Panic is a messed-up game of Truth or Dare (minus the truth) born out of boredom in the dusty town of Carp, NY. Everyone has their reasons for playing-usually the money--but Dodge and Heather have their own purposes for risking everything the summer after they graduate high school. Told in alternating perspectives (successfully, I might gleefully add), the two teens must jump off of extreme heights, cross freeways blindfolded, and face their inner demons for a chance to win validation or revenge. Also, $67,000. I will also add that Dodge and Heather do not fall in love with each other. The dual POV setting lead me to believe that they would, but they are merely friends with their own personal and dysfunctional relationship stuff to work through with other people. 
 Oliver's writing is hit or miss to the extreme. When it works, it REALLY works, but when it doesn't, well, you get the idea. The characters, as previously noted, are all very hard to connect with. I did feel pity and hope for them, but I didn't really like any of the characters. (Except for Anne, the eccentric animal lady, who is the COOLEST.) The terror and innovation of the game kept me eagerly turning pages, though. 
 There's a really cool design element in the book, where the days are marked by blank pages between the chapters. It was reminiscent of the movie screen going black between scenes, like an ominous reset for every new challenge. It was very effective and I wonder if those reading on an e-reader would miss out on this aspect. 
 {3.5 stars}