Birthmarked (Birthmarked #1)

Author: Caragh M. O'brien
Series: Birthmarked, #1

Age Group: Young Adult

Challenge: None

Format: Hardback

Pages: 361

Published: March 30, 2010

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Source: Local Library

My Rating: * * * * *

IN THE FUTURE, in a world baked dry by the harsh sun, there are those who live inside the wall and those, like sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone, who live outside. Gaia has always believed it is her duty, with her mother, to hand over a small quota of babies to the Enclave. But when Gaia's mother and father are arrested by the very people they so dutifully serve, Gaia is forced to question everything she has been taught to believe . Gaia's choice is now simple: enter the world of the Enclave to rescue her parents, or die trying.

WARNING: This books does contain childbirth and all that, so if blood and all that stuff makes you quesy, well, be careful with this book. But, don't worry too much, Birthmarked does not go into too much detail with all the whole childbirth thing. It only gives you the basic idea.


Well, let's get started. Birthmarked is set way after 2011. In these futuristic times, people have run out of fuel, electricity, and all the comfortable accomadtions that we have nowadays. But, some people still have running water from faucets. Want to guess who? Those who live inside the wall. The rich and priveleged. Unfair don't you think? Consider the people outside the wall who have greater quatities of people to feed. The residents have to travel to the well to get their water.


Here comes Gaia. She, unfortunately, was burned on one side of her face due to an "accident", and has to live outside the wall because she has an "imperfection." Bad for her, right? But, at least she's happy...until everything changes. Parents kidnapped, yatta yatta. Now, here comes the dark and irresistble blue-eyed Leon. A guard, nonetheless. He turns Gaia's world upside down...in more ways than one.


I would continue narrating the story, but that would be giving away too much. Just get this. Leon is AMAZING! Cold, brooding, but with a sincere motive, he is beautiful(yes, I just described a guy as beautiful)! One more warning, though. He does not do well with children(at least, that's what I got from the book)! But what tortured guy does? YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK! Already, this is my second time reading Birthmarked, and I loved it once again. And if you liked Delirium by Lauren Oliver, then this book is definitely for you.


About the Author:

A native of St. Paul, Minessota, Caragh M. O'brien was educated at Williams College and Johns Hopkins University. She has long delighted in codes and languages, especially those that breach the walls that otherwise divide people. Currently, Caragh teaches English at Tolland High School and lives with her family in quiet Storrs, Conneticut. This is her first young adult novel.

Delirium (Delirium #1)

Author: Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium, #1
Age Group: Young Adult
Challenge: Wish I'd Read That Challenge
Format: Hardback
Pages: 441
Published: February 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Public Library
My Rating: * * * * *

NINETY-FIVE DAYS, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't.

Opinions & Thoughts:
Delirum was an extremely fascinating book. I had never heard the term "dystopian", until now. I guess you could say this was my first time reading a dystopian book, knowing what the type of book it is called. Probably, my actual first dystopian book was either the Hunger Games trilogy or The Host.


Previously, Lauren Oliver had written another book entitled Before I Fall. Sadly, it's still on my TBR pile, but I am determined to read it soon. Want to know why? Because Delirium was AMAZING! At first it was just like, okay, come on, get on with it Lena. You're boring me to death, what with your goody-two shoes attitude. But, by the end, I was almost crying! Lena, forgive me for criticizing you.


Poor, poor, Alex! I hated what happened to him, but I loved him as a character. He was so sweet and caring!


The book was predictable in a few parts, and it sounded similar in some ways to Birthmarked, another book I had read previously. Not too many similarities, but a few. As for the writing style, I noticed that there were plenty of comparisons. Too many, in fact. But, after the plot distracted me, I forgot all about it[the comparisons]. Ahhh...I loved how Lauren Oliver was able to manipulate my emotions, to the point where I was almost crying. Almost.


Overall, an amazing book. Go get it at your library or bookstore. Borrow Delirium from a friend. I don't care how you manage to get this book, steal for all I care(don't take it seriously, I don't want to be blamed as an accomplice), but you have got to read Delirium. I guarantee I didn't regret reading it, and hopefully, you won't either.


About the Author:
Lauren Oliver is the author of Before I Fall, which ALA Booklist called a "compelling book with a powerful message [that] should not be missed." A graduate of the University of Chicago and the MFA program at New York University, Lauren is now a full-time writer and lives in Brooklyn, New York. Delirium is her second novel.