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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Review: Hana by Lauren Oliver


Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: February 28, 2012
Pages: 144
Source: Read online for free (limited time only)
Rating: 3.5 Stars


The summer before they're supposed to be cured of the ability to love, best friends Lena and Hana begin to drift apart. While Lena shies away from underground music and parties with boys, Hana jumps at her last chance to experience the forbidden. For her, the summer is full of wild music, dancing—and even her first kiss. 
But on the surface, Hana must be a model of perfect behavior. She meets her approved match, Fred Hargrove, and glimpses the safe, comfortable life she’ll have with him once they marry. As the date for her cure draws ever closer, Hana desperately misses Lena, wonders how it feels to truly be in love, and is simultaneously terrified of rebelling and of falling into line. 

I adored Hana, Lena's best friend, and her vivaciousness in Delirium, so I was excited that she would be getting her own story. Hana takes place during the time of Delirium but now we're seeing the story through Hana's eyes. I was bummed that the fun-loving girl we knew from Delirium is gone, but considering the events that take place in Hana, it is understandable. The best part of Hana is the best part of any Lauren Oliver read, in my opinion: the writing, which was lovely and powerful, just like it always is.

Would I say that Hana is a must read? Well, no. I don't think it's critical in the overall series as for the most part, it is just a rehash of some of the events that took place in Delirium from a different point of view. However, there was one very significant reveal right at the end of Hana - a true OMG moment - but I can't say I liked it. Highlight to read spoiler: I find it difficult to believe Hana would rat out Lena to the regulators for such an immature reason. I needed more development and explanation in this instance. I hope we will get this explanation in Pandemonium or Requiem.

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30 comments :

  1. I am so mad I missed out on the free preview. I knew it was coming too. Oh, well.

    Since it has an OMG moment, I may just pay for it.

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    1. I only read it on the very last day it was available so I was sweating it that I would finish it in time! Though I didn't love the reveal in particular, I can't deny that it had some punch!

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  2. Shooooot. I'm listening to Delirium in the car right now (well, not literally right now) and just read the highlighter-spoiler anyway. I'm so annoyed at myself. And now I just want to go get in the car so that I can listen to the rest of the book!!!

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    1. Oh no! :( This is why I hate posting spoilers, even hidden ones. I hope you can get to the rest of Delirium right away - and I hope no one spoils the cliffhanger for you because that was a real OMG moment too!

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  3. I'm really curious about this. I liked Delirium but I always wanted to know more about Hana. I'll definitely be checking it out.

    -P.E.
    Tantalizing Illusions

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    1. Then I would recommend it if you're a big fan! I just think it's not completely CRITICAL.

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  4. Nice review. You've totally got me wondering more about this one, I'm sure I'd probably like it.

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    1. I'm convinced that I could like and read anything by Lauren Oliver at this point. She's made a lifelong fan out of me!

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  5. Yikes! I have yet to read this series. Someday I think I'd be into it, others, not so much. I guess it's just not calling to me right now.

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    1. Hey, did you read the spoiler without having even read Delirium yet, Missie?! Bad. I'm not entirely sure you'd LOVE the series... but I guess you would have to read to find out for sure.

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  6. Status Progress: Still have not read DELIRIUM... money is currently being saved to purchase said book.

    I have to admit, the cover is very pretty. I find it neat when authors do mini stories. It's always sad though when a character you love changes, Hana sounds great in Delirium :)I must say that I need to read some of Lauren Olivers work ASAP - you keep mentioning this beautiful writing!! Thanks for your review Aylee!

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    1. Yay! I really hope you love it! I always love reading the side stories that authors put out too. Especially if they're from another POV that we haven't seen yet. Heh, I'm such a fangirl of hers, I know :)

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  7. I still haven't even read Delirium even though I know I would love it. I love dystopians and I've been meaning to read it but you know how it is :)

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    1. Yep, I sure do know how it is. I can't tell you how many books I've been meaning to read because I know I'll love them but haven't quite managed to get around to them yet.

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  8. First, I had no idea this story was available! I'm running to read it as soon as I'm done with this comment, thanks for letting me know Aylee:) Second, I read that spoiler and WHAT?!!! I can't believe that at all. I can say it's not addressed in Pandemonium, but maybe we'll get an explanation in book 3?

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    1. Oops, sorry! I believe you missed the time it was available to be read for free by just a bit. Too bad! And yeah, I figured it probably wasn't going to be addressed in Pandemonium after I heard from several reviews that a lot of the old characters from Delirium don't make appearances. But I think Lauren said Hana would make another appearance in Requiem!

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  9. I loved this! It was a great teaser before Pandemonium!

    I couldn't believe Hana did that either! The meany!

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    1. haha, I would've liked a bit more of an explanation on that because I couldn't fathom how someone could be so cruel to her best friend like that just because she was bitter and jealous.

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  10. I didn't even know about this novella!
    LOl
    I read Delirium but wasn't a big fan so I didn't follow more of the series. This novella sounds all right, :P

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    1. Yeah, from what I know of your tastes, I wouldn't have thought Delirium would be your kind of read either. I'm not sure you would get much out of Hana.

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  11. I really liked Hana, too, so it's very cool that she gets her own novella. It's too bad though that the author ended it that way.

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    1. I didn't mind the ending so much as that it was just left like that, with no significant explanation that would make sense as to why on earth Hana would do something like that.

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  12. I feel so stupid because I forgot to download Hana when it was getting given away for free and I REALLY wanted to read it. *bangs head against desk* I'm glad to hear it isn't necessary to the story though. AND OH MY GOSH THAT SPOILER IS CRAZY!!!

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    1. Aw, too bad. Won't be too long now until you can read for a small price though. But yes, it's certainly not necessary.

      Good grief, why do you people keep reading the spoiler when you haven't read Hana yet? haha, if it was me, I would stay well away from it.

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  13. I knew it!! (on the spoiler). Too bad she loses her spunk in this book, as she was one of my favorite characters.

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    1. Oh, really? I honestly never would have guessed it. It just seems so callous and silly. And yeah, I missed her spunk very much.

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  14. I downloaded this one but haven't read Delirium yet even though a lot of people love the series. I kind of want to read it just to see what the hype is about but there's no pressing need at this point.

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    1. I don't think you absolutely NEED to read this one right away, I agree. If I were you, I would probably wait until right before the third book is about to come out because apparently, Pandemonium ends in a huge cliffhanger. I'll be interested in hearing what you think of it!

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  15. I've been debating whether or not to buy this when it comes out tomorrow(I missed the free preview, unfortunately). You've got me so curious about the OMG moment!

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    1. I don't think it would be too expensive to purchase... at the same time, I'm sure the OMG moment will be brought up at some point in the series!

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