FINDING AUDREY READ-ALONG discussion

We're halfway through the book! What are you thoughts? Do you have any theories as to what's coming?

Now that the Nat double crossing thing has been address I'm starting to warm up to get actually. I really don't know what going to happen next, and I love it for that! I feel as if the trials are getting more and more intense and maybe a character is going to fail it horribly in some way. I also like that we don't actually know who is who love interest in the book. At first, I thought maybe Heather and Dodge but as the book went on I got different feeling on who is going to end up with you. Hey, maybe character don't end up with anyone. Speaking of that, what do you guys think on why Bishop and Heather broke up long ago?

As I mentioned last time I think Anne and her tigers will somehow be incorporated into one of the challenges. Or else why even have a character that owns tigers!

I'm starting to think maybe Natalie made the deals because she thinks it's unlikely she'll win Panic.

Woah, the stakes are even higher, I really like Dodge's character. And that twist about Bishop, loved it!

I think Bishop and that girl with the piercings & dreds are judges

Keanna wrote: "Woah, the stakes are even higher, I really like Dodge's character. And that twist about Bishop, loved it!"

I liked Dodge at first. Now his hatred is frightening.

Isabelle wrote: "I'm starting to think maybe Natalie made the deals because she thinks it's unlikely she'll win Panic."

Agree

Ashley wrote: "As I mentioned last time I think Anne and her tigers will somehow be incorporated into one of the challenges. Or else why even have a character that owns tigers!"

Agree

This book is so unpredictable! One second is going this way and the next is going the other way. I am still effie of Natalie. Dodge is a bit frightening with his intensity of the game. Heather is coming of a bit annoying. The only character that I am liking at the moment is Bishop. I truly think he is one of the judges for Panic.

First, I don't want Bishop to be one of the judges because I like Bishop and I don't want him to have been the one who killed Little Kelley. That said I still think he is.

Second, I saw the fire coming because of the the fireworks comment in the email, but at the same time I thought "no way. There would no way to control it. They would have to be sure to set the fire at the top of the house and make sure everyone was lower so that they'd even have a chance of getting out and then people could still get stuck," like Dodge and Heather did. This is also why I, while still suspending my sense of disbelief, do not think this game would last after 3, now 4, deaths because not even just out of high school kids with nothing to do will risk their and their friends' lives with such risky odds. Drag racing, sure. Setting a house on fire with your friends sleeping inside, not so much. Smoke actually lulls people into a deeper sleep. It is definitely not guaranteed to wake anyone.

Third, once again I hope Bishop is not a judge, but I think the footsteps that led Heather, Nat, and Dodge to that room were Bishop's and he was trying to get them to a safe place so they'd have an easier and more time to get out. He obviously didn't count on the door knob breaking.

Fourth, Dodge and Ray have issues.

Lastly, maybe I'm just a party pooper, but I'm sorry I would have personally put a stop to this game way back at the water towers even when I was in high school. I am NOT going to sit back and watch a friend, acquaintance, or high school enemy for that matter fall to their death for a stupid game and some money that will do them any good if they're dead. I'd call the cops and welcome the busted windows. At least people wouldn't end up dead. I'm from a small town (47 kids in my class instead of the 100 something in this book) and I'm telling you we have done some stupid things (we would do the Jump and maybe even the trespassing on "trigger-happy Jack," but no board walking 50 feet up or setting fire to a house when you know people are inside), but this game isn't stupid it's a nice mix of homicidal and suicidal with absolutely no fun thrown in. (Fun to read about =), just not fun for the idiots participating.)

Question: Can people refuse to be judge if picked by the previous judge? (Without the consequences that come with the game a lot apparently)

The more I read it the more I'm starting to think that Bishop is a judge. The stakes are definitely getting higher and I'm curious to see what's going to happen.
Also, Dodge's character is getting unreliable. His NEED to win the game is getting scary, I feel like he'll stop at nothing to win.
So far I'm really enjoying the book!

I REALLY like Dodge's character... I don't really know why

I am loving this book more and more as I get further in. I'm still loving Bishop and Heather. I feel indifferent toward Dodge and Nat. I think Dodge is great for wanting to win for his sister, but sometimes his thirst for revenge is a little frightening. I think he literally wants to kill Ray or just wants him dead, and I think he's hoping to do it in the final one-on-one round of the game, which leads to questions about what he might do to get Natalie and Heather out. Will he come up with some way to fix it so he and Ray are in the final round, and how is that going to play on his conscience since he's so into Nat, and mostly thinks of Heather as a friend?

Bishop is my favorite character, and I definitely think he's a part of Panic behind the scenes. I don't know for sure if I'd place him as a judge, but I definitely think he's involved. He verbally told Heather to quit before she got hurt, and that sentiment exactly mimicked the text message she got about quitting before she got hurt.

I think one of the most interesting things Lauren Oliver has crafted with this book is the differences in protagonists. We want to root for both Heather and Dodge but it's hard sometimes to do that for Dodge more so than Heather.

I really like Heather and I think she's had a rough life, but she's trying to make it better for her and her sister. Dodge is very similar in wanting to make life better for his sister, but with his motives being so much more sinister, it's hard to like him as much as I like Heather. It's almost as if Dodge is more of an antihero. I definitely don't think he's an antagonist, but he lacks some of the basic hero tendencies that we might normally see in a protagonist. Not to say that Heather is definitely heroic, because she has her flaws too, but I see her as more likable than Dodge, at least at this point in the story. I think Lauren Oliver is great at character development, and I'm loving the opposites she is portraying in these two protagonists.

I cannot wait to finish this book! I'm almost at the 75% complete mark, and I wanna unlock all the secrets!! There's still so much left to this book and I'm excited to find out what happens next!

This book is just one crazy thing after another with these challenges. I love how realistic it is, because this seems like the kind of things seniors in high school would do without any regard for someone getting hurt. I know when I was senior in high school we would have done crazy stuff like this. I feel like Bishop and Heather are going to get together, but I think a huge problem is going to erupt first because Bishop is clearly hiding something. I think Heather is much more likable than Dodge at this point. Maybe Dodge just irritates me with his fascination for Nat. I am so glad Nat's little secret is out in the open though. I just hope Dodge finds out what she did too.

Oh my! I am so glad heather is ok from the fire! dodge too! I totally agree with heathers decision to quit. Who wouldn't? And did she hat find our about the deal with Nat and Dodge? I'm confused.

Bishop HAS to be a judge; Lauren Oliver is dropping so many hints that it's going to be ridiculous if he's not.

I really like reading Dodge's chapters because I feel like we haven't gotten his whole story. I like Heather, too, but Nat is just too sketchy. I'm glad she owned up to partnering with Dodge for the money.

i really really love this book i agree with most of the things that were mentioned before and this seems really scary and i would probably gtfo of carp if i lived there but it would be fun. yano risk is actually fun i think but this seems really scary but i love the feeling it gives me do you know what im talking about?

The story has really picked up in the last 100 pages and I'm loving it! It's very exciting, but also terrifying. I can't believe these people have the guts to do things like this! I know I would never in a million years participate in a game like Panic, even with such a huge pay off for the winner.

Dodge kind of scares me, to be honest. He wants to win the game so badly for Dayna, and you can tell he'll go to extremes to do so. I feel kind of bad for him, though, because he likes Nat so much and she's most likely using him.

I prefer reading Heather's chapters. I'm not entirely sure why, I think I just like her story more than I do Dodge's. I also really like her and Bishop's friendship. They're really cute! Bishop is looking more and more suspicious, though..

I feel like, even though Heather has said she's going to quit the game, she's still going to be involved. Somehow, I think she'll get dragged back in.

Bishop's got to be a judge. Even though Heather said she was going to quit the game I think she'll somehow get sucked back into it. I also think one of the main characters will die in the end; I think maybe Nat will be the one to die, not sure why but I just have a feeling she might. Definitely think Anne's tigers are going to be in one of the later challenges.

Cheyenne wrote: "The story has really picked up in the last 100 pages and I'm loving it! It's very exciting, but also terrifying. I can't believe these people have the guts to do things like this! I know I would ne..."

Totally agree with everything you've said here. :)

I would never "play" Panic either. I probably wouldn't even watch it, and if any of my friends bought into it, I'd definitely try to convince them to drop out.

I was very interested in Dodge and his story at first, and I still am, but he is really starting to worry me. I feel like he's more interested in Panic and winning now than with anything else, even Nat. He feels like he has to get revenge for what happened to his sister, and it's blinding him.

on the other side of things: I'm really into Heather's story now, a lot more than I was near the beginning of the book. I love her relationship with her sister, Lily, and I also really love her relationship with Bishop. Part of me though wants to see them get together. I'm a hopeless romantic, what can I say? ;) I honestly agree with everyone else now though: Bishop has to be involved with Panic somehow. Why would he go along with the rest of the seniors/players to say that the fire was all an accident, when he was so worried about Heather getting hurt? Wouldn't he want to make sure she didn't get hurt at all costs, even if it meant ousting the rest of his class? That text was definitely from him too.

I'm also glad the Nat betrayal thing came to light. That whole scene was quite interesting in itself.

I want to love this book, I really do, but I don't.

I do not like the character of Dodge, or the way his narrative is set up. And the more I read of Nat, the less I like her too. Okay, the double deal thing I could understand as she believed she had no hope of winning. That doesn't mean that I support it, just that I understand it, but the not caring about Kellys death? At all? That it could have been one of them? She's the type of person that unless it directly effects her, she just doesn't give a damn.

I wasn't sure if I would like Heather at all at the beginning either. She was all "But he broke up with me" but the more I learn of her, the more I like her. However I'm still having a hard time being attached to these characters. The only two I would care if they died right now are Dayna and Bishop...

I'm starting to enjoy the action in this book, as it is really picking up now. Personally, I could never partake in Panic. I knew that by the second challenge. I think it's a bit risky. Setting a house on fire with your friends in it? A person died! I feel like this won't be the last death due to Panic though, and I'm a bit worried for who may or may not be next.
I believe that Bishop has some part in Panic. Whether he is a judge or not, I have the feeling he's keeping something from the others.
It's cool how the switching POVs and the friendship or acquainting of Dodge with Nat, Heather and Bishop makes it feel like you want Dodge or Heather to win, even though they both have extremely different ulterior motives. Speaking of which, I really like reading Dodge's point of view because I just want to keep finding out about what happened to him in his past.
I also feel like Anne's tigers will have some sort of role in Panic as well.
(And there is no way Heather is done with Panic, she'll probably get back in somehow).
Also, I had higher expectations for this book. I like it, I really do, but some things just brush up on me the wrong way. Maybe the book will get better, because I feel like it can!

Ah! I'm loving this book! I started it last night, and have been flying through so quickly that I was past the 25% point and realized I hadn't added any thoughts to the group yet.

I'm hesitant to write this theory here, so I'll just say.... maybe spoiler? Of course, I don't know if this will happen, but I don't want to ruin anything! My theory is that Bishop is one of the judges. He isn't participating, but he seems to know everything that is going on. He had a "shortcut" on the way from Anne's that took him and Heather by the scarecrow. And since he's worried about Heather's wellbeing, it just makes sense that he is on the inside of Panic.

Bishop is also the only other person who knows about the tigers, so I have a feeling one of the challenges is going to involve them. If so, he must be a judge!

As for my predictions on the winner, I'm not sure. I really can't stand Nat. She's taking advantage of everyone around her, and is clearly the weakest link. Either Dodge or Heather is going to win, and part of me thinks they will end up splitting the pot because they realize Nat is double-crossing them. I'm hoping there are no more deaths, especially not with either of our narrators. I have a bad feeling about having two POVs..... but I can't wait to finish this!!

I am really enjoying the double narrations in this book. Although I do like the character of Dodge better than Heather. I think that heather is not out of the game yet. I think that bishop may be a judge just because he knows so much! I can't wait to see how the final half of this book wraps together. I think dodge is going to win panic, if anyone wins. I wish we got to see chapters from Nats point of view because I think she is a lot smarter than she lets on. Can't wait to finish the rest!

Wow! after p.100 this book gets faster, more action, and just an overall better than the first 80. I still do not like Nat. I'm liking Heather and Dodge a lot. I think Dodge can do better than Nat, maybe Heather?Bishop is interesting, that is all I have to say about him. The most crazy part of the book was the House, I guess challenge?
I do like the switching of the narrations, esp p.110. I like how it goes from Heather and Dodge's to an different narration. I still don't have a say in the "winner" of Panic. The reason is that I do not want to get to attached to a character and they die.
I can't wait to see what happens next!

Man, I am flying through this story! It is so engaging and full of suspense. The haunted house scene had me at the edge of my seat when the smoke started the invade the room. I'm starting to like Dodge way more than Heather. I'm really looking forward to reading through the rest!

Woah okay these challenges are getting crazier and more dangerous as time goes on. Like, not only do they sleep in a haunted house but then it almost burns down with them still inside. Crazy. So far, I still do not like Nat. I don't know, she just doesn't seem reliable or trustworthy. I just feel like she will betray Dodge and Hannah really soon. Also, Bishop seems kind of like a judge. I feel like he knows something more about Panic than he lets on.

the tigers are definitely going to be in one of the challenges. we all knew there would be a twist to the haunted house one and I was half convinced the tigers would be in there with them! I need to know Bishop's secret, I think he might be a judge but is it just me or is that too obvious? perhaps Lauren Oliver WANTS us to think that so it will be a HUGE surprise when we find out it is something else.

This book has definitely picked up pace and I'm really enjoying it. I really like Heather's character, I hope her and Bishop get together. Although it does really seem like Bishop is hiding something, I think he's probably a judge. I still don't like Naz, she seems like she's going to hurt Heather somehow.

I really am feeling the "panic" with these challenges! They are getting really intense. I'm not so sure that I would compete in Panic anymore...

I still hate Nat. I still love Heather. Bishop is still super sketchy (possibly being a judge), but I still love him too.

I wish that we could know more about Lily. I find her very interesting and would like to read more about her.

Dodge is starting to scare me, though. His revenge-quest against Ray is quite alarming. To think that he actually wants to kill someone is chilling, and I really hope he doesn't. Dodge seems like the kind of person who would be plagued with nightmares for the rest of his life if he murdered someone, and Ray isn't worth it. I do think that Luke should have to so something about what he did to Dayna. Him and his brother are so nonchalant about it, and Luke has to try and make it right.

I'm really excited to see how the rest of the story goes!

I accidentally read past this mark and didn't really have anything to say!

Ariel wrote: "I accidentally read past this mark and didn't really have anything to say!"

I also read past the check mark and had nothing to add to the speculations above. :)

I have mixed feels over Nat, I find her annoying. Dodge is getting obsessive about Panic and it's a little scary. I feel as though Bishop is a judge, but I don't want him to be because I like him. I like Heather, too. When I first started this book, I was thinking Heather and Dodge will end up together, now I don't think so. I feel like Bishop and Heather will end up together. Maybe no couples will end up together. And the tigers are going to definitely come into play. Also, I would actually love to have Heather's job with Anne :)

Nat's a bitch.
It's definitely looking like Bishop is a judge and that him and Heather are going to get together (hopefully).
What exactly happened to Zev? I think Dodge's character is interesting and makes the book better but I don't really know if I like him as a person, I'm leaning more toward I don't like him.

I can't put this book down! I think Bishop is a judge. I want him and heather to be together already! I don't like Nat, because she really doesn't do anything in the challenges. Heather and Dodge do all the work. I think Dodge's anger is getting way out of control, because he gets mad when his sister is happy when she's with Ricky.

Dodge, tell me all your secrets! I really don't know what to think at this point, and as I get further into the book the feeling of dread is getting stronger and making it harder to read on.

Wow, this book got really interesting! For the first hundred pages or so, it was good, but now I just can't put it down. I really like all of the characters, and I'm enjoying both points of view. Dodge is getting a little creepy, but I really like Heather's character development. Everybody is speculating that Bishop is a judge, but I think Lauren Oliver might just be leading us to believe that.
I am also really enjoying the romance in this book and I want Heather and Bishop to get together. At the beginning of the book I thought she'd be with Dodge, but now I don't think so, and I definitely believe that one of the main characters is going to die.

I was terrified when the house was on fire, I think I was in PANIC just like the characters. (I didn't see the fire coming even though the fireworks was a good hint)

And when Heather woke up and apparently someone had died I was just in shock. I was like: No way. If that really happened the game would be stopped.
But it is also a lot of money and money makes people do stupid things, like we can read in this book.

I still think the tigers will be part of a challenge later.
And I wonder if there really aren't any adults involved somewhere int the story. But I do at the same time doubt it.

I am very curious on how things will go on. I like that Heather knows about the two deals. And I wonder what will be the next challenge. I just want to keep reading this book. Reading it is a lot of fun :)

All I can say is, bring on the tigers. There's no way some woman is housing tigers and they won't be incorporated into panic. My guess is that they will be Heather's personal challenge.

I don't really know how I feel about this book yet - I'm kind of feeling three stars-ish right now. I'm just feeling iffy on some of the side plots happening outside of Panic. Dodge has started to freak me out, Nat is annoying, and I want a little more character depth for Lily. However, I really like the depth of some of the other characters and the plot is fabulous so far! The writing style is also very easy to read and engaging.
I'm thinking that Bishop is a judge - and that really bums me out because I want him and Heather together and that will most definitely come between them if it's true. I think that Bishop is my favorite so far.

I love Heather and Bishop. I like reading from Heathers point of view more the Dodge. I don't like Nat at all. At first she was okay but I don't really like her. This book is starting to get better. I was not sure about it at first but I really like it now. Who do you think the judges are?

The fire scene in this section is my favorite part of the book so far. I knew something was going to happen because no one would leave the house simply because they were scared. Not with $67,000 stakes. But, whoa, I wasn't expecting the fire! It has added a whole new level to these challenges. The judges will really do anything it seems. I have no idea what to expect with upcoming ones. Well except that the tigers will be involved.

I like that Dodge, Nat, and Heather are working together. I like their alliance. Though I'm sure Dodge's need for revenge and Nat's shiftiness will unfortunately break it apart soon. At the end of the section it's already getting tense.

The hints are there that Bishop is a judge but It's hard to believe he'd start the fire and risk Heather and Nat's lives. Is money really that big of an incentive to be a judge if it means possibly killing your friends? What happens if a judge quits or says no thanks when picked by previous judges?

I like that the cops are trying to shut down Panic. It seems more realistic that way. I was wondering when I read the first 100 pages of this book how Panic goes on in a small town every year without attracting the attention of local authorities. I'm still having trouble suspending my belief that a game like this wouldn't have been discovered and shut down years before though.

So, as I get into the next section I'm curious to see how Heather will get dragged back into the game. She currently seems very intent on quitting.

I really really hope those tiger are part of the story! I really dont like Nat either. I wish her individual challenge would pop up and she is eliminated. That would shut her up. Heather at first I as like 'how the heck will you win this??' and I really put my bets on Dodge, but just like Dodge's motivation is huge so is Heather's.

I really think Anne and her tigers are going to be in a challenge because Anne keeps saying they are really nice and stuff like that which could help heather out a lot if it was a race to get into the house and everyone was on the other side of the fence cause then she could take a shortcut and go threw the pen.
I was wondering could a judge happen to be playing the games? Cause like maybe it's Ray or Nat if they could be in the games and be a judge cause that would be the perfect hideout pretending your in the games when your really judging them. Also what if Dodge's sister is a judge that would be a really big twist.

Wow, the house fire scene was SO intense. It was awful but I really liked reading it? I feel like the death adds an interesting dynamic to the story now - I'm excited to see where that goes. I'm also looking forward to seeing what Heather does next, as right now she seems determined to quit the games.

I'm having a lot of fun reading this book, but I definitely like reading from Heather's POV better than Dodge's right now. His obsession and violent thoughts are alarming - I'm a bit frightened to read what he'll do next!

Well... I don't even know what to think right now!

I think someone is out to sabotage the games whether or not they or he/she are out to kill anyone I'm not sure or maybe this person is only out to hurt one person in particular and doesn't care who they hurt in the process.

Oh, it sounds better and better. Even I didn't like the beginning, it's starting to be interesting now. I knew, they will burn the house, it was kinda obvious. And the judges are definitely crazy enough, to do that. And I have to say, I really liked reading that part.
I don't get Dodge a bit. Not sure what to think about them right now. Even I like'd him first.
Bishop is definitely one of the judges.
And I wanna know more about Heather and Lilly. It's starting to be really hard for them. Maybe this will be the reason for Heather to play, because she will really need the money.

That haunted house scene was kinda awesome! Really suspenseful. I think Dodge's quest for revenge is a bit to one-track-mind creepy, like you need to have another life focus. Has he even thought past winning and avenging Dayna's injury? Not healthy at all.

Heather and Lily's relationship is adorable. I love Heather's job at Anne's, it's a nice break from the suspense.

Nat is being, quite frankly, a selfish bitch right now. And Bishop is still super sketchy yet sweet with his obvious feelings for Heather.

Looking forward to the last half.

I kind of want to punch Bishop in the throat. He was all cute and whatnot. I mean, I get that no one is perfect, but WOW. He had his hand on her and then he comes out with that ISH. UGH. CAN'T. In other news, I appreciate Heather's character SO MUCH. <3 And Lily. I love sister relationships in books!

I still don't like Nat and hope that Dodge she's how she's basically using him. But he seems so clueless which is so annoying. I think I like reading Heathers POV better than Dodge's which is probably because I want her to when, I think she needs it way more. I still don't know what to think of Bishop but I feel that he is trying to hint around/ help Heather but she just keeps cutting him off. I really would've like to see his side. I have a feeling that Dodge's revenge is going to get the best of him and he won't win.

I am still reading need to finish the book in 2 and a half hours.