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 I'm at a loss for words when trying to describe my feels for Panic, I have so many feelings regarding this book. Panic by Lauren Oliver is powerful, thought-provoking, and unbelievably entertaining; if you could only read one contemporary novel this year, let it be Panic. There is just so much to love about Panic and this is definitely Lauren Oliver's perfect return to her contemporary roots. Panic is an amazing novel that will leave readers utterly speechless. 
 Lauren Oliver truly understands the lengths people will resort to escape their lives and start afresh. Panic is about the desperation, the need for the $60,000 prize that will change the winner's life forever. Each character has their own unique drive to win and the stakes are incredibly high. I loved how Oliver manages to weave each character a back-story that is truly heartbreaking and touching. I really felt for each of the characters and I loved what Oliver brought to the table with each character. 
 I personally believe that the highlight of Panic is Oliver's extremely life-like characters. Even if all the characters aren't extremely likeable, the reader is definitely able to understand their predicaments. Heather is a superb protagonist. She's vulnerable, self-conscious, jealous at times, and yet she uses her weaknesses to give herself strength. Heather doesn't have to bring down a dystopian gov't or use a bow and arrow to make me really admire her. It's the raw, natural strength that Heather echoes even when she's feeling low that truly makes Heather extraordinary. I know a lot of people will think that the reason why Heather joins Panic is cliche, but I found it to be a realistic plot choice. I really think that people are truly too quick to dismiss something as cliche because people often perpetuate cliches more often than we think. 
 Panic is the kind of novel that never truly ends because it really raised so many questions in my mind. This is a novel that is so relevant in society today and for some readers, it can be lifechanging. Panic isn't a myth. It isn't just a game. This is a story that isn't a stranger to most people because it's real, honest and brutal. There are Dodges and Heathers all around this world and their stories need to be told and brought to light. Lauren Oliver's Panic is a powerful novel that really hits home hard and is by far one of the best contemporary novels out there. 
 Not only is Panic an important, powerful book, it's also an extremely gripping and well-written tale. I love Oliver's prose; Lauren Oliver writes in such a lyrical, gorgeous manner that makes the writer in me extremely envious. I really wish I could string sentences together in such a beautiful, coherent manner. Oliver really knows how to create suspense and thrilling action scenes as well as heartbreaking, tear-jerking scenes. Each Panic event was more exciting than it's predecessor and by the end of Panic, I was speechless. The last Panic event really ends on a bang and was truly epic. The novel doesn't end after the last event and so the last scene bothered me a bit because it felt like it was wrapped up too quickly. 
 When reading Panic, it's easy to see why Lauren Oliver has become one of the most popular YA authors. She's a superb writer and she really understands her audience and what they want to read. Panic really lit a spark within me and has instantly converted me into a fan of Oliver. I can't wait to read Rooms, Oliver's adult debut and I have a feeling it's going to be amazing. Can we just fast forward to Fall '14 so we can all read Rooms?