(The Chemical Garden #2)
by Lauren DeStefano
Release Date: February 21, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages: 341
Genre: YA Dystopian
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
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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 women 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.
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 women 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.
I didn't love Wither but after reading several reviews of Fever, I thought I might like it better and decided to give it a try. Luckily I was right and really enjoyed it. Fever was a lot more exciting. I think what I most disliked about Wither was that the whole book takes place in Linden's nasty bride slave prison/mansion and I wanted to see Rhine out in the world more. I got my wish although the world was pretty nasty as well. It picks up right where Wither left off with Rhine and Gabriel trying to find Rowan. But as soon as their boat docks they are sucked into a new hell, some kind of freaky prostitution circus. Rhine and Gabriel have to mess around in a bird cage while others watch. Luckily that is all that happens to Rhine. This is kind of a spoiler but it's also the reason I almost didn't keep reading so I figure I should go ahead and let you know up front that Rhine is never rapped. I was unsure if the author would go there and I really didn't want to read about that happening.
Poor Gabriel. He really gets the bad end of the deal in the escape. He becomes addicted to drugs by force. It's one hell after another but you can tell he truly loves Rhine. He was very sweet and protective of her. I am really hoping they get a chance to be happy together before the series is over. Rhine and Gabriel eventually escape the circus and head to Manhattan. Rhine returns home to find it burned to the ground and no sign or word from Rowan anywhere. They settle into an orphanage and you might think they would catch a break but of course not! Rhine is sick and they believe Vaughn has something to do with it. He had found them at the circus and they believe he will find them again. When he does we learn a lot of truly horrible things about Vaughn and his experiments. He is sicker than we thought. On the upside Rhine finally lets everything out to Linden. He is only at the very end of the book, another reason I think I enjoyed this book more. I've never been a fan of Linden but he slightly redeems himself at the end. He is still hopelessly naive and clueless but not completely evil. I'm actually looking forward to seeing how this all ends in the next book.
"Everyone should remember being born. It doesn't seem fair that we only remember dying."
"I lost everyone I loved," I tell him. I wait for him to look at me, and then I add, "The day I met you."
"But there’s no such thing as free. There are only different and more horrible ways to be enslaved."
"Because even if the lie is beautiful, the truth is what you face in the end"
Rating: 4/5 Stars!
Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Then be sure to check back because I ALWAYS respond to ALL REVIEW COMMENTS!!!
"Linden's nasty bride slave prison/mansion" LOL, you totally nailed its name ;). I'm happy you liked it. I own this and I've been planning to read it just like I've been planning to read Pandemonium but I haven't gotten to either of them yet.
ReplyDeleteYeah I feel you. I have so many books I still need to get too! haha yeah well Linden's nasty bride slave prison was seriously disturbing! And I read some pretty disturbing stuff but I guess as a female something like this is difficult for me to read. I loved the HBO show Big Love but it's different when it's over 18 women that make the choice for themselves. No matter how naive Linden may be, he locked women up in his house. No excusing that. Gabriel is really sweet though. I loved him in this one. I actually didn't feel too sick throughout this book like I did during Wither. Hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read it.
DeleteYeah polygamy is a lot worse when it's against your will and you're not even old enough to consent according to our world. I didn't mind much since I was aware that this was fiction and I've actually read a few books set in places like Yemen and Nigeria that are based on what actually happens there. So I was kind of prepared. But it's still scary thinking that people actually think this is entirely normal and okay in certain parts of the world.
DeleteI've never seen Big Love but Oprah talked about polygamy once on her show. She interviewed people who chose it and others who grew up in it but left because they didn't want that lifestyle. I can't believe women would actually want that lifestyle but to each their own, I guess. I already liked Gabriel in the first one. If you loved this one more then the first one I'll probably like it too.
Yey quotes :) Those are nice.. I want to read this series because people rave about it so much
ReplyDeleteI've seen a lot of either love it or hate it with this series. I'm actually somewhere in the middle. I liked the second book more but I've heard others say the opposite lol I can't wait to see what you think of it. The first book was difficult for me to read because the main character is kidnapped, taken away from her twin brother, and sold off into a polygamous marriage. I was very disturbed the whole time.
DeleteI can't wait to read this book
ReplyDeleteYay! Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI loved Wither! The whole idea of the story was original and I guess I didn't mind that it all took place in Linden's house :) Glad to hear that Fever (#2) is even better! Although I liked the character interactions in Wither, I'm looking forward to more action in Fever!
ReplyDeletehaha yeah Linden's house was interesting but I guess he just kept creeping me out. I really wanted to see some of the outside world and that is what I got in Fever. The ending was also sweet justice.
DeleteI read Wither and enjoyed it, but from other people's reviews it sounded like I wouldn't like Fever much so I haven't picked it up yet. It is nice to hear a positive review though, which will help me decide whether or not I want to read it!
ReplyDeleteYeah I read quite a few reviews before I decided to read Fever. I was really on the fence but I enjoyed it more than I thought! So it worked out. If you really liked Wither I think you probably will like Fever and I hope you do if you end up reading it!
DeleteSo I just recently got to read Fever, and I agree with you completely about liking Fever more than Wither. I couldn't stand having the setting of the book in one location.
ReplyDeleteI do have a soft spot for Linden though. He is so clueless - thinking the world he lives in is the right way to live. I feel bad for how his father shelters him. But I love Gabriel and I hope Rhine and him can have a happy ending.
Great review!
Yes I got so bored having the entire book in one mansion! I sometimes feel bad for Linden. He has a horrible father but I still feel like he needs to take some responsibility for his actions. I feel like common sense should make you take a step back and think hmmm I bought these girls, I keep them LOCKED up, yet I believe they love me and would never leave me. Shouldn't he have asked at least once if they were happy and whether or not they wanted to leave??? I'm just glad Rhine finally told him everything at the end of Fever. I may finally forgive him if in the next book he helps her find her brother and makes it up to her.
DeleteI love your review! I understand how you felt about book 1. I really enjoyed it. But, I did warn all my friends that was a definite downer kind of book, good but very depressing! I feel like I'm always looking for a surprise or a shock when it comes to YA dystopias. A lot of them tend to be well kind of the same. And I really think this series stands out on its own. And i think that's what most impressed me -how different it was.
ReplyDeleteIt was very different but it was quite a downer for me. I remember being literally sick to my stomach! I felt much better reading this one. I felt like while Rhine was still going through a traumatic time that she had some more power and free will. I'm actually really looking forward to the next book even though I wasn't looking forward to this one that much. I think it is a unique story but I also wish there was a little more background on the outside world and what is being done to cure this. I think something about Rhine might be the cure? Her eyes? I don't know but I hope it is cured so Rhine and Gabriel can live HEA.
DeleteDamn, this book sounds harsh....But, I'm glad that it's more exciting than Wither! I can't wait to read Fever and find out what happens to Rhine and Gabriel. I like the idea of the circus :D
ReplyDeleteYeah it's harsh...The whole series is pretty harsh! I actually felt a little less ill during this one than I felt during Wither lol I liked that Rhine and Gabriel were out on their own even though they come up on some more horrible problems. Hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI absolutely can't wait to read this book! I loved Fever but I haven't been able to get ahold of this one yet. I love how you included quotes in the review. I think that -
ReplyDelete"Because even if the lie is beautiful, the truth is what you face in the end" - is now my favorite quote ever. Thanks for reviewing this book.
By the way, I just wanted to say I LOVE the team jack and team loki buttons on the side bar. Those are my favorite books!
YAY! I love Jack & Loki! I have re-read the books several times. I really enjoy Amanda Hocking. That was a great quote from Fever! And too true!!! I prefer to just face the truth than mess with the beautiful lie. You will do always face the truth in the end. I hope you get to read it soon and enjoy it!
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