Review: Panic by Lauren Oliver

Title: Panic
Author: Lauren Oliver
Genre: Contemporary
Format reviewed: e-galley

Blurb:
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

Review:
Having read all of Lauren Oliver's previously published YA novels, I was looking forward to reading Panic and expecting it to be as amazing as her other books. I was not disappointed.

Similar to her first contemporary novel, Before I Fall, the characters in Panic were very well-developed and honest. There was not one I liked more than the rest (although there was one I was rooting for above the others), but this is not a fault I find in the book. I enjoyed that the characters each had obvious flaws and made mistakes. Like real human beings, none were perfect, and all had their secrets, as well as their own motivation to participate in the game of Panic.
I find this to be lacking in contemporary YA, and enjoyed the refreshing and honest take on teenaged characters Lauren Oliver writes.

The book was full of suspense, and though I had a feeling for who might come out on top, I did not feel that any part of this book was annoyingly predictable. Oliver's superb writing kept me guessing and second-guessing myself. As one who does not enjoy contemporary as much as I do other genres in YA, I loved Panic, and want to read more contemporary (and other genres) from this author. She is definitely one of my favourites, and I cannot wait to see more from her.


Keep an eye out for this gem from Lauren Oliver!
Panic will be published March 4, 2014
You can pre-order the hardcover from the following retailers:
Chapters/Indigo/Coles
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
The Book Depository (free shipping worldwide)

Or you can pre-order the e-book from the following e-tailers:
Kobo
Nook
Amazon Kindle