Summary: Set in a small town, "Panic" follows a group of graduating seniors who participate in an underground game called Panic. With high stakes and dangerous challenges, contestants compete for a prize that could change their lives. The premise is intriguing, offering the potential for an intense exploration of fear and courage.


Pros:
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3.5 stars. This book was really good but not quite what I expected. I had high expectations of this book and I was hoping to really love but I don't. I like the book, but I don't love it. There are moments in the book that are really exciting and keep you on edge but still not as much action as I would have liked. Overall, I did still enjoy it. ( )

Hunger Games meets Lord of the Flies. Meh. ( )

Panic by Lauren Oliver was one that I wanted to read after watching the adaptation for Amazon Prime.

Panic is about a group of high school seniors that graduate and opt in to playing a dangerous game with multiple events that could severely injuring or kill them. All for the grand prize of a large amount of cash so they can leave their small town in New York.

The book was okay. I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite in the YA genre. It was an interesting concept. The characters were relatively likeable and the storyline was believable.

At times I think it moved a little bit too fast. There could’ve been things that were better explained or the events in the Panic game could’ve been embellished.

I was also absolutely shocked in the difference of storylines between this story and the Amazon Prime adaptation. Honestly I think Amazon did a better job. I understand there is a crossover book and I wonder if it is better than the original.

I don’t agree with Prime’s decision to change the ethnicity and wealth class of Bishop’s character. They tried too hard on that one. I also don’t agree that Prime made the main character end up with someone else for a relationship. That was a totally unnecessary change that I think Lauren Oliver should’ve stood up for herself.

★★★★ I would recommend if you need a quick read. You can probably read it in a day. ( )

I have mixed feelings about this one.... I really enjoyed the small town setting, but I could NOT engage with the characters, I found it really hard to like any of them. I'm a huge fan of just about everything Lauren Oliver has written but this one just didn’t do it for me.

PS … THE SHOW WAS BRILLIANT!! ( )