Thursday, February 21, 2013

Review: Panic by Sharon M. Draper

Panic
Panic by Sharon M. Draper
This gripping and chillingly realistic novel from New York Times bestselling author Sharon Draper shows that all it takes is one bad decision for everything to change.
Diamond knows not to get into a car with a stranger.
But what if the stranger is well-dressed and handsome? On his way to meet his wife and daughter? And casting a movie that very night—a movie in need of a star dancer? What then?
Then Diamond might make the wrong decision.
It’s a nightmare come true: Diamond Landers has been kidnapped. She was at the mall with a friend, alone for only a few brief minutes—and now she’s being held captive, forced to endure horrors beyond what she ever could have dreamed, while her family and friends experience their own torments and wait desperately for any bit of news.
From New York Times bestselling author Sharon Draper, this is a riveting exploration of power: how quickly we can lose it—and how we can take it back.
”add

Publishes in US: March 12 2013 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA contemporary
Source: Simon and Schuster for review

Buy it:  Barnes & Noble   Amazon     IndieBound    BookDepository.com

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 3.25/5 

    Panic is a pretty intense book that shows the power of friendship, and the arts. It tackles quite a few tough issues, kidnapping, abusive relationships, and what happens when you take things a bit too far and then the consequences. It wasn't what I expected from the summary, but I ended up liking it anyways. 
    I appreciated the multiple points of view, showing how Diamond being missing effects her friends, as well as Layla being in the destructive relationship hurts more than just her. I liked the message of hope, and healing, as well as the sense of community with the dancers that Panic gave me. 
    It was tough being in Diamond's head, but I admired the clear head that she kept about her. Even though she was going through really tough stuff, and didn't know where she was, and she knew awful things were happening to her, she still thought about taking care of herself even when she didn't want to because she wanted to be able to find that right moment to get herself out. 
    Being in Mercedes head was hard, because she was with Diamond when she disappeared. They had seperated for about half and hour, and then she gets a text from her friend, and then no one hears from her, and she is declared missing. She carries around understandable guilt, that I think that anyone would feel. But I love the support she gets, and that she is told not to blame herself. 
    Also, Justin. Oh my. I loved how he stood up for Layla, and I could totally see what he saw in her. I relate with Layla though with her self esteem issues too by the way. But I love that he is bold but shy all at the same time. And I adore male dancers. I like that he meshed his ballet with the hip hop, that was a real treat. And I appreciate how he saw through the scandal with Layla and didn't turn his back on her. It was also admirable how he stayed true to liking her even through her being with Donovan, and making some not so smart choices. 
    One thing that distracted me through it all is the slang. It has been a while that I have read a book where it was distracting to me, even in the dystopias where there are sometimes new words and terms thrown at me. Maybe it is because I am not a teen and I am a stay at home mom, but that is my take. 
     I also wished that the book was longer, and gave more of a resolution than just hinting at the hope and healing that we get a glimpse of from the characters. But I have started preferring wrapped up to open ended in my contemporary, so personal preference I suppose. 
     Ms. Draper handled all of the tough issues with grace, and I like how she had the parents, siblings, and their dance teacher involved in their life, giving support, and how dance was always an outlet for the girls and Justin. 

Bottom Line: Emotional and fast paced.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
As a teen do you think you would have gotten in a car with a stranger if you believed you'd be cast for a movie?

50 comments:

  1. This one sounds intense! Slang can easily be overdone and distract from a novel. Great review!

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    1. Yes it can, maybe it was just not being a teen and knowing what they say these days?

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  2. This book sounds super interesting Brandi, I think I prefer my endings to be left open, but I get why you want things to be neatly wrapped up! I think I may have to check this book out! Great review! :)

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    1. Yeah, I like my pretty bow, but interestingly enough the first novel I wrote, I left a fairly open ending

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  3. The cover was what got me, especially after reading the description. It felt so fitting.

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    1. The cover actually doesn't do it for me, but the description drew me in

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  4. No wau I would have gotten in a car with a stranger

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    1. I don't think I would either, but being offered a role sure would tempt me.

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  5. Wow this does touch on a lot of dark, emotional subjects. I am glad the author handled them well and that you enjoyed it..lovely review:)

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    1. Yes indeed, very dark and emotional. Nothing was too graphic though, so that was good

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  6. Oh but the cover is gorgeous, and the story sounds captivating too, if a bit out of my comfort zone.
    Great review!

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  7. Hmm. I really like Sharon Draper as an author, (one of her books made me cry!) but I'm not exactly sure that this one is for me. I might give it a shot, though, because you never know. ':'

    As for your question, no. I live in a small town where everyone knows everyone else, so chances are that wouldn't happen here. But even if it did, I'm pretty good at detecting creeps. LOL. Fab review, Brandi! (:

    Loves,
    Megan@The Book Babe

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    1. I haven't read any of her other stuff-will have to look it up.

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  8. Great review! This book sounds quite book but it is a shame that it has flaws. It seems like the tough issues were handled well though. Thanks for posting! :)

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    1. The tough issues were handled well and that is why I read

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  9. What an awesome sounding book! I am excited to read this one. I dreamed of being a ballerina as a young girl. My cousin Melanie was a pro dancer in the 80's and it sounded so wonderful and glamorous. I found out later it was very cutthroat and competitive, but at least it looked good from my seat.
    I am definitely adding this to my list. Thank you for the good review Brandi :)

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    1. Yes, from what I have seen and heard very competitive. I love watching dance, but could never do it myself.

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  10. I used to dance when I was little and only stopped about 4 years ago when I had a knee injury. I love dancing and it's like a way of expression for me. I'm really intrigued by this book and I think your feelings are completely justified. I think I will have to check it out for myself though. What a lovely review, Brandi!

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    1. Aw, knee injuries bite. I had surgery in Jan, and have had three before that.

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  11. Multiple POV's is a little tricky. I'm assuming you didn't get lost in the shifts?

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    1. No, they were pretty distinct, even if they didn't tell you which character's chapter it was.

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  12. This sounds like a scary book. I tend to steer clear from this reality in contemporaries preferring something with a paranormal twist to it. But like you, I'm not a fan of open endings, I prefer to have closure. Great review Brandi :)

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    1. Yeah, unless a series, I like to know more of how characters are going to turn out

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  13. I love mutiple POvs as long as it is done right. I like that it is emotional and gripping but oh my ghost I hate slang it drives me batty so I don't know if this would work for me. Thanks for the honest review, Brandi!

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    1. It is mostly one character that was over the top in my opinion, but all did a bit

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  14. I'm always a little disturbed when I have many POVs in a book but it sounds perfect here.

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  15. Would I? I once followed a guy (who was supposed to be our friend) I was not alone though, we were four in total and we followed a guy to his place so we could let him get ready so we could leave. Bad idea, I was dumb but at that moment I didn't think that. The oldest girl was 19 and she was even more naive than the rest of us who where younger. Nothing happened to us, thank God he was a nice guy.
    Now, I would tell my little cousins and my future kids, don't follow anyone and don't believe them.

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  16. I'm a bit curious about this one. Especially with the male dancers. I'm curious about what happens as well. I'm not sure if the slang would bother me, but now I want to read it to know!

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    1. Hope you like it. Let me know if you want to trade or if you just want it. I don't mind sharing

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  17. I wouldn't want to be cast in a movie!
    Gosh what a nightmare! Being kidnapped. I suppose you think it'd never happen to you. Not sure about that openish ending though, they generally bug me!

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    1. Yes, I fell into the trap of thinking nothing would ever happen to me as a teen

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  18. Oh you had me at the arts. That is something I look for in contemp books. I also like that it tackles the hard issues. You have me curious about this one and I think I'll add it to my wishlist.

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    1. I have noticed quite a few ballet books lately, and love it.

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  19. That is such a pretty cover! I love it.

    Well, I AM a teen, and I would have to say NO. Never. The same old rules apply.

    Thank you for visiting my blog!

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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    1. Good for you! Stick to that. I prob would've been naive enough to believe a story like that

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  20. I like to think that I wouldn't. LOL. Or that I would at least have called someone beforehand to let them know and check the guy's name, see if he was for real and all that. That book sounds like it would make a great movie!

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    1. She did text her friend but didn't have time for response

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  21. I would say no I would not get in a random car. My momma taught me better than that that's comparable to someone saying "free candy"

    Great review!

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  22. I think I'll enjoy the message offered from the book. In relation to your question, um... it would feel too weird to get into a stranger's car. Thanks for sharing, Brandi!

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  23. I'm not brilliant at slang, but I can normally adapt to it well enough. I like the sound of this book, despite it not being perfect for you. Great review, Brandi!

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    1. I can usually too, but it bugged me for some reason in this one...

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  24. I like a nice wrapped up ending as well, Brandi. This story sounds like a very different mix, especially with the different POVs. I wonder how things turned out for Diamond and if she got away okay. You've piqued my interest, Brandi! Great review. :)

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  25. I've not heard of this one. The butterfly reminds me of the butterfly on Walking Disaster cover. Another one you liked but sounds like you wanted a bit more from, but that is ok.

    :D

    Mich

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  26. I haven't heard of this one but it sounds like it's worth the read. There are a few moments where slang just doesn't work for me and it's always in contemps.
    As for your question, no...I would have never gotten in the car. I'm not trusting of people, even people I've known for years and I've always been that way so teenage me wouldn't have done it either.

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