For all of you who have not yet had the chance to read Lauren’s short story Annabel, which tells the story of Lena’s mother, you’re missing out! It gives amazing insight into how the world that Lena grew up in came to be, how her family came together and fell apart, and how her mother became part of a bigger cause.
USA Today‘s Jessie Potts has recommended Annabel as a must-read!
Why you should read it: Delirium was ridiculously good, and I loved Pandemonium. I’ve always wanted to know more about Annabel and her fate: Who was the woman behind the haunted memories? In this novella, Lauren showcases her talent for getting into different characters’ heads and memories and pulling their story forth. I would recommend reading this even if you haven’t read Delirium (though you’ll enjoy it that much more if you do!). Annabel’s voice is strong, and I can understand how Lena was able to fight … it was in her blood.
Tidbit: When I asked Lauren about writing Annabel, she said, “The great thing about being an author nowadays is the immediacy (and volume!) of the feedback you get from readers — on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Goodreads, whatever. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming, but often, I’ve drawn inspiration from the opinions, questions, and even the demands of my fans. After Delirium published, a lot of my readers asked me about Lena’s mother and whether we would see her again. I knew we would later on in the series, but everyone seemed so captivated by her background and her history, I decided I wanted to make her the star of her own story. That’s how Annabel came to be. I was really excited to write from Lena’s mom’s perspective, both because I got to explore what the world was like as the cure for love was just being mandated and the borders were closing down. Also, I’ve always been obsessed with the book/movie The Count of Monte Cristo, and I drew my inspiration for The Crypts, where Annabel is imprisoned for over a decade, from the horrible jail in that book.”
