A Review for Fever (The Chemical Gardens #2) by Lauren DeStefano + UK/EU/IRE Giveaway

Posted by Donna

Published Date: February 16th, 2012

Finished Date: March 1st, 2012

Publishers: HarperCollins 

Source: For Review

Format: Paperback

Pages: 341

The Blurb from Goodreads: Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion. But danger is never far behind. Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago―surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.  The Two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine's twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous―and in a world where young woman only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can't seem to elude Rhine's father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion… by any means necessary.

The Review: After finishing Wither, I dived straight into Fever because the ever so wonderful HarperCollins UK sent it me for review, and yes….I loved it….and I really want book three now! 

This time around we see Rhine and Gabriel start their journey after escaping the mansion, but it’s not long until they run into trouble and find themselves captivates for someone else entirely. While their lives are threatened, Rhine and Gabriel have no choice but to do as ordered, but soon enough they make their escape.  But really how far can they go with Rhine's father-in-law hot on their trail  waiting for the perfect moment to drag Rhine back to the mansion once and for all?

Lauren DeStefano did a fantastic job with Wither and now she’s done an even better job with Fever. This book is a whole world different from what we’ve previously read from DeStefano, because where as everything took place in the mansion in Wither - Fever is out in the real world were everyone has suffered and really DeStefano doesn’t disappoint. It was very easy to imagine walking the streets of New York with the characters and see their struggles with your own eyes and it's not easy for them. Their tested and pushed to the limits but Rhine and Gabriel are strong and they fight to keep what they want. 

The story itself has so many twists and turns; some I never expected, so they were a nice surprise and of course, some really shocked me. I’m dying to know how things turned out because even though I felt the first part of the book was a little slow, the last 70 pages sure do make up for it and your left with an intense and explosive cliff-hanger. Evil author! That ending….I need more now! Seriously.....it's a jaw-dropping moment.

Now our characters, I loved them but I have mixed feelings for them at the moment. With Gabriel and Rhine out in the open, I was hoping their relationship with each other would progress and honestly, I feel like it has taken one step forward and two steps back. Though-out the story I felt that Gabriel was more of a companion rather than a lover to Rhine. There are only a few romantic scenes with them together and they don’t really move forward….there almost stuck. And I believe this is because of Linden. Although Linden isn't a huge part in this story until the end, he was still a major part of Rhine’s life. She thought about him often, she refused to remove her wedding ring and at the end…..she cared what he thought about her. And now, I can’t help question…is Gabriel the right person for her? I do have my doubts about Linden, I didn’t like how he acted in parts of Wither but a friend pointed out to me - it’s how things work in their world and I should take a different outlook on things. Since I’ve done that, I find myself thinking that maybe Rhine and Linden can really be together once his father is out of the way and I know only DeStefano has them answers at the moment but still I can’t help think….should I be Team Linden or Team Gabriel? And right now, I’m not sure.

Overall, Fever was just as good as Wither and I for one can not wait until the third book is released!

Thank you to HarperCollins for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Who wants to win a copy of Fever? 

Well if you live in the UK/EU or IRE then here's your chance. 

Rules
* You must be a GFC follower to enter

*Fill out the rafflecopter form to enter* There is loads of extra entries so feel free to do as many as you like, they are not required to win but will increase your chances
* Winners will be announced on the rafflecopter form and winners will be emailed. A reply within 48 hours will be needed otherwise a new winner will be picked. 

* The prize will be sent by Book Passion for Life but we will not be responsible for any lost mail. * Giveaway ends March 31st. 

***A huge thank you to HarperCollins for the giveaway copy of the book!!

Good Luck! 

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