Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Genre: science fiction, dystopian
Series and Book #: Delirium Trilogy #2
Pages: 384
Summary:

I’m pushing aside the memory of the 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.

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Meh. This wasn't my favorite. First, I was confused by the then and now idea for the chapters. I thought she was going to do the same thing that she did for Delirium. Definitely added spice to the novel! I also thought Lena's romance with Julian was expected. THE END WAS SUCH A CLIFFHANGER THOUGH! Gosh, some authors really know how to rile up their readers!

The changed Lena was good. I thought she was stronger than she was in Delirium, which was excellent for the story. The complexity not only of Lena's pretending to be cured but also her loyalty to Raven's camp was blended nicely, and the way that the story intertwined gracefully at the end. I wish that Oliver would have added more about Lena's "cured" life before she trapped Julian and her together.

Overall, I think Delirium was much better. I wasn't pulled into Pandemonium. Oliver's focus on Lena wasn't what I would have liked, either. I wanted a larger glimpse into where society stood and the others around Lena more than who she was after *SPOILER ALERT!* Alex's untimely death. I liked how the roles were somewhat reversed between Lena and Julian. Now it was Lena coaxing Julian into uncured life rather than Alex coaxing Lena. A nice subtle twist ;)

The Cover: I like how Lena is peeking out from wild flowers and wild plants, giving a bow to the Wilds. I would have liked to see what they would've done if they'd continued with the cutout words

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Genre: science fiction, dystopian
Series and Book #: Delirium Trilogy #1
Pages: 441
Summary:

Ninety-five days, and then I’ll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It’s hard to be patient. It’s hard not to be afraid while I’m still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn’t touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don’t.

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 HAH! I've finally gotten around to blogging around again! [Insert affectionate hugging of computer] I honestly didn't mean to be gone for as long as I was. So, if all ills are forgiven, on to the book!

Lauren Oliver enchanted me in Before I Fall. She has a lyrical way of writing that pulls you into the story and keeps you hooked within the words. I loved the concept behind her second trilogy. A word without love? Ach! How inhuman!

Oliver took this in a completely different direction than I thought she would. It was much darker than I expected, but then again, no love = dark. Her little additions, like the twisted common phrases of today and the lack of dreams for the cureds, made the story come alive. She did an excellent job of showing how society has love infused in pretty much everything.

I never connected well with Lena. She had a bleak outlook on life, and no hope that anything good would happen to her. Her and Alex's relationship moved rather quickly as well. They met, Alex reveals that he wasn't cured, and then they become romantically involved. Hana was brilliant and added a bright speck of light in Lena's otherwise dim world.

Overall, I think the concept of a loveless world was what I liked about this book most. Oliver's writing was lovely as usual but her characters didn't do anything for me. I wish there would have been more growth for Lena and Alex's relationship. The end was somewhat expected as well. Oliver's telling of Lena's world was great, though. Hana's discovery of the "rebels" beneath the government's noses is ingenious and I can't wait for where it'll take Lena in Pandemonium.

The Cover: Gorgeous! I love the bright blue and the cutout of Lena's face. Her drowsy expression was exactly what i expected for the word "delirium" 

Release: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

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.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Genre: teen social issues
Series and Book #: none
Pages: 470
Synopsis: What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.
 
Instead, it turns out to be her last.
 
Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

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One of the best books I've ever read. Ever. Oliver's writing is lyrical but easy to understand. She's realistic in her view of high school and doesn't skim over the provocative conversations and suggestions.

Samantha was a very real character. At first, she was stuck up and worried about her social standpoint in in life. She was nervous about her big night with her boyfriend, and annoyed with her used-to-be friend Kent. She agreed with her best friend Lindsay on everything, and was included into chants of Psycho with a girl, Juliet Sykes, whom Lindsay hates. But when she dies, and relives her day seven times, she changes dramatically. I love how Oliver makes her changes subtly at first, and then towards the end more noticeable. It gives let's you say, "Wow. She has changed."

Overall, I loved this book. Lauren Oliver is definitely an author that I'm going to read more from. Her writing was amazing and understandable, and her characterisation was spot on. The books progression was perfect and the climax was amazing. Friends who had read the book said I'd hate the ending, but actually, I liked it. I thought it was exactly the type of thing Samantha would do after her experiences. This was a wonderful book. Definitely add it to your MRL and TBR piles.

The Cover: Not one of my favorites, but I still like it. I think it captures the falling with the model lying in the grass, but I don't like the close up of the face.