Wither

Wither
By Lauren DeStefano
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2011. 358 pgs. Young Adult

In the future, scientists have perfected diseases and flaws, but perfection comes at a cost. The newer generations of young men and women die early—men die at 25 and women at 20 of a horrible virus no one can seem to cure. Wealthier people hire Gatherers to kidnap young women who will be wives to young men in the last few years of their lives and hopefully repopulate. Rhine, an orphan, is kidnapped from Manhattan and taken to Florida, to be one of three sister wives to Linden, whose devious father Vaughn is intent on a cure. Rhine refuses to adapt to her new position and constantly looks for ways to escape and return to her twin brother.

An older teen read, I found this more engaging and original than Matched, but not as compelling as The Hunger Games or Birthmarked. But fans of dystopian novels should enjoy this one and will look forward to the next installment.

MN