Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mix of forbidden romance, drama, and danger; OK for teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 54 kid reviews
Kids say this book offers a compelling exploration of love in a dystopian society, highlighting both its beauty and the fear it generates. While some readers rave about its depth and emotional impact, others criticize its pacing and character development, leading to a polarized reception where romance elements either enchant or frustrate.
- unique premise
- strong themes
- mixed reviews
- character depth
- varied pacing
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
The future United States is a place of extreme order and apathy, thanks to a government-required procedure that all citizens must submit to at 18 to protect them from Amore Deleria Nervosa -- the disease of love. Lena can't wait for her procedure, scheduled in a few months. Then she'll be free from memories of her beloved mother who killed herself 12 years ago after a botched procedure to "cure" her. Then, Lena meets Alex and it's not long before she's seriously and wonderfully "infected." He's from beyond the electrified fence and fakes the mark of the cured so he can attend school and stage small anonymous acts of resistance. As Alex opens Lena's eyes to what the cure really represents, Lena struggles with what to do. All the while her procedure date draws nearer.
Is It Any Good?
Teen readers will be drawn into this book's exciting premise and its mix of romance, high drama and danger. If citizens get "infected" by love, government regulators drag them, kicking and screaming to poke at their brains until they don't care about anyone anymore. Yikes. If readers stay focused on Lena and Alex's star-crossed romance, they are in for a great ride. Those who try to follow the whys and hows of the making of this society will find the unanswered questions keep on coming. They will wish the author had taken more time to flush-out her dystopian backdrop.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the resurgence in popularity of dystopian novels. Like Twilight launched many more vampire novels, the popularity of The Hunger Games, for example, gave this genre new life. Why do teens connect with these books? What do you think the next book fad will be?
It's hard to find a fault in Alex, Lena's love interest. Why do you think the main male character in romantic novels is often drawn this way? Do characters like Alex shape teen's expectations about romance in any way?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperCollins Children's Books
- Publication date : February 1, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 441
- Last updated : January 13, 2026
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