Wither

How would you like to know the day you turn 20 you'll die? Wither, by Lauren DeStefano, is a book filled with action, suspense, love, and heartbreak. If you like books that really make you think, and really make you hurt for the characters then you'll love this book! There is constantly a twist or new, exciting event that builds suspense. The book deals with problems that exist in our society today such as child prostitution, orphans, and slavery. Even though this book is based in the future, I find myself wondering, 'could this really happen?'

Like I said, this book is based in the future. It takes place at a time where science geniuses come up with a cure for every single sickness; whether it be cancer or the common cold, it's gone. The first ever "perfect" people are known as the first generation. But when the first generation starts having kids (the second generation) something goes horribly wrong. At age 20, every girl dies. And at age 25, every boy dies, too. The disease that kills them is gruesome, lasts for months, and has no cure.

The book follows a girl named Rhine Ellery whose parents recently died. This leaves Rhine and her twin brother alone to fend for themselves. Life is very hard and Rhine has to be very careful, as there are constantly more and more young girls being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides. At least that's what happens to the lucky ones. The unlucky ones are murdered or sold into prostitution. One day the unthinkable happens, and Rhine finds herself in the back of a van with 5 other screaming girls.

Rhine is forced to live in a sprawling mansion with 2 other teenage girls who are her "sister wives." They are all married to the same man, Lindon. Ironically, Lindon is actually a very kind and innocent man. He would never do anything to hurt the girls and truly loves them... especially Rhine. He feels a special connection with her, but she cannot make herself love him or hate him. As much as she truly wants to despise him for taking her away from her brother, he's not the one she hates. It's Lindon's father, Housemaster Vaughn, whom she blames. He is a crazy first-generation scientist who arranges for the brides' kidnappings and is constantly torturing them. Rhine knows there's something bad about him and is determined to find what it is.

Meanwhile, Rhine dreams of escape, and knows she isn't the first wife to attempt it. She is constantly forming a plan, but the mansion's doors and windows are always locked. Rhine and her sister wives are only allowed outside with their husband at certain hours. The fact that she has a time bomb ticking inside her makes the situation even more urgent. Rhine does all she can to get on Lindon's good side, but after he impregnates her 13-year-old sister wife Cecily, Rhine cannot stand Lindon. I found this part a little bit offensive, but the author doesn't make any scenes explicit and I respected that. Lindon's nightly visits continue with Rhine's other sister wife, 19-year-old Jenna. Her sister wives seem to enjoy Lindon's company, while Rhine would much rather be flirting with their young, attractive servant named Gabriel whom she quickly falls madly in love with. Every part about their relationship is dangerous and risky. As if all of this isn't enough, there's even more intrigue, mystery, and romance, as you continue reading the book!

A-