Title: Pandemonium (Delirium #2)
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: September 29th, 2011
Genre(s): Young Adult (Dystopian)
Challenges: Dystopian
Source: Author
Format: Paperback
Pages: 372
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.
*do not read if you have not read Delirium. This review is spoiler free for Pandemonium only.*
Pandemonium was a highly anticipated 2012 sequel for me ever since Delirium left be heartbroken and at the worst cliffhanger I have ever read so far. I am glad to say that Pandemonium did not disappoint, while the direction of the book took a totally different unimaginable turn from what I expected, I couldn't read the book fast enough to find out how Lauren is going to resolve this and what will be the famous cliffhanger that I've heard broke readers' hearts again.
Pandemonium starts with a couple of days after the ending of delirium and for a while I was definitely confused with the two changing POVs. the then and now. I was so frustrated and confused that I wanted to skip a hundred pages or so to find out when was then and when was now! but I'm glad to say that Lauren didn't leave us hanging for too long and I found out a couple of chapters in what was going on. Pandemonium held its own ground to Delirium. It reminded me a bit of Shatter Me, especially the brewing romance between Lena and a newly introduced character and while that left me torn between their happiness and the fact that it is a bit too soon after Alex. However I was definitely shipping them and I loved how the romance did not overtake the book like Delirium. I especially loved all the plotting and fighting, that didn't get boring at all. Now, coming to the cliffhanger and some of the revelations, I have to say, I predicted every single one of them. The cliffhanger was totally obvious and I knew the only ending people would react so much towards was the one I had in mind. Other small revelations include Lena's mother, and the resistance.
All in all Pandemonium, while slow at the beginning, was an addicting novel that I couldn't put down, and wished wouldn't break my heart, but still broke it in the end. Whoever have read Delirium, PLEASE go pick this up right now!!
4.5 musical notes!
The then and now confused me at first too but I liked it. I liked being able to know what first happened when Lena ran away and also now what she is doing working for the resistance. The romance really upset me. I thought Lena would try to find out what happened to Alex more but she just assumed he died.
ReplyDeleteI actually was OK with the romance since realistically speaking, she saw him get shot.. it was a bit far fetched if she STILL searched for him and all. But wow, book #3 is going to be AWESOMEEEE. I can't wait for it!!
Delete- Juhina
I've heard a lot of comments about the then and now stuff in this book! I've got a copy sitting on my Kindle and waiting for me to get to it at the moment - hopefully I'll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Delirium. Great review!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh I loved this book so much. Not quite as much as Delirium but enough to put it on my Forever Favorites shelf!! It's freaking insane! The fast pace, the development, the beautiful writing - wonderful! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for this awesome review!
Sierra @ Yearning to Read
www.yearningtoread.blogspot.com
I agree with you I had a tough time in the beginning too! But the worst part for me was mostly the end it tore me apart. I remember reading that last page and being like NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was crazy. Anyways awesome review =)
ReplyDelete~Paige @ Comfort Books
http://paigebradish1996.blogspot.com/
GAH I so have to read Delirium! I think I'm the only one left who hasn't read it >.< I hear the sequel is really great too but that confusion in the POVs could be annoying. And the predictable ending is sort of expected by me now. I so rarely get surprised that I don't expect it anymore haha.
ReplyDeleteI both loved and hated this book. I wanted to give it 5 stars and 1 star equally. Lauren Oliver is an amazing writer, but it was near torture reading this... I love Alex too much. Plus that cliffhanger is beyond frustrating. :D Still, I'm eager for the next book. Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteGah! I'm SO afraid of reading this book. It's just... just... SCARY!!! With so many different responses from everyone, I'm torn. Maybe I should wait Pandemonium until the release of the third book. Can't bear for my soul to torn into two ;) Great review! :D
ReplyDeleteTumbling In Books