Friday, February 17, 2012

Pandemonium Review + ARC Giveaway


PANDEMONIUM
by Lauren Oliver


 Expected publication: February 28th 2012 by HarperCollins


Goodreads Blurb:
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.

In the past, I've been a bit tough on Lauren Oliver. With the exception of Liesl & Po (which I positively LOVED), I've struggled with the way she ends her books. BEFORE I FALL was the hardest for me in terms of resolution. I loved DELIRIUM, but the ending killed me. Killed me. 

This time, I have to bow to the brilliance of the writing and the power of the ending. Every book Lauren Oliver writes is better than the last. PANDEMONIUM is fabulous. The extension of Delirium's storyline is brilliantly done. The cast of characters is perfect. The suspenseful tension is constant and thick and unpredictable. This story is masterfully written all the way through. This time, I give her 5 stars without hesitation!

* GIVEAWAY: *

In order to share the love, I'm giving away my ARC to one lucky follower.
Simply comment on this post by midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 21st.
As always, Int'l entries are welcome.
I will announce the winner on Wednesday, Feb. 22nd.

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46 comments:

  1. Miranda HardyFebruary 17, 2012 at 4:58 AM

    I'm a huge fan of her writing. I felt the same at the end of Delirium. I look forward to the next.

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  2. buddytFebruary 17, 2012 at 5:34 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway and for mopening it to worldwide entries.

    I haven't read very much of Lauren Oliver's work but this does sound interesting so please enter me.

    Thanks.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  3. S.A. LarsenッFebruary 17, 2012 at 5:59 AM

    Without a doubt, I'd love to have this ARC. Thank you for offering it up!

    I've been away for a few weeks. Your new look is fabulous!! So you. Love it!! Did you do it or did you hire someone?

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  4. UnknownFebruary 17, 2012 at 6:07 AM

    OH MY GOSH!!! I'm listening to Delirium in the car right now and now I'm so nervous for the end... Would LOVE a chance to win your Pandemonium ARC. Thanks :)

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  5. Sarah FaulknerFebruary 17, 2012 at 6:24 AM

    Delirium was the first dystopian book I read and I LOVED it. I can't wait for this book to come out!

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  6. EvieFebruary 17, 2012 at 7:11 AM

    I can't wait to read this book. Thanks a lot for the International giveaway!

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  7. Anna StaniszewskiFebruary 17, 2012 at 7:27 AM

    I can't wait to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  8. Tales of WhimsyFebruary 17, 2012 at 8:38 AM

    How very cool of you. I need to try her work.

    (not an entry)

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  9. Caroline Starr RoseFebruary 17, 2012 at 8:38 AM

    Can't wait to read this. I actually loved the ending of Delirium. :)

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  10. LlehnFebruary 17, 2012 at 8:41 AM

    I'd love to play please.

    lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  11. Kayeleen HamblinFebruary 17, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    I loved Delirium and can't wait to read Pandemonium!

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  12. April XFebruary 17, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    Great review :) The ending of Delirium killed me too lol, I'm glad you loved Pandemonium though :) And thank you for the giveaway!

    aprilxu2222@gmail.com

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  13. AnonymousFebruary 17, 2012 at 9:32 AM

    Shannon give it to me, me, me....if you do you'll never have to do another good deed for an entire year. I'm aching to get my hands on one of her books. Lol. Thank you for the great offer to us all. I'm also giving away a fantastic short story collection today.
    http://fabulosityreads.blogspot.com/

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  14. Robyn CampbellFebruary 17, 2012 at 10:01 AM

    Awesome giveaway, bff. I love PANDEMONIUM. And you're right. Every book she writes gets more fabulouser (my new word I say around the house to drive everyone crazy) than the last. She is made of awesome. :-)

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  15. PattiFebruary 17, 2012 at 10:12 AM

    I haven't read any of her books, but I keep meaning to pick up one. Although bad endings make me crazy, so I'm not sure now.

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  16. Tere KirklandFebruary 17, 2012 at 11:24 AM

    I still haven't read Delirium, so don't enter me, but drop by my blog for an awesome surprise!

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  17. Natalie AguirreFebruary 17, 2012 at 11:33 AM

    I SO love Lauren Oliver and can't wait to read Pandemonium. Thanks for offering your ARC as a giveaway.

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  18. Lexie@BookBugFebruary 17, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    I would love to win this book!! Thanks for the giveaway!
    lexie.bookbug at gmail dot com

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  19. Elana JohnsonFebruary 17, 2012 at 12:37 PM

    See, I LOVED how Delirium ended. But you know I like that kind of thing. Can't wait for PANDEMONIUM!

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  20. MeredithFebruary 17, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    I can't wait for this one! The end of Delirium killed me, too--I have to see how it ends up! Thanks so much for hosting the giveaway!

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  21. Katy UppermanFebruary 17, 2012 at 5:48 PM

    I adore Lauren Oliver and the concept of this trilogy. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  22. deanna_boocockFebruary 17, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    I loved Delirium and can't wait to read this one! deanna_boocock (at) hotmail.com

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  23. Alexia561February 17, 2012 at 7:32 PM

    So glad to hear that this one is a 5 star read! Love Lauren's books, and agree that she just keeps getting better and better! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  24. M.A.D.February 17, 2012 at 8:00 PM

    You had me at *Lauren Oliver* lol

    Seriously, ever since I finished Delirium I've been drooling to get ahold of Pandemonium :D

    Thank you X ten for such a super-sweet giveaway!!!

    Mary DeBorde M.A.D.
    zenrei57 (at) hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. cleemckenzieFebruary 17, 2012 at 8:08 PM

    Sign me up! Sounds great.

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  26. GigiFebruary 17, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    You had at Int'l entries are welcome!! hahaha! Thank you so so much for the chance! Lauren Oliver is one of my favorite authors!! I'm dying to read Pandemonium!! Thanks for the ARC giveaway!! :D

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  27. mimzFebruary 18, 2012 at 3:18 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway and for making it international! :D

    I loved Delirium and I just can't wait for Pandemonium!

    xjustakidx[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  28. Jemi FraserFebruary 18, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    I like the endings to be resolved with hope too - although I'm a big fan of some great books that end in other ways too!

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  29. AndreaFebruary 18, 2012 at 1:36 PM

    sure i'm in!
    thanks for making it international :)
    have a nice day!

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  30. Kristin LenzFebruary 18, 2012 at 2:14 PM

    I loved Liesl and Po, too. Delirium is on my bookshelf, waiting to be read.

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  31. Christina FarleyFebruary 18, 2012 at 4:46 PM

    Oh I'm desperate to read this!

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  32. Nicole ZoltackFebruary 18, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    The ending of DELIRIUM killed me too! I so want to get my hands on this arc!

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  33. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2012 at 5:59 PM

    I have to admit that I've not read anything by Lauren Oliver. Shannon, thanks for sharing your review of PANDEMONIUM. The book sounds intriguing.

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  34. UnknownFebruary 19, 2012 at 9:16 AM

    This is so awesome.. Thank you so so much for opening this to your int'l followers too! Pandemonium releases on my birthday and I'm so excited to read it.

    sauvadeavelle @ yahoo dot com

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  35. Shooting Stars MagFebruary 19, 2012 at 11:41 AM

    how exciting, I'm so glad you enjoyed this one. I really need to read Before I Fall (I own that one...LOL)


    -Lauren
    lauren51990 at aol dot com

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  36. MaidenveilFebruary 19, 2012 at 4:59 PM

    Looking forward to Pandemonium. I'm really excited for this second book. I loved Delirium. :)

    -Len of Musings of a Reader Happy
    maidenveil(at)gmail(dot)com

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  37. Bess WeatherbyFebruary 20, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    Well you've sold me :)

    bess.writer(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2012 at 9:01 AM

    I would love to win this. It's about time I get to read Delirium too. :)

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  39. The Busy AuthorFebruary 20, 2012 at 10:58 AM

    I wasn't crazy about DELIRIUM either. The ending didn't bother me, but I found the pacing of the book a bit off. It felt long, and slow and the romance was tepid. BUT I still want to read PANDEMONIUM!

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  40. Tiffany DrewFebruary 20, 2012 at 4:48 PM

    Before I Fall and Delirium are two of my favorite books, I just love Lauren's writing! I have yet to read Liesl & Po, but I will soon. I have been waiting a year for Pandemonium and am beyond desperate to finally read it. Thank you for the opportunity!!!

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

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  41. LisaILJFebruary 20, 2012 at 9:26 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  42. LisaILJFebruary 20, 2012 at 9:27 PM

    I can't wait to read this book. I really tried to get a copy of the ARC at ALA mid winter, but even as a librarian I was shut out.

    leyser73 at gmail dot com

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  43. ashleyFebruary 20, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    GFC-ashley

    Thanks a bunch!

    ashtreygonesmokeya@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. ThumbelinaFebruary 20, 2012 at 11:18 PM

    I would love to win this book. I loved Delirium soooo much.

    Love your reviews :D

    thomasina.sullivan@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Christina LeeMarch 11, 2012 at 7:22 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  46. Christina LeeMarch 11, 2012 at 7:25 AM

    OMG, Shannon, I deleted my comment on this b/c I realize I was too late and saw it from my google reader. *facepalm*

    Give me some credit, it's early! *sips coffee*

    Anyhoozle, hope you are doing well!

    ReplyDelete

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