Panic (Book Review)

Panic
Lauren Oliver

408 pages

Published March 4th 2014 by HarperCollins

 

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.



Review:

I love Lauren Oliver's writing. But I was pretty hesitant to try anything else written by her after being disappointed with Requiem. Panic is split up into two points of view. Hannah and Dodge. Unlike most split point of views, this one is not a romantic split. I didn't like reading Dodge's point of view at all. I found him immature.....And a bit obsessed with certain things. Definitely not my favorite guy point of view I have read. Hannah's point of view was an entire different story. I enjoyed r...more I love Lauren Oliver's writing. But I admit, I was a little hesitant to try anything else written by her after being disappointed with Requiem. Panic is split up into two points of view. Hannah and Dodge. Unlike most split point of views, this one is not a romantic split. I didn't like reading Dodge's point of view at all. I found him immature.....And a bit obsessed with certain things. Definitely not my favorite guy point of view I have read. Hannah's point of view was an entire different story. I enjoyed reading about all of Hannah's reasons for playing Panic....And reading through her point of view as she struggles through different romantic relationships. Hannah's friend Nat was another character that I just could not stand. She was fickle with her friendship with Hannah, and some of the things she did just didn't make any sense. First of all, for the plot. This is not a sci-fi dystopian. Even though there are a lot of goodreads shelves titling it as that. And the synopsis even makes it seem like it might be. This is a CONTEMPORARY. Just not your usual contemporary. Some might compare this to The Hunger Games....Because of the game that the teens are playing, and Hannah protecting her younger sister Lily. But the game Panic is completely different than The Hunger Games. Panic is a game played by High School Seniors after they graduate. The game is completely optional (although giving the money throughout your school year for the pot is not) You can drop out any time you want. Panic is also played while all of the characters continue their normal lives. At any time they could get a text saying that the next challenge is on. I thought that the plot moved a little too slow for my taste, I wished that it would have been more fast paced (especially because of what it was about) I had high/low hopes for this book. It met my expectations right in the middle. I didn't like quite a few things, but there were also things that I enjoyed. I believe that this is a standalone (no series is listed on goodreads). Hopefully it is. 3/5 Stars to Panic.