Wither

Written by Lauren DeStefano

Narrated by Angela Lin

Lauren DeStefano makes a stellar debut with this chilling tale. The first installment of a planned trilogy, Wither introduces listeners to a bleak world where a mysterious disease kills most women by the age of 20 and men by the age of 25. Like many girls her age, 16-year-old Rhine has been captured and forced into marriage in an effort to keep the population growing. But, despite her new husband's wealth, she wants nothing more than to escape her servitude and return home before time runs out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9781461804321

Lauren DeStefano

Lauren DeStefano earned her BA in English with a concentration in creative writing from Albertus Magnus College in Connecticut in 2007. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Chemical Garden trilogy and The Glass Spare. You can find her online at twitter.com/laurendestefano and instagram.com/laurendestefanoauthor.

Reviews for Wither

[Grace · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Sister wives, a North America where human life span is 25 for men and 20 for women. Men can marry more than one wife as young as 13.
It was a hard read for me; it provoked a great sense of injustice in me.

[Sunray · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Crazy world one that full of turns and twists love the character dynamics in Wither

[Megan Alexandria · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This trilogy is amazing!!
Yes the topic might not be the best for everyone, but honestly these types of things happen and if we turn a blind eye to it we are part of the problem too.

[junipersun · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

DeStefano is not skilled at world building; it just doesn't make sense. Her focus in this book was Rhine's thoughts and emotions which--as expected for someone who has mainly interacted with her twin brother after their parents death--are none too stable, and reflect an basic search for belonging.
We are to believe that in a world where everyone except for the rich 'first generation' dies by age 20-25 yet somehow there is food (albeit scarce), that orphans are cared for, there are low pay manufacturing jobs. What about supply chain issues, or lack of raw materials? At first we hear that since the virus hit there has been no contact with any continent other than North America. Later we hear all those continents are underwater. What? even the Himalyas etc? And Florida is still above water? And then there are the enclaves of the First Generations which never seem to lack for fresh food, clean running water, and whatever material goods take their fancy despite unstable weather.Besides the personal attendants and the cooks there is no mention made of the number of maintenance workers it would take for such a place. And the young servant (7? 9? younger than 13) who can whip up at a few days notice gowns with hand-sewn pearl trimmings, or hand knit sweaters and gloves. Traces of current society are mentioned as if they've been long discarded. e.g. when a woman is in labor her feet are placed in 'pedal-like contraptions...I think they were called stirrups.' Why have Rhine, an educated person, describe it like this? She and her brother lived in a house of scientists, why were there no books which would have taught her much more? She didn't even know her name was a River until much later.
And the ending? Sailing off on the Atlantic in a small boat which they don't know how much gas/power supply or food it has, guided by love and a lighthouse? Let's just say that with the lack of preparation of the characters involved I'd expect them to starve to death.
Unless you like psychological studies of a person under stress, just skip this for more intelligent fiction.

[dairyqueen84 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

For a novel about a future dystopia, there was very little that gave the feel of a future or a dystopia. If climate change is going in the direction scientists think it's going (warmer), it doesn't make sense for there to be snow in Florida in the future. Am I picking at seemingly irrelevant details? Yes because of boredom with Rhine's whining about how much she wants to escape her life of sudden luxury in a mansion for some 300 odd pages. Okay, she was kidnapped from her twin brother to become one of three wives to the innocuous Lance.

[lexilewords · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have a feeling that I missed something because while I enjoyed the book I didn't absolutely adore it like many of my fellow readers seemed to have.

The book is refreshing in that it doesn't rely upon a love triangle to fuel its pace. It also doesn't create bad guys to create bad guys. DeStefano also tries to portray a health female friendship, even though cliche dictates they should HATE each other to pieces.

I want to mention how striking this cover is. It’s not usually the kind of cover I like, but it fits. It has symbolism. Wither is the first in the Chemical Garden trilogy, which is about normal for young adult novels these days. Especially young adult novels in the dystopian genre.

In the future humans are a ticking time bomb of death. Males live to 25 and females to 20, so society does what society is really good at–they figure out a way oppress females! Poor unfortunate souls get kidnapped, sold and forced into polygamous marriages to males so that the men can breed as many kids as possible. Well, the rich men get that treatment, at least.

Before I go further, I want to point out that though parts of this review may sound harsh, it’s not that I disliked or didn’t enjoy the novel. I just feel kind of overloaded on bleak, desperate dystopians where the government (or society, and sometimes they are the same) controls everything. Just off the top of my head I can name three other recently released or soon to be released books of a similar concept: Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Matched by Ally Condie, and Bumped by Megan McCafferty. That’s a whole lot of depression to be reading in a six month period.

Rhine, our main character, introduces us to the world and what’s happening. And she’s not a bad sort to have as a narrator. She doesn’t often dwell on the bleakness of her situation, she focuses on what it means to survive. She keeps hoping for a cure to the genetic problems plaguing mankind. In short she’s fair-minded and even-handed. Too often dystopians seem to have a focal character who is too far left or right.

DeStefano’s writing is lush and provocative; she offers an unbiased viewpoint in regards to what happens. Rhine as a narrator doesn’t judge or endorse the practice of kidnapping girls for the polygamous marriages. There is an obvious need, and her husband Linden isn’t a bad person–he’s not cruel or abusive, at least. And the trade-0ff isn’t half bad at first. All the food she can eat, pretty clothing and jewels, party after party…it’s a dream come true.

But…well, if Rhine had remained happy in life, we wouldn’t have much of a plot right? I will say I was happy to see that even though there is a “love” story outside of her marriage, it’s not the impetus of the novel. At least it didn’t feel as if it was to me. Rhine’s relationship with her sister-wives (oh, hey, yes, polygamy, I know I mentioned that) fuel her character more. Rhine wants to protect both Cecily (the younger one at 13) and Jenna (older at 19).

In the end the fact that DeStefano doesn’t dwell on a love triangle, or make Linden out to be a creep and villain, made this book worth more to me. I want to find out what happens next and follow the tension. This book doesn’t promise happy endings sunshine perfectness–I sincerely hope the series remains true to that.

[briars_reviews · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Years ago, back in my high school years, I stared in awe at this beautiful cover in my local bookshop. Due to limited finances, I could never pick the book up. Years passed by, and eventually I came across this book at a local book sale. You can bet your booty I grabbed this book and ran with it! Well, I paid for it first, but you get the gist.

Wither by Lauren DeStefano is a dystopian novel where the the new generation dies young (due to the perfection of genetics and the limitation of cancer). The boys die at 24 and the girls die at 20, so polygamy marriages are flourishing and the women pop out babies as quick as they can. Now, that may sound like some sort of dream for people, but you have to keep in mind these women are being sold off into these marriages so it's not exactly the ideal situation. This apocalypse is torture, and our lead Rhine thinks there may be a bit of a conspiracy going on... She's probably not wrong.

The first half of this book had me totally hooked and I could not put it down. I was desperately reading my little heart out, needing to know what was happening. Then the second half of the book happened and I sort of lost interest. Some of the logic behind this book was lost to me, and that's probably because I was overthinking it. Everyone needs to reproduce early because they die, so the older generations will take care of the babies? Also, why is no one trying to solve this issue or just... stop perfecting the whole genetics thing? I want more scientific information - it was hard for me (as an overthinker) to believe the context of the story. And that's a dumb statement, because fantasy isn't necessarily logical.

I also felt this book had a bit of a "men are trash" vibes at time. It made me wonder about the thought process of the characters, because they constantly bashed their husband but he didn't seem... that bad? He seemed like a guy in a bad situation and not the villain. There was very obviously a big, bad villain present who they should have been complaining about.

Then there are the chicks - oh my, are they manipulative! Sure, they all want to reproduce and get married but... it seemed odd. None of them saw the negative of this situation except Rhine? Nobody tried to escape or anything? They are just a slice of the population, so I'm sure there are more stories elsewhere. Also, why focus on reproduction? You have four years to live and they don't just want to bone everyone? I feel like that would be more of interest to the men than popping out babies. Unless those men are being controlled...

I am nosy why this series is called The Chemical Garden. Unless I can find the sequels easily at my local charity book stores and sales, I won't be continuing it. I just wasn't attached to this book liked I hope I would be. If I would have grabbed it back in my high school years I definitely would have been emotionally attached. This is the kind of Gothic weird I lived for in high school. Unfortunately, my adult self thinks too much for my own good now.

My biggest positive is that Lauren has one of the most beautiful writing styles and has a miraculous way with words. I was so impressed by how she wrote and that's why I stuck with this book when I was losing interest. She's just so good! So much potential!

Overall, this book is unique and it's one of those really wicked dystopian novels that will make you think. I can see an audience really loving it, but I'm not in it.

Two out of five stars.

[lyrrael · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book has just driven me nuts in the most polite way.

The ending felt..sort of abrupt. I don't know why. And I just can't get past the fact that she never just..told Linden about her life. About the truth. About the fact that Rhine had a brother, that Jenna's sisters were murdered, that all the girls were kidnapped and the rejects were discarded. I can't get past the fact that if he'd just known the reality that he would have made changes. That he'd have been horrified. And there was really no reason NOT to tell him. Vaughn couldn't have done anything about it once Linden knew. And that really, really bothers me. And the book took way too much suspension of disbelief -- so she's first wife but they've never consummated? O.o Really? And no details about the virus at all.

Calling this A Handmaid's Tale for kids is a good comparison, but A Handmaid's Tale took very little suspension of disbelief -- that's what made it so frightening. This was just frustrating.

[reader1009-863136 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Teen fiction, dystopian romance. I was only a few chapters in when I thought: I really need to put my request in at the library for the next book in the series NOW, but it's not due out til Feb. 2012 so I guess I'll have to wait. The buzz for this book has been good, and it did not disappoint--in fact, I was surprised that this is actually the author's debut novel, because it's polished (not just a slick cover, like so many other books turn out to be).

[shannonrose4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thanks to the wonders of genetic engineering, Rhine lives in a society where males die at 25 years old & females only live to age 20. Due to the time limits, girls are kidnapped and sold as brides to have children. Rhine ends up in a world of 'Wealth and privilege" but what happens when what she really wants is Freedom?

[sammusher · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Disclaimer: I only read 4 chapters. This is reasonably well written, if it's your thing. But I am so tired of this formula. Implausible apocalyptic premise (a virus that kills every woman at exactly 20, as though people are ticking clocks?). Protagonist who still doesn't feel like a person 4 chapters in, just a doll to be dressed up. She supposedly hates her situation, but still expends loving descriptions of her sumptuous clothes and food and makeup so we can vicariously appreciate the rich-person porn. Dystopia constructed around restricting women's sexuality, which is supposedly horrible, but most of what we see is a rags-to-riches tale more akin to Regency romance than Handmaid's Tale.

Like I said, I only read the first 4 chapters. It's entirely possible that Rhine develops into an individual and the book turns those tropes on their head. But I was so bored/vaguely disgusted by the first chapters that I didn't keep going to find out. If I'm missing out, please tell me! I don't want to misjudge a book I haven't finished.

[thetreereader · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I had pretty high expectations for this book and I can’t tell if I feel like I’ve been let down or not. I really liked Wither a lot but not as much as I thought I would.

Wither is such an interesting and unique story and has great characters. I really liked the main character, Rhine, but I think Jenna was my favorite. I connected with her the most for some reason. Wither is well written, it’s easy to read and just pulls you right in for the first page.

I’m not exactly sure why I’m giving this book only four stars instead of five. I just didn’t love it and I can’t figure out why that is. I can’t think of one thing I didn’t like about it but it just didn’t make me feel like screaming I love this book and telling everyone that they need to read it right away.

I will definitely be reading book two, Fever as soon as possible. I will also be recommending this book to everyone I know. I just wont be telling them to drop everything to read it. If you haven’t read it yet, you should. It is a great book. I think maybe the problem was I heard people raving about it and had higher hopes for it than I thought I did.

[chelseaknits-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Bleh. Finished out of spite. Can't decide what was more annoying; the lack of logic in the worldbuilding or the weird passivity of the main character. I mean, even Stockholm syndrome would make some sense, but the almost maternal affection for her "husband" was just squicky in the extreme.

[fennecgirl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting concept from an unknown, new author. Nice, quick summertime read and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

[nevong_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have read this whole trilogy. I enjoy when a writer writes so well they draw you into their world. It's not hard to feel the desolation of being sixteen like Rhine and knowing you'll be dead by the age of twenty. Even in the light of day the tone is dark with more than a hint of sinister. Children having children because that's all there is left. The scene in the truck is devastating. It made me gasp at the disregard for life. The ending was bittersweet. There was one character I kind of wish had made it.

[emma_manolis · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh my word, I am so sad that I am finished reading “Wither.” After trudging through so many dystopian novels in a row and finding myself repeatedly disappointed, I was very hesitant when it came to reading this book. However, as shallow as it may sound, I just knew a story with such a fantastic cover and such an interesting premise has to be somewhat worthwhile, right?

Initially I did not really enjoy the novel probably because I was so tired of such pessimistic outlooks on what the future holds. Seriously, it’s depressing. Can someone please write something optimistic? Furthermore I found the introduction to be slightly confusing. In fact I think I repeatedly found myself muttering the following, “What the heck just happened?” and “Wait, what?” Just as I was ready to chalk this up to another fail, Gabriel walked in and completely saved the day.

Now I am not the type of girl who swoons over fictional characters and I am in no way swooning over Gabriel. However, I may be slightly crushing on the idea of him. . . just a teeny tiny bit. Ack, enough of that. Maybe it has more to do with the situation Rhine and Gabriel are in. Nothing is better than a little forbidden love.

This story is absolutely enjoyable. To be perfectly honest I could hardly put it down. I think what I loved most about this novel is that it explores the question I have often asked myself; what would you do with your life if you knew exactly when you would die? The sucky part is that so many curveballs lie smack dab in between Rhine living her short life to the fullest. I’m excited to see what she does with the time she has left.

[tonifgmamtc · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was first attracted to this book because of the cover. After seeing the blurb, I knew I wanted to read it. It has an original spin on the zompoc genre. I believe Wither has the basis for a great story, but it didn't make it there for me. I was unable to understand the cause and effect of situations, behaviors, attitudes, etc. The things the characters did just didn't make any sense to me. I think this is one of those books that will produce very varied opinions so you may want to check it out for yourself.

***copy given in exchange for an honest review***

[sedelia_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This came out during the dystopia hype (which actually might still be going on, but anyway), so I didn’t really have any high hopes for how good it would be — I tend to be cautious towards really popular books, since I’ve been burned a few times by following the hype. :p However, even years later, it still seemed interesting to me, so I decided to at least skim it and see what it was about before outright deciding not to read it.

I have to say, Wither is a lot better than I expected it to be. I think there are a few logical holes as to how a society like this would have developed from the problem of short lifespans, but that aside, it’s actually quite a well thought out story about a girl in a desperate situation who tries to win back her freedom. The story itself dragged a bit, but I’m chalking that up to it being the first of a series and hopefully now that the worldbuilding is done, we can get into some really in-depth, complex looks at the characters and the society they live in within the next books of the series.

On the bright side however, the characters are well done and I loved learning more about them and learning how their lives fit into this strange world as a whole, and what their attitudes said about the world they’re living in. I also thought that DeStefano did an amazing job portraying Rhine’s internal conflict, where she needed to show that she was buying into her new life in order to win her freedom, but then felt guilty for maybe buying into it a little too much. Very, very well done on those counts.

While it’s not on a must-read list or even a definitely recommend list, it is interesting and I definitely want to make a point to read the sequels to see how this series turns out. If it sounds good to you, then I will say that I enjoyed myself, so maybe you will too.

Originally posted on Going on to the Next .

[oxlabyrinthxo-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was one of the books on my Goodreads suggestions list. All it had to tell me was that it was dystopian, had polygamy, and dealt with kidnapping and stockholm syndrome and I was sold!

Rhine is a sixteen year old girl in Manhattan who lives in a world where science has screwed up and has made it so girls only live till they're twenty and boys until they are twenty-five. Rhine's parents were working on a cure when they were murdered in a terrorist attack and she was left alone with her twin brother Rowan. They take turns sleeping each night to protect their home and each other from thieves and the "Gatherers" who round up young girls to be sold into prostitution and sexual slavery as brides to rich men.

Rhine ends up getting "gathered" with a bunch of other girls and forced to marry Linden. a wealthy governor in Florida, along with two other girls. Far from everything she knows and love she decides that she must escape and return home to her brother. But escape seems futile because the brides are watched and restricted to certain areas of the mansion that is impossible to escape. Her only way out is to make Linden fall in love with her so he will make her the First Wife. First Wives are the favorites of their husbands and get more privileges and freedom than her sister wives. Rhine achieves this goal and attends parties and events with Linden all the while determined to escape with the servant Gabriel whom she has fallen in love with.

This book was good for the first book in the series. I enjoyed the feel of this decaying society clinging to the hope of a cure and the disenchanted older generation that due to science are near immortal and all major illnesses have been done away with. Rhine doesn't feel like a sixteen year old to me but that is easily explained by the world she lives in and the death of her parents. Her sister wives can get a little annoying (especially Cecily but she's like fourteen). That also bothered me a lot. Linden's underaged wife. She's fourteen! Hardly at an age where she can give consent and know the consequences of her actions. She feels like a kid playing house the entirety of the book.

All in all it was an enjoyable book I look forward to the rest of the series because this book has so much potential.

Predictions for the rest of the series: Because Rhine and Rowen have heterochromia (two different eye colors) and because their parents were some big wig scientists I think we're going to find out that Rhine and Rowan are the key to the cure (or are test tube babies/clones and will age and live normally). Rhine will end up with Gabriel (though I would not entirely mind if she ended up with Linden) and Linden's father will be killed by one of his horrible experiments.

[floratina · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

READ IN DUTCH

Another Dystopian YA that hit the bookshops and my library after the success of The Hunger Games.



I had some problems with the genetics part of this book, as a training Biomedical Scientist. With advancing technology a way is found to cure people from all diseases. The only downside to this wonderful plan is that the offspring of this improved people happen to die at the age of 20 or 25 for females and males respectively. It's a strange disease, just kicking in after said birthday, and you will wither. (But no explanation on what kind of disease this is supposed to be, did they create a gene that can actually read a calender or count the candles on your birthday cake?)

Making sure you don't get diseases is a serious threat to your offspring it would seem, as this is also has a similar effect in TV-series Spellbinder which I liked to watch as a child.

The problem is set to be genetic, so why are they trying to make an antidote? Should another genetic manipulation not suffice? This is always my problem with books where genetic experiments have gone wrong. If you have the technology, why don't you just reverse the experiment. See, I'm not even graduated yet, but I can see the solution for this problem.



As especially women die young, their wombs are extremely important. Probably to make sure humans don't extinct or something, I can't really think about why people would like to have children that will grow up orphans (if they need kids for some reason or another, why don't they just take the orphans?) So important that everyone who doesn't get chosen by wealthy men, gets shot. That makes perfect sense of course?!



Those things said, I quite liked to read this book. It's not something you should analyse too much (see evidence above) but it's enjoyable. I liked the story in the mansion with the sisterwives, and the eminent feeling something is wrong there. It's a nice quick read, so I also planned to read the second book in this series.

[myntop · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

How very different from others in it's genre. This world is filled with tragedy and horrors I couldn't bare to imagine. The main character was very easy to relate to. The "villain" was very scary in a very human way. The world that this author has created makes you stop and think about some very real things and situations that could come into play very possibly in our lifetime. There are scientific themes that while probably seemed well meaning in the beginning, turned out to have horrifying consequences, thus reinforcing my belief that certain things should not be messed with. At the very least, we should be fully aware of what could happen when we do. I love a book like this that keeps me entertained, all the while forcing me to think and expand my views. I am very eager to read the rest of the series and see what becomes of Rhine.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am always drawn to a great front cover, but unfortunately the book often doesn't meet expectations. Thankfully, "Wither" does. It has a gripping first chapter that's hooks the reader in from the start and although it wavers a bit throughout the story, it is a great read about a polygamous marriage and the relationship between the three sister wives. Added to this, in this dystopian society cancer has been eradicated but at a cost. Girls now only live to the age of twenty and males to twenty-five. Looking forward to the next book.

[rosetyper9 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I seem to be reading a lot of dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels recently. I find that I either love or hate each one that read, there hasn't really been any middle ground. I think that this book is very dark, it has a gothic feel to it, even though it's supposed to be set in more of a futuristic society. That made for a very good juxtaposition and I also found it sort of entrancing. I started this book in one night and I finished it the same night.
I had to get past some of the dark and twisted things in this novel such as the shooting in the beginning, the way the whole world works really, and then the pregnant thirteen year old. I know all of these things sound like "What the hell did you read this for?" but I really liked that the author wasn't afraid to get into the nitty gritty of her world.
I enjoyed Rhine the most. I loved the fact that she never lost sight of what was important and she kept her goals in the forefront of her mind the whole time. I can get behind a women who knows how to persevere. I am really entranced by this novel and can't wait to read the next one in the series.

[kristymk18-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Initially, I thought this book would be full of suspense and surprises. While that was not the case, this book was still enjoyable and had an abundance of intrigue. What I liked most about the book was the world building and character development. It is very character driven and I found the supporting cast to be well shaped, which is important since they play an integral part in the story. The book cover synopsis gives a great overview and while there are not really any huge revelations or climatic moments, when I turned the last page I was eager to go out and get the next book. A day later and I am still thinking about Rhine's (the MC) world and this is what leads me to round to 3.5 stars.

[glitzandshadows · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first thing i noticed about this book is the cover (lol, oh gosh that's such a stupidly obvious statement). It's so pretty. Like, I kept closing the book and looking at the cover because it's so captivating and perfect. Now, in my experience, when a book has a cover like this that means that it has a lot of expectation to live up to, and, well, a lot of times the books don't live up to their fantastic covers. I was so pleasantly surprised when from the very first pages i was greeted with a story that was captivating.
Another thing that made me suspect whether i would enjoy this right off was the content. I'm not a huge fan on plotlines that deal with fertility and marriage and things like that. So, i was a little unsure when i saw the words 'sister wives.'
Thankfully though, this book blew away any doubts i may have had about it on sole basis of the synopsis. Even from the very beginning my first thought was how pretty this book was. The setting was pretty and the characters were pretty and the writing was just pretty. It was flowery without being wordy and too much (if that makes any sense AT ALL).
The story is set in a future where every generation dies when the women hit age twenty and the men hit twenty five. There is one generation, the first generation they're called, who were not born with this defect and thus are scrambling for a way to fix this deadly defect in the younger generations. To do that, girls are kidnapped off the streets to be wives for rich men. Their aim to find a cure for the 'ailment' through their children. I admit it, i was a little put off when the idea of sister wives came in and Rhine was married by the third chapter.
The story won me over with it's progression, however. Rhine is determined to escape and return to her twin brother, no matter what. Even when the mansion is at it's most alluring and Rhine even suspects that she has fallen in love with her husband Linden, she still wants freedom. Over all she will do anything for freedom. I appreciated how that was always at the forefront of her mind, that she didn't let herself forget. Because it would have been quite easy for half the book to have Rhine 'planning' her escape but because she wasn't thinking about it, it would seem like she was merely resigning to her fate. (This book is in first person, so i must say i did end up liking Rhine and thinking that she had a distinct personality.)
Another thing i appreciated was that each of the three wives were so very distinctly different. Rhine was the one who aspired to be the 'favourite wife' simply so that she could better plan her escape. Jenna was the eldest and closest to her final years. She hated Linden and his father so much that she became the resigned wife, the one that never grew attached or close to their husband. Cecily was the youngest wife, a fiery, short tempered orphan who's dreams came true with this marriage. I ended up liking all three of the girls by the end, because they were all so very distinctly characterised.
What struck me the most, though, was Rhine's progression as a character throughout the book. At the beginning, her narration sounded like the narration from a scared sixteen year old girl who was just kidnapped and about to be married to a stranger. By the end her narration sounded like a mature young woman who had been held captive and learned to deal with it and find her escape and freedom. She matured as a character so beautifully, and well, especially for a short YA novel that i devoured in one day.
The world and setting left me fascinated and wanting more, especially as we only saw a very small glimpse of it through Linden's mansion. The writing was lovely and enjoyed every minute of it.

[prescottkris · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book had such a unique and sad portrait of what life might have been like. I loved it. I can't stand to think I have to wait another year to read the sequal!

[kelly_mills-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just LOVED this book! It had a unique & interesting premise (see synopsis). The plot moved along at just the right pace & the characters were very well written and developed. Can't wait for the sequel!

[bookworm12_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dystopian YA trilogy, there are so many of them!!! After a while they all blur together and honestly this one falls somewhere in the middle of the pack. After reading quite a few heavy books I was in the mood for something quick and fun and this one worked well.

The first book in the series sucks you in from the first page. Rhine, a teenager with wild hair and different colored eyes, is kidnapped from Manhattan where she lived with her twin brother Rowan. She, along with two other girls, is taken to become a child bride to a rich man, Linden. Even though she’s only 16-years-old, this practice is completely normal in the twisted society the world has become.

Decades earlier geneticists found a cure for cancer, but in doing so they destroyed the human race. The “cured” generation seems almost immortal, but their children only live to be 20 if they are female and 25 if they are male. The world has been like this for years and the ensuing chaos and overwhelming number of orphans is heartbreaking.
The two other brides, the aloof Jenna and ditzy Cecily live with Rhine in a mansion that’s more prison than paradise. As Rhine plans her escape she tries to understand the world around her. Although it seems almost harmless on the surface, her father-in-law, Vaughn, runs a darker world behind the scenes in the mansion. An attendant named Gabriel provides a source of comfort in the midst of her loneliness.

BOTTOM LINE: The trilogy was just what I wanted, fast reads with enthralling plots. There are definitely pieces that feel like they come straight from another dystopian trilogy, like the constant primping of the girls by attendants (Hunger Games) or the brother who becomes a supporter of the villains’ plans (Divergent), but overall I was entertained. I didn’t like them enough to ever re-read them. The characters were often too wooden, the plot too predictable, but they are great for a reading break when you need one.

[cinachilders · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I honestly don’t know what to feel about Wither. All I know is I was hoping that Rhine would not fall in love with Linden. I didn’t like him nor did I think he deserved it, even though he’s supposedly innocent of everything. I want her and Gabriel to be together if anything. I also didn’t get exactly how people would die so young. There was a very brief explanation, but not one that really made me buy into the whole deal. And Linden, just..ugh. How could he not know? He seemed so sheltered. He would have to know something was up with his father.

[wagner5sarah35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was reluctant to read this novel for a while after reading a few mixed reviews. However, I am glad I did - Wither is not perfect, but it does incorporate some of the best elements of fiction and dystopia to create its story. In a futuristic society in which disease has been cured at the cost of men dying at 25 and women at 20, the 16-year-old Rhine is kidnapped to be a sister-wife to a wealthy young man. Good reading, recommended for anyone who enjoys YA dystopian novels!