My Thoughts: Sever by Lauren DeStefano + a giveaway

With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them.

Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.

**Arc received from Simon & Schuster Canada**



I don't know what to say. I have no words. I feel like it's an end of an era. That's how I felt upon finishing Lauren DeStefano's Chemical Garden trilogy. I felt like something very big had ended and I didn't know how to go on. But alas, I must.

If you have read my review of both Wither and Fever, the first two of the trilogy you will know that The Chemical Garden series has a special place in my heart and you will know that I am a huge fan of DeStefano's writing. None of this has changed. None. Sever, the final installment in the above mentioned series was brilliant. Absolutely.

Like it's predecessor's Sever is a testimony of DeStefano's creativity. It stuns me that what was part of this series was in someone's head and that someone had to amazing ability to write it in such an amazing magical way. There are not enough good things I could say about Lauren DeStefano's writing that I haven't already said.

Sever begins right where Fever left off. Rhine is in the hospital after having been recaptured by Housemaster Vaughn and suffering his wrath. Both Linden and Cecily are with her and she is about to be released from the hospital. At this time Linden takes both Rhine and Cecily to his estranged uncle's rural estate- it is here that Rhine is able to evaluate what she needs to do in order to find her brother.

Sever is great, I don't think it's as good as Wither, but I think it's better than Fever. I really loved Linden's uncle Reed. He was a wise man and so loving. It was incredible. Reed was the type of person Vaughn should have been. He loved both Cecily and Rhine without question- even if it was in his odd eccentric way. He was generous and kind. He truly cared for the people around him. Reed was a wise character and he definitely gave Rhine some great advise. What was the most interesting things about Reed was how easily it was to forget how intelligent he was. He comes off as flighty and all over the place, but every time he said something my opinion of him changed.

One of the many things I appreciated about Sever was seeing the relationship between Linden and Rhine become an actual genuine friendship. It was beautiful. I have always liked Linden, but I wasn`t always sure of him, and if I quote myself from my review of Wither, "Linden is portrayed as this weak man who is so naive it’s painful. He comes off needy and dependent. I wonder if we will see that change in future books."  I got exactly what I wanted from Linden in this book. His character development was phenomenal. While I didn't love him by the end of Sever I really did appreciate him. Cecily also surprised me in this one. She grew up and matured greatly. It was fantastic. While there were times when her age would show itself, which is natural. She wasn't nearly as irritating. Regardless, Cecily was my favourite in Wither and this continued throughout the trilogy.

It's hard to talk about the plot in a sequel. But, I will say this. Sever ended the Chemical Gardens trilogy very well. It did what it needed to do. There were some serious tears and moments of complete shock, followed by more tears. It was an emotional roller coaster. I think if you are a fan of the series you will not be disappointed with how DeStefano wraps things up.

I am also super excited for Lauren`s utopian series, which she says will be out next year.

**Sever hits stores this Tuesday Feb 12th..

But wait...

I have a brand new/never been read ARC or Sever to give away to you guys!! 

Here are the rules:

1) Open to Canada and US only (I'm sorry, but I'm shipping this myself and it cost more than the book itself to send overseas)
2) Fill out the Rafflecopter widget below (please note this is my first time using it, so if it doesn't work let me know)
3) You DO NOT need to be a follower to win, but if you do/are you get extra entries
5) My YouTube channel link (in case you want that extra entry).
6) Giveaway open until Feb 21st.

Good luck everyone.



a Rafflecopter giveaway