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Panic
A page-turning story about a teen's struggle to overcome her fears on her quest for truth, strength, and stardom.
Madelaine loves music, loves the stage, and loves performing. When she finds a fragment of poetry that inspires her to finish a song she's been writing, she tracks down the poem's author online in hopes of starting a collaboration. But as more pieces of the poem find their way to her, she realizes the online poet can't possibly be the one who's leaving them for her. At the same time, some shocking family secrets upend Madelaine's home life. As Madelaine struggles to separate the images people present online from the realities of who they are, her quest for truth, strength, and stardom takes turns she never expected.
Madelaine loves music, loves the stage, and loves performing. When she finds a fragment of poetry that inspires her to finish a song she's been writing, she tracks down the poem's author online in hopes of starting a collaboration. But as more pieces of the poem find their way to her, she realizes the online poet can't possibly be the one who's leaving them for her. At the same time, some shocking family secrets upend Madelaine's home life. As Madelaine struggles to separate the images people present online from the realities of who they are, her quest for truth, strength, and stardom takes turns she never expected.
312 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2019
9 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 2, 2019
***Thanks to NetGalley For providing me a complimentary copy of PANIC by Sasha Dawn in exchange for my honest review.***
Teen theater actress Madelaine’s hands are full with her constantly warring divorced parents, auditions, social awkwardness and a secret admirer sending her origami lyrics. Between her mother’s bad choices with men and her manager father’s manipulation of money, it’s no wonder she sometimes panics. But things are looking up with new friends, real theater friends who don’t let competition interfere with cheering each other on, though secrets and lies could ruin every relationship she has.
The Madelaine at rye beginning of PANIC is self-centered and doesn’t recognize her privilege. I loved the relationship she had with her half-sister Hayley, both supportive and grounding. Half in name only the two were as close as any sisters. The Madelaine at the end of the book is a (figurative) rock star.
Sasha Dawn doesn’t know how to write a book that isn’t unputdownable. Although I predicted many of the twists, PANIC isn’t predictable and guessing some surprises only enhanced my enjoyment.
I wouldn’t have titled the story PANIC because anxiety was a small part of Madelaine’s coming of age story and of who she was as a character. PANIC isn’t a mental health story, but one of family and friendship and how we grow when those we love let us down. The theater subplot added to Madelaine’s character and relationships. I’d love to read a sequel to PANIC, except from fremenies Sonia 1 and 2 and one bad dude, I want to know how the next year unfolded because I cared about the characters.
Five star studded stars for PANIC.
Teen theater actress Madelaine’s hands are full with her constantly warring divorced parents, auditions, social awkwardness and a secret admirer sending her origami lyrics. Between her mother’s bad choices with men and her manager father’s manipulation of money, it’s no wonder she sometimes panics. But things are looking up with new friends, real theater friends who don’t let competition interfere with cheering each other on, though secrets and lies could ruin every relationship she has.
The Madelaine at rye beginning of PANIC is self-centered and doesn’t recognize her privilege. I loved the relationship she had with her half-sister Hayley, both supportive and grounding. Half in name only the two were as close as any sisters. The Madelaine at the end of the book is a (figurative) rock star.
Sasha Dawn doesn’t know how to write a book that isn’t unputdownable. Although I predicted many of the twists, PANIC isn’t predictable and guessing some surprises only enhanced my enjoyment.
I wouldn’t have titled the story PANIC because anxiety was a small part of Madelaine’s coming of age story and of who she was as a character. PANIC isn’t a mental health story, but one of family and friendship and how we grow when those we love let us down. The theater subplot added to Madelaine’s character and relationships. I’d love to read a sequel to PANIC, except from fremenies Sonia 1 and 2 and one bad dude, I want to know how the next year unfolded because I cared about the characters.
Five star studded stars for PANIC.
June 9, 2022
I found Panic highly relatable.
I feel like many people could connect with the plot line due to the family drama, the mystery and want to believe people at face value, as well as the hidden dangers that lurk behind intrigue.
Slightly less physiologically-scary than 'Oblivion' but still creepy in all the best ways.
I love Sasha Dawn's writing style. Highly recommend.
I feel like many people could connect with the plot line due to the family drama, the mystery and want to believe people at face value, as well as the hidden dangers that lurk behind intrigue.
Slightly less physiologically-scary than 'Oblivion' but still creepy in all the best ways.
I love Sasha Dawn's writing style. Highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2019
Panic By Sasha Dawn
Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
2019
*E-ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
When aspiring performer Madelaine finds a poem that helps her finish a song she is writing, she decides to try to find the author in hopes of starting a collaboration.
There was so much going on with this book, its hard to know where to begin.
First of all, I loved the aspiring performer aspect of the book. As someone who grew up performing, going to auditions, and singing my heart out on stage, I truly connected to this part of the story. In addition, I am also someone who suffers from an anxiety condition that went undiagnosed until I was an adult. So that was the second element of the book I really connected with. If he book was simply about these two storylines, I think I would have given it a five star rating.
However, when you throw in the elements of meeting new friends, a budding online romance with a stranger, a custody and child support battle between fighting parents, a single mother struggling financially and then getting diagnosed with cancer, a mystery poet, a very wealthy father with a secret second family, and a stalker the story becomes convoluted and too much is happening all at once to really be able to connect with any of the story elements.
Its hard to say that I didn’t enjoy this book, because I did. I just with the author would have picked a few elements to focus on instead of putting every idea she had into just one novel. Honestly there are enough ideas here for several novels.
On the positive side, I truly believe that YA readers will really appreciate this book and what it has to say on panic disorder and anxiety (although I wish that was expanded more on). This book reminded me very much of Layla Sales writing style and I think it will end up doing well in the YA market. Im looking forward to reading more from Sasha Dawn.
Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
2019
*E-ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
When aspiring performer Madelaine finds a poem that helps her finish a song she is writing, she decides to try to find the author in hopes of starting a collaboration.
There was so much going on with this book, its hard to know where to begin.
First of all, I loved the aspiring performer aspect of the book. As someone who grew up performing, going to auditions, and singing my heart out on stage, I truly connected to this part of the story. In addition, I am also someone who suffers from an anxiety condition that went undiagnosed until I was an adult. So that was the second element of the book I really connected with. If he book was simply about these two storylines, I think I would have given it a five star rating.
However, when you throw in the elements of meeting new friends, a budding online romance with a stranger, a custody and child support battle between fighting parents, a single mother struggling financially and then getting diagnosed with cancer, a mystery poet, a very wealthy father with a secret second family, and a stalker the story becomes convoluted and too much is happening all at once to really be able to connect with any of the story elements.
Its hard to say that I didn’t enjoy this book, because I did. I just with the author would have picked a few elements to focus on instead of putting every idea she had into just one novel. Honestly there are enough ideas here for several novels.
On the positive side, I truly believe that YA readers will really appreciate this book and what it has to say on panic disorder and anxiety (although I wish that was expanded more on). This book reminded me very much of Layla Sales writing style and I think it will end up doing well in the YA market. Im looking forward to reading more from Sasha Dawn.
February 2, 2020
This is another book I'm not sure I can rate. It was an experience.
I related to Lainey in a lot of ways, but mostly where her anxiety was concerned. Unfortunately, I had the same experience with this book that some people had with Turtles All the Way Down by John Green. I related to Lainey's struggle with anxiety so much that at times I actually had to put the book down because I felt ready to have a panic attack from reading about hers.
That said however, this is a book I would recommend. It was a well written, easy to digest writing style with a plot that was far from boring even though it was a contemporary.
I related to Lainey in a lot of ways, but mostly where her anxiety was concerned. Unfortunately, I had the same experience with this book that some people had with Turtles All the Way Down by John Green. I related to Lainey's struggle with anxiety so much that at times I actually had to put the book down because I felt ready to have a panic attack from reading about hers.
That said however, this is a book I would recommend. It was a well written, easy to digest writing style with a plot that was far from boring even though it was a contemporary.
August 7, 2019
Sasha Dawn aka Brandi Reeds has done it again. This book was fantastic from start to finish & I read it all in one sitting. She has a unique ability to get you invested in the story & characters almost immediately. I think she could turn the phone book into a suspense story that would compel most people to race for the finish line. I would recommend this, and any of her books, to anyone that enjoys a well told story that can’t put down.
December 13, 2021
I didn’t finish this book as I found a lot of plot holes and got quite frustrated with the way it was written. I only got to about chapter 7 so if it got better I do not know, I had to mark it as finished on goodreads though just to count it.
August 22, 2019
Note: I received a digital copy via NetGalley for an honest review of this title.
I’ll start this review off with this: this book is a very easy read. This book is about mental health and I liked that it showed how the character was starting her healing process at the end. It’s fairly choppy when it comes to timeline. I feel like the author, Sasha Dawn, could have gone deeper into the story and made the transitions a little easier to handle.
I liked that the main character of this book was a theatre kid, being a former one myself. It was refreshing to read a book with familiar references, like shows, playwrights, and bands members that I actually enjoy the work of. I thought the other characters were quite annoying, especially Madeleine's parents. I thought they were very immature and never treated their teenage daughter like the almost-adult she was. It got better towards the end, when the plot was unfolding. We learn what her parents are actually going through and why they treated her that way, but I still found it very annoying.
I would suggest this book to anyone who needs a good, light read. However, coming from a Young Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy background, I wouldn’t suggest it for someone like me.
https://sydneykarole.wixsite.com/reviews
I’ll start this review off with this: this book is a very easy read. This book is about mental health and I liked that it showed how the character was starting her healing process at the end. It’s fairly choppy when it comes to timeline. I feel like the author, Sasha Dawn, could have gone deeper into the story and made the transitions a little easier to handle.
I liked that the main character of this book was a theatre kid, being a former one myself. It was refreshing to read a book with familiar references, like shows, playwrights, and bands members that I actually enjoy the work of. I thought the other characters were quite annoying, especially Madeleine's parents. I thought they were very immature and never treated their teenage daughter like the almost-adult she was. It got better towards the end, when the plot was unfolding. We learn what her parents are actually going through and why they treated her that way, but I still found it very annoying.
I would suggest this book to anyone who needs a good, light read. However, coming from a Young Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy background, I wouldn’t suggest it for someone like me.
https://sydneykarole.wixsite.com/reviews
September 8, 2021
This book was really truly amazing. Plot twists everywhere. The author planned it out beautifully. It did not happen as I'd expected AT ALL. Lol.
In the end, the book did go a bit faster than I would have liked, jumping over some emotional parts that I think could have used more explanation, but that's a minor issue.
The main character is awesome, and her anxiety is real and very touching. Her friendships are really wholesome. Even though there is romance, it's not the main part (the main character doesn't even know who the guy is until the second-last chapter), which is pretty refreshing because usually real-life genre has a lot of romance.
(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! spoiler alert if you keep reading !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
It was kinda confusing at the end because Tedd gets arrested but it reveals later on (like the second-last chapter) that he wasn't ACTUALLY "Dylan". All he did was leave moons for Madelaine but he knows she loves poetry so why is that bad??!?!?! I mean I guess he's stalking her but he was just trying to be nice !!?!?!?!??! eh that's just a minor detail though I LOVE THE BOOK STILL.
In the end, the book did go a bit faster than I would have liked, jumping over some emotional parts that I think could have used more explanation, but that's a minor issue.
The main character is awesome, and her anxiety is real and very touching. Her friendships are really wholesome. Even though there is romance, it's not the main part (the main character doesn't even know who the guy is until the second-last chapter), which is pretty refreshing because usually real-life genre has a lot of romance.
(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! spoiler alert if you keep reading !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
It was kinda confusing at the end because Tedd gets arrested but it reveals later on (like the second-last chapter) that he wasn't ACTUALLY "Dylan". All he did was leave moons for Madelaine but he knows she loves poetry so why is that bad??!?!?! I mean I guess he's stalking her but he was just trying to be nice !!?!?!?!??! eh that's just a minor detail though I LOVE THE BOOK STILL.
April 20, 2021
High school junior Madelaine, an aspiring actress and musician, has been in the middle of her parents and their divorce for years. Feeling pulled in both directions and not knowing how to navigate their drama, will the stress and anxiety derail Madelaine from achieving her goals? Will anonymous poetry placed in origami and an online friendship help or hurt?
Panic is weighted down by teenage angst and there is not much that is uplifting or hopeful. Madelaine's life is pretty chaotic and the stress of her parents does not help. It is hard to believe that someone who has so much anxiety is able to shut it off and perform. Madelaine has a lot of issues, but I could not connect with her in a meaningful way. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend Panic to other readers.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Panic by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to review this novel was entirely my own.
Panic is weighted down by teenage angst and there is not much that is uplifting or hopeful. Madelaine's life is pretty chaotic and the stress of her parents does not help. It is hard to believe that someone who has so much anxiety is able to shut it off and perform. Madelaine has a lot of issues, but I could not connect with her in a meaningful way. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend Panic to other readers.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Panic by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to review this novel was entirely my own.
February 21, 2020
This book was really good!
I hugely identified with Madelaine, despite the fact that I am neither a performer nor the child of divorced parents. Her anxiety was so real (and realistic) that I couldn't help but connect with her.
I was hooked by this book the entire time - the drama was exciting, and the mystery kept me hanging. I could predict some of the twists, yes, but those that I didn't were surprising enough to make up for the others.
I also loved how, despite what the title suggests, this wasn't a book about anxiety. It was a book about family struggles, and infuriating fathers, and rehearsals, and the dangers of trusting someone on the internet, but all woven together wonderfully.
As anyone who reads my reviews knows, I generally love to rant about books. However, I read this one 4 days and 5 books ago, and I honestly don't remember anything to rant about. I think that says something about how good it was. :)
I hugely identified with Madelaine, despite the fact that I am neither a performer nor the child of divorced parents. Her anxiety was so real (and realistic) that I couldn't help but connect with her.
I was hooked by this book the entire time - the drama was exciting, and the mystery kept me hanging. I could predict some of the twists, yes, but those that I didn't were surprising enough to make up for the others.
I also loved how, despite what the title suggests, this wasn't a book about anxiety. It was a book about family struggles, and infuriating fathers, and rehearsals, and the dangers of trusting someone on the internet, but all woven together wonderfully.
As anyone who reads my reviews knows, I generally love to rant about books. However, I read this one 4 days and 5 books ago, and I honestly don't remember anything to rant about. I think that says something about how good it was. :)
January 22, 2024
WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD
In a way I think this book is kind of... amateur compared to what I've been reading lately. i don't think its bad by any means, but it is more like something I would've enjoyed in high school rather than now in my 20s. I think the plot got lost very easily. I think the author tried to add too many things in one book and I mean I understand the need for the base plot of singer/dancer/theater kid, but the mom with cancer, Dad who is garbage, and creepy stalker and step dad was just a lot to smush into one book. Even with that said, it was a decent story. I'm happy Madeline ended up working everything out with her career, family, friends and other things in the book. No need to read again though.
In a way I think this book is kind of... amateur compared to what I've been reading lately. i don't think its bad by any means, but it is more like something I would've enjoyed in high school rather than now in my 20s. I think the plot got lost very easily. I think the author tried to add too many things in one book and I mean I understand the need for the base plot of singer/dancer/theater kid, but the mom with cancer, Dad who is garbage, and creepy stalker and step dad was just a lot to smush into one book. Even with that said, it was a decent story. I'm happy Madeline ended up working everything out with her career, family, friends and other things in the book. No need to read again though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2020
Dawn's story is compeling and captivating. High school is difficult when it comes to relationships and especially with social media. How does one dealing with anixiety deal with the slurs and at times lies. Protagnoist Madelaine Joseph has no real friends except her half sister Hayley. She is friended only because her father is a well-known talent manager for Broadway and the television industry. Her parents are divorced and she is caught in the middle, most of the time being pulled both ways. Dawn's writing keeps the reader involved with twist and turns in the plot and a little bit of pyscho action.
October 26, 2020
An intimate and at times poignant glimpse inside a family torn by divorce and driven by a teen's musical theater ambitions. The first person present tense really drives the story and I love how the use of texting and internet held the narrative together. Great Chicago atmosphere. I was never a 'theater kid' but found it intriguing to be caught up in that world. Nothing like GLEE! A lot of drama and a bit of mystery kept the story going. There's not much I can say without spoilers, but I read and enjoyed the author's other YA books so gave this a shot. A good example for writers struggling to weave a story involving contemporary teen lifestyles and communication methods.
October 18, 2019
For such a short book there’s a lot packed into it. Decent writing but only 3 stars because I thought we were being led one way but then the story seemed to go into an entirely different direction: Hello whiplash.
April 27, 2020
Amazing read!! Kept me hooked from the start!! Loved that it kept me guessing what was coming next!! Highly recommend!!
May 15, 2020
3.5 stars
As someone with anxiety and panic attacks, and a theater major in college, I get this book. Lainey expresses her thoughts about performing in ways that I have expressed myself.
As someone with anxiety and panic attacks, and a theater major in college, I get this book. Lainey expresses her thoughts about performing in ways that I have expressed myself.
May 29, 2020
good premise, but I think the author could have dug deeper with some issues.
April 9, 2023
Very engaging,
Ending is a bit concerning
Ending is a bit concerning
May 15, 2021
1st read:
This was real cheap on amazon, so my mom bought it for me. thx mum. This book was really good. I usually don't read books with mental health topics, and even this book didn't say TOO much, because it is a trigger for me. But this book was really good, def think there should be a sequel tho, the ending didn't cut it for me. 4 stars.
This was real cheap on amazon, so my mom bought it for me. thx mum. This book was really good. I usually don't read books with mental health topics, and even this book didn't say TOO much, because it is a trigger for me. But this book was really good, def think there should be a sequel tho, the ending didn't cut it for me. 4 stars.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews