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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Originally reviewed at Hooked on Books
Seriously. I don't even know where to start. The end of Delirium made me sob. And I mean sob. Pandemonium on the other hand made me walk around like a zombie, book clasped to my chest at 3 in the morning. This book kept me up until all hours of the night and has me checking the days on my calendar until Requiem.
My heart actually ached the entire time I was reading this book. It's almost completely focused on Lena, and though I missed Alex like crazy, it was nice to get to know her a little better. She's come so far and been through so much. In Delirium she came out of her shell. She learned to look past the rules and she fell in love. In Pandemonium we get to see her grow as a character. She becomes a lot more brave and a lot more independent. It made her not only someone you could cheer for but someone you could be proud of.
Lauren Oliver is an extremely talented writer and she has a special skills for never giving you a straight answer. This book kept me guessing and it was filled with twists, just like Delirium. The expression "its like the rug has been pulled out from beneath your feet" is the perfect example of how this book can make you feel. In addition it will also illicit a lot of strong emotional reactions. Both positive and negative. More than a few times, while reading it, the people around me caught me arguing with the book or mumbling to the characters.
The one thing that kept me from enjoying it as much as the first book was the non-linear timeline. The chapters alternated from past to present and I would have preferred a similar setup to Delirium, where the story unravels in a more natural fashion. However, this could totally be attributed to my own impatience and my desire to want to know what on earth is happening to all the characters.
I think it goes without saying at this point that Lauren Oliver has a way with words. She writes beautifully and is able to break your heart a little more each time. This is without a doubt a sequel that's as good as the first and a series that everyone needs to read.
Seriously. I don't even know where to start. The end of Delirium made me sob. And I mean sob. Pandemonium on the other hand made me walk around like a zombie, book clasped to my chest at 3 in the morning. This book kept me up until all hours of the night and has me checking the days on my calendar until Requiem.
My heart actually ached the entire time I was reading this book. It's almost completely focused on Lena, and though I missed Alex like crazy, it was nice to get to know her a little better. She's come so far and been through so much. In Delirium she came out of her shell. She learned to look past the rules and she fell in love. In Pandemonium we get to see her grow as a character. She becomes a lot more brave and a lot more independent. It made her not only someone you could cheer for but someone you could be proud of.
Lauren Oliver is an extremely talented writer and she has a special skills for never giving you a straight answer. This book kept me guessing and it was filled with twists, just like Delirium. The expression "its like the rug has been pulled out from beneath your feet" is the perfect example of how this book can make you feel. In addition it will also illicit a lot of strong emotional reactions. Both positive and negative. More than a few times, while reading it, the people around me caught me arguing with the book or mumbling to the characters.
The one thing that kept me from enjoying it as much as the first book was the non-linear timeline. The chapters alternated from past to present and I would have preferred a similar setup to Delirium, where the story unravels in a more natural fashion. However, this could totally be attributed to my own impatience and my desire to want to know what on earth is happening to all the characters.
I think it goes without saying at this point that Lauren Oliver has a way with words. She writes beautifully and is able to break your heart a little more each time. This is without a doubt a sequel that's as good as the first and a series that everyone needs to read.
I seriously need to stop reading middle books in teen trilogies until the last book come out. This book ends on a HUGE cliffhanger. I can't wait for the next one!
The "now"s and "then"s writing style was not in my favors at first but now I definitely would say it's one of the best things in this book.
It was a pleasant read. My mood went up and down during it and sometimes screaming. And once again I have to mention Lauren’s beautiful writing! What startled me was that, Lena actually believed Alex was dead and she just buried him inside her and never even bothered to question it. She did not even once asked about him, maybe when the others were going across for supplies they could get what exactly happened to him. And the ending ASDFHJGFGJJ SCREAMING THIS IS LITERALLY TORTURE
It was a pleasant read. My mood went up and down during it and sometimes screaming. And once again I have to mention Lauren’s beautiful writing! What startled me was that, Lena actually believed Alex was dead and she just buried him inside her and never even bothered to question it. She did not even once asked about him, maybe when the others were going across for supplies they could get what exactly happened to him.
Spoiler
A bit understandable she was upset about it but how come she didn’t look for Alex’s name when she looked for her mum’s in the study room?I’m very looking forward to the next book which will be the last one and I would very much like to find out about Lena’s mother… oh and Alex, who clearly has changed ;)
Fast paced and exciting. Though it annoyed me how quickly Lena fell for Julian after being in love with Alex and believing him dead. I know thats the cliche, that teenagers fall in and out of love fast but for a book where love is a precious commodity and a high crime, the grieving over Alex should have lasted longer. I guess the author moved fast because of the cliffhanger ending, but it makes me think I may not enjoy book three as much if there is going to be a love triangle. And if asked I think Alex is better than Julian, still dont trust him 100%. But thats just me. All in all though after that rant i enjoyed this book very much, love dystopian and it doesnt disappoint. I hope book 3 offers more resistance stories and war though.
This, again, was a great Book Two. My big complaint being...another love triangle! I spent too much time being attached to Alex so it was difficult to get emotionally involved with Julian. But the ending was a decent cliff-hanger, without leaving too many things unfinished in this story. The book has a sense of completion, which so few trilogy-seconds do.
I really like this book and it would have been a 5 star rating except the last 2 paragraphs ruined it for me. I audibly groaned and was upset I stayed up late for that. I still decided that since I enjoyed the rest of the book I would give it 4 stars. (Not sure my sleep deprived self last night would have felt the same, but I have had a day to think on it before writing this review.) Also I felt this book was very predictable, but I still enjoyed it. I will still read the next book in the series and hope the author can rectify the issues created at the end of this book.
My issue with the book:
My issue with the book:
Spoiler
I really did not like that this book turned into a love triangle. I just felt that this series had more going for it than falling for that trope. I love my love triangles as much as the next girl, but I don’t like it for this series.Spoiler
One of the best second books in a series I have ever read.... Great read!
I think I'm going to be sick you guys. I knew the ending would bring about more questions, but OH MY GOSH. I have so many feelings and so much anxiety coursing through me. I absolutely loved every single thing about this book.
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Full Reivew (originally posted on Rather Be Reading)
Delirium introduced us to a girl who was weak and very influenced by the society. Lena had very little say-so and often didn’t think for herself. We saw her progress from a lowly character with little self-esteem into a brave, confident young woman who would do anything to spend her life with Alex. Who would give anything to make her own decisions. Thus, she fled into the Wilds seeking freedom, although Alex was trapped by the Regulators and never makes it to the other side.
Pandemonium opens and we see that there is a “then” and a “now.” Oliver switched up how she chose to tell Lena’s story. Some chapters are flashbacks to when she first enters the Wilds and others are current day. Since there were two stories being simultaneously told, it seemed as though I was reading about two Lena’s. I am amazed by the growth that occurred in Lena. I thought she would be fully prepared to live outside the society, but being broken-hearted and damaged took a toll on her character. She second guesses herself and has to go through another developmental stage. She realizes how weak she is and is pushed to fight; thoughts of Alex are what encourage her to continue on.
While I felt that Oliver was very cautious and intentional in Delirium, she was much more intense this go around. The story was powerful and there were so many puzzle pieces I was trying to fit together. I was anxious to devour the book (but knew I’d be waiting an entire year for the final one). There was hardly a low-intensity moment, and the shifts from now and then would occur just as things were coming together, leaving me in suspense a little while longer. Oliver left me constantly grasping for more information, and I went through an array of emotions while reading.
I was shocked. I was heart-broken. I yearned for Alex. I was disgusted. (Rats, anyone?!)
I was completely surprised by the ending.
There are so many things I need want to know now. I don’t know how things will wrap up in Requiem. I wish I could have a coffee date with Lauren Oliver so she could spill all the details. Honestly, for as much as I loved Delirium, I was even more blown away by Pandemonium. It’s all the things a sequel should be, and much, much more. I encourage you to read this book and have a friend nearby to discuss all the details with. Ginger at GReads! got a few texts from me like, “I am dyinngggggggg. I am still shaking from it.” I guarantee you’ll need someone to help digest all the twists and turns.
Pandemonium just came out on February 28th. Hurry out and buy your copy! If you already devoured it, tell me what you thought below! I’m so curious to know.
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Full Reivew (originally posted on Rather Be Reading)
Delirium introduced us to a girl who was weak and very influenced by the society. Lena had very little say-so and often didn’t think for herself. We saw her progress from a lowly character with little self-esteem into a brave, confident young woman who would do anything to spend her life with Alex. Who would give anything to make her own decisions. Thus, she fled into the Wilds seeking freedom, although Alex was trapped by the Regulators and never makes it to the other side.
Pandemonium opens and we see that there is a “then” and a “now.” Oliver switched up how she chose to tell Lena’s story. Some chapters are flashbacks to when she first enters the Wilds and others are current day. Since there were two stories being simultaneously told, it seemed as though I was reading about two Lena’s. I am amazed by the growth that occurred in Lena. I thought she would be fully prepared to live outside the society, but being broken-hearted and damaged took a toll on her character. She second guesses herself and has to go through another developmental stage. She realizes how weak she is and is pushed to fight; thoughts of Alex are what encourage her to continue on.
While I felt that Oliver was very cautious and intentional in Delirium, she was much more intense this go around. The story was powerful and there were so many puzzle pieces I was trying to fit together. I was anxious to devour the book (but knew I’d be waiting an entire year for the final one). There was hardly a low-intensity moment, and the shifts from now and then would occur just as things were coming together, leaving me in suspense a little while longer. Oliver left me constantly grasping for more information, and I went through an array of emotions while reading.
I was shocked. I was heart-broken. I yearned for Alex. I was disgusted. (Rats, anyone?!)
I was completely surprised by the ending.
There are so many things I need want to know now. I don’t know how things will wrap up in Requiem. I wish I could have a coffee date with Lauren Oliver so she could spill all the details. Honestly, for as much as I loved Delirium, I was even more blown away by Pandemonium. It’s all the things a sequel should be, and much, much more. I encourage you to read this book and have a friend nearby to discuss all the details with. Ginger at GReads! got a few texts from me like, “I am dyinngggggggg. I am still shaking from it.” I guarantee you’ll need someone to help digest all the twists and turns.
Pandemonium just came out on February 28th. Hurry out and buy your copy! If you already devoured it, tell me what you thought below! I’m so curious to know.