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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Pandemonium is the 2nd book in the Delirium series. Not as good as the first, but still a pretty great read. I love that the character of Lena isn't a super strong hero-type that can do everything herself. She still needs help and still has feelings of helplessness and it makes her more human and relatable. Dystopian fiction is so big right now, and Lauren Oliver has to be one of my favorite authors in the genre. The book ended with a pretty big cliffhanger, and I'm intrigued to see where Oliver takes the story in the next book.
My reaction at the end of the book: I just can't.
I didn't think that it was possible to end the second book with a bigger reveal/cliffhanger than Delirium - but Lauren Oliver shocked me. She slipped a little comment in that immediately made you wonder, "could it be?" I spent the next few pages fearfully reading, unsure if I wanted to know. Which ending would I prefer? All I could do was repeat no, no, no, over and over. This book is the definition of a book hangover. I immediately had to begin reading the third novel in the series.
The world building is just as immersive and well-done as the first. The author vividly describes the landscape and the new hierarchy in which Lena finds herself. This book no longer takes place in Portland, Maine but switches perspectives between the Wilds and New York City. We are also introduced to a new set of characters that help transition Lena into her new Wilds life.
Raven is the leader, young but formed under pressure like a diamond by the Wilds. Tack is her right-hand man, reliable but a bit unfriendly. She is surrounded by Hunter and Bram, tiny Blue, Grandma, Lucky, and many others. There are so many "invalids" in the Wilds that they are not all well-developed and unique characters. Those that are more important to the story are given the attention that they deserve. (Raven is also given a novella, which is a wonderful insight and in my opinion the best of the four novellas that accompany the series.) Lena must find her place and pull her weight - collecting water, tending the fire and checking for messages in the trees.
The style of switching perspectives from now to then continuously was a little off-putting at first. Before long, you get used to the style and are fully immersed in the story. Just as engaging as the first and highly recommended. Just a warning that there are more curse words in the novel than in the first.
I didn't think that it was possible to end the second book with a bigger reveal/cliffhanger than Delirium - but Lauren Oliver shocked me. She slipped a little comment in that immediately made you wonder, "could it be?" I spent the next few pages fearfully reading, unsure if I wanted to know. Which ending would I prefer? All I could do was repeat no, no, no, over and over. This book is the definition of a book hangover. I immediately had to begin reading the third novel in the series.
The world building is just as immersive and well-done as the first. The author vividly describes the landscape and the new hierarchy in which Lena finds herself. This book no longer takes place in Portland, Maine but switches perspectives between the Wilds and New York City. We are also introduced to a new set of characters that help transition Lena into her new Wilds life.
Raven is the leader, young but formed under pressure like a diamond by the Wilds. Tack is her right-hand man, reliable but a bit unfriendly. She is surrounded by Hunter and Bram, tiny Blue, Grandma, Lucky, and many others. There are so many "invalids" in the Wilds that they are not all well-developed and unique characters. Those that are more important to the story are given the attention that they deserve. (Raven is also given a novella, which is a wonderful insight and in my opinion the best of the four novellas that accompany the series.) Lena must find her place and pull her weight - collecting water, tending the fire and checking for messages in the trees.
The style of switching perspectives from now to then continuously was a little off-putting at first. Before long, you get used to the style and are fully immersed in the story. Just as engaging as the first and highly recommended. Just a warning that there are more curse words in the novel than in the first.
What an awesome book to start the New Year with. I really enjoyed this book on so many levels. Part adventure, part romance, and part suspense, this book kept me guessing all the way. I think what I liked best was the whole human interaction. Oliver does a great job of creating complex characters who are so real. Looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy.
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So many more twists than book 1. Loved it! Neeeeed book three now!
boring storyline and i forgot what happened anyways. felt flat compared to the amazing first book
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
This book made me feel like I was listening to Bella Swan or something. She lost her love, now she's found a new one, and the old one's back. Just...no.
Also, some of the book was rather boring because Lena and Julian were stuck underground the entire time, and how can you expect me to believe Julian would just take Lena's word for granted? That love isn't a disease and he could trust her? When he'd been brought up his entire life to NOT believe that, and to WANT the cure...it just didn't make any sense to me.
Raven also ticked me off. It's Lena's life, you can just back off, ok? Lena can take care of herself. I also wanted to know more about Tack, because he was pretty quiet throughout the whole book, and he was first described as one of the ruder, more agressive people in the book.
The book overall just felt like a Twilight to me, even more so than the first one, which I put up with and even decided to read this one. I'll read the last one, just to get some closure for the series, but I was pretty disappointed with this one that it seemed to be just another teen book for girls.
Also, some of the book was rather boring because Lena and Julian were stuck underground the entire time, and how can you expect me to believe Julian would just take Lena's word for granted? That love isn't a disease and he could trust her? When he'd been brought up his entire life to NOT believe that, and to WANT the cure...it just didn't make any sense to me.
Raven also ticked me off. It's Lena's life, you can just back off, ok? Lena can take care of herself. I also wanted to know more about Tack, because he was pretty quiet throughout the whole book, and he was first described as one of the ruder, more agressive people in the book.
The book overall just felt like a Twilight to me, even more so than the first one, which I put up with and even decided to read this one. I'll read the last one, just to get some closure for the series, but I was pretty disappointed with this one that it seemed to be just another teen book for girls.
OMG!! WHAT!!! WHAT!!! BITCH, YOU FUCKING WITH MY EMOTIONS!!! I LITERALLY FINISHED THIS BOOK IN TWO DAYS LIKE WHAT!!! (This is a very helpful review, yes)
Still love the world Lauren created. Was nice to meet Raven and Julian. Excited to see what will happen next.