Panic

Read it quickly; the ending wasn’t great but the writing was good

Haley

kaitlan

Actual rating: 1.5 stars.
Lauren Oliver's writing is so good. The reason for the 1.5?

I was expecting something totally different, but books don't always live up to your expectations. I didn't know when I picked up the book that Panic would be a game played by a bunch of mindless, irresponsible teenagers with problems I don't want to talk about. There's some really bad stuff in there. It's not the cleanest thing. To be honest, I don't know how I even managed to finish the book. I guess I just wanted to see if Miss Let's-Hide-in-the-Corner-and-Have-a-Pity-Party would grow up, even though, technically, she's an adult. But she didn't, not really, just like all the other characters in this book. A lot of stuff in this book disappointed me. 

I read Oliver's Liesl and Po, which I absolutely adored, and I was really expecting something more of her in this book. Of course, her writing was still beautiful (the only reason for the extra .5 in my rating), but trashed with a handful of curse words. 
Okay, I know, maybe if I want something without language, I shouldn't be picking novels off the "Older Teen" section at the library, but still. Is it all really necessary? --Just my thoughts.

Panic is a more realistic, trashy, eighteen-year-old version of Hunger Games. 

At the end of the day, I would never reread this book, or recommend it. Sorry, Lauren Oliver. I'm still a fan, though.

Julia

** spoiler alert **
           *CONTAINS SPOILERS*

I enjoyed this book. I had greater expectations, but I still kind of like it. I've never read anything by Lauren Oliver and I actually do quite like her writing in Panic. (edit: this is a lie, I read Before I Fall years ago oops).
The book of graduated high school seniors playing a risky game over the summer with a large pot of money to be won sounded like a great idea (I have no doubt that this would probably be a good movie).
I wasn't sure of the trials because they're so risky, but I love the concept and plot.
I wasn't completely sure of Heather and Bishop's relationship, because her feelings seemed to kind of come out of nowhere, though later in the book she claims that she had loved him all along (I thought that they tried going out already and it didn't work? I just want some more closure and background information).

I started to enjoy the action in this book, as it began picking up as it went on. Personally, I could never partake in Panic. I knew that by the second challenge. I think it's a bit risky. Setting a house on fire with your friends in it? A person died!
It's cool how the switching POVs and the friendship or acquainting of Dodge with Nat, Heather and Bishop makes it feel like you want Dodge or Heather to win, even though they both have extremely different ulterior motives. Speaking of which, I really like reading Dodge's point of view because I just want to keep finding out about what happened to him in his past. 

I actually quite liked this book. I wasn't thrilled with it in the beginning, but as it progressed, my heart was pounding, especially during the Russian roulette! 
I liked how the tigers were used as a plot device. That just connected the book a bit more. I especially loved how Heather put her hand on the tiger's head towards the end.
I didn't really like the ending because it was kinda cheesy but the characters seemed to have changed a lot and I want to know more about what happened.
Overall, I still think it was a good book.
I am not completely satisfied, however, because I still have unanswered questions!
1. Is Vivian the second judge or if not who?
2. I kinda want to know more about Heather and Bishop because they tried getting together and it didn't work the first time?
3. Is Krista in jail or not?
4. WHAT HAPPENED TO DAYNA I WANT TO KNOW. 

I would recommend this books because, regardless of my slight ambivalent feelings towards it, I did enjoy it and think the plot and concept was brilliant in most places.

Nouf Fallatah 

I loved it but the ending was abit disappointing i would have loved a more exciting ending

Alexa M

ITS 2AM. I READ THIS IN ONE SITTING. HOLY CRAP. this book is amazing I can't even describe it oh my god read it now. 4.5 stars defo

Oliver Merryweather

I was quick and eager to grab myself a copy of this the day it was released, as I am an avid fan of the Delirium series. 
This was definitely not what I was expecting - I assumed it would be at least a bit similar to The Hunger Games, as that's the vibe that the blurb gave me, but I was surprised to find that it was nothing like it. 
I loved the intensity of the story and the way the game ended was brilliant! The only reason I'm not awarding five stars is because I felt that the story was a little bit too predictable and irritating at times, but apart from that it was a good read, and the characters were easy to relate to.
The challenges that the teenagers had to do in the novel were inventive and different (mostly) and for some odd reason I found that I would love to have a go myself!
The only thing I can complain about is the first couple of chapters; we are thrown straight into the action without much explanation and I was a little confused and couldn't understand quite what was happening, but as soon as that was over with it was easy to follow and get into.
But overall, this book was well-written, exciting and entertaining; a good read!

aisha

*3.8*
How does one even be able to make me feel absolutely happy and mad at the same time? 
This book is so messed up yet so good and sweet at the same time. On the blurb it says "From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver comes an extraordinary novel of fear, friendship and courage." And it seriously couldn't be more true, this book made me go "WHAT IS GOING ON? STOP PLEASE." but it also made me go "AW THEY ARE THE CUTEST." I like this book for it.

devin.reads

I'm giving this book a 4.5 (but a 4 on here). I thought this book was so good! I wanted to know more about what happened with Nat and Dodge though! The first part was a little boring but definitely picked up as the book continued. So glad I decided to pick this book up!

Talia Dominguez 

SO THIS BOOKS IS ABOUT A GIRL NAMED Heather and a guy named Dodge. They each decide to play Panic, a dangerous and deadly game to win a large sum of money. Growing up in Carp, New York, nothing really happens of interest, except for the game Panic. Each summer, graduating seniors play life threatening, thrilling games, set up by anonymous judges, for a large sum of money. This year's pot was the highest ever, $67,000. so in Heather's POV, she just
chooses to play Panic after breaking up with her boyfriend, Matt .Living with her alcoholic mother, Krista, and her step-father Bo, life is not easy for her; she is left with the responsibility of caring for her younger sister, Lily. 

Now, Dodge is playing Panic for a very solid reason: revenge. A few years back, something happens to his sister because of 2 guys and so he chooses to play Panic to seek revenge on one of the guys. 

Under the cover of darkness, all Panic games are played. High school students bring chairs and beer to watch each test. Heather arrives with her best friend, Bishop and Natalie to the first game. She successfully jumps from a water tower into the bay below, as does, Natalie and Dodge. Bishop is not playing Panic and begs Heather not to participate, needing to keep her safe. With the burn of her breakup with Matt, she insists on playing. 
Only one player wins!

grace

Drew Dost

It was quite a good read, although I think it felt pretty similar to other books I’ve read like the Hunger Games, The Testing, etc. so it felt like a premise that’s been done before. Aside from that, I enjoyed reading it and it really left you wanting to keep reading so it was difficult to put down at times

Annie

Pop Sugar Challenge:
- a book by an author you have never read before

Evi stuyts

Delaney Woods 

i thought this book was so fun. i’m on vacation and read it so fast because i didn’t want to put it down. sometimes the characters were annoying or childish but overall it didn’t bother me too much. the challenges were interesting and i liked the romance. no complaints but doesn’t feel like 5 stars.

Steysha

Okey, the first part was pretty boring, but the second one... was awesome! I liked the realisticness of this novel. It`s not romantic, like Delirium was, it`s more about revenge, sacrifices and maturing. Also, this book has nothing in common with Hunger Games. This games were more like dares than kill-me-before-i-kill-you kind. I liked it very much. Nevertheless, can`t say that it was the best book of Loren Oliver. But this one is more about life and in what position it can put you, while Delirium is totaly fictional.

Leah Patton

Lauren Oliver is so good at her job. Her writing is so... easy and beautiful. It's like breathing. My favorite Lauren Oliver book!

Sabrina Z

Not entirely impressed?? Some beautiful writing but it wasn't on the same level as Delirium and Pandemonium I guess. More could've been done with the side characters I think.

Marissa Killian

Samantha 

I think the idea for this book was interesting, but the story just didn't meet my expectations. I. needed more, something felt lacking. I really wanted to like this book.

Sofie

More detailed review to come later, but I'll start by saying this:

I love Lauren Oliver. I've loved every book I've read by her. I loved this book. But I didn't love it as much as her others. I didn't feel as connected with the characters, it felt a little unresolved - I don't think Dodge would have given up revenge that easily after planning for so long. And maybe it's me being a cheesy romantic, but I sort of wished we got to see when Heather and Bishop made up, when they got together.

I will say this. Lauren knows how to write some dreamy guys.

Aroosa Qureshi

The book had a slow start but the concept was interesting and kept me on the edge! However, it could have been much better and I didn't have any attachments with the characters. It was a fast read but wish there was more to it.

At first I thought: "Oh, it will be like the Hunger Games, won't it?"
Then I read it and when I finished it I though "Wow, this was nothing like the Hunger Games!"

The book is written from two POVs: Heather and Dodge. Both are very realistic characters, flawed and struggling in their own way. Then there's Bishop and Natalie, Heather's best friends. Natalie is the kind of girl that I would never get along with in real life, but I found that I sort of liked her in the book.

Panic (the game) was cruel and merciless and very interesting to read about. And wow, do I hate Heather's mother...

Anyway, very rambly review, but read it! This was my first Lauren Oliver book (omg I know) and I definitely want to check out more of her books.

Gina Cordero

Puede que a mucha gente no le parezca la gran cosa, pero yo quede totalmente enamorada. 
Al fin una historia que no se parece a las demás.

Olivera Mitić

This book was better than what I had expected. To be completely honest, I thought I would give it like 2 stars when I started reading it. The main thing that made me have low expectations were the awful reviews this book got. 
In my opinion, it wasn't that bad, but let's be real, it's not the most deep thing out there. Going into this you should expect entertainment and entertainment only. That's the only way you will end up enjoying it. 
The biggest problem I had with it were the characters. Heather ended up growing on me after some time, but Dodge? Nah. He was pretty annoying and really just pretentious and too much into the whole 'revenge' thing. One more character I couldn't stand was Nat. I rolled my eyes every time she was even mentioned.
The plot was unrealistic, but what else could you expect? Also the tigers?!?!? That's a bit too much. You kids are seriously irresponsible, let me tell ya! 

In conclusion: if you picked this up because you wanted to enjoy some more of Lauren Oliver's exceptionally deep and touching stories, you did the wrong thing. But if you need a quick summer read with some good pacing - you are on the right adress.

Panic

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