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chelsfoust's review against another edition
4.0
Okay wow! Seriously like holy crap wow! I was so shocked by the ending of this book, I mean I sort of thought it could happen, but then after everything else I just let myself get sucked along then Wham! I liked this second book much more than the first, but good grief talk about heart wrenching thought provoking sadness sucking you into the story! I mean I seriously feel for Lena, how one girl can go through so much and still be standing at the end it amazing. I mean the next book requiem must be a doozy! I just keep thinking wow! The characters in this series are so deep, you don't think so at first, then they worm their way into your hearts and you just keeping thinking wow! All the feeling Lena goes through just to be slapped down every time she just about gets there you just want to cry for her.
sophieekeeble's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
authorcharlottee's review against another edition
4.0
I am in a Lena position. I cannot choose between Julian and Alex. They are both perfect, like this series, and are both amazing! I almost threw my Kobo at the end of it.
peggyplays's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
stephanierachel's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
yerawizard_kristen's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. I can't wait for the third book of this series! Finished Pandemonium on Thursday... I'm addicted. I want more and I want it now! How long do we have to wait for the next one!?
jgurniak's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a few chapters but I eventually got hitched enough to read it to the end. I had the same problem with Delirium.
I think Delirium was better. With Pandemonium, I found myself often skimming through. That's not something I do very often. Despite that, I was entertained enough to want to stick around for Requiem.
I think Delirium was better. With Pandemonium, I found myself often skimming through. That's not something I do very often. Despite that, I was entertained enough to want to stick around for Requiem.
onyx_luna's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
calistacyq's review against another edition
4.0
Exciting and filled with adventure, Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver tells two storylines, one following where the first book has left off as Lena navigates her new life in the Wilds and the other narrating the present day.
Summary: Lena Haloway has escaped and now lives in the wild with other Invalids. In the present day, she lives in New York City under the false identity of Lena Morgan Jones, a cured person. In the past timeline, she navigates her new life.
Tropes/Genres:
• dystopian
• science fiction
• romance
• strangers to lovers
• new love interest
• set in New York City
Review: This book was very exciting, but I feel like the writing could've been improved. I'll touch on that later. There are many new characters in this book, and one thing I would like to praise about this book is how distinct the characters are. The relationships seem complicated and nuanced, which isn't surprising considering how tough it is living in the wild.
It's cool to see Lena awakening even more, learning to think in a different way – for example, not parroting what her government taught her all her life. It was kind of sad seeing Lena go through the grief of losing Alex, who was presumed dead. However, I couldn't feel her sorrow. I just knew that she was sad, but I couldn't feel her sadness. The sadness is not seeping through the pages as it should.
This story is told entirely through Lena's POV but with two different timelines: the odd chapters take place in the present, showing Lena living in New York under the name Lena Morgan Jones, while the even chapters take place in the past, picking up where the first book has left off as she navigates her new life in the Wilds. I think that doing so is a great technique because it adjusts readers to Lena's new environment among the Invalids and shows the difficulties of living in the Wilds while telling the story about her time as Lena Morgan Jones.
Julian Fineman is an interesting character. I don't feel much chemistry between him and Lena, but I do feel bad for his backstory. It's interesting to see how he slowly opens himself up to the idea of having deliria – love. Throughout the present timeline, he slowly grew more comfortable with Lena and the idea of sticking around someone who isn't cured, which is taboo in the eyes of the system. However, he isn't that special and feels like a convenient rebound for Lena because Alex is allegedly dead and she is trying to move on. Or something.
At one point, readers see the death of a character, but it was someone called Miyako whom we didn't even know existed. This random character just appeared and died, and I honestly didn't feel sad about it because I didn't even know who she was. The deaths in this book were, simply put, not sad. I think it has something to do with the way this story was written. I feel like I'm just seeing it instead of experiencing it through the words on the pages.
What I'm trying to say is that the writing just doesn't seem to evoke emotions. At least, not from me. Maybe my standards are just high, but that's just what reading this book was like for me. I could see and understand what was happening, but I couldn't feel it. The story also doesn't seem to have any major themes, just that this happens to be set in a world where people think love is a disease.
Anyway, I find it interesting how the author portrays the use of religion to manipulate people into following the rules of the government. It takes huge inspiration from Christianity. Tweaking a religion that already has a huge following is easier than creating a whole new religion altogether. I'm not religious, but using the words of the Bible to justify whatever this crappy government is advocating is disgusting, and it's scary how easily people buy it.
Overall, this is an interesting book. It certainly has a lot of action, and I quite liked reading about Lena's time in the wild. It looks so tough. I recommend this book to dystopia readers who enjoyed the first book. Take note that there is a new love interest.
Summary: Lena Haloway has escaped and now lives in the wild with other Invalids. In the present day, she lives in New York City under the false identity of Lena Morgan Jones, a cured person. In the past timeline, she navigates her new life.
Tropes/Genres:
• dystopian
• science fiction
• romance
• strangers to lovers
• new love interest
• set in New York City
Review: This book was very exciting, but I feel like the writing could've been improved. I'll touch on that later. There are many new characters in this book, and one thing I would like to praise about this book is how distinct the characters are. The relationships seem complicated and nuanced, which isn't surprising considering how tough it is living in the wild.
It's cool to see Lena awakening even more, learning to think in a different way – for example, not parroting what her government taught her all her life. It was kind of sad seeing Lena go through the grief of losing Alex, who was presumed dead. However, I couldn't feel her sorrow. I just knew that she was sad, but I couldn't feel her sadness. The sadness is not seeping through the pages as it should.
This story is told entirely through Lena's POV but with two different timelines: the odd chapters take place in the present, showing Lena living in New York under the name Lena Morgan Jones, while the even chapters take place in the past, picking up where the first book has left off as she navigates her new life in the Wilds. I think that doing so is a great technique because it adjusts readers to Lena's new environment among the Invalids and shows the difficulties of living in the Wilds while telling the story about her time as Lena Morgan Jones.
Julian Fineman is an interesting character. I don't feel much chemistry between him and Lena, but I do feel bad for his backstory. It's interesting to see how he slowly opens himself up to the idea of having deliria – love. Throughout the present timeline, he slowly grew more comfortable with Lena and the idea of sticking around someone who isn't cured, which is taboo in the eyes of the system. However, he isn't that special and feels like a convenient rebound for Lena because Alex is allegedly dead and she is trying to move on. Or something.
At one point, readers see the death of a character, but it was someone called Miyako whom we didn't even know existed. This random character just appeared and died, and I honestly didn't feel sad about it because I didn't even know who she was. The deaths in this book were, simply put, not sad. I think it has something to do with the way this story was written. I feel like I'm just seeing it instead of experiencing it through the words on the pages.
What I'm trying to say is that the writing just doesn't seem to evoke emotions. At least, not from me. Maybe my standards are just high, but that's just what reading this book was like for me. I could see and understand what was happening, but I couldn't feel it. The story also doesn't seem to have any major themes, just that this happens to be set in a world where people think love is a disease.
Anyway, I find it interesting how the author portrays the use of religion to manipulate people into following the rules of the government. It takes huge inspiration from Christianity. Tweaking a religion that already has a huge following is easier than creating a whole new religion altogether. I'm not religious, but using the words of the Bible to justify whatever this crappy government is advocating is disgusting, and it's scary how easily people buy it.
Overall, this is an interesting book. It certainly has a lot of action, and I quite liked reading about Lena's time in the wild. It looks so tough. I recommend this book to dystopia readers who enjoyed the first book. Take note that there is a new love interest.
sophieshelves's review against another edition
4.0
So I guess I'm kind of late to this trilogy, but wow it is amazing! I finished Delirium a few days ago and this was already on my book shelf waiting for me to read. If you've read Delirium and thought that was good this was a million times better, or if you aren't sure on Delirium once you read this.. just wow.
If you have read any other Lauren Oliver books you know her writing style, but I honestly think it is so beautiful - it's like reading a book of poetry, the way she describes everything. Her writing just seems so effortless. I loved this book so much this trilogy is quickly becoming one of my top 3 faves! Basically you have got to read this!!
Minor Spoilers ahead read at your own risk
This book is set out each chapter 'now' and 'then' - at first I was so confused, but then when Raven was mentioned in the 'now' it made sense!
Okay onto Julian! Before I'd even started Delirium I heard there was going to be a love triangle and I wasn't really sure I'd like it like, but then reading Delirium I was like, 'oh there's only Alex maybe someone had got it wrong'
Minor spoilers over!
Oliver likes her cliff hangers doesn't she! Maybe it's a good thing I am reading these books now that they are all out, I think the anticipation of waiting for the last book would've killed me!
One thing I haven't talked about us the whole concept of the trilogy 'love is a disease' thing and well it really gets you thinking because I is quite a scary concept to be honest. And as Lena learns to love again and kind of teach Julian to love well it's just a beautiful thing. I think that's the only way I can describe these books - beautiful because they really are, so thank you Lauren Oliver, I may just love this trilogy more than Before I fall and that's my favourite stand alone book!
If you have read any other Lauren Oliver books you know her writing style, but I honestly think it is so beautiful - it's like reading a book of poetry, the way she describes everything. Her writing just seems so effortless. I loved this book so much this trilogy is quickly becoming one of my top 3 faves! Basically you have got to read this!!
Minor Spoilers ahead read at your own risk
This book is set out each chapter 'now' and 'then' - at first I was so confused, but then when Raven was mentioned in the 'now' it made sense!
Okay onto Julian! Before I'd even started Delirium I heard there was going to be a love triangle and I wasn't really sure I'd like it like, but then reading Delirium I was like, 'oh there's only Alex maybe someone had got it wrong'
Spoiler
then at the end of Delirium we all thought he was dead, (that was horrible I was bawling my eyes because I wanted it to work out so badly for Lena!)Spoiler
but then when we first met Julian I was all like 'no way Alex is too perfect you are not meant for him' then the more we got to know him the more I fell in love with his character. Now I am completely torn. I have never read a book where I go back and fourth between the love triangle so much! I'm a few chapters in requiem and I'm all for Julian, but I have a definite feeling that will change. Sorry for the ramble just really passionate!Spoiler
When Lena and Julian were stuck together, trapped and slowly they were getting to know and love each other, it was just beautiful to read. I was kind of glad Lean was falling in love again after Alex, but then all that had to be ruined by the last page! He just pops back up in a bad mood and goes "don't believe her." and at that point I'm honestly angry with him, like her didn't follow her into the wilds he let himself get shot, speaking of which HOW IS HE ALIVE, and then he gets all moody because she has fallen in love again?! Like what? shouldn't he be happy for her? Because lets be honest she had a tough time coping without him and then things finally start to look up and he choose that time to just come back in?? Also PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD TELL ME HE IS NOT CURED because if he is honestly I don't see how it could work. He was like perfect before so I'm really hoping if he was cured that it didn't work on him. Conclusion I think Lena should be a slut and have them both because they are perfect and I don't want either of them to not have her.Spoiler
Minor spoilers over!
Oliver likes her cliff hangers doesn't she! Maybe it's a good thing I am reading these books now that they are all out, I think the anticipation of waiting for the last book would've killed me!
One thing I haven't talked about us the whole concept of the trilogy 'love is a disease' thing and well it really gets you thinking because I is quite a scary concept to be honest. And as Lena learns to love again and kind of teach Julian to love well it's just a beautiful thing. I think that's the only way I can describe these books - beautiful because they really are, so thank you Lauren Oliver, I may just love this trilogy more than Before I fall and that's my favourite stand alone book!