Author: Lauren Oliver
Narrators: Sarah Drew
Audiobook length: 8 hours, 11 minutes
Genre: Young adult, thriller
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks (book via HarperCollins)
The plot of this book is really intriguing: in a small, boring town named Carp in the middle of nowhere New York, the students give a dollar every day for the whole year into a pot. The pot is the prize for the winner of Panic, a game that the newly graduated seniors can take part and which tests their courage, smarts, and daring through a series of exceedingly ridiculous and sometimes illegal stunts over the course of the summer. Heather wasn’t going to participate, but she does and throughout the game, her friendships are tested, alliances are made (and broken), and her life is put on the line. Interesting, right?
Well, it was a little underwhelming for me. I’m really glad I listened to this as an audiobook because Sarah Drew’s narration made this book for me. Her cadences and emphasis and ability to race through words to give the listener a sense of the overwhelming panic Heather feels throughout the tasks was amazing. There are lots of feels in this book too. Heather’s family problems with her mother and the relationship between her and her friends goes through a rollercoaster of emotions and changes, and this is definitely a part that Oliver did a seriously good job with.
On the other hand, several parts of this story are unrealistic. To illustrate, I’m going to quote my friend over at Booknerderie’s review of Panic:
The game itself. On what planet do teens participate in a game that consists of breaking and entering, arson, russian roulette and tigers. Not this planet.
In addition to being somewhat unrealistic, it is also seriously predictable at times. I called the end by about halfway through, which is disappointing.
I’m glad I listened to this as an audiobook, because I think if I had read this, I would’ve given up. Unrealistic, predictable, eye-rolling inducing. Yeah, I would’ve given up, but Sarah Drew’s narration made this book actually thrilling. So yay for audiobooks!
Caught Read Handed 
I read a physical copy of this book and I wasn’t a fan at all. I mean it was interesting but very unrealistic.
How to Train Your Dragon was like this for me. I would’ve given up after a few pages, but David Tennant’s narration MADE that book.
Conversely, I’ve found that full cast audiobooks are NOT for me. I find it troublesome when there is one voice for dialogue and then it switches back to the “narrator” for all the “she said” bits.
David Tennant narrated How to Train Your Dragon? That’s awesome. I hate that it kind of fell flat for you though.
Ew. That’s weird. Was that how Dragon was?
How to Train Your Dragon is a single narrator -David Tennant. 🙂 The story itself is aimed squarely at 9 year old boys, which is why my son loved it. The dragon, Toothless, kind of talks like Gollum. However, David Tennant is ah-mazing!
I listened to The Castle in the Attic and The Battle for the Castle, both by Elizabeth Winthrop, with my kids. They were full cast audio, and I just found it jarring, even though I enjoyed the stories.
Toothless talks? I love the movies but I haven’t read the books. I might have to check one out just for David Tennant.
I listened to The Help, which has several narrators but I think it really worked out for that book.
Yep, all the dragons speak Dragonese, which Hiccup can understand.
I imagine The Help was narrated be 3 people, just as the chapters are from 3 POVs? That would be fine.
Yep. Three people. It worked pretty well.
Oh that’s weird. Hmmm. Maybe I won’t try it.
Looks pretty unrealistic… the book description looks good but I don’t think I will try the experience.
Yeah. Overall, it just wasn’t for me. I don’t think I’m a Lauren Oliver fan. This is the second book that I’ve read by her and I wasn’t really a fan of either.
You can’t like every author 🙂
Totally an eye roll inducing book! I like how you said the audio book gave you a sense of panic and that rush Heather probably felt. I missed that bc I was too worried about not damaging my walls when I threw the book across the room. Nice review my friend!!
Hahahaha! I might’ve thrown the audiobook’s CDs out of the window if it wasn’t from the library.
Thanks!