Review: Panic by Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins

Source: Purchased

Pages: 408

Series: Standalone

Release Date: March 4th, 2014

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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.

This is my first ever Lauren Oliver book and it definitely did not disappoint. I will definitely be checking out her Delirium series very soon!

Panic is a story about two teenagers - Heather and Dodge. They are both participates in this game called Panic. Panic is a game that only the senior who recently graduated can participate in. The winner of this game will receive a significant amount of money. But this year is different.. This year, the pot is the biggest it has ever been... $67,000! However, this game Panic is illegal. Why? Because there is a huge chance that people playing will get seriously injured! However, Heather needs the money and Dodge needs revenge...

I thought that the story line was really neat. I think that the idea of this game, although very dangerous, is still pretty neat. I think that there is an aspect to this whole book that happens in real life. I feel like teenagers enjoy trying to one-up one another so they try and do things that could potentially cause them harm. I think that they think it will make them look "cooler" and help them fit in more. However, I don't think that the game Panic would ever be played in real life.

Each contestant comes from different backgrounds. Dodge's older sister participated in Panic a couple years prior and because of the game, she is now paralyzed. Since the younger brother of the guy who did this to her is in the game this year, Dodge is out for revenge. Heather comes from a pretty rough home. She has a mother who is addicted to substances and has a sister that she must look after and protect. She wants the money so she can get her and her sister out of this boring little town.

I also liked the two other sub characters - Nat and Bishop. To me, they were just as big of characters as Heather and Dodge. The only difference is that we didn't get to read from there points of view. I think it would be really neat to read the same book except in their points of view. BUT I did have a slight problem with Nat. I found her to be very annoying at times. But I won't mention why. Go read the book if you want to find out more about that! Haha.

So, the first challenge in Panic is to jump off a bridge into water. This challenge must be done in order to claim your spot in the game. This challenge wouldn't be so bad if they didn't have to do it at night.. and there weren't rocks that you could slip on, cut yourself, or worse. And the challenges just get worse and worse. I honestly don't think I would ever play Panic. I am way too scared. Plus, I wouldn't have even done the jumping in water challenge. NO THANK YOU! 

I have heard a lot of people compare this book to The Hunger Games. DON'T LISTEN TO THEM. I find them to be so different. Sure, they are both playing a game.. but totally different ones. Also, THG is a dystopian series, and Panic is very contemporary with people who have real issues.

Overall, Panic is an amazing book. I love the idea behind it. I have never read a story like this one before. Throughout the whole book I was asking myself so many questions. Who's going to be eliminated next? Who's gonna win? Who deserves to win? And just when you think you know what's going to happen next... BAM. A twist! I also loved the way this ended. There were no questions I was left asking. This book ended perfectly. Definitely a win for Lauren Oliver!