Wickedly Sweet Books: Review: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Publisher: Harper

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Pages: 375

Summary provided by goodreads

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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.

*~~~~~*~~~~*

Can I just start out by saying that this book is amazingly, beautifully breathtaking! It is, by far, one of the best books I have ever read. If you thought Delirium was good, you haven't seen anything until you read this sequel. Usually I find that sequels just aren't as good as the first novel, but this is definitely an exception!

This book uses and "Then" and "Now" narrative throughout the entire novel. In most novels, this may get confusing and tiring. But in this case, Lauren Oliver is a genius. It really helps show Lena's development and the way she becomes the person she is "Now."

Going into this book, I was majorly depressed about the death of Alex. I thought that it would really hinder how well I enjoyed this novel. I was wrong. Definitely wrong.Oliver attempts to develop another romantic relationship in this novel, and she succeeds. I really didn't think that I could "fall in love" with another character after how much I adored Alex, but that was not a problem at all.

Aside from the new relationship that emerges throughout this novel, there is LOADS of action. Seriously, the whole book is nonstop action. I found myself tearing through it like a vulture. I couldn't put it down. I had to stay up all night just to finish it.

For those who get queasy or offended easily, this may not be for you. It did have frequent violence (I would put it about on the same level as the violence in Hunger Games), and it did drop the "f-bomb" and some other curse words a few times.

That being said, I felt like those moments were necessary for the plot development. There were a few crazy occurrences throughout the book. The ending was slightly predictable, even though I was hoping against it. Can't Lena finally just be happy? Well, not yet, because Oliver has thrown much more drama into the mix.

Something else I want to mention is the fact that Lauren Oliver is a master and genius of the English language. She uses so many beautiful metaphors that her writing becomes poetic. She is truly one of a kind, and I can honestly say that I will probably enjoy any book that she ever writes if only for this raw talent.

Go read this book! NOW! If you don't have it, go buy it! It's worth every penny and MORE! Seriously, don't ask questions, just go do it.

I seriously cannot wait for 2013 to get here to read the final book in the trilogy, Requiem!

And there's also a short e-novella titled Hana for those of you who want a little more of this saga!

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Overall, I would give this book a 5 out of 5 Wickedly Sweet Cupcakes!