Image Map Image Map

Monday, January 13, 2014

Panic by Lauren Oliver ARC Review *some spoilers*



2/5 Stars
Details of the Book
paperback ARC, 408 pages
Published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
Publication Date: March 4, 2014


Synopsis as taken from Goodreads.com: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.


Going into this book I didn't have any expectations. I love Lauren Oliver's Delirium trilogy which is what made me want to read Panic but it just wasn't my taste. It's about a group of troubled teenagers who compete in game called Panic that involves dangerous obstacles that in the end will grant the winner a large sum of money and bragging rights. Basically the book captures the stupid things people are willing to do for a lot of cash.

Strengths/Likes: 

1) Through her characters Oliver was able to capture the non-censored thoughts, feelings, and language that teenagers typically have. Even though I found a lot of the actual conversation and thoughts of the characters to be disgusting if I'm really honest with myself I have to admit that the blunt and vulgar thoughts and words from these characters are realistic.

2) Heather and Bishop are really adorable. I wanted more of these two.

3) The cover of this book is probably the prettiest one I've seen out of Lauren Oliver's books.

Weakness/Dislikes:

1) Character parallels to Delirium:

  • Heather is almost exactly like Lena in character. Her best friend, Natalie, is outspoken, really pretty, wild, and comes from a rich family. At the beginning of the novel, Heather is always in Natalie's shadow. She can burp the alphabet (Oliver must really like this ability), just like Lena as revealed in Alex's novella. As Heather goes higher up in Panic, she becomes more brave, outspoken, and beautiful to herself and the other characters. Exactly how Hana and Alex saw Lena develop the more she detoxed of the whole of society. 

  • Natalie, as I already mentioned, is the outgoing, wild, best friend of Heather. She's gorgeous, popular, rich, and could be a model. I won't give too much away, but Natalie has no problem betraying her best friend even though she loves Heather. 

  • Lily-She is the combination of Grace and Jenny from Delirium. Her and Heather practically sleep in the same bed, and because of their train-wreck of a mother Heather is the main caregiver of Lily.  
2) Panic is written in dual-points of view, by Heather and Dodge. I found that it was difficult to differentiate between their voices. Although they had different backgrounds and are different genders, by voice alone I could easily merge the two. 

3)  There was no relationship and character development. There are four main characters who come from four different walks of life, and instead of being with them through it, I was being told about it.  Even though I thought that Bishop and Heather were cute, and the relationship between Heather and Lily was endearing, there just wasn't enough substance in any of the relationships of this novel. It felt like I was given reasons as to why characters or relationships happened or acted that way but I couldn't feel it.

Favorite Quotes/Moments:

1) "You know that's totally illegal, right?" he said.

She rolled her eyes. "So are the pants you're wearing. If you don't tell, I won't."

"These pants?" Bishop pretended to be offended. "I wore these just for you."

"You can take them off just for me," Heather said, and then blushed, realizing how it sounded.

"Anytime," Bishop said, and grinned at her. She punched him again. She was still fizzy with happiness.