the right…eep!
Candace Robinson
I’m not reading reviews about this book. I’m TERRIFIED of it! I’m dying to read it, but so, so scared. I know there have been mixed feelings so I just don’t even want to know. BUT I’m pretty happy to see 4 stars… 5 would be a bit more reassuring though. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
It worked for me, but some passionately hate it as much as I loved it..LOL
Lauren
I’ve heard so much angst about the ending, it’s really nice to hear from someone who liked the way it ended. I’m glad you were moved by it, that gives me hope that I won’t be let down. I love Lauren’s writing, so I have no doubt she will impress me with this book. Wonderful review!
kimbacaffeinate
I am looking forward to that too. I think that was what made me sick at the end of book two..i did not want a triangle, and was both shocked and glad..LOL
Brenna
This really is total hit or miss for people. and I do wish there had been more Alex! I’m looking forward to his own little novella in the hardcover of Requiem for that exact reason 🙂 I think it’ll be extremely enlightening!
I actually felt there was a little bit too much love triangle even, and was glad the book didn’t focus on it much.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Brenna from Esther’s Ever After
kimbacaffeinate
hahaha..cheater!
Christy (Love of Books)
You know what I’m going to stay… I need to read this series. I was kind of mixed on whether I wanted to read them as they were coming out, but now that the series is done, I really do.
Naomi Hop
I haven’t read this series as yet…. but it has been on my TBR list for AGES!! I think I may have to give it a bump up the list!!
kimbacaffeinate
read the last chapter of book two, it will bring it all back!
Elizabeth
I’m sad to see this series end, but I’m so curious to see HOW it ends. I’m really anxious to finally read Requiem.
Jenea Whittington
i had to skim your review, I haven’t read it. I was so upset at the end of Pandemonium. I can’t wait to pick this up this week. 🙂
Melissa
I was kind of nervous to read this one because so many people were saying they weren’t satisfied, but I’m really glad you liked it. I think I need to reread the first two though because like you said it’s hard to remember who everyone is lol. I’m so excited to read this one now. Great review!
LisaILJ
I was definitely in the hated it camp. I don’t really need a happy ending tied up in a bow either, but I though this was actually really badly done. I look at the gold standard of Maggie Stiefvater’s Wolves of Mercy Falls as a perfect example of how to end a series on hopeful but not neatly tied up ending. This one completely pales in comparison.
LisaILJ @ I’ll
Tumble for YA
Melissa
Hmm, the author must have really done well with this ending though. I’m not much of a fan of open type endings, but sounds well done here. 🙂 Thank you.
Barbara Walker
Argh, sweetie, you have me so conflicted!! I thought I was going to go crazy if I didn’t get to the third book after finally getting off of my rear and reading the first two but now I’m thinking I can just let it go after reading your excellent review. I would need that tied-in-a-bow ending and less chaos. I think Oliver is making it her mission to torture her reader base. :/ You’ve given me a lot to chew on. lol
ellaquinnauthor
I tweeted.