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Monday, March 17, 2014

Panic by Lauren Oliver

Panic 
by Lauren Oliver
Released |March 4th 2014 by HarperCollins|
Edition |eARC|
Source |Edelweiss|

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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.
Panic was a fast paced read for me and I at times I enjoyed the story. So I'll start with the pros. I was intrigued with the idea behind the book. I was interested in finding out what games would be played and how they'd go about doing it and that's what kept me wanting to know more as I was reading. The games were dangerous, but they also kept me intrigued because I wanted to what would happen next and if any of the characters would drop out of them. The book was also action packed. There was always something going on with one of the characters, whether it was apart of the games or their personal lives. Each of the characters had their own issues that they were working through and that was pretty interesting as well.


But a lot of things fell flat for me in this book. One of those things were the characters. I honestly just couldn't connect with any of them. I felt that Heather was too whiny and the friend of hers wasn't the brightest and that kind of annoyed me. Dodge wasn't too bad, but he was really weird and stuck on revenge. I didn't really care for any of the romances either. I felt like the characters were a bit childish. And if you think realistically, $67,000 isn't a lot of money to be risking your life like that for. These young adult were doing things that could have gotten them killed. That money probably wouldn't even last a year for them, especially in the end with how they did the money. I felt like they did all for nothing. I could understand why Dodge would want it though considering his sister's condition, but still...Overall, this book wasn't for me. I felt like it could have been better if things were done a bit different.

17 comments:

  1. I totally agree about the characters, and how they felt really flat for me as well. I think in my opinion, the plot of the story was just so good I decided to ignore it. Sucks that you weren't able to enjoy it as much!
    - Farah

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    1. I couldn't push past it lol Usually when I'm not connecting with any of the characters, it hard for me to enjoy the book. I really wanted to though because I think it had potential.

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  2. Yes I've heard that this is action-packed and I am intrigued by the premise as well. LOL! I have heard it so many times that the characters are not this book's strongest points. I'm sorry you didn't really.. like them that much or care for either of the romances. Haha, and yes! That money thing is also what people have claimed to be so wtf. Eh. I wasn't planning on reading this and all these reviews aren't making me that excited either. Sorry it wasn't for you, hon.

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    1. The money is what boggled my mind. The entire time, I'm like they'd blow that in a year lol

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  3. It's too bad you weren't able to connect with any of the characters. That's really the kiss of death in my opinion. If I don't care for the characters I don't enjoy the story.

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    1. lol I love how you said the kiss of death, but that's usually how it is for me as well.

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  4. Great, honest review Janina! I'm so sad how every book I picked of her I JUST cannot read it all the way through! It either ends up being too boring or you can't relate to any of the characters like you did for Panic. Sorry it wasn't your book!

    Happy Reading!
    Patrick @ The Bookshelves

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    1. I don't know Patrick I think I have to agree. I liked Before I Fall and Delirium, but didn't like Pandemonium or Requiem.

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  5. I agree that the idea is very intriguing, but I knew to stay away because Oliver's writing just never worked for me. I find it to be emotionally sterile. I'm glad I didn't waste my time.
    Great review!

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    1. I sorta wish I hadn't have wasted my time. It had potential, but I feel like that about most of her books.

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  6. I'm so sad to hear this girl. I had such high expectations for this one but lately everyone is getting disappointed by this one. Hopefully, your next read will be more pleasing. Great review, Janina :)

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    1. I thought it would be awesome from the synopsis and I know some people enjoyed it. But yeah, it wasn't for me.

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  7. crap! I'm hearing good and bad things for this book. but even the good ones aren't even like four star worthy! I keep getting three star reviews URGH. Lauren Oliver has been disapointing me lately, I just can't with her anymore :( its such a shame considering Deliruim (only book number one) and Before I Fall were SO GOOD!
    this is a huge bummer
    Lily @ Lilysbookblog

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    1. Same hear. I didn't read any reviews on the book until after I started it and was like oh no, no wonder I'm not enjoying it. I should have read the reviews before I started reading the book. I feel the same too. I liked Delirium and Before I fall but I didn't like the other two books in that trilogy at all.

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  8. I actually enjoyed this one quite a lot! Haha. For some reason while reading through it, it reminded me of a fast-paced gritty and edgy teenager movie, so I guess that made the reading experience better. I'm sorry this one didn't work for you! 67k is indeed a wee bit too little to risk your life for, but for a small town I guess it's enough! Great review:)

    Faye at The Social Potato Reviews

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  9. It def was fast paced, and I was able to overlook some of the things that gave you problems even though they were issues

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  10. I totally agree with your thoughts here, I didn't really like Heather or Dodge and his vengeance plot and you're right, it's not too much to be risking your life. Lovely review Janina!

    Jeann @ Happy Indulgence

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