Panic by Lauren Oliver eArc Review!

   

Title : Panic
Author : Lauren Oliver
Pages : 415
Published : March 4th 2014 by HarperCollins
Source : Edelweiss

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver comes an extraordinary novel of fear, friendship, courage, and hope.

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.

Already optioned by Universal Pictures in a major deal, this gritty, spellbinding novel captures both the raw energy of fear mixed with excitement, as well as the aching need to find a place to belong.

My Thoughts : 

In the town of Carp a dangerous game was born. Every senior has the option of playing Panic for a big monetary prize. The stakes are high but the prize is life changing.

Heather never dreamed of taking part in Panic but at the first challenge she finds herself on the edge of a cliff ready to jump off. 

Nat needs to money to leave Carp for a modeling career and Panic is the only option.

Dodge isn't afraid of Panic, he has something fueling his need to play. He will do whatever it takes to  see the game through.

I honestly don't even know what to say about this book!! At the start it was quiet slow going but then bam you're in the middle of this dangerous game and your unable to leave the book down.

Heathers mother drinks and parties and its left to her to look after her sister. She never wanted to enter but now she has she sees its the only way for her to help her sister and find somewhere to live. As the game progresses though will she be able to do whats needed? I loved Heathers character. She isn't your typical heroine in the sense that she isn't kick ass. Her strength is deeper.  Her home life is difficult yet she takes on the caring of her little sister. She finds a job and when she enters Panic her true strength shined through. She is terrified yet still keeps a strong front and completes her challenges. 

Dodge at first seems to be bad. He is basically a loner until Panic, where he befriends Nat and Heather. He is doing the game as a means of revenge. The year his sister entered she ended up wheelchair bound and now Dodge thinks that by getting revenge on the brother of the guy who did that to his sister, he will feel better. As the story progresses we see a kind side to Dodge and I ended up really liking him. 

Nat, Heathers BFF, I found hard to like. She came across as selfish, needy and mean. When Heather enters Panic Nats all like OMG, you knew I was entering so why did you!! She is the only character I didn't like. 

Overall Panic is an edge of your seat, heart pounding, breathtaking roller coaster of a ride. I was literally on the edge of my seat reading it. What they had to do in the game was something you can only imagine. Panic is unique and mindbogglingly different. Its a book that once you finish reading your first reaction is WOW and then its when can I read this again!!! With flawed characters you cant help but love and a plot that will hook you Panic is a must read. 

* Received in exchange for an honest review. Thank you HarperCollins for letting me read this.