This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com. 
 One of the most successful Dystopians I've ever read was Susan Beth Pfeffer's Last Survivors Trilogy. I don't say it was my favorite, but that it painted a picture so terrifying and realistic that I squirmed as I read it. I think Wither has a touch of that same terrific realism and, for that reason alone it's a successful book. I try to imagine what it would be like to reach the end your life at twenty and, frankly, I can't. It seems such a waste. Twenty is the cusp of adulthood. You're barely out of your teen years, hardly old enough to gain any wisdom or perspective on life. I also tried to imagine a world where nineteen is considered old and...well, that doesn't work either. Of course, longevity isn't the only thing that gives us perspective--experience can do that, too. Growing up knowing when you'll die and living in fear for your life (and your freedom) can't help but grow a person before their time. But when does a person really become aware? For a great deal of our childhood, our world is made up of Mom, Dad and maybe some brothers and sisters. The nuclear family. (Bear with me. I know this isn't always true, but it is for many.) When do we become aware of the world around us? As we age, our perspective expands. The teenage years are famously self-centric. Dying at twenty barely gives anyone a chance to move beyond. And, of course, everyone knows that boys remain immature long after girls. So their extra five years mean nothing. My point is that Wither was definitely thought-provoking. I'm still thinking of it, despite the fact that I reached the last page a couple of days ago. 
 As the description tell us, Wither takes place in a future where genetic engineering has doomed the human race. Humans are dying out faster than they can procreate. The wealthy have addressed this problem by entering into polygamous marriages. Some men have as many as seven wives (one for each day of the week). The story begins with Rhine having been abducted and taken from her twin brother to become a bride. She's one of three brides chosen to replace her husband's dying first wife. Rhine wants nothing more than to escape, to find and reunite with her brother. It doesn't matter that she's lucky, as brides go. Her husband isn't cruel, he doesn't force himself on her, and he genuinely cares for Rhine. Materially, she has everything she could ever need: clothes, food and other luxuries. At no time does Rhine consider staying on, even when she earns the coveted position of first wife. A prison is a prison, even if the chains are made of velvet. 
 Linden, Rhine's husband, is portrayed as a nice enough guy, but one who is firmly under the thumb of his father. That's certainly true. We learn that Linden believes whatever he is told and that he is easily susceptible to persuasion. To me, he came off as pathetic. And though I tried to remind myself that there was a time, historically speaking, when girls married at thirteen, I'm still disgusted by the fact that one of his wives was that young. I got the sense that Linden was supposed to be a victim (like Rhine and her sister wives were) but I couldn't feel it. I just thought he was stupid and naive. The sad thing is that I wasn't that fond of Gabriel, either. There wasn't anything wrong with him. I just didn't particularly feel that he was worthy of Rhine. I wanted him to be better, braver somehow. 
 The writing and world-building in Wither were good. I was fascinated and horrified by it at the same time. The highlight of the novel is Rhine's complex relationships with her sister wives. It's a strange kind of intimacy that they share, being the three wives of one man. Cecily, the youngest, is still a child. Jenna, the oldest, is a realist who faces the future with indifference. It was the dynamic of this trio that kept me turning the pages. I'll definitely read the rest of the series, if for no other reason than to find out how the "dead at twenty" thing is resolved. Also, I'm kind of hoping that Rhine joins some kind of underground resistance movement and falls in love with the charismatic leader. Hey, a girl can dream. Fair warning, though: I don't actually think that's where things are headed.