The Chemical Garden Trilogy, Book 1
Written by Lauren DeStefano
Rhine is a sixteen year-old girl. She is also a twin. She and her brother live on their own since their parents were killed. The time is in the future when geneticists have been able to cure cancer and other deadly diseases. The original generation is practically immortal. However their offspring have a flaw – the women die at age 20 and the men die at 25. Scientists work frantically to find a cure with no luck.
Wealthy men use Gatherers to round up unsuspecting girls to become their wives or to be put into brothels. Rhine is taken to Florida to become one of three new wives for Linden Ashby. Rhine is living a life of luxury but she doesn’t have her freedom or her brother. As she tries to find a way to her brother she befriends a servant named Gabriel.
The characters are great and the story is very good. You are sympathetic to her plight. It is sad as they are all living under the curse of their virus.
Review by Warren Child, Cyprus High Media Center
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: High School
The Chemical Garden – Website
Lauren DeStefano – Website
The Chemical Garden Trilogy, Book 1
Wither
Written by Lauren DeStefano
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
358 pages
Release Date: March 22, 2011
ISBN: 9781442409057 (hardcover)
