Lauren DeStefano

After modern science turns every human into a genetic time bomb with men dying at age twenty-five and women dying at age twenty, teenaged Rhine finds hope for a brighter future from a surprising source.

Sever

Tylar M

Nicole Dykeman

This was a great ending to this trilogy, and my only complaint is that Gabriel wasn't involved enough. He was a major character throughout the first two books and during this one, he was only mentioned in Rhine's thoughts every few chapters until the end. Anyway, this book could be the definition of character development. It was realistic the way that Cecily, Linden, Rowan, and Rhine grew up and changed. Overall it was an awesome conclusion.

Maggie Gordon

Wither was quiet, subtle, and nuanced. Sever was illogical, trope-filled, and had no idea what story it was trying to tell. This was an atrocious book, and a slap in the face to a series that started out with so much promise. I haven't felt this disappointed in a novel in quite a while. I might get to a longer review of this eventually, but if you're looking at starting the Chemical Gardens series, just pretend Wither was a standalone book.

Maria Banning

Marissa Killian

I'm sad about this. Even though there were things that made me comfortable in the first book, I took it for what it was and actually really enjoyed it. The second book was awful. I could hardly get through it and this final book was only slightly more tolerable. The ending left me feeling seriously robbed of time, there were so many loose ends that I felt never got explained or wrapped up. It was rushed and just ugh. I'm sick of reading so many stories that have potential and just give up. I really don't like leaving negative reviews but I'm so disappointed in this trilogy I just had to.

Terri Arnold

** spoiler alert **
           Compared to the other two books, I didnt really enjoy this conclusion. I find that it failed to do its job as a finale book in that it did not tie up a lot of loose ends, eg Maddie? I also did not like the slight foreboding between Silas and Cecily, I felt that it was unnecessary and that it made the story too "happy" considering the events. Additionally, considering that out of many YA Dystopians that are out, this was one of the more "sciencey" ones and I would have liked a little bit more science/explanations. I was also very disappointed with Rowans character since he was introduced, and his relationship with Lindens father and the events after. Overall, I felt that it wasnt really the same series and was quite boring, and I may lower my rating the more I think about it.

Chelsea Hunter

** spoiler alert **
           I thought this was a great conclusion to the series. It ended really well, and didn't really leave me wondering what would happen next. I can say I was really upset when Linden (Cecily's husband) died, because I was hoping he would be saved at the end.

Shawna Gavas

I have waited so long for this 3rd and final book in the Chemical Garden Trilogy. And it was so worth the wait!

Sever begins where Fever left us with Rhine in hospital recovering from the horrific experiments inflicted by Housemaster Vaughn. Rhine is determined to find her brother, but also realizes she's not quite recovered enough to begin her search. Linden suggests she stay at his Uncle Reed's house. Reed is a little off the grid, but Rhine comes to like it there helping Reed with his random collections of gadgets. He even has an airplane hidden in his shed out back!

Soon enough, Cecily and Linden come to seek shelter as well. Cecily has finally convinced Linden, that their son Bowen is in danger while under Vaughn's roof. They have also decided that they will be leaving Bowen in the care of Reed while they accomany Rhine on the search for her brother Rowen.

From here the search leads us back to Madame's carnival featured in Book 2. We are shown a surprisingly different side of Madame that explains why she is the way she is. Everyone has secrets after all. But Rhine abandons Linden and Cecily here where they will have protection, while she continues on alone.

The rest of the book is like following a ping-pong ball. Rhine finally finds Rowen. But Rowen is Vaughn's biggest supporter. His biggest fan. How is this possible? Why does he think Rhine was dead when Vaughn so obviously knew she was not? And where there is Rowen, there is Vaughn. Off to Hawaii....yes Hawaii. Another secret. Another piece of the puzzle. Rhine is confused beyond words. She is questioning the very foundation her life was built upon.

Finally, Rhine and Rowen accompany Vaughn back to the mansion. Willingly. Shocking I know! Vaughn takes a private walk down to the basement with Rhine. There is a surprise waiting for Rhine....one that Vaughn uses to blackmail her. Vaughn wants Linden, Cecily and Bowen to return to the mansion. Rhine is being sent to collect them. Despite her misgivings, Rhine cannot say no.

Back to the carnival, where Rhine has surprisingly no trouble convincing them to return with her. They have appeared to change their opinion on the situation....but have they really? One more stop at Reed's to pick up Bowen before heading back to the mansion once again. But tragedy strikes. A tragedy so great, that everything is now in limbo.....

I am so sad that this series has come to an end! I enjoyed the 3rd book just as much as the first 2. It was such a consistently well written story, with well developed characters and a solid plot line all the way through. I can't wait to read Lauren Stefano's future endeavours....but it will have to be pretty spectacular to beat this!

http://lostinmyyouth.blogspot.ca/2013...

Samantha

i still don't understand how she claims to "love" Gabriel and vice versa. There is still no connection between them. No chemistry whatsoever. just STOP STOP STOP with the BS
and everyone swooning over Gabriel.... um he has no depth or personality at all. how in the world can you all love him so much?
I KNOW i'm not the only one who noticed that. you honestly know NOTHING about him from the books. and the "he loves rhine for who she is" stuff makes me laugh. at no point in the book was there any kind of revelation or connection showing some deep love between them.

Everything in the book was so predictable, with the exception of (view spoiler)[ Linden dying  (hide spoiler)] and let's face it, that came completely out of left field. of ALL the things that could happen (view spoiler)[ he dies crash landing in an airplane?  (hide spoiler)] at least make it something even remotely related to the plot of the story. WTH is up with that?
and of course stupid Rhine blames herself, when in all actuality it was Cecily's fault.
The villain ended up not even being a villain at all, and yet (view spoiler)[ he still ends up getting killed off, too  (hide spoiler)]
Cecily is STILL an obnoxious little brat that I want to hit upside the head. 
I knew that (view spoiler)[ Madame was rose's mother  (hide spoiler)] before they even said it, because it was just that damn predictable.

i'm just so disappointed because I really wanted to like these books, but quite frankly, they just sucked.

Emily C Peterson

If we'd just had the first and third books, this trilogy would be at least 4x better.

Hayley 📖🌈💜🌸

Somewhere between 3.5 & 4 stars, I was quite annoyed at the middle of it, but I think the last few chapters made up for that.

Sever

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