Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver Review

Monday, January 16, 2012

Title: Pandemonium
Author: Lauren Oliver (Twitter, Facebook)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: February 28, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 375
Source: Publisher

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.
Lena's been through hell and back...as literally as possible. Her mind is broken, her body is broken and her heart is shattered into a million pieces after losing Alex. When she is discovered by the Invalids, Lena is more than shocked to find that they nurse her back to health, rather than brutally kill her like she was led to believe they did in the Wilds. But Lena's journey is far from over. As she recovers and grows stronger, so does her mind and her heart. She becomes a member of the resistance, finding something to believe in, but danger lurks in every corner. Is the fight for Love worth it, or will the ultimate freedom come with the ultimate price...again?

I remember how blown away I was when I first read Delirium, despite my hesitance. So, naturally, I had extremely high expectations for Pandemonium, especially as the second book in the series. Lauren Oliver has delivered a stunning sequel to the first book in her epic dystopian series, giving us more of the brutal battles, ruthless world and breathtaking love story that we've come to expect from her. With impeccable grace, Pandemonium sweeps us into the ravaged Wilds and gives us a heroine that might be battered and broken, but is every bit as fierce and determined as we could hope. In a sentence, Pandemonium is tragically beautiful and painfully rich, giving us the very best in dystopian fiction.

Guys, I have an extremely strong aversion to love triangles, so you should make note of that going into this review. Pandemonium took my heart and gradually repaired it with a soaring, sweeping love though, where its predecessor tore it from my chest and stomped on it a million times. Lena, as usual, is a wonderful heroine. Her humanity is the driving force of her character, making her someone I want to read about, and the added strength she gains through living in the Wild only serves to foster that investment in her being. Furthermore, though we're given a host of new characters to meet, including Julian who I desperately wanted to hate but just couldn't, Pandemonium balances an action-packed plot and a host of characters with ease. The real strength of Pandemonium, however, lives in the writing, itself. Perfectly switching between Then and Now, the story is never jarring or false, and it flows effortlessly, guiding a soaring plot arc throughout.

All in all, Pandemonium was a brilliant sequel to a nearly perfect first book. I am so excited to be able to say it lives up to book one because I was a bit scared. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

19 comments:

  1. I admit I was not such a big fan of the first book... I liked it but it didn't grab me so much to be honest. However, it was nice enough to read the next one and according to your review it might be worth a shot for me!

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  2. I hope hope what you say will work for me too. I am gonna get so sad of the book does not live up to book 1 for me

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  3. Really great review! I love your writing! I can't wait to read Pandemonium now :D

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  4. I didn't even realize that there would be a sequel to Delirium, but I'm glad there is- and that you enjoyed it. Can't wait to read it in February!

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  5. Yours is the first review I've read of Pandemonium, and it is perfect! Beautiful review, Melissa. I can't wait to read this one soon.

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  6. Wow. A 5 out of 5? Holy cow, I can't wait to read this one. I really loved Delirium and that cliffhanger, when Lena escapes into the wilds left me breathless and dying for more. I didn't have it pre-ordered but, after your review, I'm going to do it right now!

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  7. I loved the first book so I cannot wait to read the second one...:D Such a lovely review, Im even more excited to read it now..!!

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  8. YEAH!!! I adored this one too! I wanted so badly to dislike Julian thinking he could never be what Alex was, but like you, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. He wore me down and I loved that he started making Lena happy again. And that ending? We have things to talk about:)

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  9. I've had the first book on my shelf waiting to be read for a really long time. I definitely want to read it before Pandemonium is released. Awesome, awesome review! :)

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  10. LOVE this review! Ah, I'm even more excited for Pandemonium now :)

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  11. I'm still super nervous. I don't want to lose Alex. I don't want a new love interest. I'm so scared to read this one. I think I may wait until the whole series is out because I don't know if I can handle the mess that I can feel coming! UG! :D

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  12. I agree. Pandemonium is a stunning sequel. Lauren Oliver knows how to meet up to our expectations.

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  13. Dude! This book left me with no words! AHHHHH! Loved the review!

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  14. I just kind of skimmed this as I haven't read Delirium yet. I actually didn't think I'd like Delirium, but it sounds like this second in the series makes you like it even more. I think I'll have to get Pandemonium and read them both together.

    Heather

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  15. Yay! I'm so glad it matches up to Delirium, because I loved that book! Can't wait to read this one!

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  16. Okay, I haven't read the first book, but this review is making me want to read it. I've been in the mood for a dystopian... I so need to get it. I'm so curious about the romance now!

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  17. I'm very excited to read this! Though, my memory probably has to be refreshed by re-reading Delirium. I read it a year ago! I loved the story and can't wait to find out what happens to Lena. Glad it exceeded your expectations!

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  18. I am so excited to read this! I love Lauren Oliver's writing and I was worried that Pandemonium wouldn't live up to Delirium but your great review has put my mind at rest!

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  19. Wow! I've been dying to read this. Great, great review! :)

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