Review of "Pandemonium"

“Pandemonium”

by Lauren Oliver

My Rating:

Pub. Date: February 28, 2012

Pages: 375

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Source: Bought

Edition: e-book

Short and Sweet Synopsis: Sequel to "Delirium".  Lena has survived her escape into the wilds, but will she be able to survive without Alex?

I have been waiting to write the review for "Pandemonium" because it took me a while to figure out my reaction.  Overall I really liked the book, but I had difficulty getting into it.  Part of my love for "Delirium" was the idea that love was a disease and I thought Oliver pulled it off brilliantly; however, "Pandemonium" just didn't have as much to offer.  It definitely felt like it was setting up for the second book for most of the time. But my biggest pet peeve was I thought it was predictable.You may be wondering how I could possibly be giving this book four stars after all that?  Don't worry, I'll tell you why.  

Once I got into "Pandemonium", I couldn't stop reading it.  The characters were complex and I am a sucker for characters with depth.  While I didn't always agree with their actions, I understood them and generally respected the characters.  Lena was pretty kick-ass by the end of the book and I give her props for the turn around.  She was actually driving me absolutely bonkers at the beginning of the book.

The other bonus to "Pandemonium" was that while I found parts predictable, I wouldn't have changed them because I can't wait to read the next book!  Oliver set everything up for a climactic end to her trilogy.  I mean, come on... the ending?  It HAD to be that way!  I knew that was coming and while I was reading it I knew exactly how it would go down, but yet I was still revved up by it.  I had trouble sleeping because I felt like my heart almost exploded.  I can't help but give a book props for making me feel that strongly about it.  Plus, just because I saw a lot of the pieces falling into place early, it doesn't mean that all readers will.  I could see readers being surprised by moments in the book.  I just had a more subtle "of course" reaction to these moments instead of my favorite "OH SNAP!" (these are my verbal reactions while reading, not mental).

To wrap it up, I did not love "Pandemonium" like it's predecessor "Delirium", but I cannot wait to read "Requiem", the final book in the "Delirium" trilogy.  Oliver created some wonderful characters and the ending of the book had me reeling, even if it was predictable.  Hopefully "Requiem"  will give me the "OH SNAP" reaction I so long to have while reading.  :)

Review of "Flipped"

“Flipped”

by  Wendelin Van Draanen

My Rating:

 Pub. Date: February 13, 2012

Pages: 224

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Source: Library

Edition: E-book and Paperback

Synopsis: Flipped is a romance told in two voices. The first time Juli Baker saw Bryce Loski, she flipped. The first time Bryce saw Juli, he ran. That’s pretty much the pattern for these two neighbors until the eighth grade, when, just as Juli is realizing Bryce isn’t as wonderful as she thought, Bryce is starting to see that Juli is pretty amazing. How these two teens manage to see beyond the surface of things and come together makes for a comic and poignant romance.


In alternating chapters, two teenagers describe how their feelings about themselves, each other, and their families have changed over the years.


When I first started “Flipped” I was a bit concerned because it took me a little while to get into it.  I thought the premise was cute, but for 50 pages I believed that was all the book had to offer.  I had no idea this book would have such an emotional impact.  One of the characters seemed to be pulled right out of my life and it touched me on a personal level.  I know not everyone can have this experience while reading “Flipped”, but it just amazes me how books can strike such a cord with an individual that you feel like the book was written just for you.

Why would other people like to read this book?  The characters are great.  You may not always like them, but they are so real you can’t help getting wrapped up in their story.  The love story in “Flipped” is very cute, but there are also very seriously issues, integrity and family are two big ones, which move the book past just a cute read.  I wish someone had actually told me this was more than just a love story, because for some reason that never sunk in for me. 

“Flipped” is a book that can be relatable to many readers for multiple reasons.  The situations are things that people face every day and the characters will grow on you like mold on 20 day old bread; hopefully, you’ll fine most of the characters more pleasant than mold. ;)  This really is a great book to read on your own or for a book club.  “Flipped” is proof that great things come in small packages.