Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Summary:
Time is running out for Rhine in this conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Chemical Garden Trilogy.

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.

In this breathtaking conclusion to Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy, everything Rhine knows to be true will be irrevocably shattered. (from GoodReads)

Review:
When I first started this trilogy, I was blown away by Wither, but merely enjoyed Fever. Now that I've finished the series I can say that overall this is one of my favorites. In the conclusion, the story came together perfectly and I loved the ending.

Sever addressed a lot of the questions that readers may have from the first two books. We finally get to meet Rhine's twin brother Rowan which is especially important because Rhine has been searching for him since the beginning. I loved seeing them interact and even though they have been away for a year their sibling bond is still evident.

Cecily, Linden and Linden's uncle Reed play really big parts in the book. I loved getting to know them better. Cecily has really developed from a shallow and naive little girl to a caring and warm mother and friend to Rhine. Linden has always been an interesting option for Rhine in terms of love interest but I enjoyed their friendship as well. Reed is nothing like his brother Vaughn and it was neat seeing another "first generation" character. This time Rhine is searching for Gabriel too and unfortunately he is barely in this book. I would have liked to see more of him!

Out of the entire series Vaughn, Linden's evil father, is definitely the most interesting. He took Rhine away from her brother and forced her to marry Linden, performed experiments on unwilling participants (including Rhine) and yet the reader is still able to sympathize with him. It's obvious that he loves his son very much and wants to find a cure to save him. That obviously doesn't excuse his atrocious behavior, but it makes it easier to understand his motives.

My only criticism is that the beginning of Sever is a little slow and I wish we were given more information on the Chemical Gardens, for which the trilogy is named. However, I think fans of these books will be satisfied with the ending and the ultimate direction of the story.

Rating: 9 out of 10.
FTC: borrowed from the library.

2013/Simon & Schuster/374 pages.