Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver [Joint Review!]

4 out of 5 Robots!

  

Vanishing Girls By Lauren Oliver 
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary 
Release: March 10, 2015
Hardcover:  357 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
My Copy: Library
Reviewer: Shannon & Julia

Book Summary:

Dara and Nick used to be inseparable, but that was before the accident that left Dara's beautiful face scarred and the two sisters totally estranged. When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl, nine-year-old Madeline Snow, has vanished, too, and Nick becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances are linked. Now Nick has to find her sister, before it's too late.

In this edgy and compelling novel, Lauren Oliver creates a world of intrigue, loss, and suspicion as two sisters search to find themselves, and each other. (Courtesy of Goodreads)

Julia & Shannon: Joint Review!

1. In a sentence or two, describe your thoughts.

Shannon: I pretty much rushed through Vanishing Girls to get to the end.  It was a fast paced read to me.  I liked the suspense a lot and Lauren Oliver's writing is always good.  I enjoyed it, but I guess the ending right at the beginning, so the ending didn't payoff for me.

Julia: Vanishing Girls is entertaining and there is something captivating about Lauren Oliver's writing. I was fascinated with the tragedy that plagued the main characters and couldn't wait to get to the end to see where Lauren Oliver was taking the story.

2. How does Vanishing Girls compare to Lauren Oliver's other work? 

Shannon: I'd say this book was more on par with Panic than with her Delirium series.  The writing was more straight forward, more suspenseful....a little grittier.  So, if you didn't like Panic...this may not be the best Oliver book for you.

Julia: I didn't read Panic, just the Delirium series, but I did like Delirium and I do love this one too. I enjoyed the suspense and the characters were intriguing, much like those in her other series. Vanishing Girls was a little more raw though. I liked that.

3. The main character isn't perfect, what do you think of her portrayal? 
Shannon: I like Lauren Oliver's grittier female characters.  Again, I'm reminded of the characters in Panic a lot.  I love that they aren't perfect, but still sympathetic enough to relate to.  I loved the sister dynamics.  

Julia: I loved her relationship with her sister. It seemed more on par with real life sisters than some of the perfect sibling relationships I have read in young adult. There is a true bond, but a little resentment and sibling rivalry too. I was constantly wondering what she was thinking and loved that she had flaws. 

4. Did that plot keep the book rolling?

Shannon: The plot was very suspenseful and well written.  It definitely had me flipping fast through the pages!

Julia: Definitely! When I think back on it, I'm not sure what kept the pages turning. But I couldn't stop.

5. There is a bit of a twist. Satisfied? Surpised?

Shannon:  As I mentioned above, totally called it.  But I am a very suspicious reader.  I never trust anything I am told!  It takes a lot for me to be totally surprised.  But, I thought the way it was executed was well done.

Julia: I was satisfied and surprised. Honestly, when I got to the end, I scratched my head and was like are you kidding me? How did I NOT see that coming? Like Shannon said, it is somewhat predictable if you're paying attention, but try not to think too far ahead!

6. How many stars? Who would you recommend it to?

Shannon: I would give it a solid 4 stars.  I think fans of Panic or Dangerous Girls or We Were Liars might like this book

Julia: 4 Stars! Solid read. All Lauren Oliver fans will love this book.

Panic by Lauren Oliver [Review]

4 out of 5 Robots!

  

Panic by Lauren Oliver
Genre: YA Contemporary
Release: March 4, 2014
Hardcover: 408 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon's Thoughts:

Going into this book, I wasn't sure how I much would like it.  The reviews are a bit mixed.  But I ended up really liking it.  At the center of the book is Panic.  Panic is a secret game that Carp graduating seniors play.  The tasks are dangerous.  People have been horribly injured in years past.  But winning Panic means winning the large pot of money and that money means freedom from Carp.

But even though this book centers around Panic, it isn't really about Panic.  It is about the characters and the situations that push them to enter Panic in the first place.  At the stakes get higher and higher and everyone is tested to their limits, I was getting more anxious wondering how it would all turn out.  Luckily, I quite liked the ending.  I thought everything came together well. 

Requiem by Lauren Oliver [Review]

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

   

Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Series: Delirium #3
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Release: March 5, 2013

Hardcover: 400 Pages

Publisher: HarperTeen

My Copy: Edelweiss

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:
Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge. (Courtesy of the Publisher)

 
Shannon's Thoughts:

First - a caveat.  On the whole this is a great series.  I really enjoyed Lena's journey from naive, scared, and safe to strong, independent and on the run.  I even enjoyed the love triangle.  I love the world Oliver has created.  This is definitely one of the best YA dystopian series out there.  But...(and believe me, it pains me to say this) I was left a little unsatisfied.  Sigh, I know.  I know!

*SPOILERS ahead if you haven't read Pandemonium:

Ok, so here's the thing.  Pandemonium left off with a huge cliffhanger.  Just when Lena escapes back to the wild with Julian and declaring their feelings for each other, Alex comes back into the picture.  Now Lena is stuck between a rock and a hard place.  And this is where it starts to get frustrating.  Alex won't talk to Lena.  Julian gave up everything for Lena.  And Lena can't figure out what she wants.  I found her a little hard to take in this book.  She is little bitter and indecisive.  She dinks Julian around a bit and I felt sorry for the guy.  Alex was not the sweet, loving guy he was in Delirium.  I missed the old Alex.  And the ending.  We need to talk about the ending.  Or lack of one, I guess.  Very little is resolved and it is left extremely open ended.  I wish there was a little more closure or some insight into what happens next.  I almost felt as if there could be another book after this one.  It just kind of...ends.

Also, I want to mention the split narrative.  On one hand, I liked reading Hana's perspective.  It gave some insight into what was happening outside of the Wilds.  But I also felt its inclusion sacrificed some of Lena's story.  I think I would have preferred to stay with Lena and give her side of the story more meat.

I know it may sound like I am bashing Requiem.  I'm not, I promise.  There were just some things that left me a little frustrated.  But on the whole, this is a great series and should be read!   

Books in the series in the order they should be read:
1. Delirium [My Review]
2. Pandemonium [My Review]
3. Requiem

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver [Review]

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

   

Pandemonium By Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium #2

Genre: Dystopian Young Adult

Release: February 28, 2012

Hardcover: 375 Pages

Publisher: Harper Teen

My Copy: Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

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. 

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Shannon's Thoughts:

Pandemonium is the captivating sequel to Delirium.  Love is considered a disease and when people come of age they undergo a procedure that keeps them from falling in love..  In Delirium, Lena is looking forward to her procedure because she felt it would keep her safe.  That is until she meets Alex and falls in love.  Eventually she risks everything to leave her home and escape with Alex to the Wilds.  But they were caught.  Lena made it over the fence, Alex did not.

Pandemonium picks up after Lena makes it over the fence.  I really enjoyed Pandemonium and in a lot of ways, I liked it better than Delirium.  There is more intrigue, drama and action.  It is an exciting read- I kept wondering where it was all heading.  I will say though, I saw the ending coming.  I think a lot of people probably will feel the same way.  But it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book.  It also ends in a doozy of a cliffhanger.  Which is a little frustrating.  It is like a tv shows when it ends at a critical moment and the screen cuts to "To Be Continued..." Argh!

In a lot of ways, I feel Pandemonium is a very different book than Delirium.  Where Delirium is dreamy and languid, Pandemonium is crisp and straightforward. Delirium felt slow at times but Pandemonium is all action and tight storytelling.  In Delirium, the storytelling is linear, but in Pandemomium the narration flips between "Now" where Lena is working for the Resistance posing as a high school student in New York City and "Then" which chronicles Lena's first days in the Wilds. 

Instead of watching the plot unfold, Pandemonium starts near the end and works backwards to show us how Lena got to be where she is now.  We now find Lena to be a very different person.  In Delirium she is confused and second guessed herself.  In Pandemonium she has no time to second guess herself.  She becomes harder and stronger because of the difficulties she faces.  She learns to take control and to kick a little butt.  I like the new Lena! 

If you liked Delirium, then Pandemonium is a must.  If you haven't read Delirium then you will need to read it before Pandemonium.  There is not a lot of recapping and you will miss most of the key plot points if you don't start at the beginning. I can't wait until the third book in the series!  Do I really have to wait a year??

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver [Review]

4.5 out of 5 Robots!

   

Pandemonium By Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium #2

Genre: Dystopian Young Adult

Release: February 28, 2012

Hardcover: 375 Pages

Publisher: Harper Teen

My Copy: Purchased

Reviewer: Shannon

Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

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. 

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Shannon's Thoughts:

Pandemonium is the captivating sequel to Delirium.  Love is considered a disease and when people come of age they undergo a procedure that keeps them from falling in love..  In Delirium, Lena is looking forward to her procedure because she felt it would keep her safe.  That is until she meets Alex and falls in love.  Eventually she risks everything to leave her home and escape with Alex to the Wilds.  But they were caught.  Lena made it over the fence, Alex did not.

Pandemonium picks up after Lena makes it over the fence.  I really enjoyed Pandemonium and in a lot of ways, I liked it better than Delirium.  There is more intrigue, drama and action.  It is an exciting read- I kept wondering where it was all heading.  I will say though, I saw the ending coming.  I think a lot of people probably will feel the same way.  But it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book.  It also ends in a doozy of a cliffhanger.  Which is a little frustrating.  It is like a tv shows when it ends at a critical moment and the screen cuts to "To Be Continued..." Argh!

In a lot of ways, I feel Pandemonium is a very different book than Delirium.  Where Delirium is dreamy and languid, Pandemonium is crisp and straightforward. Delirium felt slow at times but Pandemonium is all action and tight storytelling.  In Delirium, the storytelling is linear, but in Pandemomium the narration flips between "Now" where Lena is working for the Resistance posing as a high school student in New York City and "Then" which chronicles Lena's first days in the Wilds. 

Instead of watching the plot unfold, Pandemonium starts near the end and works backwards to show us how Lena got to be where she is now.  We now find Lena to be a very different person.  In Delirium she is confused and second guessed herself.  In Pandemonium she has no time to second guess herself.  She becomes harder and stronger because of the difficulties she faces.  She learns to take control and to kick a little butt.  I like the new Lena! 

If you liked Delirium, then Pandemonium is a must.  If you haven't read Delirium then you will need to read it before Pandemonium.  There is not a lot of recapping and you will miss most of the key plot points if you don't start at the beginning. I can't wait until the third book in the series!  Do I really have to wait a year??

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver [Review]

4 out of 5 Robots!

   

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Genre: Young Adult
Release: March 2, 2010
Hardcover: 470 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
My Copy: Personal Copy
Reviewer: Shannon
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

What if you only had 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: looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last.

The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. Living the last day of her life seven times 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.

Shannon's Thoughts:

Lauren Oliver is such a great writer.  If it wasn't for her great writing, I would not have enjoyed this book nearly as much.  Samantha Kingston (Sam) is your typical "mean girl".  She has clawed her way into the upper echelon of high school and now is a part of the popular clique.  She is not a likeable character.  She has little regard for others feelings and makes fun of people without a thought.  She is not one-dimensional though.  She isn't mean just to be mean or to fulfill an archetype.  It is more that since little affects her from her top position she just has no idea how harmful her actions are.  This is the crux of the book.  Sam dies in a car accident, only to wake up the next day to relive it all over.  Each relived day she makes different decisions and the outcome always changes.  Finally she starts figuring out what she needs to do in order to "make things right".  

On one hand, since she isn't a likeable character, so she can only improve, right?  But even at the end, I felt like she could have come a lot farther.  Maybe it isn't realistic to believe that someone could change that much in a week, but I just wanted...more.  I wanted to learn more about the other characters and how Sam went from being a nobody to being an "It" girl.  Also, I felt like you really don't start seeing any redeeming qualities in her friends until the very end.  This frustrated me a bit because it made them pretty one dimensional right up until at the end.

This story in the hands of a less accomplished writer would have fallen flat.  But Oliver gives her protagonist a strong and clear voice.  And seeing how Sam's actions change the day's events is really interesting.  I found the book over all to be a little melancholy, but since it is about Sam's death it makes sense.  I do recommend this book because of the beautiful way it is written, even if some of the plot points are lacking for me.  

Delirium by Lauren Oliver [Review]

Title: Delirium
Series: Delirium, #1
Author: Lauren Oliver
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: Feb. 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN10: 0061726826
ISBN13: 9780061726828
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: A Chick Who Reads

4 out of 5 Robots!

  

Book Blurb: 

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love - the deliria - blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demand that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she would be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Review: 

Delirium is going to be one of those books that inspires a wide range of emotions. People are going to feel passionate about it whether they love or hate it. However, unlike some other books that are part of a series, the one thing that everyone will say about Oliver’s Delirium, is that it is beautifully written.

It’s doesn’t quite fit the bill of the typical young adult novel that touches on romance, but then again, the USA that Lena Holoway lives in doesn’t have romance. Love is gone and so is anything that hints of love. It makes life pretty dull. It also makes for a slow start to the book.

In fact, for a lot of readers, the start to Delirium may just be too slow, but if you let the story progress, you’ll see that there’s no other way this book could start out. The society Lena, Alex and Hana live in just couldn’t permit an instant love affair, and that’s what makes the story so gripping.

Lena is the good girl, though from the very start, you get overtures that she may not be as thrilled about getting “the cure” as she seems to be. It is Hana that you expect to get into trouble, and she almost does many times.

Lauren gives her readers beautiful character development. You understand the why's of almost every action. You also like most of the characters because of this, though trust me you will love many of them. Alex above all else is a hero that you have to love, especially when he reads Lena poetry, something that is forbidden.

Lauren illustrates the change from a girl always doing what is right and what is expected, to a girl thinking for herself.

I usually don’t jump on many bandwagons for series, but I’m on board for this one, especially after the “OMG did this really happen” ending.  Book 2 can’t come soon enough!

Purchase your copy at Amazon!