Fever (Destefano novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
Fever is a young-adult dystopian novel written by Lauren DeStefano, released on February 12, 2012, through Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers. The story unfolds in a future where scientists have engineered flawless humans who are immune to illness, known as the "First Generation," enjoying long and healthy lives. However, their descendants are afflicted by a virus that results in females dying at age 20 and males at 25, sparking an urgent quest for a remedy. Fever serves as the second installment in The Chemical Garden Trilogy, following Wither (2011) and preceding Sever (2013).
Plot
In this dystopian setting, the eradication of all diseases inadvertently causes a defective virus to impact future generations, leading to premature death and societal disruption. Women are frequently exploited for experimentation or coerced into prostitution.
Rhine Ellery is abducted by Gatherers in Manhattan and sold to Linden Ashby, compelled into marriage. Winning Linden’s confidence and forming a bond with the servant Gabriel, Rhine and Gabriel flee the Florida estate to seek her twin brother Rowan in New York.
Their return journey proves dangerous; they are captured by a traveling circus caravan functioning as a brothel, where they encounter Lilac, a prostitute, and her disabled daughter Maddie. After orchestrating an escape—though Lilac remains captive—they continue avoiding Housemaster Vaughn’s pursuit. Upon arriving in New York, Rhine finds her home destroyed and Rowan missing. Gabriel experiences side effects from drugs administered at the circus, while Rhine begins exhibiting viral symptoms despite her youth. They find shelter at an orphanage managed by Maddie’s grandmother, a member of the First Generation.
As Rhine’s health deteriorates with fever and hair loss, Vaughn offers a treatment but reveals that June Beans—a candy introduced by Rose Ashby and secretly given by Gabriel—contained a controlled micro-dose of the virus. Vaughn threatens to burn down the orphanage if she refuses and forces Rhine back to the Ashby estate in Florida.
Disowned by Linden after her escape attempt, Rhine is confined to the basement under Vaughn’s control and subjected to experimental drugs inducing hallucinations. Deirdre, her former domestic worker who underwent fertility experiments, visits regularly and assists Rhine in learning how to slip free from restraints. Cecily, Linden’s youngest wife who is pregnant again, also visits secretly and pledges protection.
During one escape from her restraints, Rhine injures herself trying to remove an implanted tracker but loses consciousness. She is discovered by Cecily and Linden—who was unaware of her captivity—and Linden helps her recover in a hospital. Despite removing the tracker from her leg, Linden remains skeptical of Rhine’s accusations against Vaughn.
While recuperating, Rhine watches news coverage of the Pro-naturalists—a rebel faction opposing efforts to cure the virus responsible for widespread fatalities. To her shock, she recognizes Rowan among their leaders protesting the search for a cure.
Main characters
- Rhine Ellery: A seventeen-year-old Manhattan native kidnapped to become Linden's wife and serves as the novel’s narrator. She has heterochromia, with one blue eye and one brown.
- Linden Ashby: A young architect married to Rhine as well as Jenna, Cecily, and Rose.
- Cecily: The youngest sister wife at age 14.
- Vaughn Ashby: Father of Linden and Housemaster of the Florida mansion; obsessed with discovering a cure for the virus at any cost.
- Gabriel: A servant at the mansion assigned to Rhine; they develop a romantic relationship and escape together.
- Rowan Ellery: Rhine’s twin brother who is sought after in New York.
- Lilac: A prostitute working at the circus brothel who plans an escape with Rhine and Gabriel but ultimately fails.
- Maddie: Lilac’s disabled daughter who escapes alongside Rhine and Gabriel and reunites with her maternal First Generation grandmother.
- Madam: The emotionally unstable owner of the circus brothel; harbors resentment toward Rhine due to her resemblance to Madam’s deceased daughter and has ties to Vaughn.
Publication history
Fever made its debut in hardcover format within the United States on February 12, 2013, released by Simon & Schuster Children's Books For Young Readers.