Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Sever by Lauren DeStefano
Genre: YA Dystopia
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication: February 12th, 2013
Page Count: 371
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Time is running out for Rhine in this conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Chemical Garden Trilogy.

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.

The only reason why I was even drawn into this series was the fact that all of the books in the series have these beauteous covers.  There's something so haunting and alluring about them.  They just beckon you from their spot on the shelf.  I can't get over how much I adore the covers.  

However, while I love the covers, I couldn't have said the same for the content of the first two books.  It's not that they were terribly written or that they had disastrous plots or anything.  There was just something that didn't connect with me.  Looking back on my thoughts of each book, I kind of disliked Rhine.  Also, I wasn't feeling Rhine and Gabriel's love for one another.  In addition, I didn't find the plot to be that amazing to me.  I mean, I gave the first book three stars and I was iffy on that at the time.

Luckily, things have change drastically!  I crack open Sever expecting there to be some high-tension last battle kind of idea and stuff, but oh, was I wrong!  I remember taking a break from the book and reflecting on it, and I thought to myself 'Damn, this book is depressing'.  Things have occurred throughout the series that have really put a heavy weight on Rhine in this book.  And to be able to finally have the ability to connect with Rhine for the first time in the entire series was something special and amazing.  Rhine's emotions and story and thoughts were believable, yet sad.

Speaking of the story, I very much enjoyed it.  I feel as if it moved faster than the first two books in the series.  The stakes were higher and emotions were wrought thin.  The writing was spectacular.  I loved the imagery and the writing was so poetic and melodic.  I actually enjoyed being inside Rhine's head for a change.  It's not that I hated her, though; it's just that I couldn't relate to her and found her to be a bit boring before.  Thinking about it, she really doesn't speak much . . .

I was so engrossed in the story and was so emotionally involved that I cried my eyes out for the last fifty pages of the book or so.  And I'm not joking.  It's been a while since I've cried all ugly tears in a while, and I was glad that Sever made me be all disgusting and emotional.  It was a pleasure to be at the mercy of DeStefano's evil author ways.  

Sever has left such an imprint on my heart.  The story was moving and haunting at the same time.  Evil guys will be evil, but somehow the good guys have to find a way to shine through the viscous blackness.  DeStefano painted such a gritty and raw story for readers and her writing captivated my mind and made me feel all good inside . . . until she made me cry and all, that is . . . But that's a different story.  Fans of dystopia, a depressing yet moving and emotional story, and a determined heroine will possibly enjoy this series.  Sever made the perfect ending to the Chemical Garden Series. 

4 Splashes