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After a great deal of reflection, I can't shake off the fondness I had for this novel. For me it had a deep, rich, intoxicating quality that I don't often read in Young Adult novels and has become an increasing rarity for me.

Many reviews make a deal of the problems associated with the implausible premise. If you think that’s going to bother you then you’re best to steer clear of this one. As for me, unbelievable characters or plot holes will ruin my reading experience but I’ve never necessarily been deterred by an implausible story vehicles so long as it gave me a good ride (TWSS). As with Unwind, I prefer to see the value of the idea fulfilled than to wonder over how likely, or unlikely it is.

However, Unwind’s premise was always very clearly tied to its themes and intentions which didn’t always feel as such with Withered. I found it difficult to determine what the main themes of Withered actually were. The value of freedom glimpsed from a gilded cage? The systematic oppression of women when society is placed under stress? The insidious nature of Stockholm syndrome?

Despite the ambiguity of the above, Wither is very readable, complete with unsettling atmosphere, interesting, relatable characters and a compelling plot. I wonder at the characterization of Linden, though, and it worries me. Raise The Red Lantern depicted this setting best, for me, by not even showing the husband on screen.

It strained credibility that he could be so naïve, so blind to the world around him and, at times, felt weak to not portray him as a more realistic character. Realistically, he would have been a character who purchased three girls from slave traders and, with full knowledge and forethought, forced them to marry him.

Perhaps that is the crux of the issue. Despite Rhine’s seeming pragmatism, there was a romanticizing, idealic undertone that couldn’t be ignored. Where the bad people are irredeemably bad and the good are great and we all know which side of that line they’re on. Whether black or white. Still, I can’t complain really. I thought every character was reasonably complex and interesting � even if I would have preferred to read this story with a different type of Linden, just to see a more bold stance by the author.

I think DeStefano’s strong stylistic abilities and natural story telling flare saved this for me. Parts of me wanted it to be a grittier, rawer read, but the other half wasn’t sure my blood pressure would take it.

So if you're looking for an interesting, thought-provoking YA Dystopian, give this a try!