Friday 6 April 2012

Bite-Sized Book Review: Hana by Lauren Oliver.


Product details:
Publisher:  Hodder & Stoughton
Release date: December 19th 2011
ebook, 144 pages
Rating: 3½ out of 5
Ages: 14+
Series: Delirium #1.5
Other Books in Series: Delirium

In the world of Delirium, love is a disease. And like all eighteen-year-olds, Lena and Hana must take the cure.

At the start of their last summer of freedom, they were the closest of friends. Until Hana made a decision that tore them apart... In Delirium, we heard from Lena. Now, Hana gets to tell her side of the story. And nothing is what we first thought.

Hana is a powerful, moving and beautifully told original eBook short story, with a shocking twist that will leave you with your heart in your mouth.


 While reading Lauren Oliver’s Delirium last year, I didn’t immediately connect to its main character, Lena. Like a lot of people, I found her best friend, Hana, easier to relate to, more interesting, even, with her lust for life, her anti-establishment values and her rebellious nature.  I liked love interest Alex, a lot, but Hana intrigued me. I wanted to know more about this girl, and with this novella, I found out all I needed to know.

Hana, which recounts the events of Delirium from Hana’s perspective, gives us an insight into Hana’s character that we never would have seen through Lena’s eyes.  We see the Hana that Lena knows, but another girl too, a girl that the outside world doesn’t get to see – a girl who has fears and insecurities of her own, a girl who wants something more from the boy she meets up with at forbidden parties, a girl who can be hurt.  We find out the truth about Hana, and it is a shocking truth.

Delirium tugged at my heartstrings with its heartbreaking final scenes, but nothing could have prepared me for the shocking conclusion to Hana.  The perfect accompaniment to Delirium, especially for readers who were fans of Hana, this story may be short in length, but it packs an almighty punch, and is definitely worth checking out!





Bite-Sized Book Reviews: A review in approx 200 words for when I need to play catch up on reviews/when reviewing short stories/novellas etc.

15 comments :

  1. I agree with you about Lena vs. Hana, although you are right- the ending of Delirium completely sucked me in.  I had no idea Lauren Oliver wrote this short story, so I will have to look into it. I love Lauren Oliver's writing style--soo good.  Thanks for the review!

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  2. OK, that shocking conclusion has me curious! I quite liked Delirium but think I would need to reread it to read this :)

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  3. This sounds like something I might just love. I adored DELIRIUM, so who knows, maybe it would be good for me! Great review :)

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  4. AHHHHHH! I must read this Leanna! I want to know the shocking truth about Hana immediately! I always like getting a familiar story from a different point of view, so I will definitely be reading this:)

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  5. I've been undecided about downloading this one but your review has made up my mind!!


    Also - I'm another Abnegation faction member :D


    http://thegreatthegoodandthebad.blogspot.co.uk/ 

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  6. Screenplaydiva6 April 2012 at 21:17

    I enjoyed Delirium too. I have to read this! I'm glad Hana was featured in her own novella.

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  7. Yes! I was one of those people who found Hana more relatable and interesting. You're so right, this story did pack a punch and drew me into the world of Delirium again. I seriously can't wait for Requiem! 

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  8. Oh my gosh... 'shocking conclusion'? Damn, Lauren can pull that off even in a novella? I love her cliffhangers.... even if they make me want to scream haha.

     I adored Hana in Delirium and it sounds like she shines even more in this story. You have definitely given me the kick up the butt I need to go grab this soon. Fantastic review!

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  9. I really really need to read Hana! I've read both Delirium and Pandemonium but they're written from Lena's POV and I want to read Hana because it's written from Hana's POV!

    I definitely need to read this soon! Awesome review, Leanna! Glad you enjoyed it! ♥

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  10. I liked this one too. But the ending kind of seemed to come out of nowhere with no explanation. I can't believe Hana would do that to Lena and it seemed kind of immature that she did. But hopefully we'll get more of an understanding why she did it in Requiem!!

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  11. daisychainbooks9 April 2012 at 14:18

     Yay! I'll add you to my list! #ABNEGATION

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  12. daisychainbooks9 April 2012 at 14:19

     Can't wait to see what  you think. The ending of this one is a shocker!!!

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  13. daisychainbooks9 April 2012 at 14:20

     It was totally out of the blue - such a shock to me! I really hope we get to meet Hana again in Requiem to see how she's changed!!

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  14. Heather@The Flyleaf Review10 April 2012 at 00:22

    Oh my! I wasn't going to read Hana (at least not anytime soon) but your review has changed my mind! I must see what this shocking conclusion is:) Great review Leanna!

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  15. I completely forgot Hana existed until this ebook came out, lol. I'm horrible.  I really need to read this...like you, everyone keeps saying they were shocked and they didn't see it coming. 

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