Panic by Lauren Oliver

Its undeniable that Lauren Oliver is a fantastic writer, if you've read the Delirium series you will understand this. It's extremely difficult not to fall into the universe Oliver creates and want to live there forever. I can't help but fall in love with the characters she portrays. It happened with the Delirium trilogy and it happened with Panic.

Has anyone else noticed how pretty much every new young adult fiction novel is compared to The Hunger Games? Teen Now Magazine follows this expectation. The  concept of the The Hunger Games is terrifying, yes, however due the immense popularity that element of fear has been watered down, actual children are being forced into becoming murderers yet everyone seems to focus the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale. I won't go into that subject, because to be frank I could go on for days and don't get me wrong, The Hunger Games is one of my favourite trilogies. I didn't spend New Years Eve ignoring my relatives for nothing. (Yes, I spent 2011/2012 New Years reading The Hunger Games, don't judge me.)

In my opinion, Panic does not deserve to be compared with the Hunger Games. Not because it's terrible, but because I wouldn't necessarily put the two into the same category. Panic is darker, grittier and more tense. I almost didn't want to turn the page in fear of something terrible occurring, because although it took me a while to warm to Heather and Doge I did generally want them to succeed. Split into two narratives, Oliver explores the lives of Heather and Dodge who both compete in the annual (and illegal) senior challenge, Panic, to try and win the grand prize which is usually over $50,000. However, to win this prize one must complete various challenges, some of which include crossing a high way blind folded, jumping over a cliff edge and staying in a haunted house over night. The risk of death is woven into each challenge, making the novel more tense. But why would these kids, (alright they are my age and if I was called a child I would probably be outraged but you see my point) risk their lives? Yes, $50000 would be wonderful, but the fact it, as we see with out two protagonists, it's not always about the money and if it is - it's ultimately about trying to achieve something better than their small town lives.

The novel begins with Heather, who finds herself impulsively joining Panic after witnessing her boyfriend with another girl. Heather's story, however, is not about a cheating boyfriend. It becomes apparent that Heather is responsible for looking after her younger sister, Lily. Their Mother is obviously not the greatest parent, unsurprisingly, it was easy to feel hatred and disrespect towards the character. However, it appears obvious that Heather is now in Panic for the cash, to provide for Lily and herself. Dodge, however, joined Panic to get revenge for his sister's accident, which left her in a wheel chair. Dodge hoped that the last challenge would include him and Ray, giving him the perfect opportunity to hurt Ray. Winning, would allow Dodge to pay for his sister's rehab. Although it took me longer to warm to Dodge's character (the need for revenge and his constant anger did get a little irritating), I found myself desperately wanting him to do the right thing. Whether he does or not, you'll have to read to find out.

Overall, Panic is a fantastic novel. If you're into gritty novels that have you wanting more as you metaphorically hide behind a cushion then this is definitely for you.



I apologise that I have been absent and the fact this is my only proper blog post for January, but I made the mistake of taking the Extended Project this year, so my focus was on writing a 5000 dissertation on the Suffragettes. Mock exams were a thing that happened that restricted my writing time. I may or may not have written this instead of doing History work - so don't say ignore you.

I'm joking, but now I'm leaving.

Goodbye.

(Ps, if anyone wants to recommend anything for me to read that that would be excellent! Following me on the social media's would also be cool)

Gallagher Girls

Some books stay with you for a life time. They get into your soul, your veins and you cannot get them out.

*Begins to hum Andrew Belle*

For some it's Harry Potter, or The Hunger Games or even Twilight.

For me, it's the Gallagher Girl series by Ally Carter.

Now let me tell you something about these books that force their way into your soul - you can read them more than once. And that's what I did. I re-read the Gallagher Girls.

I think I've actually read I'd Tell  You I'd Love You But I'd Have to Kill You (book 1) about six times now.

Oops.

But I've only read the last book, United We Spy, about twice so it's okay. That's only because it came out in 2013 but that's not the point here.

As I was saying before, I have recently reread the series (yes I should have been revising but it only took two weeks and I'm revising now Brownie Promise (I was in the Brownies I can promise like that)), my love and appreciation for Ally Cater's amazing series has grown by, like, 1000%. Also fear has increased because Cammie (the main character y'all) is no longer older than me. She is actually younger than me in the first three books (i think), so now it's official I am getting older hahahahahahahahahahhahahahaha you can almost hear me repressing every emotion can't you? 

Speaking of getting older and growing up, I have literally grown up with Gallagher Girls in my life. I first found the book when I was eleven, a small year seven in 2008 hanging around the school library, and in that library featured a display, with a cool mannequin wearing what was supposed to be Gallagher Girl uniform and book marks. (I still have mine - see?). So there was little me, enthralled with the Gallagher Academy and Cammie's world, wanting to be a secret spy student with cool friends like Bex and Liz. Oh and I really wanted my school to be an old building like the Academy because my school was built in 1964 and has currently been modernised (excuse me whilst I mourn my old history classroom which was dark and lovely. It's now bright and painted yellow so ew)

Where was I? It's 9.20pm give me a break okay?

Oh yeah, living through Cammie (May I just add if a film is created I will be 95% disappointed and 4% angry if I am not cast as Cammie) (I joke - I will fully support any actress which is blessed with the role) (seriously though I have dark blonde hair and I'm ignored 97% of the time it could work) What's that about being ignored, why is that important? I hear you ask, well reader wouldn't you like to know? Cammi Morgan is a chameleon - not literally, she is a pavement artist. She can trail suspects and there is a high probability that they will not see her.Not even paranoid Mr Smith, who she tails in book one for a CovOpts mission.

Anyway, back to growing up with the series. When I say growing up, I mean every year of secondary school I could look forward to another Gallagher Girls book - until my last year, when the series ended and I finished my secondary school career. So now, every time I think of my years 7-11 at school, hopefully I'll always remember the Gallagher Girls series. I'm still in education (woo go A Levels) obviously, but it's no longer obligatory, I am choosing to be there.

I keep getting distracted. I need to stop. Is this what happens when I hand write this at 9.30pm?

Focus Megan.

Now okay, I get it, a book series about a secret spy school only for girls may sound cheesy and stereotypical blah blah blah. But it's not okay. Mainly because it's first person narrative from a girl. A teenage girl. Who is very intelligent and did I mention goes to a secret spy boarding school? Her mother is also the headmistress of the school and her Aunt Abby is just the coolest. In fact, I think she is my favourite character, especially after a scene in book 3 where something happens that made me feel shock, horror and elation. (I'm obviously not going to say anything because spoilers). I actually love all the characters, even the villainous types. Not once has a character appeared and I've gone "oh not you again  please leave". Now seems like a good time to mention Zach *inhales*. I feel so much emotion towards Zach. Mainly because of the character development. The excellent character development. Zach doesn't arrive until Cross My Heart And Hope To Spy so I'll keep this brief, because spoilers, except I will say the cocky, sarcastic mysterious Blackthorn Boy that arrives is so much more. I think you'll be telling yourself a lie if after reading the series (which you will be doing) you said you didn't want your own Zach. Because I do. Without the deep dark secret and everything else I can't mention because of spoilers.

May I also suggest another reason why this series is excellent- the books get better and better. I can honestly say the first novel is the worst in the series (not that it isn't brilliant and fantastic because it totally is). But do you know how rare it is to say that? Most books start off really great, but by the last book it has gotten so bad that you forget why you wanted to read the series in the first place. It's so sad.

Now if you are still sat (or walking or pacing I don't know you) reading this and thinking 'hey I might read this but I'm not so sure" let me point out something to you: You are spared the agonising year of waiting for the next instalment. You also won't miss the happiness of receiving that parcel of books through the post. You will however feel the sadness when you come to the end. Sorry not sorry.

Even if you still don't think you want to read Gallagher Girls, check out Ally Carter's other series Heist Society (Maybe I'll reread that one and make a blog post about it)

The Gallagher Girls series can be found on amazon and any excellent bookstore.

Please come speak to me here and here

“I love you. Remember. They cannot take it” - Lauren Oliver, Delirium

It took me a year but I finally did it. I finally finished reading the Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver. I'm going to be honest with you. I no longer know what to do with myself.

This will probably contain spoilers, so hold on to your hats.

Last year, around New Year, I downloaded the first book for my new kindle - Delirium written by Lauren Oliver. I'd been waiting for this moment for weeks, after I first saw Requiem, the last book in the trilogy, advertised in a magazine. I knew that this would be the first book I would download and read on my kindle. And there I was, New Years Eve 2012, probably, (hey the New Years Eve 2011 I was reading the Hunger Games trilogy don't judge me) reading my new favourite book. I think I read it in a matter of days. I quickly moved onto the short story Hana, then onto Pandemonium and finally the short story Annabel. I had quickly ran out of Delirium trilogy to read and it hadn't even been a week. I know. I'm a fast reader. I was itching for the final installment Requiem. Which finally just read, due to the fact it was exam season the date in came out and a lack of money and the fact I was told I may or may not get the books in physical book form for Christmas.

But why is this series so addictive? Firstly, the idea that love is a disease is extremely interesting. That original idea was the formation of wanting to read it. I have never read, or come across, any fiction which explores the idea that love is disease and it be eradicated with a cure. Secondly, the way it is written and the words used are just perfect and meaningful. So many quotations can be taken from the series that apply in that fictional world, and ours. This enables the book to stick with you, almost imprinting itself on your soul and in your mind. I have forever memorised the quotes “You can't be happy unless you're unhappy sometimes" and “He who leaps for the sky may fall, it's true. But he may also fly.” Another thing that makes the trilogy so amazing is each book is written differently. The first book is continuous, in time with Lena and her life, with a few flash backs and memories of course. The second book, still  from the viewpoint of Lena, but split between two different times of her life. I will admit, this is a little confusing at start, but it works so well - in my opinion the book would have dragged if told in time order like the first. The third, and final installment is presented via two narratives Hana's and Lena's, this gives the reader equal insight into what is happening in the Wilds and the society. This difference does risk disappointment with any of the books, but I feel the difference keeps the books fresh and original.

The protagonist Lena, well I couldn't help but connect with her good-two shoes nature in the first book, as someone who's terrified to hand in their homework late I obviously felt some serious connection. Although being afraid to fall in love in a society where falling in love is probably more serious than murder our circumstances are very very different. This connection allows the reader to fall in love with Alex, and mourn Alex with Lena in the second book. Reading Pandemonium for the second time, I actually began to love Julian also, instead of mentally screaming "No, not him, remember Alex, Lena, remember Alex!" like I did first time reading. Of course then Alex returns and feelings of confusion are felt and you don't know what's really happened until Requiem. 

The secondary characters within the trilogy are easy to love, or hate depending who they are (Fred, I'm looking at you). Raven, is probably the most profound character, in fact she may be my favourite. When did she become my favourite character though? When Blue died. Up until that point I think I just assumed Raven had been in The Wilds (outside of the delirium free society) all her life. And then I couldn't just feel like my heart had been ripped out near the end of Requiem (you're just going to have to read it).

Now here's time for  a fun fact: I've been writing this post for at least two weeks. Why? I love this series too much, anything that I write seems wrong. I think I may be a perfectionist. I can't even put into words how much I love this series and if you see this book anywhere pick it up, look and the blurb and the maybe, hopefully, you will read it. Or at least contemplate reading it. 

Until the next post

Goodbye

In my head burning Red...

I welcome all of you into the new year with a new book review - so don't say I don't give you anything. I actually wanted to review this before Christmas, but seeing as the paperback isn't out until tomorrow (that's January 2nd 2014) I thought I'd better wait. Of course, if you're living in the digital age then you can download it right now via amazon.

So, back to the book, which I haven't yet named, did you notice? Red by Alison Cherry, in case you were wondering, stood out to me for many reasons

• I am a huge Taylor Swift fan so the title Red sticks out to me anywhere
• My best friend is a red head 
• Not sure if she would have forgiven me for not taking the opportunity to read it. 
• "Blondes need not apply" I am blonde. Why should I not apply? Why am I being targeted? What can I not do? 
• The whole concept of book was very intriguing, I mean, a whole town full of red heads who hold all social status? The complete opposite of what happens in society today. Personally, I don't see why red heads are taunted for their hair colour. This novel turns that upside down - the brunettes and the blondes are victimised because of their genetics.  

"Felicity St. John has it all: loyal best friends, a hot guy, and artistic talent" Of course, as soon as you read that sentence you know she's going to have some deep, dark secret. Her secret? She isn't a natural red head at all, she's a blonde. Now for all of us living in the real world, where dying your hair is pretty common and accepted, we can't really see the dilemma. But in Scarletville (I know), the rare hair colour of red gives you all the power, and if your a 'fake' red head you are treated as if you killed a man. I may be exaggerating here but you get my point. The hair salon which dyes the hair of all those fakers out there? Yeah, top secret and hidden where no one would find it. Unless your Gabby Vaughn, of course. 

I had high hope for the character Gabby Vaughn. Flicking through the novel and spotting the name Gabby made me pretty excited, because the best friend who is a red head? Yeah her name is Gaby. Spelling may be different but it's still the same. As this is a novel dedicated to red heads, I automatically assumed Gabby Vaughn would be a red head. So, there I was turning the first few pages, anxiously waiting for my Gaby to fictionalized. Oh how my hopes were wrong. It turns out, Gabby Vaughn is a brunette, my dreams of throwing the book at Gaby and screaming 'you are in this book, a fictional red head of you is in here now read it!", were destroyed. So what? My brain said, it'll be okay, she's just brunette. Then I continued reading who will be a contestants for the Miss Scarlet Pageant, and it becomes obvious that Gabrielle Vaughn is not only a brunette, but is the antagonist of the story as she begins to black mail Felicity, who is terrified that her secret will be spilled, so obviously gives into all the demands made by Gabby Vaughn.

The initial idea of the book is fantastic, I had extremely high hopes for this novel. Maybe my hopes were a little too high as I found myself not as thrilled with the book as I thought I would be. I often found myself rolling my eyes at Felicity for believing her life would be over if anyone saw her roots, annoyed at her best friend Haylie for being so selfish and dramatic, and angered at Felicity's mother, Ginger St. John, for dying her daughters hair practically since birth - afraid that her own social status would be ruined if she didn't have a red haired child. I suppose that's how characters are supposed to be, when sheltered from the rest of society, believing hair colour is what you should be judged on, instead of personality and morals. 

Overall, Red is a good book. It's not the best book I've read in a while, but I did thoroughly enjoy reading each page. So, if you're up for a book which is light on the emotions and doesn't make you rethink your entire existence (unless you are one of these people that hates on red heads then you should start rethinking your life right now) then Red is a the book to go with.

Go buy Red, written by Alison Cherry!  

Until next time friends :) 

Thank you to Quercus for sending me Red! 

Speak to me here and here