Pandemonium

Book review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Pandemonium Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Sequel to Delirium has more violence, splash of romance.

Lauren Oliver Fantasy 2012
Rate book

Parents say

age 12+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 7 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate book

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the dystopian thriller Pandemonium, a sequel to Delirium, is a classic second installment, featuring lots of plot-furthering action, violence, and a splash of romance. The first half has some somber sequences about the hungry and impoverished uncured population, but the second features a great deal more violence than the original book: People are killed or die of disease and starvation. The protagonist and supporting characters must defend themselves by injuring or even killing their pursuers. Although the language is fairly standard for teen books, there's more swearing than in Delirium (including a few instances of "f--k"). The romance, while described intensely, doesn't lead to any full-out love scenes -- just a few passionate kisses.

Community Reviews

Tdekk0811
Tdekk0811 Adult
July 19, 2021
age 12+

Disappointing

I enjoyed the first book MUCH more than this sequel. Pandemonium flips back and forth from Now and Then, making the story feel disorienting. Lauren Oliver also introduces a large cast of brand new characters that are not nearly as lovable as Hana and Alex were. I was very bored in the beginning, however I did enjoy the last 50 pages or so. The romance was very well spaced out, and Julian is certainly the best and most developed character.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In part two of Lauren Oliver's Delirium trilogy, the action alternates between the "now" Lena, who's a dutiful member of the rebellion against the controlling government, and the "then" Lena, who barely survived her escape into the Wilds while her true love, Alex, let himself be captured and killed. PANDEMONIUM explains how Lena barely got across the fence and wound up in an encampment of free, uncured citizens led by Raven. Despite mourning Alex's loss, Lena decides to make herself worthy of his sacrifice and eventually agrees to become a spy in a New York City mission to bring down a government-controlled citizens' group that believes all "Invalids" should be eradicated. But when Lena meets Julian, the son of the movement's reactionary figurehead, she realizes how desperately others need to be convinced of the power of love.

Is It Any Good?

At first, teens may be confused about why Lena is sitting in a Brooklyn high school, when the last time we saw her she was watching the love of her life bloodied and bruised. Eventually it's clear that there are two time frames for the story -- the immediate aftermath of Lena's escape and her life as part of the rebellion. Readers who expect Alex to miraculously pop up unscathed and continue his starry-eyed relationship with Lena will be disasppointed that Alex is only featured in Lena's memories and that she's eventually drawn to someone who's Alex's opposite.

Because the romance (Oliver's strong suit) in this book feels somewhat like a betrayal to the central one that started the series, there's an underlying sense of conflict and tension that readers will feel right along with Lena about her new relationship. Oliver's not the most detailed world builder, so unlike Suzanne Collins, who provides a detailed explanation of Panem's 13 districts and inhabitants, we learn only a little more about the groups of uncureds, but not nearly enough to fully flesh out this dystopian world where love is a battlefield.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the popularity of the dystopian novel in young adult literature. Why are the number of books like The Hunger Games and Divergent increasing each year?

  • Does Lena's new romance seem believable in light of her past relationship with Alex? Why are love triangles such a prevalent subplot in books and movies?

  • Pandemonium has a lot of social commentary about the controlling government and the effect of love and passion on society. What does a world without strong emotion look like? Lena struggles with the rebellion's acts of revenge. What do you think?

Book Details

Our Editors Recommend

Themes & Topics

Browse titles with similar subject matter.

  • Cartoon hands high fiving
    Friendship
    See all

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate