Review: Panic by Lauren Oliver

Panic by Lauren Oliver
Series: N/A
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Edelweiss
ISBN: 9780062014559
Release Date: March 4, 2014
Pages: 264

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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.

Like many people I was pretty excited to see what Lauren Oliver had in store for us next. And the switch from science fiction to contemporary makes it easier not to compare Panic with the Delirium series because they are two completely different styles of books. Keeping that in mind I was really disappointed with Panic.

My biggest problem with the book was that it just didn’t intrigue me. I didn’t mind the story. A small town with nothing to do and no way to get out, so teenagers develop this game, Panic. Panic is series of daunting (some may say ridiculously dangerous) challenges the graduating senior class can compete in the summer after they finish high school for a chance to win a pot of cash. The challenges were varied and each was unique. Lauren Oliver did do a great job with the game aspect of the book.

I didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters. I grew up in a small town in the middle of nowhere and it just seemed like some of the towns people were caricatures of your typical small town. The story is split between Heather and Dodge’s points of view. Heather lives with her drunken mother and young sister in a trailer and only joined Panic because her boyfriend dumped her. Dodge is playing for revenge. His older sister Dayna is in a wheelchair after playing Panic two years ago. But he’s story was the least interesting. For someone who wants revenge and for the other party to pay he was certainly dull. I just kept on waiting for something to happen, but it never did.


In the end I had to put this book down. I read two books before I picked it up again, and that was only because I always try to finish books. I didn’t hate Panic, but I was definitely disappointed that it didn’t capture my attention like I hoped it would.

My Rating:

Review: The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer

The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Series: The Last Survivors #4
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Source: Edelweiss
ISBN: 9780547813370
Release Date: August 13, 2013
Pages: 306

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The eagerly awaited addition to the series begun with the New York Times best-seller Life As We Knew It, in which a meteor knocks the moon off its orbit and the world changes forever.

It's been more than two years since Jon Evans and his family left Pennsylvania, hoping to find a safe place to live, yet Jon remains haunted by the deaths of those he loved. His prowess on a soccer field has guaranteed him a home in a well-protected enclave. But Jon is painfully aware that a missed goal, a careless word, even falling in love, can put his life and the lives of his mother, his sister Miranda, and her husband, Alex, in jeopardy. Can Jon risk doing what is right in a world gone so terribly wrong?

When I heard that there was going to be a fourth book to the Last Survivors series I was excited and worried at the same time. I really liked the first book, not so much the second book, and well the third was a bit of a mess, but I thought well maybe the author will redeem herself. I love the concept of the series, but the execution was lacking.

Jon is Miranda's younger brother. I didn't like Jon in the first or third book. I thought he was lazy and entitled. He never appreciated the sacrifices his family made for him. His mother literally starved herself so Jon could have enough to eat, but he never recognized what his family gave up for him. Jon does not improve in this book. As a matter of fact, he worsens. He was even more entitled, rude, lazy, and weak.

Like in the previous books the world building was significantly lacking. I didn't understand the hierarchy or why the “clavers” hated the “grubs” so much. They acted as if the grubs shouldn't exist and that the grubs should be grateful since they feed them and pay them so much money. Even Carlos, Alex's brother, knows the grubbers are grateful enough for so little (like an 1/8 a bar of soap) they will sleep with them. Rape was common occurrence in this world. Claver boys feel like they are entitled to use the grubbers as they see fit. The clavers seemed angry that the grubbers were allowed to exist or have basic medical care with a clinic. If the grubs didn't exist who would cook and clean for the clavers?

At one point in the book Jon and his friends were going to mutilate a bum grubber just because they could. Did they? No. Because they thought burning down the grubbers high school was a better idea. I just can’t see how are society would crumble so rapidly in such a short time period. It was only four years since the asteroid hit the moon. Only four years and people lose enough of their common sense and humanity to think killing and raping the misfortunate is okay? I just don’t see that happening. And, the one thought that kept going through my head is why don’t the grubbers rebel?

Jon’s relationship with Sarah was odd to me. Jon was mean to Sarah. They would fight and argue and she would tell him that she hated him then they would all a sudden be kissing. Even after Jon told Sarah the story about Julie, yes Sarah was disgusted with him at first, but she didn't hesitate taking him back after she realized it wasn't completely true.

Overall, this book went downhill and fast. Within the first chapter or two I already hated Jon. When Miranda had an opportunity to work as their domestic all Jon could think of was how it would affect him. How it would be awkward having his sister clean and cook for him. (Newsflash she did that for years after the asteroid anyways!) He didn’t think how it would be beneficial for her to be able to live with purified air and feed regularly. No all he could think of was himself and how uncomfortable it would be!

My Rating:

Review: The Truth About Letting Go by Leigh Talbert Moore

The Truth About Letting Go by Leigh Talbert Moore
Series: The Truth #2
Publisher: All Night Reads
Source: Netgalley
ISBN: 9781482660395
Release Date: March 2, 2013

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Ashley Lockett has always followed the rules. She's always done the right thing and played it safe until her ideal life is shattered when her dad dies suddenly.

Fueled by anger and grief, she vows to do everything opposite of how she lived before. Then she meets Jordan. He has big dreams, he's had a crush on Ashley for years, and he's a great kisser. But he's also safe.

Enter Colt. He is not safe, and he's more than willing to help Ashley fulfill her vow.

Ashley Lockett has recently lost her father due to cancer. She is alone in her grief. Her brother is away at college, acting like nothing happened, and her mother has buried herself in work, barely speaking to her daughter. Realizing playing it safe has not gotten her anywhere she decides to rebel.

I didn't love this book, but I also didn't hate it. I just found it somewhere in the middle.

I think the biggest problem I had with the book was Ashey. Why do Ashleys always have to be mean? They give a bad rap to our name. Ashley was kind of bitch and shallow. With Jordan, I didn't like that she had to make him more presentable before she would even consider talking to him in public. Here was a great guy who only wanted to protect her and help her through her grief, but she rebuffs him and goes to the jerk who attempts wrestling/rape because that's what he thinks girls want.

Jordan wants to keep me safe, to help me get through this. But I don't want to be safe. Safe is a lie. The safest person on the planet can still choke to death or trip over their dog or get cancer. I don't want that. Dreams and callings get you nowhere, and when you need them most, they disappear.

I do wish her relationship with Charlotte was expanded more because I actually enjoyed those parts. Charlotte was bitter and angry at Ashley for having a perfect life and Ashley was too shallow to think about anyone but herself. They could have become great friends if they had the chance to talk more instead of just bits and pieces.

I also like how Ashley was having difficulties with her faith. She lost her father and now she doesn't think she believes in God anymore. This was completely realistic to me. When you lose someone you are bound to be conflicted with your faith.

Overall, The Truth About Letting Go was mediocre for me. Perhaps if I connected to the characters more I would have like the book better, but that was not the case.

My Rating: