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Delirium #0.5
Annabel
Lena's mother, Annabel, has always been a mystery—a ghost in Lena's past. Until now.
Discover her secrets in Lauren Oliver's brilliant original digital story set in the world of New York Times bestsellers Delirium and Pandemonium.
Lena Halloway's mother, Annabel, supposedly committed suicide when Lena was only six years old. That's the lie that Lena grew up believing, but the truth is very different. As a rebellious teenager, Annabel ran away from home and straight into the man she knew she was destined to marry. The world was different then—the regulations not as stringent, the cure only a decade old. Fast forward to the present, and Annabel is consigned to a dirty prison cell, where she nurtures her hope of escape and scratches one word over and over into the walls: Love.
But Annabel, like Lena, is a fighter. Through chapters that alternate between her past and present, Annabel reveals the story behind her failed cures, her marriage, the births of her children, her imprisonment, and, ultimately, her daring escape.
Discover her secrets in Lauren Oliver's brilliant original digital story set in the world of New York Times bestsellers Delirium and Pandemonium.
Lena Halloway's mother, Annabel, supposedly committed suicide when Lena was only six years old. That's the lie that Lena grew up believing, but the truth is very different. As a rebellious teenager, Annabel ran away from home and straight into the man she knew she was destined to marry. The world was different then—the regulations not as stringent, the cure only a decade old. Fast forward to the present, and Annabel is consigned to a dirty prison cell, where she nurtures her hope of escape and scratches one word over and over into the walls: Love.
But Annabel, like Lena, is a fighter. Through chapters that alternate between her past and present, Annabel reveals the story behind her failed cures, her marriage, the births of her children, her imprisonment, and, ultimately, her daring escape.
35 pages, ebook
First published December 26, 2012
About the author
Lauren Oliver
48 books118k followersLauren Oliver is the cofounder of media and content development company Glasstown Entertainment, where she serves as the president of production. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of the YA novels Replica, Vanishing Girls, Panic, and the Delirium trilogy: Delirium, Pandemonium, and Requiem, which have been translated into more than thirty languages. The film rights to both Replica and Lauren's bestselling first novel, Before I Fall, were acquired by AwesomenessTV; Before I Fall is now a major motion picture and opened in theaters March of 2017. The sequel to Replica, titled Ringer, is her most recent novel and was released October 3rd, 2017.
Her novels for middle grade readers include The Spindlers, Liesl & Po, and the Curiosity House series, co-written with H. C. Chester. She has written one novel for adults, Rooms.
A graduate of the University of Chicago and NYU's MFA program, Lauren Oliver divides her time between New York, Connecticut, and a variety of airport lounges. You can visit her online at www.laurenoliverbooks.com.
Her novels for middle grade readers include The Spindlers, Liesl & Po, and the Curiosity House series, co-written with H. C. Chester. She has written one novel for adults, Rooms.
A graduate of the University of Chicago and NYU's MFA program, Lauren Oliver divides her time between New York, Connecticut, and a variety of airport lounges. You can visit her online at www.laurenoliverbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,023 reviews
November 12, 2018
I hope that once Lauren Oliver will write something from the point of view of somebody who was really cured. That might be Real interesting.
October 3, 2018
Español - English
"La daga de plata es todo lo que me queda. Es, ambas, reconfortante y dolorosa, porque me recuerda todo lo que he tenido, que tuvo lugar, y que me quitaron".
Es la historia de la madre de Lena, Annabel.
Se pensaba que estaba muerta, que había cometido suicidio, pero en realidad fue enviada a la prisión para los no curados.
---
This is the story of Annabel, Lena's mother.
It was thought she was dead, committed suicide, pero in fact she was sent to prison with the others uncured.
"La daga de plata es todo lo que me queda. Es, ambas, reconfortante y dolorosa, porque me recuerda todo lo que he tenido, que tuvo lugar, y que me quitaron".
Es la historia de la madre de Lena, Annabel.
Se pensaba que estaba muerta, que había cometido suicidio, pero en realidad fue enviada a la prisión para los no curados.
---
This is the story of Annabel, Lena's mother.
It was thought she was dead, committed suicide, pero in fact she was sent to prison with the others uncured.
July 22, 2023
Omg! I really enjoyed this story
We have memories from the past and also the present, which for me is pretty dynamic and I think this is the only one I have read like that
It's super interesting is a must in this series, and I genuinely like all of the characters and I just really love this story, well-written, drama, love blah blah blah YES!
We have memories from the past and also the present, which for me is pretty dynamic and I think this is the only one I have read like that
It's super interesting is a must in this series, and I genuinely like all of the characters and I just really love this story, well-written, drama, love blah blah blah YES!
Want to read
December 26, 2012Edit - 26th December: Sometimes, I really hate being in Australia time. I'm a day ahead of everyone in the US, so I actually get the book on the 27th -_-
LENA'S MOTHER.
IT'S A STORY ABOUT LENA'S MOTHER.
GOOD GRAVY HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL!!!!!!
LENA'S MOTHER.
IT'S A STORY ABOUT LENA'S MOTHER.
GOOD GRAVY HOLY MOTHER OF PEARL!!!!!!
December 27, 2012
AFTER READING:
The Annabel novella is told by the first person narration of Annabel and each chapter alternates between THEN and NOW, like that in Pandemonium.
The NOW chapters showed us when Annabel was still in the Crypts and planning her escape while in the THEN chapters, Annabel tells us how she fell in love and stayed in love even after the cure.
Annabel is waaaaay better than the Hana novella. I like Annabel's voice, she's like the more vulnerable Lena. The hardships she'd been through in the Crypts are terrifying I just wanna hug her and give her a pat on the shoulder for being so brave.
Well Ms. Oliver did it again. Her writing style is so awesome and I want more of her writing genius.
P.S. There's a sneak peek of Requiem told from Lena's and Hana's POVs. Lena deals with the return of the new Alex (squee!) while Hana is preparing for her wedding.
BEFORE READING:
OH MY!!! I think the purpose of this novella is to placate us, while impatiently waiting for Requiem. Anyway, Annabel's story has always been intriguing for me, at last we'll get to have a peek on her life.
I hope this is better than the "Hana" novella!
February 23, 2015
I was going to give it 4 stars, but I loved Conrad (?).
December 27, 2012
"I love you. Remember. And someday , I will find you again."
After reading Delirium and Pandemonium, we are well acquainted with Lena Haloway's character. We know what she's like. We know how she came to be. We've practically been a tag along all this while. We know that Lena lost her mother when she was six. We know the way Lena describes her mother. We also know how Annabel , Lena's mother tucked Lena in lovingly , danced around with her and made them delicious pancakes. We also know how Lena's mother was never cured. We had a brief brush with her in Pandemonium and we know how she escaped and held onto freedom with that one thought clear in her mind , that she will not be suppressed.
This being a novella from Annabel's POV is an absolute treat.
It is so easy to simply like her character. While I had minor issues with Hana , another delirium novella , this one seemed to be almost perfect. I could see the world from the eyes of a mother who just wanted her daughters to be loved. I could see the world from the eyes of a seventeen year old who ran away because all she wanted was freedom. And I loved it.
This series is one of my many favourite series and with this powerful addition in the delirium world , I can barely wait to find out what happens in the final book.
There's also an excerpt from Requiem provided and let me just say, I am so not happy with what I read. I'm almost scared to pick it up now.
Damn need that book now. Like right now.
This review along with many other things can be found here at YA Fanatic
After reading Delirium and Pandemonium, we are well acquainted with Lena Haloway's character. We know what she's like. We know how she came to be. We've practically been a tag along all this while. We know that Lena lost her mother when she was six. We know the way Lena describes her mother. We also know how Annabel , Lena's mother tucked Lena in lovingly , danced around with her and made them delicious pancakes. We also know how Lena's mother was never cured. We had a brief brush with her in Pandemonium and we know how she escaped and held onto freedom with that one thought clear in her mind , that she will not be suppressed.
This being a novella from Annabel's POV is an absolute treat.
It is so easy to simply like her character. While I had minor issues with Hana , another delirium novella , this one seemed to be almost perfect. I could see the world from the eyes of a mother who just wanted her daughters to be loved. I could see the world from the eyes of a seventeen year old who ran away because all she wanted was freedom. And I loved it.
This series is one of my many favourite series and with this powerful addition in the delirium world , I can barely wait to find out what happens in the final book.
There's also an excerpt from Requiem provided and let me just say, I am so not happy with what I read. I'm almost scared to pick it up now.
Damn need that book now. Like right now.
This review along with many other things can be found here at YA Fanatic
December 9, 2014
No me desagrado, pero tampoco me encanto. Sentí que agregó poco a la historia. La sentí como si estuviera inconclusa también, definitivamente me hubiera gustado que continúe.
March 20, 2018
A short novella in the Delirium series. This story takes place before the first book in the series, and is about Lena's mother, Annabel. We never learn much about Annabel in Delirium, so it was great to get a peak into her life. A quick read. Good for fans of this series, but best read after reading Delirium.
December 8, 2021
3/5
Una historia corta que no aporta a la trama principal pero sí a la construcción del mundo, me ha gustado y me generó muchas ganas de seguir con la saga
Una historia corta que no aporta a la trama principal pero sí a la construcción del mundo, me ha gustado y me generó muchas ganas de seguir con la saga
June 2, 2013
You have got to be trying to kill me Laurent Oliver!!!
I want to hug you and scream into the night: "ANNABEL! LAUREN OLIVER HAS NOT ONLY MADE REQUIEM BUT NOW SHE'S GOT ANNABEL! ANNABEL!!" You know, just for something to do while I wait.
Edit: I just finished reading the whole thing and I am so, so, so, so, glad that I picked this up. I loved Annabel, though a little out there as she thinks, I love her story. The wild, the constant silent revolting of the people who lock her up... it is very admireable. And brings the whole story back round 360.
I want to hug you and scream into the night: "ANNABEL! LAUREN OLIVER HAS NOT ONLY MADE REQUIEM BUT NOW SHE'S GOT ANNABEL! ANNABEL!!" You know, just for something to do while I wait.
Edit: I just finished reading the whole thing and I am so, so, so, so, glad that I picked this up. I loved Annabel, though a little out there as she thinks, I love her story. The wild, the constant silent revolting of the people who lock her up... it is very admireable. And brings the whole story back round 360.
February 24, 2023
Review🎙️: Ok can I just say, the way Lena remembers her mom sets a soft tender tone for Annabel in this novella. I really liked the way the author portrayed her as a loving wife, a loving nurturing mother and strong woman thru Lena’s eyes in Delirium.
But that is not what we see in this short story!
in this book we finally see her under a different light and how she came to be imprisoned. She didn’t want to be “dead” like the rest. In this book , from Annabel’s POV, we see how her actions led her to be “rebellious” and how she persevere to finally escape. I mean she was in there for a while but i liked that she never lost hope of escaping.
Even though Lena thought she was dead, (I mean that’s what everyone thought anyway and made her believe too), We still don’t know what tipped the government To put her into ward 6. I would have like that to be included. We know in Delirium, the death of her husband cut her deep and she was seen weeping a picture of her husband or whatever and she was under the procedures 3-4 times! But there is that gap where we really don’t know what happens after. So I think that should have been included in this novella Too. The author kind of left us hanging on that side of the story. Anyways aside from that I really liked it. I recommend you to give this a read. (As it’s part of the series🤪)
💯💯
But that is not what we see in this short story!
in this book we finally see her under a different light and how she came to be imprisoned. She didn’t want to be “dead” like the rest. In this book , from Annabel’s POV, we see how her actions led her to be “rebellious” and how she persevere to finally escape. I mean she was in there for a while but i liked that she never lost hope of escaping.
Even though Lena thought she was dead, (I mean that’s what everyone thought anyway and made her believe too), We still don’t know what tipped the government To put her into ward 6. I would have like that to be included. We know in Delirium, the death of her husband cut her deep and she was seen weeping a picture of her husband or whatever and she was under the procedures 3-4 times! But there is that gap where we really don’t know what happens after. So I think that should have been included in this novella Too. The author kind of left us hanging on that side of the story. Anyways aside from that I really liked it. I recommend you to give this a read. (As it’s part of the series🤪)
💯💯
April 24, 2020
The story of Lena's mother gave us a little more insight into the original story as well as into how Lena's parents fell in love - or rather how her mother fell in love, considering her father was "cured". I really appreciated that it wasn't too long and overdone.
I recommend this one to everyone who's read Delirium and liked it.
→3 stars
I recommend this one to everyone who's read Delirium and liked it.
→3 stars
February 20, 2022
her poor mum, falling madly in love and him not being capable of loving her back - Lauren Oliver's mind...
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November 18, 2015
I loved this short little window into Annabel, Lena's Mother's, life. It switches back and forth between then and now. It tells of her life before she married Lena's father and back to the present leading up to her escape from prison. In Delirium, we only get information about her from Lena's own knowledge. One thing about Annabel is that she loved Lena so much.
April 5, 2019
Η ιστορία της μητέρας της Λένα αποτελεί μια αρκετά ευχάριστη έκπληξη και μας βοηθάει να κατανοήσουμε ακόμα περισσότερο το πως λειτουργεί ο κόσμος τους μα και το πως επηρέασε και καθόρισε τις αποφάσεις και την πορεία των ζω��ν τους. Η γνώση αυτή έρχεται σταδιακά, μας βοηθάει να δούμε ορισμένα γεγονότα μέσα από ένα διαφορετικό πρίσμα και αποδεικνύεται μια αρκετά ενδιαφέρουσα πινελιά στο όλο story.
August 20, 2020
Sad, isn't it, how these 35 pages were better than the entire trilogy.
October 11, 2016
4.5 out of 5 stars.
March 7, 2024
“But Lena . . .
My littlest . . .
I love you. Remember.
And someday, I will find you again.”
―୨୧⋆ ˚ rereading this right after finishing delirium, it makes so much sense now. I highly appreciate how well-written this series is, and how this novella didn't feel useless or irrelevant at all.
My littlest . . .
I love you. Remember.
And someday, I will find you again.”
―୨୧⋆ ˚ rereading this right after finishing delirium, it makes so much sense now. I highly appreciate how well-written this series is, and how this novella didn't feel useless or irrelevant at all.
February 5, 2017
4.5/5 STARS!
I wish this was longer! I loved Annabel's back story!
I wish this was longer! I loved Annabel's back story!
February 8, 2013
WARRING: This review contains spoilers from Delirium and Pandemonium
From the moment you pick up Delirium you get sucked into a world that grabs a hold of you and doesn't let you go. I really love every book in this series and this short was no different.
Annabel is a brief glimpse into the life of Lena's mother. The chapters jump between Now, Annabel in the crypts, and Then, how Annabel was cured. I loved finding out how and why Annabel was special, we know that the cure never worked on her and I think this story explains why. I also loved the emotion you feel for her in this book, after Pandemonium you are almost angry at Annabel for leaving Lena and not going back for her, but after reading this you understand why she can't return (which you kind of gathered already) and you know she did the right thing.
For a brief moment I was sucked back into this world and it all came back to me so easily, like I had read the other books yesterday. I cannot wait to read Requiem and find out how it ends and more about Annabel.
From the moment you pick up Delirium you get sucked into a world that grabs a hold of you and doesn't let you go. I really love every book in this series and this short was no different.
Annabel is a brief glimpse into the life of Lena's mother. The chapters jump between Now, Annabel in the crypts, and Then, how Annabel was cured. I loved finding out how and why Annabel was special, we know that the cure never worked on her and I think this story explains why. I also loved the emotion you feel for her in this book, after Pandemonium you are almost angry at Annabel for leaving Lena and not going back for her, but after reading this you understand why she can't return (which you kind of gathered already) and you know she did the right thing.
For a brief moment I was sucked back into this world and it all came back to me so easily, like I had read the other books yesterday. I cannot wait to read Requiem and find out how it ends and more about Annabel.
December 29, 2012
Spoilers
This was just meh. I thought they'd be some good insight into Annabel (Lena's mum) but there wasn't, it was all stuff I wasn't interested in. There was some history and background about Annabel's 'prison break', her younger years and her marriage — unfortunately, I didn't really care about any of that, I would have preferred to read about her joining the Resistance and the work she did/does for them but most of all I would have liked to have read her POV when she met Lena again. Sadly, only the boring parts of her life were delved into.
I noticed that Annabel seemed to focus mainly on Lena and care about her more than her other daughter, Rachel. She didn't seem to give a fuck about Rachel - it was like she'd written her off because Rachel had been 'cured' of her emotions. Her favouritism of Lena was actually what I found most interesting, everything else was kind of blah.
I found the now and then chapters irritating and pointless considering how short the book was, it didn't add anything to the story apart from making it seem messy.
Lauren Oliver must be doing something right though because I'm still looking forward to the final book even though I hate Lena and most of the other characters.
This was just meh. I thought they'd be some good insight into Annabel (Lena's mum) but there wasn't, it was all stuff I wasn't interested in. There was some history and background about Annabel's 'prison break', her younger years and her marriage — unfortunately, I didn't really care about any of that, I would have preferred to read about her joining the Resistance and the work she did/does for them but most of all I would have liked to have read her POV when she met Lena again. Sadly, only the boring parts of her life were delved into.
I noticed that Annabel seemed to focus mainly on Lena and care about her more than her other daughter, Rachel. She didn't seem to give a fuck about Rachel - it was like she'd written her off because Rachel had been 'cured' of her emotions. Her favouritism of Lena was actually what I found most interesting, everything else was kind of blah.
I found the now and then chapters irritating and pointless considering how short the book was, it didn't add anything to the story apart from making it seem messy.
Lauren Oliver must be doing something right though because I'm still looking forward to the final book even though I hate Lena and most of the other characters.
June 2, 2017
Annabel Review on K-Books
Annabel is a novella that I have had on my kindle for what feels like forever. I remember reading Delirium years ago and loving it so much so I bought the novellas as soon as they released but for some reason I just never read them. I am so glad I finally decided to read them as I enjoyed reading this prequel novella.
Annabel tells the story of Lena's mother. I am really glad that I didn't read this before Delirium as I feel it would have spoilt the book for me but I did enjoy reading Annabel's story. It's told in both the past when not everyone has the cure as it's just been perfected and in the present day when she is in a cell just living for the day that she can escape and be with other uncured people.
Annabel was a cute and intriguing novella. It is very short and something you can read in about half an hour. It definitely gave me more insight into the Delirium series and I can't wait to read more of the series.
Annabel is a novella that I have had on my kindle for what feels like forever. I remember reading Delirium years ago and loving it so much so I bought the novellas as soon as they released but for some reason I just never read them. I am so glad I finally decided to read them as I enjoyed reading this prequel novella.
Annabel tells the story of Lena's mother. I am really glad that I didn't read this before Delirium as I feel it would have spoilt the book for me but I did enjoy reading Annabel's story. It's told in both the past when not everyone has the cure as it's just been perfected and in the present day when she is in a cell just living for the day that she can escape and be with other uncured people.
Annabel was a cute and intriguing novella. It is very short and something you can read in about half an hour. It definitely gave me more insight into the Delirium series and I can't wait to read more of the series.
April 18, 2013
So I got this as soon as I finished Hana because Lauren Oliver has that affect on me. This was just so heart-breakingly sad, even though I knew what was going to happen, that I was desperate for more. This was way too short. I need more! I'm going to try to get my hands on Raven, which is good because I have Requiem on hold at the library.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars
August 12, 2015
I've already finished this series but I thought this was a nice little addition from the point of view of Lena's mother. I will probably read all of the novellas. I don't think that they are totally necessary for this series but if you are a big fan, I would recommend!
December 8, 2021
Hay tantas cosas que había olvidado de Delirium.
Cuenta la historia de Annabel (madre de Lena) quien vivió desde el comienzo de la nueva ley para operar a las personas hasta el momento que está encerrada en las criptas.
Cuenta la historia de Annabel (madre de Lena) quien vivió desde el comienzo de la nueva ley para operar a las personas hasta el momento que está encerrada en las criptas.
July 21, 2017
Qué estilo tan lindo tiene esta mujer en su puño. Me gustó bastante, y generalmente estas cosas me chupan un huevo.
May 31, 2019
Don't read this book before Delirium! Unless you've gotten to Chapter 21. Other than that, it's a good short story.
January 29, 2023
rereading all of the delirium series in order!!
June 10, 2023
LEER RESEÑA COMPLETA EN MI BLOG: https://www.blogdivergente.com/2023/0...
Annabel es una novela corta escrita por Lauren Oliver, una reconocida autora de literatura juvenil y fantasía. Publicada en 2012, esta obra es una precuela de su exitosa novela Delirium, y se ubica en el mismo universo distópico.
La historia de Annabel se desarrolla en un mundo donde el amor es considerado una enfermedad mortal, y la sociedad ha creado un sistema riguroso para erradicarlo. En este contexto, Annabel, la madre de Lena, la protagonista de Delirium, es la protagonista principal. La narrativa alterna entre dos líneas de tiempo, revelando la vida de Annabel antes y después de ser atrapada por el amor.
En la primera parte del libro, se nos presenta a Annabel como una joven adolescente que vive en una sociedad controlada por el gobierno, donde el amor está prohibido. Sin embargo, Annabel siente curiosidad y fascinación por esta emoción prohibida, y su encuentro con un chico desencadena una serie de eventos que desafían las normas establecidas. A medida que su relación se intensifica, Annabel se enfrenta a las consecuencias devastadoras de amar en un mundo donde el amor está considerado como una enfermedad.
Annabel es una novela corta escrita por Lauren Oliver, una reconocida autora de literatura juvenil y fantasía. Publicada en 2012, esta obra es una precuela de su exitosa novela Delirium, y se ubica en el mismo universo distópico.
La historia de Annabel se desarrolla en un mundo donde el amor es considerado una enfermedad mortal, y la sociedad ha creado un sistema riguroso para erradicarlo. En este contexto, Annabel, la madre de Lena, la protagonista de Delirium, es la protagonista principal. La narrativa alterna entre dos líneas de tiempo, revelando la vida de Annabel antes y después de ser atrapada por el amor.
En la primera parte del libro, se nos presenta a Annabel como una joven adolescente que vive en una sociedad controlada por el gobierno, donde el amor está prohibido. Sin embargo, Annabel siente curiosidad y fascinación por esta emoción prohibida, y su encuentro con un chico desencadena una serie de eventos que desafían las normas establecidas. A medida que su relación se intensifica, Annabel se enfrenta a las consecuencias devastadoras de amar en un mundo donde el amor está considerado como una enfermedad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,023 reviews